Overview Newsletter Spring 2010
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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 / Spring 2010 Diversity in Higher Education Scholar Gives Two Presentations Dr. W. Terrell Jones, Vice Provost for Educational Equity Dr. Fred A. Bonner, II, professor Commission on Lesbian, Gay, of Higher Education Bisexual, and Transgender Equity. Last fall, I wrote about the Administration and associate role and impact of dean of Faculties at Texas A&M Dr. Bonner’s featured presentation Educational Equity on University-College Station, Texas, was “Teaching and Advising the the academic success of visited Penn State on Thursday, Millennial Generation in Higher the underrepresented/underserved students April 1, 2010, for two Education,” which was we reach and the national context. In this feature presentations. open to the University issue, I’d like to follow up with a little more community and attend- information. At the Commission ed by fourteen Penn on Racial/Ethnic State campuses via A recent study by the American Enterprise Diversity’s fifth annu- video conference. This Institute titled, Diplomas and Dropouts: Which al Promotion and tremendously popular Colleges Actually Graduate Their Students (and Tenure Symposium presentation explored Which Don’t), concludes that completion “What’s Diversity Got the characteristics of the rations across U.S. colleges and universities to Do With It?” “millennial generation,” varies dramatically, even among top tier Bonner presented the noting that diverse institutions. This finding suggests that the keynote address, students do not always role of institutional support is a powerful “Diverse Faculty in reflect the typical char- one. The report shows that Penn State fares Academe: On Track or Out of acteristics of the generation. Dr. well with an 85 percent overall graduation the Loop.” Bonner discussed Bonner’s research in this area was rate, which reflects the University Park strategies for surmounting highlighted in a recent article in campus. common challenges to academic The Chronicle of Higher Education success for diverse rising faculty. and his book on the topic is Penn State’s six-year graduation rates break He also gave recommendations scheduled for fall publication. down as follows: for institutions to foster a climate for academic success. The sympo- Dr. Bonner’s presentation was • U.P. total 85%; White 87%; Hispanic sium was sponsored by the sponsored by the Office of the 77%; American Indian 75%; Asian 82%; Commission on Racial/Ethnic Vice Provost for Educational Black 70%; and International 63% Diversity and co-sponsored by the • Penn State Campuses total 55%; Commission for Women and the continued on page 2 White 57%; Hispanic 47%; American Indian 40%; Asian 49%; Black 43%; and International 52%. Framework to Foster Diversity Clearly, the key to improving these overall Review Process 2010 rates is to improve the success of our African Dr. Rodney Erickson, executive back reports focusing on improve- American, Hispanic, and American Indian vice president and provost, and ment, which comprise the basis of a students, as well as our low-income, first- Dr. W. Terrell Jones, vice provost discussion between each unit execu- generation students in general, and our for Educational Equity, extend a tive, the provost, and the vice students at the Commonwealth campuses. sincere thank you to the members provost. Again, I am proud of the work that the staff of the Penn State community who in Educational Equity accomplishes in served on a Framework to Foster “Penn State’s strategic planning supporting the success of the University’s Diversity review team this spring. approach and evaluations have at-risk students and of the University’s Teams prepared thorough feed- been important in encouraging continued commitment to diversity. continued on page 4 Sophomore Action Day: Sculpting Your Destiny The Office of Educational Equity’s “Sophomore Action Day: Sculpting Your Destiny” took place on Wednesday, March 24, in the Grange Building on the University Park campus. This event provided sopho- more students with an opportunity to inventory their experiences as students thus far, assess their needs, and connect with faculty and staff from various University offices and services that could address their concerns, discuss their future plans, and offer advice and resources for Those listed in the photo above include, left to right: Dr. Harold Cheatham and Arlene Cheatham, founding members of making the most of their time at the Stewart Society; Dr. W. Terrell Jones, vice provost for Educational Equity; and Dr. James B. Stewart. Penn State. Introducing the James B. Stewart Society The Office of the Vice Provost for Fund. Give online at Educational Equity is pleased to www.giveto.psu.edu or contact Ed announce a new giving society to rec- Thompson, director of Development ognize donors whose lifetime giving for Educational Equity, at has reached $10,000 or more on behalf [email protected] or 814-865-7698. of