UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — For nearly a decade, Seria Chatters has been a champion of diversity, equity and inclusion, both in the Penn State College of Education and in the surrounding community. Now, in her new role as assistant vice provost for educational equity at Penn State, she hopes to create synergy between different areas in the University in support of a common goal of ensuring an inclusive and welcoming campus environment.
Chatters, adjunct associate teaching professor of education (counselor education), started her position in the Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity on Oct. 1. Since 2018, she had been the director of equity and inclusivity for the State College Area School District. Chatters also is co-chair of the College of Education’s Diversity and Community Enhancement Committee and a member of the Equity Team.
“I’m so excited to be returning to Penn State (full-time), it almost feels like coming back home,” said Chatters. “I absolutely enjoyed my time at SCASD and I’m extremely excited to be coming back.”
One of Chatters’ main responsibilities in her new role is directing the Office of Scholars Programs, which manages four scholars programs within the Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity: Bunton-Waller Fellows, Lenfest Scholars, Maguire Scholars and Milton Hershey Scholars. These four programs have the broad and shared goal to enhance the inclusion efforts at Penn State; and provide support to underrepresented and underserved students in higher education.
In addition, Chatters will support the report bias process at Penn State and professional development for the Educational Equity unit; interact with other units across the University for professional development related to equity; and liaison with Commonwealth Campuses in support of educational equity.
“What I’m so excited about is to have other DEI people I can work with, connect with, collaborate with because I’m a collaborator at heart,” said Chatters.
In that spirit of collaboration, Chatters said she would like to create new connections between the Penn State campuses and surrounding communities.
“What are some really intentional and meaningful ways that we can continue to get students that are involved in the Scholars Program involved, not only in the Penn State community, but also the community at large?” she asked. “What are some ways colleges are utilizing, supporting them?”
Noting that the College of Education has been “very assertive in assuring anti-racism is at the foundation of the strategic plan,” Chatters sees potential for DEI initiatives in the college that could be models for University-wide programs.
“Are there ways to learn from each other?” she asked. “You don’t have to reinvent the wheel — why don’t we work together to make it better?”
Chatters originally was hired at Penn State in 2013 as an assistant professor of counselor education. At that time, she also was the coordinator for clinical mental health in schools and communities at Penn State. Swayed by her desire to work more closely with children, in 2018, Chatters accepted a position as the first-ever director of equity and inclusivity at SCASD. The adjunct associate professor role was created especially for Chatters by former College of Education Dean David Monk in recognition of her extensive research and teaching experience as well as her desire to maintain a connection with the college.
Chatters’ research interests focus on the impact of diversity on interpersonal violence with a specific focus on preventing bullying and harassment in secondary, postsecondary and work settings. In addition, her research focuses on how prejudice and bullying intersect, better known as bias-based bullying, and how different aspects of diversity such as ethnicity, race, disability, LGBT, religion, poverty and veteran status impact experiences of bullying, cyberbullying and interpersonal violence.
Additionally, Chatters provides training for school and university personnel to aid them in developing an understanding of bias-based forms of bullying and harassment, how to respond to it, and how to work toward prevention in all settings.