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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Penn State Panhellenic Council is dedicated to creating a community where all sorority women feel seen, respected, and genuinely included. This commitment is reflected in both its leadership structure and ongoing initiatives. The establishment of the Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the formation of a DEI Committee ensure that inclusion remains a central focus across all chapters. The council actively collaborates with other governing bodies and student organizations, as well as shares relevant resources to support education, advocacy, and engagement around DEI topics.

 

In alignment with these efforts, the Panhellenic bylaws include a formal inclusion statement affirming that membership is not denied on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, military or veteran status, or political affiliation. These policies and programs work together to foster a sorority experience that values diverse perspectives and empowers every member to contribute meaningfully to the Panhellenic community.

DEI Resources

Finding Resources throughout the University Park Campus

This information is also provided by Penn State Student Affairs on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Community Focused Resources

Penn State has identity-based resources in several locations on campus that can be found on Penn State’s https://map.psu.edu/. To view community-focused resources, please visit this site.

Campus Safety Resources

Penn State offers a variety of resources for accessibility and safety on campus. To access these resources, please visit the listed sites below:

Food and Dining Resources

Penn State offers several food and dining programs catered toward financial and dietary inclusivity. To access there resources or find locations that meet your needs, please visit the following sites:

Resources for Reporting Bias

If you have experienced or witnessed an act of bias or intolerance within the Panhellenic Community, Greek Community, or Penn State Community, we encourage that you report the incident. Panhellenic cares deeply about the safety and wellbeing of our members, and wants to ensure that all members of the community are having a positive Penn State experience. Student Affairs provides an outlet to report any and all bias related incidents which can be submitted anonymously. Please be sure to read the form carefully to understand how specific reports are handled. 

 

To learn more, please visit: https://www.knowyourrightsandresponsibilities.psu.edu/ 

 

To report a bias related incident, please visit: http://equity.psu.edu/reportbias/ 

 

To understand your reporting options at Penn State, please visit: https://universityethics.psu.edu/resources-reporting-wrongdoing 

Mentoring Programs Offered by Penn State 

Penn State offers multiple avenues of support for students to thrive at Penn State. Panhellenic is proud to foster relationships with these organizations and is committed to making sure all members of our community have access to these resources. These organizations are also constantly looking for seasoned students with experiences that can be used to mentor first-year or transfer/change of campus students as they navigate University Park. 

 

BLUEprint Peer Mentoring: Visit Their Site 

Cultural, social, and academic support to students of color, specifically those who are first-year or transfer/change-of students.

 

LGBTQ+ Mentor Program: Visit Their Site 

Pairs LGBTQ+ graduate students with other LGBTQ+ students to offer emotional support, assistance setting goals and choosing a career path, and guidance through sexual and gender identity development while encouraging health and wellness through campus and community engagement.

 

First-Gen Advocates: Visit Their Site

A student-run organization that supports and mentors undergraduate first-generation students through personal and professional development workshops, social, and community-building events.

Financial Assistance and Support for Basic Needs

Food, Housing, and Basic Needs Support: Visit Their Site

Penn State has many resources available to assist you with financial challenges. Penn State Student Affairs has multiple offices to guide you to the best resources based on your need and provide support and ongoing assistance as needed.

 

Student Care and Advocacy: Visit Their Site

The Office for Student Care and Advocacy coordinates efforts with campus partners to assist students who are experiencing challenges or concerns in success at Penn State. Their Office offers support regarding basic needs, health and wellness issues, general/emotional distress, academic concerns, and many other aspects of student life. 

 

Financial Literacy and Life Skills: Visit Their Site 

The Sokolov-Miller Family Financial and Life Skills Center works to empower the Penn State community with skills they need for a lifetime of financial wellbeing. They offer one-on-one coaching, presentations and workshops, self-study modules, live and recorded webinars, and various events oriented towards financial literacy.

Advocacy Resources and Programming

There are several resources and offices dedicated to supporting students of all backgrounds at University Park. 

 

Many of these offices also host lectures, discussions, and more around topics of community and belonging throughout the year. Please visit each offices’ calendars to explore upcoming events.

Opportunities to Get Involved at University Park

Be a Peer Educator

  • Straight Talks Peer Education Program: LGBTQ+ peer educators are key to developing and engaging allies at Penn State.

  • Peers Helping Reaffirm, Educate, and Empower: Student members are responsible for facilitating educational programs and participating in other types of campus activities to raise awareness about issues such as sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, body image, and gender stereotypes.

 

Get Involved with an Office

The Paul Robeson Cultural Center (PRCC) is located in the HUB-Robeson Center and encourages students to stop by to interact with peers and center staff. The center also regularly hosts discussion groups, workshops, and other activities.

 

The Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity (CSGD) is located in the HUB-Robeson Center and provides a large welcoming space for student use. The center holds discussion groups, programs, and other activities in the space throughout the year.  

 

The Center for Spiritual and Ethical Development (CSED) is housed in the Pasquirilla Spiritual Center and holds regular community-building activities and educational programs. They also provide space and support for many religious and spiritual student organizations. 

