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
35 Years of Service - Greenfield Intercultural Center
For 35 years, the Greenfield Intercultural Center has served as Penn’s resource for enhancing student’s intercultural knowledge, competency, and leadership. The GIC offers experiential courses for credit, signature intercultural programs, and other services related to diversity and intercultural education.
Greenfield Intercultural Center
20 Years of Service - MAKUU
For 20 years MAKUU, The Black Cultural Center, has been a nexus of academic, professional and personal growth for Penn students interested in Black culture and the African Diaspora. Through advising, leadership development, network facilitation, and cultural programming, MAKUU has expanded student access to resources, enhancing Penn's campus and global communities.
MAKUU
Pan-Asian American Community House - 20 Years
For twenty years, the Pan-Asian American Community House has been a hub of academic, personal, and professional growth for Penn students interested in Asian American culture and the Asian American Diaspora. Through advising, leadership development, advocacy, social and cultural programming we expand student access to the University’s resources.
Pan-Asian American Community House
iCommunicate Intercultural Trainings
ISSS (International Student & Scholar Services) offers 3 tracks of iCommunicate trainings. Request a training for your group, office or department. Open to all Penn students, scholars, faculty and staff.
iCommunicate Intercultural Trainings
EVENTS
October 1-3, 2021
Momentum 2021: The Power of Penn Women is a virtual conference celebrating the power of Penn women. Join us online as alumni and Penn community members of all backgrounds and generations come together to learn, connect, and share how we are making an impact locally and globally. Momentum 2021 is an inclusive and trans-affirming conference. We embrace the identities and histories of all who attend.
NEWS
Project HOPE
This 2021 President’s Engagement Prize project is working to address the lack of legal and reentry support to incarcerated Philadelphians by serving as the core of an expansive advocacy network.
EVENTS
July 28, 2021
Registration is now open for the 2021 Penn Supplier Diversity Forum & Expo which will be a virtual event. Penn President Amy Gutmann will deliver opening remarks at 12 Noon. She will be followed by Erika H. James, Dean of the Wharton School at Penn facilitating a discussion with Janice Bryant Howroyd, Founder and CEO of ActOne Group -- the largest privately held, minority-woman-owned personnel company founded in the United States -- on the critically important socioeconomic benefits of diverse and inclusive workplaces.
PROGRAMS
Projects for Progress - Office of Social Equity and Community
An initiative announced in 2020 that supports proposals by teams of students, faculty, and staff designed to promote equity and inclusion and to make a direct impact in Philadelphia.
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