DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging)
At Penn State, our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) is central to postdoctoral support. We strive for a warm, welcoming, and inclusive environment where meaningful connections start upon first contact and often lead to lifelong bonds.
Although postdocs represent a smaller demographic at Penn State compared to faculty, staff, and students, they bring significant diversity, with over 50 countries represented. In research and community life, Penn State and the town of State College are better off because postdocs are here. Recognizing the importance of connection, we encourage interdisciplinary, multicultural discussions, expressions of identity, and cross-cultural friendship-building. We offer a wide range of programs tailored to postdoctoral needs at every stage—from orientation and integration into our community, to ongoing professional development, mentorship, coaching, and peer networking opportunities.
We take pride in the closeness of our community and will address any concern that may arise related to equitable access, inclusion, and a sense of belonging. Reach out to a key contact as needed for consultation regarding any related concern. Discretion will be respected.
With the premise of community and connection in mind, please explore the resources below for a detailed understanding of DEIB and postdoctoral support within and beyond our community.
Penn State Resources
- Statement on Belonging
- Office of the Vice Provost for Education Equity
- Office of Equal Opportunity and Access
- Ethics and Compliance Hotline
- Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity
- Paul Robeson Cultural Center
- Diversity and Inclusion Calendar of Events
- Center for Spiritual and Ethical Development
National Resources
- Professorial Advancement Initiative (PAI) by the Big Ten Academic Alliance
- MinorityPostdoc.org
- National Research Mentoring Network course on unconscious bias
- CIMER’s Culturally Aware Mentoring Resources
- National Institutes of Health’s Scientific Diversity Toolkit and Report
- Harvard University’s Project Implicit (free public tests that reveal one’s biases)
