UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Hosted by the University Staff Advisory Council (USAC), 12 Penn State staff and faculty from across the commonwealth participated virtually in a professional development session to increase their knowledge and understanding of inclusion, equity and diversity, and to begin discussions about the ways it may apply to supporting the University’s efforts to address racism, bias, and community safety.
Organized by USAC’s Inclusion, Equity and Diversity Committee, committee co-chairs Adidi Etim-Hunting and Karen Armstrong said the idea for the event came from their committee’s position that inclusion, equity and diversity awareness can best be gained by an individual through continuous learning and progressive experiences shared with others.
“The goal of this session was to begin an inclusion, equity and diversity conversation across multiple positions at Penn State and to reinforce an agreement that we all need continuous professional development. These sessions are to encourage others to do the same, regardless of their title or standing at the University. The first step is to begin the conversation,” said Etim-Hunting. “We should focus our attention on individual and group professional development that is ongoing and evolving with all of our shared experiences.”
The session was facilitated by Charleon Jeffries, director of diversity, equity and inclusion in the Division of Development and Alumni Relations, and included Executive Vice President and Provost Nick Jones and Lisette Garcia, assistant vice president of diversity, inclusion and belonging for Penn State Human Resources. Participants also included representatives from the Penn State Faculty Senate and USAC members from campuses including University Park, Penn State Harrisburg, and Penn State Hazleton, including incoming USAC chair Benjy Romig.
Jeffries focused on objectives including recognizing personal and organizational barriers that prevent large-scale growth and change, and developing understanding of key inclusion, equity and diversity competencies while identifying areas of opportunity for growth.
“Staff are eager to be a part of the University’s efforts to diminish the impact of structural and systemic racism, unconscious bias, and microaggressions. They want ways to continuously develop their own personal action plans while also promoting innovative, inclusive organizational plans at Penn State,” Jeffries said.
Penn State Brandywine Associate Professor of English Kimberly Blockett attended the session and commented, “When USAC approached Faculty Senate to propose the united effort around this session, the members agreed that no matter an individual’s University position or affiliation, we all have to be vigilant in our search for awareness and growth in this space.”
Armstrong said that USAC plans to continue work in this area, noting that ongoing professional development helps build the trust, tools and empathy needed to engage in critical conversations that lead to positive change. “The feedback on this session was overwhelmingly positive so now we’ll begin transitioning into a broader perspective of how USAC will continue this momentum and what these efforts mean for our staff as they face these ongoing, necessary improvements,” she said.
About the University Staff Advisory Council
USAC — the voice for Penn State staff — consists of dedicated staff who act in an advisory capacity to the central administration; explore issues, policies and practices that impact staff; suggest revisions to policies and new policy initiatives; and advocate for staff welfare and development. USAC serves the president and his administration through the vice president of human resources and accepts new members annually. USAC can be contacted via email at askUSAC@psu.edu and can also be found on Facebook.
Staff members from across the University who are interested in participating in future professional development or helping USAC continue advancing inclusion, equity and diversity are strongly encouraged to visit USAC's website to learn how to get involved.