The initiative, which will continue throughout the academic year, is bringing students, faculty and staff together to show their commitment to cultivating a diverse and inclusive environment — respectful of everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, abilities, background, veteran’s status, political beliefs and all the ways we differ. Penn State has made progress when it comes to building supportive, learning communities but there is always more that can be done, and this event is asking students, faculty and staff to focus on these efforts.
The event will include remarks from President Eric Barron and Vice Provost for Educational Equity Marcus Whitehurst, along with music from the Essence of Joy choir; remarks by faculty member Susan Russell and undergraduate student Jin Brooke; and the announcement of a new “All In” Achievement Award to recognize a Penn State student, faculty or staff member who has made a significant contribution to the yearlong celebration and whose life and work embody diversity, inclusion and equity in all of its forms.
“The upcoming ‘All In’ event is acknowledging that there is work to be done in our community, and that the University is committed to decisive action. There is so much positive student energy around these topics and I think the ‘All In’ launch event will maximize that energy,” said Jaime Kraky, executive director of the Student Programming Association and an undergraduate with a dual major in health policy administration and biobehavioral health. “I'm excited to see the ways in which the University capitalizes on this passion and drives it toward giving new meaning to what it means to be a Penn Stater. I will be getting involved because this is my University and I am responsible for the way my fellow students feel and how they are treated.”
Erik Zavala, a senior and member of the University Park Undergraduate Association, said he thinks it is important for students to know about events like this, so they will think about how well they are doing to include others.
“ ‘All In at Penn State’ is one of those efforts and it is like a tool to help educate and include all the communities at Penn State to come together as one community,” Zavala said. “I am getting involved on Oct. 6 because I want to be part of the event that is catered to bring diverse groups, include all communities and educate everyone about the diversity of Penn State and how important it is to include others different from yourself.”