Mission

The Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion provides leadership, direction, and assistance to Penn West University in advancing its collective commitment to creating and sustaining campus environments that promote and celebrate a culture of inclusion, justice, and belonging. 

Vision

The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will lead in higher education DE & I by creating a university environment that fosters a sense of belonging through outreach, education, advocacy, and empowering campus community members to learn and educate as their authentic selves.

Meet the Staff

 

DEI Activities and Events

The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion collaborates with other university departments to develop activities and events dedicated to fostering an inclusive campus environment. We organize a variety of activities, and celebrations that promote cross-cultural understanding, social justice, and community engagement. Our initiatives include speaker series, cultural events, panel discussions, and volunteer opportunities. We strive to create a welcoming environment where all members of our community feel valued and empowered.

You Belong

All of our students' clubs and organizations help to build community ties across campus and communities. Groups with a multicultural focus are among the wide range of student clubs and organizations at California, Clarion, and Edinboro available to PennWest students. The African Student Association, Black Student Union, Asia Club, Hispanic Student Association, and Rainbow Alliance are just a few of the student-led organizations that build a sense of belonging within our diverse student population.

Resources for Students and Employees

PennWest students and employees come from a variety of backgrounds— and the DEI Office is here to support them. How can we assist you?

DEI Outreach and Education

The Office of DEI is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where diversity, equity and inclusion are not just valued, but actively promoted. As part of this dedication, we recognize the significance of outreach and education on DEI-related issues.

Through workshops, open dialogues and ongoing educational initiatives, we aim to empower members of the campus community with the knowledge and tools needed to embrace diversity, promote equity and advocate for inclusion in all aspects of our educational and work interactions. The workshops available through the Office of Diversity Equity, and Inclusion include, bias literacy, microaggression awareness, cultural sensitivity, racial justice training, identity awareness, and workshops tailored to the specific needs of the classrooms, student organizations, or university offices.

The Building Bridges Program

The Building Bridges program dialogue program creates a platform for meaningful and constructive conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion within the university and greater communities. Student facilitators lead structured forums to promote professional and personal growth by facilitating discussions among peers, faculty, and staff, fostering a conducive environment for mutual learning and development. The Building Bridges dialogue program is available for classrooms, student clubs and organizations, and university department staff and faculty.

Safe Zone

The PennWest Safe Zone program is a network of individuals who have completed training to become knowledgeable and supportive allies for LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff. They provide a visible presence across the university, demonstrating a commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. Safe Zone allies offer resources, support, and a safe space for those who may be facing discrimination or feeling isolated.

Navigating Gender Identity in Professional Spaces

PennWest University Commissions

The PennWest Commissions are dedicated to advancing initiatives that foster equity and inclusive standards and practices within the university community. This entails promoting initiatives, including informing and recommending policy. The commissions engage in a thorough process of research, consultation and review to ensure that the policies they recommend are comprehensive and effective. They also plan programs and events with diverse perspectives. The overarching goal is to cultivate a community where every member feels esteemed, supported and included.

Women’s Commission

The PennWest Women’s Commission’s mission is to acknowledge the unique challenges of women in a university setting and therefore promote a university culture supportive of inclusiveness, diversity and civility that empowers women and provides them with equality in the pursuit of knowledge, work and career so they can be fully contributing members of the greater community.

LGBTQIA+ Commission

The mission of PennWest’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA+) Commission is to facilitate the development of a university community that is open, caring, nurturing, personal, fair, engaging and respectful, inclusive, and equitable.

Military and Veterans Commission

The PennWest Military and Veterans Commission advocates for and supports concerns affecting all military-affiliated individuals in all aspects of university life. It works toward making student veterans and their families feel they are a part of the university community and helps develop programs to assist them in their professional careers.

Mobility and Disability Commission

The mission of the PennWest Mobility and Disability Commission is to increase awareness of disability issues, to identify areas of concern and possible solutions and to serve as an advocate for the disability community in order that all persons, regardless of disability, can participate in and benefit from the university programs, services and activities.

Report Incidents of Bias

Our Inclusive Community Assessment Team responds to reports of bias incidents and hate speech. The ICAT team does not investigate, arbitrate, or take the place of other university processes or services. Instead, this team of staff and faculty members plays an educational role by providing services to witnesses, bystanders, targeted individuals, offenders, or members of the community in order to create change in a timely, effective, and comprehensive way.

PennWest defines bias as any act (verbal, written, physical, or psychological) that threatens or harms a person or group because of their race, religion, color, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, military service or veteran status.

Reporting incidents of bias helps our University create a safer and more supportive environment for all.

 

Make a Report

 

Who can make a report?

Students, faculty, staff, family members, and alumni may use this form to report bias incidents. If you are the target of bias or witness to an incident of bias directed at any member of the University community, you should report the incident immediately. Your report will be handled through the appropriate University channels.

Contact & Location

724-938-5758
dei@pennwest.edu