A Framework to Foster Diversity at Penn State: 2010-15

Since the implementation of the initial Framework in 1998, Penn State has made considerable strides toward building a truly diverse, inclusive, and equitable institution and in establishing an infrastructure to facilitate effective diversity planning, implementation, and reporting processes. Fostering diversity must be recognized as being at the heart of our institutional viability and vitality, a core value of the academic mission, and a priority of the institution. With this 2010-15 Framework, Penn State begins the next phase of achieving our diversity potential.

Campus Climate and Intergroup Relations
Challenge 1: Developing a Shared and Inclusive Understanding of Diversity
Challenge 2: Creating a Welcoming Campus Climate

Representation (Access and Success)
Challenge 3: Recruiting and Retaining a Diverse Student Body
Challenge 4: Recruiting and Retaining a Diverse Workforce

Education and Scholarship
Challenge 5: Developing a Curriculum That Fosters United States and International Cultural Competencies

Institutional Viability and Vitality
Challenge 6: Diversifying University Leadership and Management
Challenge 7: Coordinating Organizational Change to Support Our Diversity Goals

Midpoint and final unit updates should convey progress on implementation of the unit diversity strategic plan, and should address the following set of questions for each of the seven Challenges:

1. Taking into account the unit's and University' history with this Challenge, the targeted areas for improvement as they apply to your unit, and your unit's diversity strategic plan and general strategic plan, what progress have you made toward this Challenge during this reporting period?
2. What measures of success or strategic indicators gauge your progress toward this Challenge? What specific data in relation to these measures and indicators demonstrate your progress?
3. Among the strategies you have employed to make progress with this Challenge, which specific approaches are considered your "signature" initiatives and which could be termed best practices? (Best practices are processes, programs, and procedures that most successfully lead to the unit's ability to reach the University" diversity goals and can be validated through measurable outcomes.) Describe these signature and/or best practice initiatives, the metrics by which their success is gauged, and the measurable outcomes.

The directory to the left provides links to each section of A Framework to Foster Diversity at Penn State: 2010-15.

Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity
314 Old Main,
University Park, PA 16802
Phone: (814) 865-5906, Fax: (814) 865-3997