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Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity 314 Old Main, University Park, PA 16802 / Phone: 814-865-5906 Fax: 814-865-3997 / www.equity.psu.edu / Fall 2009 Leadership in Diversity Strategic Planning Dr. W. Terrell Jones, Vice Provost for Educational Equity Penn State continues to be among When the original five-year plan national leaders in fostering was established in 1998, seven Lately, I have been reflecting diversity through strategic Challenges were outlined as the on our role and impact as the planning. Released in July 2009, infrastructure of this initiative. Office of Educational Equity at A Framework to Foster Diversity at These Challenges continue to guide Penn State. As I write, Penn Penn State: 2010–15 is the each five-year plan. Targeted areas State has yet to receive its University’s third five-year for improvement provide focus for budget appropriation from the Commonwealth diversity plan, rounding out a initiatives. Within each planning for the 2009–10 academic year. In this difficult fifteen-year trajectory. cycle, the University economic climate, our students and their families conducts midpoint and are struggling to afford the cost of college. We W. Terrell Jones, vice final progress reviews have seen an increasing number of students provost for through a self-assess- withdraw from the University under a heavy Educational Equity, ment of all campuses, debt load, and Penn State is struggling to absorb said promoting equity the delay and decrease in funding while colleges, and adminis- maintaining a quality educational environment. and inclusivity in trative units to ensure higher education is the promotion of equity For several years, noted economists have stressed not only the right among faculty, staff, the key role of higher education for all in thing to do, but the and students. Each maintaining America’s economic vitality and strategic thing to do. assessment reveals best leadership within the new global economy. Arne “A more diverse practices and continu- Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education, and group is beneficial to higher ing challenges. Final updates under President Barack Obama have added emphasis to education; it gives rise to creativi- the 2004–09 plan, along with new the need to educate all students, particularly those ty and a competitive edge,” said unit plans for 2010–15, will be from groups that have historically faced barriers to Jones. “Because the demographics submitted to the vice provost in higher education. of the nation and workforce are December for spring 2010 review. changing, we need to successfully The comprehensive nature of the These are the students whom we serve, students educate all students in order to who are from multicultural backgrounds, low- assessment process, along with income families, or the first in their family to maintain our institutional vitality the open availability of the results, attend college; students with disabilities; and and economic viability and to contribute to Penn State’s leader- women who are dramatically underrepresented in continue to contribute to our ship in this area. the STEM fields. Within this context, it is clear that society and economy, locally our students are the very students upon whose and globally.” continued on page 4 success rests the educational promise of America. And these are the students who benefit the most from the added support systems we provide Grace Hampton Appointed through our various Educational Equity offices Senior Faculty Mentor and initiatives. Grace Hampton, professor of art education and I am proud of the dedication of our staff in integrative arts and affiliate faculty member of maintaining the quality academic support which the African and African American Studies is so helpful to our students’ success. I am also Department, has been appointed to serve as pleased that the University has emphasized senior faculty mentor. Hampton replaces James student success in its new strategic plan Priorities Stewart, who retired in June 2009. for Excellence, renewed its commitment to A Framework to Foster Diversity at Penn State, and The senior faculty mentor addresses a wide reinforced synergies between the plans. We must range of issues that impact the recruitment and each do our part to make these goals a reality. Dr. Grace Hampton continued on page 4 Office of Veterans Programs Serves Student Veterans Penn State's Office of Veterans Programs provides outreach, certifica- tion, and counseling to veterans and their family members eligible under the G.I. Bill. All Pennsylvania veterans are contacted by the office as they leave military service and offered assistance for accessing their benefits to further their education. The Office of Veterans Programs serves University Park and World Those listed in the photo include, Left to Right: Ed Thompson, director of development, Educational Equity; Irene Campus students, and is a resource Gallagher, David’s mother; Christine Shindler, David’s sister; and Frank Gallagher, David’s brother to counselors working with