Academics

Griswold recognized with Jackson Lethbridge Tolerance Award

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Kaytlynn Griswold, doctoral student in industrial organizational psychology in the College of the Liberal Arts at Penn State, is the recipient of the 2019 Jackson Lethbridge Tolerance Award.

The award recognizes a junior, senior or graduate student for outstanding efforts to enhance the understanding of diverse cultures and create a community where all individuals are accepted and valued equally. The award is named for its benefactor, a Penn State alumnus.

On campus and beyond, Griswold has lead initiatives to improve diversity and opportunities for minorities. A member of the College of the Liberal Arts’ Diversity Steering Committee, she took steps to create a graduate student diversity organization. As co-chair of that committee, she designed and oversaw programming to increase inclusiveness among graduate students in psychology.

As co-chair of training for BRIDGE, the department’s diversity alliance for students and faculty, Griswold organized talks and activities to increase diversity. She also developed training and events to increase awareness and understanding of issues related to diversity.

Griswold promoted diversity as global diversity and inclusion intern with the pharmaceutical company Merck & Co. There, she designed and implemented a job-shadowing program for underrepresented employees and designed breakout sessions for the company’s annual summit on diversity and inclusion.

“In her five years at Penn State, Griswold has been passionately striving to improve and enhance diversity and inclusive climates at Penn State and beyond,” a nominator said. “I’ve come to appreciate Griswold’s caring compassion, competence and dedication, which combine to make her a fierce advocate for equality, diversity and social justice.”

Last Updated April 1, 2019