any allocation within Educational Equity. The new giving society honors Dr. James B. Stewart, the University's first vice provost for Educational Equity from 1990 to 1998, and the author of the original A Framework to Foster I am truly honored to CFW Fourth Annual Diversity at Penn State: 1998–2003. have my service to Penn Awards Luncheon “I am truly honored to have my State recognized by the The Commission for Women's fourth service to Penn State recognized by annual awards luncheon was held the creation of the James B. Stewart creation of the James B. on Thursday, April 15, 2010. Society. Having my name associated Stewart Society. Attendees enjoyed a buffet lunch with efforts to increase opportunities while honoring this year's Rosemary for students to attend Penn State is Schraer Mentoring and Achieving the best tribute I can imagine!” ~ James B. Stewart Women award recipients. For more James B. Stewart information about the Commission for Women, including award The founding members of the society recipients, visit were recognized with a plaque at a www.equity.psu.edu/cfw. dinner on April 23 at The Nittany Lion Inn. Students who received scholarships were also honored. Diversity in Higher Education Scholar Gives Two Presentations continued from front page Please consider becoming a member Equity, University Faculty Senate Planning and Institutional of the James B. Stewart Society by Committee on Educational Equity Assessment. For more information, establishing a financial need-based and Campus Environment, The visit scholarship for low-income, under- Schreyer Institute for Teaching www.schreyerinstitute.psu.edu/Fred represented students, or by making a Excellence, and the Office of Bonner/. gift to the Educational Equity Future Page 2 CLGBTE Recognition Awards American Indian Powwow Marks 7th Year American Indian dancers and with a traditional warrior’s drum groups from across North song. America traveled hundreds of miles to Mt. Nittany Middle An American Indian storyteller School in State College, shared old Native stories, Pennsylvania, for the seventh vendors from all over Indian annual New Faces of an Country sold Native-made Ancient People Traditional arts and crafts, and the kitchen American Indian Powwow, offered traditional Native foods held on Saturday and Sunday such as fry bread, corn soup, April 10 and 11, 2010. The and buffalo. continued on back page From left to right: Yvette Lerma, Outstanding Service powwow is sponsored jointly Award recipient; Stephen Lucas, CLGBTE member; and by Penn State and the State Matthew Rupert, CLGBTE Chair-elect College Area School District. The Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Equity John Sanchez (apache), (CLGBTE) held its annual recogni- powwow coordinator, noted tion awards ceremony in conjunction “This year at our grand entry with the Lavender Graduation and we especially honored United Awards presented by the Lesbian, States World War II veterans— Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender both Native and non-Native.” Student Resource Center on Friday, These veterans were part of a April 23, 2010. These awards recog- special Honor Guard while nize individuals who have made Native drums honored them exceptional contributions to the Penn State LGBTQ community in the areas of outstanding service, ally recogni- tion, and curricular integration. For more information about CLGBTE What’s Diversity Got to Do With It? visit www.equity.psu.edu/clgbte. The Commission on Racial/Ethnic Diversity (CORED) hosted its fifth annual Promotion and Tenure 2010 Black Alumni Symposium entitled, What’s Diversity Reunion Sets $100,000 Got to Do With It? on Thursday, April 1, 2010, in the Hintz Family Goal for Scholarship Fund Alumni Center on the University Park campus. The symposium The 2010 Black Alumni Reunion complements department and college (BAR) will be held September 10-12, programs focused on promotion and 2010, with the theme “It’s About tenure and is co-sponsored by the Giving.” Jeff Moore, ’91 ’94g and Commission for Women and the Naomie Williams ’06g, co-chairs, have Commission on Lesbian, Gay, set a goal to raise $100,000 by asking Bisexual, and Transgender Equity. From left to right: Eileen Trauth, Aldo Morales, Jeanine 1,000 alumni to give $100 or greater Staples, Steve Broadnax, Courtney Young to the African American Alumni Guest speaker Dr. Fred A. Bonner, II, Organization Trustee Scholarship. presented “A Diverse Faculty in of the promotion and tenure process Academe: On Track or Out of the at the department, campus, college, To register for the 2010 BAR go to: Loop.”Dr. Blannie Bowen, vice and university levels, and answered www.alumni.psu.edu and click on provost for Academic Affairs, audience questions. Events. For questions about making presented “The Promotion and Tenure a donation, contact Brian Casey, gift Process: A Few Strategies and Our For more information about CORED planning officer, [email protected], Numbers.” A faculty panel shared visit www.equity.psu.edu/cored/.