Pennsylvania State University
IN-27: Innovation D

Launched in October 2016, the "All In at Penn State: A Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion" initiative is an ongoing commitment to spotlight the importance of diversity at Penn State, demonstrate the University’s commitment to inclusivity and inspire all members of the community to take an active role in promoting respect and embracing diversity. Penn State has a strong, storied history of diversity, inclusion, breaking barriers, pushing boundaries and standing together. “All In at Penn State” is a call for every member of the University community to build on those efforts by playing an active role in creating a climate of acceptance and inclusion. The initiative aims to not only raise awareness about the importance of diversity and equity in the Penn State community, but also to continue to foster a safe and open-minded environment that is respectful of everyone regardless of their backgrounds. This initiative came from a core group of students who wanted the community to recognize the importance of having a diverse and inclusive university. Initially, the focus was on creating a video about diversity. After conversations with these students, President Eric Barron and other administrators embraced the idea, which has expanded beyond the initial video. Students are actively involved in the development of elements of this initiative and in bringing it to life. Every week there are numerous opportunities to participate in Penn State's ongoing conversation about diversity and inclusion. An online Events Calendar promotes a wide variety of opportunities. The initiative began with a kick-off event on October 6, 2016, featuring remarks by President Eric Barron and Vice Provost for Educational Equity Marcus Whitehurst. Events continued throughout the academic year, including National Coming Out Week Oct. 10-14; a First Amendment panel discussion Oct. 27 in the HUB-Robeson Center on the University Park campus; Military Appreciation Week Nov. 4-13; Black History Month in February; a series of talks by former Penn State laureate Susan Russell entitled "Leaping into Faith", a panel discussion on diversity and bias in the legal academy, and many more. http://news.psu.edu/tag/all?type=top