The Office of Educational Equity

Established in July 1990, the Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity leads University-wide efforts to advance inclusive excellence and expand access to opportunity across the Penn State community. The office provides strategic leadership in aligning institutional priorities with the University’s mission and supports initiatives that promote academic success, career development, and engagement for students, faculty, and staff. This includes oversight of programs such as the federally funded TRIO initiatives.

Through partnerships across campuses and with communities across Pennsylvania, the office serves as a catalyst for fostering a welcoming environment and enhancing institutional capacity to support success and belonging for all members of the Penn State community.

Within the University, the Office of Educational Equity leads and supports efforts that promote access, engagement, and success for students, faculty, and staff from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences.

The office works across the institution to coordinate and assess initiatives that support:

• Veterans and military-affiliated individuals
• Individuals with disabilities
• Students from families with limited financial resources, particularly those who are the first in their family to attend college
• Students from communities that have historically experienced barriers to higher education access

The office also provides administrative support to four University-wide commissions that advise the President on matters related to equity and inclusion:

• The Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Equity (CLGBTQE)
• The Commission on Racial/Ethnic Diversity (CORED)
• The Commission for Women (CFW)
• The Commission on Equity in Disability Issues

Beyond Penn State, the office works in partnership with high schools and counties throughout Pennsylvania to expand college access for individuals facing social, cultural, or economic obstacles that may impact their educational journey.

With more than three decades of experience in strategic planning focused on educational equity, Penn State is a national leader in creating environments that promote respect, opportunity, and a sense of belonging. Our work is aligned with the University’s strategic plan and grounded in the President’s vision and goals for academic excellence and community impact.

Senior Faculty Mentors

Offers guidance that helps facilitate the attainment of tenure, promotion, and advancement at each faculty career stage, particularly for underrepresented racial/ethnic minority tenure-track faculty members.

Educational Equity Senior Faculty Mentors

Jennifer Hamer Links to an external site., Professor in African American Studies	Jeanine Staples-Dixon Links to an external site., Professor in Literacy and Language

Support for all Campuses

The Senior Faculty Mentors Systemwide Network (SFMSN) is designed to extend critical elements of the existing mentoring support provided by the Senior Faculty Mentors to all Penn State campuses.

The senior faculty who have agreed to participate in the network all have the requisite skills, temperament, experience and interest to provide sound guidance to colleagues. Network members serve as an initial point of contact for faculty members from underrepresented groups both at their campus and for campuses in close proximity. They are available to provide advice and counsel as needed regarding a variety of professional development matters. In the event that some issues require more in-depth interventions, network members work directly with the Senior Faculty Mentors to address concerns.

1. Foster a culture of respect that values the experiences and perspectives of faculty, staff, and students.
2. Impact student success by providing programs that support students’ academic goals, develop skills, and increase connections.
3. Enable access to education by supporting federal programs; providing outreach programs to select communities in the Commonwealth; and administering scholarships.
4. Advance equity and belonging by providing leadership for policy and program development; collaborating and consulting for planning and assessment; competing for sponsored awards or projects; and sponsorship. 

Top Items faculty should know about Educational Equity
all found at equity.psu.edu

	University-wide Leadership on Access and Belonging The Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity leads efforts to expand access and foster a welcoming, respectful environment for all students, faculty, and staff across Penn State’s campuses.
	Support for Faculty Development and Engagement Educational Equity supports professional development opportunities for faculty, including mentorship programs, inclusive teaching resources, and partnerships with commissions focused on equity and community-building.
	Comprehensive Support Services for Students Educational Equity oversees a network of offices that provide targeted support to help students succeed academically and personally. This includes: Student Disability Resources, which coordinates accommodations and promotes access for students with disabilities; The Office of Veterans Programs, which supports student veterans and the dependents of veterans with academic, financial, and transition services; and The Office of Scholars Programs, which provides mentoring, academic enrichment, and community-building for students on scholarships such as the Bunton-Waller, Lenfest, Maguire, and Milton Hershey programs, as well as other students from historically underrepresented backgrounds.
	Resources for Inclusive Scholarship and Teaching Faculty can collaborate with Educational Equity to incorporate equity-centered frameworks into research, outreach, and classroom practice through approaches grounded in access, opportunity, and institutional values.
	Funding Opportunities for Inclusive Teaching and Outreach Faculty can apply for support through the Equal Opportunity Planning Committee (EOPC) grant program, which provides funding for initiatives that advance access, engagement, and success for students across the University. These grants support innovative projects—such as inclusive teaching strategies, outreach efforts, or academic enrichment programs—that align with Penn State’s values and institutional commitment to educational equity.
	University Commissions on Equity Educational Equity provides administrative support to the President’s Commissions on LGBTQ+ Equity, Racial/Ethnic Diversity, Disability Issues and Women, which are excellent partners for faculty interested in community engagement, advocacy, or policy advising.
	Statewide Educational Access Initiatives Through pre-college outreach and partnerships with Pennsylvania schools and communities, Educational Equity helps create stronger pathways to college. Faculty can participate in these initiatives through mentoring, grant collaborations, and service opportunities.
	Strategic Integration with Penn State’s Mission The work of Educational Equity is integrated into the University’s strategic plan and the President’s goals, offering faculty the opportunity to align their teaching, research, and service with broader institutional priorities.
	Bias Reporting and Campus Climate Resources Faculty are encouraged to help foster a respectful and inclusive campus environment. If a faculty member or student experiences or witnesses an incident of bias, it can be reported through the University’s Report Bias system, accessible at reportbias.psu.edu. In addition, Educational Equity offers resources and guidance to support positive campus climate, including connections to the President’s Commissions, educational programming, and consultation services that promote belonging and well-being.

 

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Resources

• Educational Equity Website Links to an external site.

Professional Development Hints

• Advice for Minority Professors on the Tenure Track Links to an external site.- [PDF], Dr. Blannie E. Bowen
• Between a Rock and a Hard Place: The Perils and Necessity of Producing Innovative "Minority Focused" Scholarship Links to an external site.- [PDF], Dr. James B. Stewart
• The Promotion and Tenure Process as an Exercise in Strategic Thinking Links to an external site.- [PDF], Dr. Joseph McCormick

Educational Equity Contact Information

Office of Educational Equity
314 Old Main
University Park, PA 16802

Daniela Saraka, Administrative Support Assistant
Phone: 814-867-0531
Email: dzs6241@psu.edu