student veterans at all Penn State campuses. Gallagher-Newcombe Trustee Scholarship “Penn State recognizes the tremen- dous contributions being made by A new Trustee Scholarship has been benefit Penn State students with our servicemen and women and established with the presentation of a disabilities. The David Gallagher wants to ensure they have access to a check for $25,000 from the David Foundation memorializes David Penn State education, regardless of Gallagher Foundation. Collaboration Gallagher, a Penn State graduate who their state of origin,” said Brian Clark, between the Gallagher Foundation had epilepsy. Following his death in director of Penn State's Office of and the Newcombe Foundation has an auto accident, the family estab- Veterans Programs. created the Gallagher-Newcombe lished the foundation in his honor. Trustee Scholarship, which will Most Penn State campuses participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, part of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. Qualified veterans who have served on active Educational Equity Scholarships: duty since September 11, 2001, can Be a Part of Penn State’s Future have their tuition costs covered for most Penn State degrees as part of the Did you know that, by making an outright or planned gift of program. Additionally, Penn State's World Campus and Pennsylvania cash, securities, or real estate, you can create a named fund or College of Technology have been even receive a lifetime income through a charitable remainder recognized as military-friendly trust or gift annuity? Such a gift would benefit you now (and institutions for the educational can be for a spouse or partner) and Penn State Educational opportunities they offer to veterans. Equity Programs in the future. For more details, visit: Or, you may want to consider including Penn State http://live.psu.edu/story/40769 and Educational Equity Programs in your will. We can provide http://live.psu.edu/story/42875 suggested language to ensure your wishes are carried out. Another option is a “bequest” of retirement plan assets, which passes to Penn State free of income and estate tax so the entire value of the account is applied for purposes you designate. To learn more about these opportunities, please contact: Edward Thompson Brian Casey Director of Development Gift Planning Officer Educational Equity Office of Gift Planning 814-865-7698 888-800-9170 [email protected] [email protected] www.equity.psu.edu www.giftplanning.psu.edu Page 2 Focus on Student Success The Quality Advocates Network, processes, and practices in relation to support, and emphasized the impor- sponsored by the Office of Planning facilitating student success and focus- tance of making information and and Institutional Assessment (OPIA), ing on a learning-centered approach. resources readily available. sponsored a series of panels focusing Summaries of each of the sessions in on student success. On April 6, 2009, The series concluded on December 4 the Quality Advocates series are “Enhancing Student Success” with “Who is Responsible for Student available at www.psu.edu/presi- addressed Penn State’s current and Success?” Moderator Robert Pangborn, dent/pia/advocates/index.htm. The future efforts to enhance student vice president and dean for Quality Advocates Network is an success, including efforts identified Undergraduate Education, led the informal group that meets several through the work of the University discussion of how responsibility for times each semester to share ideas Strategic Planning Council and Task student success is shared by students and examples of improvement and Force on Ensuring Student Success. and the University. Panelists identified innovation. The Quality Advocates Panelists included Yvonne Gaudelius, barriers to student success, noted the Network is open to all Penn State assistant vice president and associate necessity of increased communication faculty, staff, administrators, and dean for Undergraduate Education, and collaboration to enhance student students. who led the task force; W. Terrell Jones, vice provost for Educational Equity; Damon Sims, vice president for Student Affairs; and moderator Louise Sandmeyer, executive director of OPIA. Following on the success of the spring session, the fall 2009 series has explored multiple aspects of defining and fostering student success with additional panels composed of admin- istrators, faculty, staff, and students. The fall series kicked off on October 9 with “What is Student Success?” W. Terrell Jones, vice provost for Educational Equity, moderated the session, which focused on how student success can be defined, how policies From left to right: Robert C. Hicks ’50 H&HD, John R. Finley ’49 H&HD, William “Rip” Sherer ’49 H&HD, Wallace “Wally” and processes of the University can Triplett III ’49 H&HD, I. Thomas Smith ’49 H&HD, Robert J. Williams ’49 H&HD, Robert R. Ross ’50 Eng., V. Lee Henry, support or hamper student success, Jr. ’50 Eng., Elwood L. Petchel ’49 H&HD, Joseph J. Sarabok ’50 H&HD, and family members Todd Hedderick, son of Raymond Hedderick, ’50 H&HD, and Matthew J.