Your PennWest Community

 

The Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion helps to support university-wide initiatives focused on ensuring that PennWest is inclusive and welcoming to all. We collaborate with students, faculty, and staff to provide a variety of programs and services that promote diversity, student success, and leadership opportunities at each of our three campuses and within our online communities. 

For media requests, please contact Wendy Mackall at mackall@pennwest.edu

You belong at PennWest

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.

The Building Bridges program brings trained Student Associates, both minority and majority, to classrooms for candid discussions about their personal experiences. Topics may include interracial dating, segregation, the latest U.S. Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action, Black History Month, implicit bias, racism, xenophobia, and other terminology, and the effect of media on racial, cultural, and political polarization. The result is a lively, open discussion that produces a different perspective for many students. Student Associates are recommended for the program by faculty or staff. They receive a service stipend and receive ongoing training in non-defensive communication techniques and effective listening.

Providing 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?

 

 

PennWest’s Presidential Commissions also address DEI issues. Contact the Office of University Affairs to learn more about commissions that focus on women’s issues, LGBTQIA+ communities, military and veterans affairs, and disabilities and accessibility.

Meet our DEI staff

 

 

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.

 

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