UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Alumni Association has received the 2024 Alumni Association Inclusive Excellence Award from Insight Into Diversity magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education.
The award honors alumni association programs, culture and initiatives that encourage and support diversity, inclusion and a sense of belonging for all alumni, regardless of racial or ethnic background, sexual or gender identity, religion, socio-economic status, worldview and more.
Insight Into Diversity magazine selected the Penn State Alumni Association for this award in recognition of its longtime commitment to fostering a strong, diverse alumni community where every voice is heard, every identity celebrated, and every Penn Stater belongs.
“Throughout our history, the Penn State Alumni Association has strived to create an inclusive environment for all alumni,” said Paul Clifford, CEO of the Penn State Alumni Association. “This award is a recognition of the progress we have made on our DEIB journey and an acknowledgment that our work in this space is never-ending. When we say "WE Are" we mean all Penn Staters.”
Some of the specific Penn State Alumni Association activities and programs that were considered in the award selection process include:
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FastStart Mentorship, a program that enriches the experience of first-year Penn State students who identify from underrepresented populations by matching students with both alumni and faculty/staff mentors.
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The "People of Penn State" podcast, which features alumni sharing their passions and highlights the power of the Penn State network. To date, 20 of the series 56 episodes have been directly linked to DEIB-related topics and experiences.
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In addition to highlighting the diverse experiences and expertise of Penn State faculty and alumni, online events and programs, such as the association’s Virtual Speakers Series, offer closed captioning to ensure accessibility.
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The biennial Black Alumni Reunion (BAR), which brings together African American and Black alumni from across the nation for a weekend of camaraderie, networking and engagement, serves as a bridge connecting alumni to their alma mater, the association and current students of color.
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Alumni Interest Groups that serve as micro-communities within the larger alumni network and allow individuals to connect based on shared experiences, interests and backgrounds, fostering a sense of belonging through affinity-based connections.
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The association's magazine, the Penn Stater, highlights success stories about alumni from diverse groups and informs alumni about the progress of DEIB at the University.
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The association's governing Alumni Council reflects the breadth of Penn State’s alumni community, comprising elected and appointed members to align the diversity of representatives with the constituents they serve. The council’s DEIB committee works to ensure diversity is considered in all elements of the association’s programming.
“Our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging is deeply rooted, so we are proud to receive this recognition,” said Marc Tuffy, associate director of affinity engagement for the Penn State Alumni Association. “We’re proud to share our journey and contributions, but our efforts are not about recognition — they are about creating a legacy of impact.”
The Penn State Alumni Association will be featured, along with 31 other recipients, in the June 2024 issue of Insight Into Diversity magazine.
“We know that alumni associations are not always recognized for their dedication to diversity, inclusion and belonging,” said Lenore Pearlstein, owner and publisher of Insight Into Diversity magazine. “We are proud to honor these college and university alumni associations as role models for other institutions of higher education.”
A call for nominations for this award was announced in February 2024. For more information about the 2024 Alumni Association Inclusive Excellence Award, visit insightintodiversity.com.
For more than 150 years, the Penn State Alumni Association has provided alumni with a strong and welcoming community representative of the Penn Staters it proudly serves. The association keeps alumni connected to the University and to each other, while upholding Penn State traditions and supporting the University’s mission of teaching, research and service. The association also produces the award-winning Penn Stater magazine and other publications, and offers alumni and friends volunteer opportunities, educational programming, and many other services. For more information about the Alumni Association, visit alumni.psu.edu/youbelong.