UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity’s Learning and Professional Development Program has announced a comprehensive professional development program designed for campus community members who seek to foster a more inclusive, respectful and supportive campus environment.
As part of Educational Equity’s Provost Endorsement program, participants will gain essential knowledge and practical tools to help effectively address bias, facilitate meaningful dialogue and contribute to positive change within their units. Completion of all program components equips individuals to actively support and help enhance inclusivity across the campus community.
This endorsement is open to all faculty, staff and administrators interested in deepening their understanding and skills related to bias response, compassionate communication and proactive campus environment support.
To earn the endorsement, participants will complete three milestones through a combination of online foundational learning, in-person workshops and an applied, hands-on project.
The curriculum includes:
Milestone 1: BUILD Foundations
Complete three BUILD tracks in Penn State’s online Learning Resource Network (LRN):
- Track 1: Recognizing the Importance of Inclusion in the Workplace
- Track 2: Adopting an Inclusion Mindset at Work
- Track 3: Skills for Building a Culture of Inclusion
- To access the tracks, login to the LRN with Penn State credentials (e.g., abc1234@psu.edu).
Milestone 2: Responding to Bias with Confidence and Care
Attend a half-day session that includes two interactive workshops:
- Workshop 1 — "Introduction to Bias Response"
- An overview of Penn State’s coordinated approach to addressing reported bias incidents that impact students—what to do when bias occurs, how to offer support, and how to connect people to appropriate resources.
- Workshop 2 — "Tools for Compassionate Communication"
- Practical tools for listening, speaking, and responding with intention, clarity, and compassion.
- Registration is available through the LRN.
Milestone 3: Applied Practice Asynchronous Project
Upon completion of the first two milestones, participants will be added to a Canvas course to work through the final milestone:
- Complete a unit-based application project aligned with the participant’s role.
“Faculty and staff across the University play an essential role in supporting constructive and respectful campus environments,” said SeriaShia Chatters, interim vice provost for Educational Equity. “This Provost Endorsement is designed to ensure community members have the preparation, tools, and shared understanding needed to respond thoughtfully and confidently in complex situations, while supporting the people and environments they serve.”
For more information regarding this program, visit Educational Equity’s Provost Endorsement program site or contact Tamara Lucas at tvl5703@psu.edu.