Diversity and Inclusion
Diversity is not only a public good—it is also very good for Penn. Our quest for eminence depends on great minds that represent a wide array of perspectives and backgrounds.
Across 12 Schools, more than 25,000 students, and more than 4,000 faculty members, we become one university: a wide-ranging, ever-changing community that draws its strength from a multitude of races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, historical traditions, ages, religions, disabilities, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
President Gutmann’s Statement on Diversity
Understanding and appreciating diversity is fundamental to success in today’s world. It is fundamental to the education we provide at Penn and one of our University’s most important priorities.
Read statement on Diversity DACA and Undocumented Student Resources
Penn benefits greatly from the rich diversity of all undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. As part of that commitment to inclusion, Penn provides access and support to undocumented students, including those with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status.
DACA and Undocumented Student Resources Website
35th Anniversary Celebration Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center
The University of Pennsylvania Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center’ hosted a 35th Anniversary Celebration and rededication of the Carriage House in honor of founding director Bob Schoenberg upon his retirement in October 2017.
Penn LGBT Center
Native American Studies at Penn
Promoting research and education to foster cross-cultural understanding of the indigenous peoples of the Americas.
Go to the Native American Studies at Penn website
The Weingarten Learning Resources Center
The Weingarten Learning Resources Center assists students with disabilities.
- Office of Learning Resources
- Student Disability Services
Visit The Weingarten Learning Resources Center website
NEWS
Penn Spectrum Weekend
Join us on October 4-6, 2019 for a weekend-long conference and celebration taking place on Penn’s Campus bringing together alumni and students for dialogue centered on issues of cultural identity and intersectionalities including topics specific to the Black, Latinx, Native, Asian, LGBTQ+, Muslim, first generation, low-income communities. We welcome and invite alumni and allies from all backgrounds as well as all current Penn undergraduate and graduate students.
EVENTS
Special Exhibition: Moundbuilders
Aug. 1, 2017–Dec. 2, 2019
Penn Museum, 3260 South Street
Moundbuilders explores the fascinating story of Native American moundbuilding through a variety of photographs, artifacts, archival materials, and excavation records.
Diversity at Penn
Penn has a number of policies and initiatives that support its efforts to foster inclusive excellence. Diversity and inclusion related data, progress reports on initiatives, a timeline of selected milestones, and stories about members of the Penn community are available here.
Academic Programs
Academic departments and centers offer research and talks that explore issues related to diversity and inclusion. Additionally, the University’s schools, programs and centers offer programming to educate and support inclusive excellence and the intellectual and interpersonal development of its students, faculty, and staff.
Videos of Diversity
Inclusion and diversity are the focus of a number of videos that illuminate the University’s commitment and the journeys of members of the community.
Administrative Offices and Co-curricular Resources
Students, faculty and staff belong to organizations and affinity groups that provide opportunities to explore dimensions of diversity, share their stories, offer support and mentorship, and educate themselves and others about particular dimensions of inclusion.
Towards Inclusion: Diversity at Penn
ACE Honors Penn President Amy Gutmann with 2015 Reginald Wilson Diversity Leadership Award | View Transcript