The State System and its universities are committed to cultivating diverse, equitable, and inclusive environments that allow all members of the State System community to thrive. The position of Vice Chancellor and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer was established in August 2020 to engage institutional and system leaders to develop, implement, and evaluate outcomes-based strategies that address inequities in all areas including but not limited to student access and achievement; faculty and staff recruitment and development; and campus receptivity. The work will be grounded in, will build upon, and will elevate the promising initiatives and thought leadership already occurring across the universities.
What is DEI?
Diversity describes the myriad ways in which people differ, including psychological, physical, and social differences that exist among all individuals, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, nationality, socioeconomic status, religion, economic class, geography, education, age, gender, sexual orientation, and learning styles. Diversity is about understanding these differences and moving from simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the rich dimensions of our differences.
Equity refers to the concept of fairness. Equity ensures that individuals are provided the resources they need to have access to the same opportunities. While equity represents impartiality, the distribution is made in such a way to even opportunities for all people. Conversely, equality indicates uniformity, where everything is evenly distributed among people. Equity recognizes that people have different starting points in life and provides resources and opportunities and promotes policies and practices that result in equal outcomes.
Inclusion refers to actions that foster feelings of being respected, valued and embraced in the curriculum, co-curriculum, and university community. It means authentically and intentionally bringing traditionally excluded individuals and/or groups into processes, activities, and decision/policy making in a way that shares power. An inclusive State System is one where all admitted and enrolled students (faculty and staff) feel a sense of belonging.
Mission
PASSHE is committed to ensuring accessibility and championing the success of all members of its community regardless of one’s identity.
Vision
PASSHE endeavors not only to be a national model but a global model for inclusive excellence.
