UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — In a continued effort to support Penn State’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging initiatives, Student Affairs has reimagined resources to create the Center for Social Change and Belonging to enhance and bridge existing initiatives focused on developing community and fostering actionable change.
“We are excited to better align resources in support of our student communities, particularly related to equity-minded education, alongside resource connection and support,” said Brian Patchcoski, assistant vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion in Student Affairs. “The Center for Social Change and Belonging is positioned to raise up and augment the work our affinity and identity-based centers in Student Affairs, alongside our campus partners, while also filling gaps that students experience as they navigate various resources.”
With a focus on enhancing pathways for student success, the center is charged with working with colleagues within Student Affairs and across the University in bridging curricular and co-curricular opportunities and furthering the capacity of students, staff and faculty to explore diverse perspectives while fostering community action and change.
“The center will serve as a critical connector to and across our curricular and co-curricular efforts. This space will allow us to respond to our students and their call for us to provide more coordinated and connected support — ultimately supporting their success,” Patchcoski said.
In partnership with Student Affairs equity and inclusion units and campus and community partners, the center will focus on empowering students, staff and faculty to become equity conscious leaders and change agents in their communities by creating networks of support, dialogue and connection.
The center will support the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Ambassadors program in Residence Life; the Community and Belonging Educators, a pilot program supported by the University Park Student Fee Equity Fund; enhance the student experience within student organizations, Greek life and others through foundational workshops and programs; support the Coalition on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion across Penn State campuses; and serve as a safe and welcoming space for dialogue, learning and community.
Marcelius Braxton has been named the inaugural director. Braxton brings more than 15 years of diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and access experience as a student affairs practitioner, educator, advocate and consultant.
"Student Affairs is excited to support this initiative and for the vision and leadership that Marcelius is bringing to the office," said Andrea Dowhower, interim vice president for Student Affairs. "The center aligns with the pursuit of equity excellence and enhances our web of student support and services. While the center strives to coordinate foundational education around equity and inclusion, more importantly, this space will work in concert with our students in developing the tools to enact systemic change. As Student Affairs strives to foster student success and prepare students for world readiness, the work of this center will strive to bridge efforts across our University community and create a more seamless campus experience with our campus partners."
Braxton's experiences include serving as the director of the Wilbur N. Daniel African American Cultural Center at Austin Peay State University, the assistant dean of students and deputy Title IX coordinator at Capital University Law School, and most recently as the leader of diversity, equity and inclusion for Bexley City Schools in Ohio.
“I'm so happy to be joining Penn State as the director for social change and belonging," he said. "I think it's important to acknowledge the hardworking administrators, faculty and staff who have been doing this work for years, and I'm grateful for the foundation that they've established."
Braxton is a first-generation college graduate with a bachelor of science in political science, philosophy and economics with an African studies certificate from the University of Pittsburgh, a master of arts degree in philosophy from the University of Missouri, and a juris doctor degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law.
Partnering with existing efforts is essential to the center’s success, Braxton noted.
“I believe some initial goals are to help provide leadership and strategy related to advocacy, response, outreach, education, assessment and accountability," he said. "This specifically means intentionally building relationships with administrators, faculty, staff, students and community, and it also means continuing to build an infrastructure that proactively considers and addresses the needs of the community while also providing space to respond, learn, grow and facilitate change. I want to act as a resource and partner for the entire community with the goal of ensuring that everyone can show up as their authentic self in a place that embraces and serves them. That is what makes this work so important."