UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Committee in the Penn State Department of Nutritional Sciences completed a project that was made possible by an advancing equity and inclusion grant from Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence. The project, “Bridging the Gap between Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility & Belonging and Universal Design in Higher Education,” brought outside speakers with expertise in curriculum updates related to DEIB to Penn State to train nutritional sciences faculty on best practice in inclusive course design.

Ann Diker and Jessica Torro from the Metropolitan State University of Denver facilitated a two-day workshop in Chandlee Laboratory building on University Park campus and online in January. The workshop included hands-on application of best practices in syllabi for DEIB, such as inclusion of pronouns and a teaching philosophy statement that demonstrates DEIB.

In addition, following the universal design for learning framework, pedagogical practices were discussed, such as including video and text-based content to promote learning and engagement across a variety of learners.

"Learning about the importance of including pronouns in our syllabi, on Canvas and on Zoom gave me a new lens to think about being inclusive,” said Shawnee Kelly, associate teaching professor of nutritional sciences.

Participants of the workshop submitted deliverables, such as syllabi, assignments, lab manuals and case studies, that included updates based on what they learned. 

 “Linking together DEIB and universal design for learning creates a path towards higher quality education and outcomes for everyone. Inclusive teaching improves learning by design,” said Gina Pazzaglia, associate teaching professor of nutritional sciences.

Anyone interested in learning more about the workshop should reach out to Alison Borkowska, assistant teaching professor of nutritional sciences, at aub47@psu.edu.