News and Events 2020
Vice Provost Whitehurst offers a message of resilience for University community
December 17, 2020
Thank you to the staff in the Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity for their innovation and dedication to Penn State during this unprecedented time in 2020 — as a global pandemic and issues of racial injustice intersected to underscore the divides that continue to persist in our society. Individuals within this office have made it their life’s work to embrace the Penn State values and push for equity in every aspect of our operations. They are helping the University and society lead to a more just and unbiased future for all, and I wish to acknowledge them and their persistence. [ More ]
Roundtable discussion to explore post-election state of the nation
October 27, 2020
On Nov. 4, experts from across Penn State will take part in a roundtable discussion exploring the results and potential impacts of the 2020 U.S. presidential election as the final installment of the “Toward Racial Equity at Penn State: Social Difference, Social Equity and Social Change” event series. [ More ]
Educational Equity to host talk for underrepresented Commonwealth Campus faculty
October 13, 2020
The virtual Oct. 21 event is for underrepresented faculty at Commonwealth Campuses to connect with senior faculty mentors and learn about resources available to help with professional development and career success.
Faculty members at Penn State’s Commonwealth Campuses are invited to attend “A Conversation with Senior Faculty Mentors” from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 21, to be held virtually via Zoom. - [ More ]
New resources available for underrepresented faculty members
September 25, 2020
New support for faculty members from underrepresented racial and ethnic minority backgrounds and other identities has been launched to provide multiple career advancement resources for faculty, as well as academic leaders interested in supplementing efforts to build a more inclusive and supportive intellectual workplace environment for all. - [ More ]
Penn State Community Survey findings, dashboards available
September 13, 2020
A summary report, findings and public results dashboards for the Penn State Community Survey are now available for students, faculty and staff members to review. In February 2020, Penn State launched the University-wide survey as part of ongoing efforts to promote community, inclusion and diversity across campuses, and to support strategic planning priorities in these areas. - [ More ]
Gilmartin gift funds two Educational Equity Scholarships
September 10, 2020
Longtime supporter of the College of Education John Gilmartin has pledged $500,000 to create two new Educational Equity Scholarships – one at the University level and one in the College of Education. The scholarships each will receive matching funds as part of the University’s new Educational Equity Matching Program. - [ More ]
Penn Staters of color imagine a ‘new normal’ for diversity, equity, inclusion
September 9, 2020
In the second of a three-part series of roundtable discussions titled “Toward Racial Equity at Penn State: Social Difference, Social Equity and Social Change,” faculty members, staff, University leaders and students of color shared their experiences within a predominately white university setting and their visions for the future of diversity, equity and inclusion at Penn State. - [ More ]
Roundtable discussion to explore experiences of Penn Staters of color
September 2, 2020
On Sept. 8, Penn State leaders, faculty members, staff and students of color will take part in a roundtable discussion on their experiences within a predominately white university setting as the second event in a series of roundtable conversations titled “Toward Racial Equity at Penn State: Social Difference, Social Equity and Social Change.” - [ More ]
Penn State leadership joins local Virtual March on Washington
August 28, 2020
Penn State leadership participated in a locally organized 2020 Virtual March on Washington today (Aug. 28), on the 57th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963. - [ More ]
Couple pledges $500k to support diversity and inclusion at Penn State
July 29, 2020
Harold E. and V. Arlene Cheatham have pledged an estate gift of $500,000 to create two endowed funds in the Office of Educational Equity. With this gift -- committed through the couple’s revocable trust -- the Cheathams have established a legacy that celebrates their lifelong commitment to equity and social justice. - [ More ]
New veteran scholarship honors Brian Clark's Penn State career
July 22, 2020
The new Brian Clark Veterans Scholarship in Educational Equity, established by local State College businessman Terry Losch, celebrates Clark’s 41-year career in Penn State’s Office of Veterans Programs, honors his July retirement from the University, and will create new opportunities for student veterans for generations to come. - [ More ]
Trustee committee explores impact of COVID on underrepresented students
July 17, 2020
The Penn State Board of Trustees Committee on Academic Affairs and Student Life engaged in a panel discussion on July 16 about the disproportionate effects that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on underrepresented populations at the University, featuring input from Penn State leadership and students, faculty and staff of color. - [ More ]
Race, Our Campus Climate and Workplace: A Conversation with Penn State’s New Black Leadership
June 30, 2020
Roundtable with Black University leadership explores race and campus climate
June 30, 2020
In the first event of a three-part series titled “Toward Racial Equity at Penn State: Social Difference, Social Equity and Social Change,” Black members of University leadership explored the experiences of people of color and members of underrepresented racial and ethnic communities within predominately white classrooms. - [ More ]
Diversity roundtable to explore race, campus and workplace climate
June 30, 2020
In a new series of roundtable conversations titled “Toward Racial Equity at Penn State: Social Difference, Social Equity and Social Change,” University leaders aim to engage the Penn State community in dialogue to advance greater equity and inclusion for students, faculty and staff from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. - [ More ]
Penn State offers match for scholarships supporting diversity
June 29, 2020
Amid a national reckoning with questions of race and justice, spurred by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Penn State has made a $10 million commitment to scholarships that will support diversity across the institution. - [ More ]
Penn State leaders discuss work ahead as University tackles issues of race, bias
June 29, 2020
As the country continues to grapple with the killing of George Floyd and the nationwide protests that have erupted as a result, Penn State President Eric Barron, along with co-chairs of a new racism, bias and community safety commission and other University leaders discussed the enormous task of fighting ignorance and intolerance, being more inclusive and embracing diversity during a virtual Town Hall event today (June 29). - [ More ]
Barron to host June 29 Town Hall on race and bias
June 25, 2020
Penn State President Eric Barron will host a virtual Town Hall event at 3 p.m. on Monday, June 29, at LiveEvents to highlight the elements outlined in his June 10 message and the University’s planned efforts to fight ignorance and intolerance, model inclusivity and embrace diversity. - [ More ]
Students, employees share disability accommodation experiences with trustees
The Penn State Board of Trustees Committee on Academic Affairs and Student Life held a panel discussion Thursday, Feb. 20, on disability awareness and accommodations as part of the University’s ongoing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. - [ More ]
