UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Approximately 300 staff members from across the University recently joined the University Staff Advisory Council’s (USAC) first listening sessions on community and belonging, which are helping guide USAC’s ongoing work to support staff members across Penn State.
Held in February over Zoom and hosted by USAC’s Inclusion, Equity and Diversity Committee, the two sessions created a confidential avenue for staff members from all campus locations to share their experiences and perspectives on belonging and on the Penn State community. Conversation included comments submitted in advance, open comments and discussion, and polls that explored staff perspectives on whether they identify with the University’s “One Penn State” philosophy, whether they feel valued and included as a member of the University, general emotional and physical safety in the workplace, remote work options and employee retention.
“USAC’s objective is to be ‘the voice for Penn State staff,’ and that same goal is what guides our Inclusion, Equity and Diversity Committee,” said committee co-chair Adidi Etim-Hunting, the University’s director of diversity, equity and inclusion for the Division of Development and Alumni Relations. “One way we’re doing this is through this listening session platform, which focuses on specific inclusion, equity and diversity concerns that affect all employees, so we can then advise the University’s senior leadership on how to best serve Penn State’s staff.”
In addition to the topics explored in polls, additional themes that emerged during the sessions included the University’s ongoing compensation modernization process, other compensation-related questions, and remote work and campus closure policies. The data from the sessions will be analyzed and compiled into a report to be shared with University leadership and Penn State Human Resources as part of USAC’s ongoing work to advise on issues of importance to staff; the report will not contain any identifying information from any individual participant or comments.
Based on the success of the event, USAC plans to host additional listening sessions for staff. USAC committee co-chair Rachel Galloway, assistant director for Center for Spiritual and Ethical Development at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center on the University Park campus, said she appreciates Penn State Human Resources’ support and willingness to partner with USAC in the council’s work to create opportunities for staff members to be heard and understood.
“It is critical to be able to provide opportunities for all Penn State employees to share open comments and lived experiences on these themes, and we are thrilled to be able to continue providing these sessions in the future,” Galloway said.
Additional resources to share feedback
Staff members from across the University can always send questions and concerns via email to AskUSAC@psu.edu.
Staff are also invited to share feedback through USAC’s new online comment form. The form is anonymous, and comments will be shared with USAC leadership and be used to guide the council’s work to represent all staff. USAC will additionally share comments with appropriate University departments in matters required by law.
USAC is composed of a diverse group of thirty representatives from across the commonwealth who welcome multiple perspectives, celebrate and appreciate our differences, and unite around common goals. To learn more about the council, visit the Penn State Human Resources USAC website and for additional information, follow USAC on Facebook, Yammer, LinkedIn and Instagram.
Staff members from across the University are encouraged to apply to serve as a member of the council.