 

While not all Penn State Student Affairs offices have a community space available, students can stop by anytime for support or to inquire about getting involved. 

Stand for State

Stand for State provides an interactive program that helps students understand their role in stepping in on campus and provides them with tangible tools to empower them to step in when it counts. The program will help students to recognize what's going on around them in their peer groups and discuss helpful tips for how to have conversations with their friends and peers.

 

Each program is 60 or 90 minutes long and focuses on sexual and relationship violence, mental or acts of bias and discrimination. Their goal is to create a campus community where everyone plays a role in watching out for each other because everyone deserves to be safe. We believe that this training program is a great opportunity to educate our members on these topics while providing them with the right tools if they are ever involved in one of these situations.

 

To request a program, please visit: https://pennstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_884K4ZdwWzSozYh 

Find Your Community

Panhellenic aligns with Penn State’s mission to support an equitable living, learning, and working environment that affirms the dignity, worth, and value of all members of the Penn State community. 

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Intercultural Engagement & Community

Various units at Penn State strive to enrich the cultural experiences of our students through leadership opportunities, educational programming, community engagement, and identity expression while also supporting the navigation of the larger University community. 

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LGBTQ+ Community

The Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity (CSGD) provides a comprehensive range of education, information, and advocacy services to students, faculty, staff, and alumni. They work to create and maintain an open, safer, and inclusive environment honoring gender and sexual diversity.

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Gender Equity and Prevention Work

The Relationship Violence Outreach, Intervention, and Community Education (R-VOICE) Center supports students who have been impacted by sexual violence, relationship violence, stalking, harassment, and other campus climate issues. The center also provides educational resources and programming around gender-related issues for the Penn State community as well as opportunities for students to get involved in gender equity work. 

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Spiritual and Faith Community

The largest multi-faith center of its kind in the country, The Pasquerilla Spiritual Center is home to the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Development at Penn State. The center offers a welcoming, safe, inclusive environment, and aims to promote an environment of appreciation and respect for religious and spiritual diversity.

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Adult Learner and Veteran Community

Penn State has a variety of offices that support non-traditional undergraduate students and veterans. The Office of Adult Learner Programs and Services, provides advocacy, mentorship, programming, and helpful resources during a student's educational journey.

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International Community

Penn State Global Programs manages education abroad programs, hosts international students and scholars, and facilitates the University's many international partnerships around the world. 

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Disability and Access

Student Disability Resources supports students by exploring individualized reasonable accommodations for equal access, facilitating peer interactions and study space, connecting with on- and off-campus resources, and promoting disability as an important aspect of diversity.

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Community and Belonging Resources for Faculty and Staff

Faculty and staff can find resources for supporting students, incorporating community and belonging into their classrooms, and workshops or other resources to help them become better allies. 

Campus Centers: 

Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity: 

  • Center to provide support to LGBTQ+ students through education, advocacy, and programming events 

 

Paul Robeson Cultural Center 

  • Multicultural student support center that offers programming and services, such as the women of color empowerment group, to celebrate and uplift differing racial and ethnic communities here at Penn State 

 

R-VOICE (Relationship Violence Outreach, Intervention, and Community Education Center) 

  • Supports students who have been affected by sexual violence, relationship violence, stalking, harassment, etc. The center also offers education and programming for gender equity issues including Greeks Care

 

Office of Educational Equity 

  • University-wide office within student affairs that coordinates equity, diversity, and accessibility initiatives for students from marginalized communities 

  • Located at 314 Old Main 

  • Contact equity.psu.edu

 

Penn State Global - International Student and Scholar Advising 

  • Offers support towards international students through advising immigration services such as guidance on visa and, assistance with employment and financial concerns, and resources for campus life 

  • Located at 410 Boucke Building 

  • Contact 1-814-865-6348

 

Student Disability Resource Center 

  • Ensure legal compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Acts and coordinates support services for students with differing abilities. Their goal is to provide a welcoming environment and sense of belonging for all students 

Identity-Based Organizations: 

Black Caucus 

  • An umbrella organization aimed to advocate for the needs and experiences of Black students at Penn State 

  • Instagram @psublackcaucus

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APIDA Caucus 

  • Supports students from Asian Pacific Islander Desi American backgrounds through advocacy, programming, and celebration 

  • Instagram @psuapidacaucus 

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MENA Caucus 

  • Represents Middle Eastern and North African student at Penn State by organizing cultural events and advocating for inclusion 

  • Instagram @psumenacaucus 

 

Latino Caucus 

  • Support Latino students through cultural, social, and academic initiatives that serves all students from LatinX backgrounds 

  • Instagram @psulatinocaucus 

 

Lion Pride 

  • LGBTQ+ student-run organization promoting queer culture and pride through programming and education 

  • Instagram @lionpridepsu

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Disability Alliance 

  • Student organization focused on creating an accessible and inclusive environment for students with disabilities 

  • Instagram disabilityalliancepsu

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