UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — As part of a data-driven and holistic approach to fostering greater diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) across the University, Penn State has launched a new DEIB dashboard that tracks metrics related to DEIB across the University.
This new tool supports Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi’s goal to enhance DEIB across the University through a metrics-driven strategy focused on improving DEIB-related outcomes, especially for Penn Staters from underrepresented or historically marginalized groups, in an accountable and demonstrable way. Advancing DEIB across Penn State is one of Bendapudi’s five central goals as part of her vision for the University, which outlines steps and metrics for determining success.
The launch of the new DEIB dashboard, developed by the Office of Planning, Assessment and Institutional Research (OPAIR), also aligns with the work of Special Adviser for Institutional Equity Jennifer Hamer's work to inventory and evaluate existing DEIB programs and resources across the University, which continues to progress.
Upcoming town hall
Bendapudi and other University leaders plan to host a virtual town hall in March to discuss the DEIB dashboard, the ongoing work of the special adviser for institutional equity, and the University’s continued progress in creating a more welcoming and inclusive Penn State. Additional information will be shared on Penn State News in the coming weeks.
“Fostering greater diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging across our great University is both a moral imperative and foundational to Penn State’s future and the continued success of our academic, research and land-grant missions,” Bendapudi said. “I am grateful for the leadership of OPAIR and Jennifer Hamer in helping us take stock of where we are as an institution and developing a foundation for us to continue making progress in a quantifiable and accountable way. This is an ongoing conversation — one we will continue to have as a University community — and I am deeply appreciative of the many students, faculty and staff who are invested in this important work.”
DEIB dashboard
Penn State’s new DEIB dashboard — the first University-wide platform to gather existing DEIB-related data in one publicly accessible place — is built specifically to track key metrics that support and reflect Bendapudi’s four DEIB goals, including enrollment and graduation rates across backgrounds and identities; faculty representation across different backgrounds and academic ranks; and staff representation across identities and job classifications. The launch of the DEIB dashboard aligns with recommendations previously made by both the Penn State Faculty Senate and the former Select Presidential Commission on Racism, Bias and Community Safety.
“We strategically focused the dashboard on metrics that directly support the four DEIB-focused goals outlined by President Bendapudi, to collect and track information from across the institution in one central location,” said Carly Sunseri, director of data science within OPAIR. “This level of transparency will move us closer to the president's goals to create greater knowledge of who we are as a community and where we need to grow and improve across the University.”
The dashboard will serve as an important resource for everyone across the University as Penn State continues to make progress on DEIB goals, added Vice Provost for Planning, Assessment and Institutional Research Lance Kennedy-Phillips. “Our goal has been to build a tool that will support Penn State leaders in making strategic, data-driven decisions across enrollment management; faculty recruitment and retention; staff development and advancement; and enhancing a sense of belonging and inclusion for all members of the University community,” Kennedy-Phillips said.
Sunseri said work on the dashboard will continue into the future as OPAIR continues analyzing available sources of information from across University systems, including looking for opportunities to reflect additional axes of diversity such as disability status and LGBTQ+ identities. OPAIR plans to work closely with leadership to further refine the platform to best support the University’s needs and help inform strategic decision-making across the institution.
Work of the special adviser
Hamer — interim associate vice provost for Educational Equity and professor of African American studies and women's, gender and sexuality studies — has been gathering and evaluating data from across the University as part of her assignment as special adviser for institutional equity. Her work to inventory existing DEIB-focused programs and resources across each of Penn State’s campus locations has involved collaboration with OPAIR and college, campus and unit leaders across the University.
Hamer’s work has included inventorying existing resources and programs, new benchmarking with peer institutions, and reviews of research and scholarship into DEIB and related topics and numerous existing reports and recommendations from the President’s Commissions for Equity; the 2020 Select Presidential Commission on Racism, Bias and Community Safety; faculty and staff advisory bodies; and various working groups across the University, as well as the results and findings of various Penn State community surveys. Hamer noted this process has involved compiling data from disparate sources across the University, which she expects will eventually lead to improved data-tracking in close collaboration with OPAIR as part of both this effort and the launch of the DEIB dashboard.
“This is a large-scale undertaking that touches every corner of the University. We have acted with urgency to apply a holistic and comprehensive approach to understanding DEIB resources, programs and scholarship that exist across Penn State so we can make informed decisions about how to most effectively and strategically invest University resources. This work by its nature requires ongoing focus and evaluation, and our efforts in this space will lay the foundation for a more just, equitable and welcoming institution,” Hamer said. “Not only will these findings be used to inform short-term actions, they also will shape long-term movement forward, helping our University to leverage our strengths and invest in areas of opportunity.”
Recommendations are still being finalized and benchmarked with peer institutions, but Hamer noted her report will include an analysis of both areas of challenge and opportunity, with a focus on recommendations that emphasize greater coherency, equity and ease of access to information and opportunities, vision and planning, and accountability for outcomes across the University. The report also will pinpoint ways to enhance student success, build community and belonging within underrepresented groups, and strengthen equitable hiring, retention and professional development opportunities for faculty and staff.
More details will be included in the special adviser’s initial report, which is expected to be delivered to University leadership by the end of the spring semester before being shared with the Penn State community.