UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State’s new University-wide diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) education initiative, BUILD @ Penn State, is launching this month as part of the University’s ongoing commitment to combatting bias and intolerance and building a more diverse, equitable institution that welcomes community members from all backgrounds and identities. 

Now available through the Penn State Learning Resource Network, BUILD @ Penn State — which stands for “Broadening Understanding and Inclusion through Learning and Dialogue” — is based on extensive benchmarking with peer institutions and feedback from stakeholders across the University. BUILD @ Penn State was previously launched as a pilot program from May to July with a range of units across Penn State, including President’s Council, participating to provide feedback to tailor the BUILD program to the specific needs of the Penn State community. 

“Fostering an inclusive, welcoming and equitable culture is a process in which every Penn Stater needs to take an active part,” added co-chair Lisette Garcia, assistant vice president for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. “By participating in BUILD @ Penn State, you play an essential role in building an even stronger, more inclusive University, and we thank all members of our community for joining us on this journey.” 

The program includes three tracks intended to be completed in successive years, with the first track focused on recognizing the importance of inclusion in the workplace. All Penn State employees are encouraged to complete the first track of the BUILD program by February 2023. It should take no more than 90 minutes and can be completed in multiple sessions as best fits an employee’s schedule. Incentives for employees who participate include social media badges and digital certificates of program completion. 

Each BUILD track is intended to build on the knowledge explored in the previous tracks. Track two focuses on adopting an inclusion mindset at work, while track three focuses on skills for building a culture of inclusion, and helping participants promote and engage in behavior that advances this goal. 

“Our mission as a University is to serve Pennsylvania, and society at large, through world-class education, research and service — a mission that rests on our ability to bring together students, staff and faculty with diverse backgrounds and experiences to create an environment where everyone is valued and everyone is able to thrive,” said Suzanne Adair, associate vice president for Affirmative Action and one of the BUILD implementation team’s co-chairs. “This curriculum is a valuable resource for our community to expand their knowledge of DEIB concepts and learn more about others in the process.” 

In addition to members of the University’s leadership, the pilot program also included the Colleges of Earth and Mineral Sciences, Health and Human Development, and Arts and Architecture; the Penn State Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Hazleton and Brandywine campuses; and units including Student Affairs, Outreach and Online Education, Finance and Business, University Police and Public Safety, Auxiliary and Business Services, Strategic Communications, and Housing and Food Services. 

Marcus Whitehurst, BUILD implementation team co-chair and vice provost for Educational Equity, thanked the pilot program participants for their input, which helped the team further refine the program. “Based on feedback from the pilot, which saw a response rate of over 70%, the implementation team made additional updates to the curriculum and streamlined the program’s dashboard and email communications, creating an experience that is responsive to the needs of our community.” 

All Penn State employees are encouraged to access BUILD @ Penn State through the Penn State Learning Resource Network. 

“BUILD @ Penn State is an important step as we continue in our collective endeavor to advance equity and belonging and realize our mission as a modern-day land-grant institution, which requires each of us to contribute to the Penn State we all want to see,” said Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi. “Building greater understanding and a stronger, more inclusive community is at the heart of Penn State.” 

Penn Staters with questions about the new BUILD @ Penn State program can contact Penn State Human Resources at 814-865-1473.