Strategic Plan 2025–2030

The final updated Ed Equity 2025-2036 Strategic Plan was shared with PSU leadership and approved in its final version in January of 2026.

Mission

OVPEE strengthens Penn State’s foundation for student, faculty, and staff success by connecting access, opportunity, and accountability through research‑driven action. We build partnerships, translate evidence into practice, and remove barriers so every learner can achieve their highest potential.

Vision

A university where access and opportunity empower success for every Penn Stater, and where innovation, collaboration, engagement, and accountability make Penn State a model of educational excellence and public impact.

Goals

1 Advanced Access, Opportunity, and Success Across the University

Goal 1 AI PhotoBuild and integrate a university-wide framework for access, persistence, and success that supports the identification and closing of equity gaps; position OVPEE as a connector, convener, and steward of institution-wide access and success efforts; elevate inclusive and equitable practices across units; and strengthen persistence and completion for students and support and retention of faculty and staff served by OVPEE programs.

Objectives

  • Contribute to a university-wide framework for access, persistence, and academic success that supports the identification and closing of equity gaps
  • Support colleges, campuses, and student services in enhancing accessible and equitable practices
  • Enhance persistence and completion for students served by OVPEE programs

2 Advance Applied Research and Faculty–Practitioner Partnerships that Improve Student Success and Faculty/Staff Belonging and Retention

Goal 2 AI PhotoAdvance applied, equity-centered research through intentional partnerships with faculty whose research agendas align with the experiences and outcomes of students, faculty, and staff supported by Educational Equity offices and programs. This goal emphasizes research-to-practice translation, strategic funding partnerships, ethical and inclusive AI applications, and faculty–practitioner collaboration to generate actionable insights that inform program improvement, institutional policy, and measurable equity outcomes.

Objectives

  • Establish and sustain applied research partnerships with faculty whose scholarly expertise aligns with student success, belonging, and retention outcomes for populations served by OVPEE offices and programs.
  • Leverage applied faculty–OVPEE research partnerships to secure external funding and build strategic collaborations aligned with Penn State’s public mission and OVPEE priorities.
  • Apply faculty-led, equity-centered research to inform ethical and inclusive AI initiatives that support student success, access, and belonging.
  • Institutionalize faculty–practitioner applied research partnerships as a core strategy for continuous improvement within OVPEE and across the institution.

3 Contribute to Penn State’s Public Mission through Community Access and Engagement

Goal 3 AI PhotoStrengthen pipelines and partnerships across K–12, college, and community systems; support civic and community engagement that promotes access and opportunity; and expands OVPEE program reach as models of engagement.

Objectives

  • Strengthen pipelines and partnerships across K–12, college, and community systems.
  • Support civic and community engagement initiatives that promote access and opportunity.
  • Expand the reach of OVPEE‑supported programs as models of engagement.

4 Strengthen Institutional Infrastructure for Access‑Informed Planning and Accountability

Goal 4 AI PhotoPromote accessible and equitable practices across leadership and staff roles; support accountability and data‑informed planning; and contribute to Penn State’s AI literacy and data strategy.

Objectives

  • Promote accessible and equitable practices across leadership and staff roles.
  • Support accountability and data‑informed planning.
  • Contribute to Penn State’s AI literacy and data strategy.

Cross‑Goal Themes

  • Data & Analytics Readiness and Responsible Use (Goals 1 & 4).
  • Inclusive Practice & Leadership Development (Goals 1 & 4).
  • Ethical, Equity‑Centered AI (Goals 2 & 4).
  • Community Pipelines & Public Mission Alignment (Goal 3).
  • Accountability & Equity‑Informed Planning (Goals 1 & 4).
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