Thank you to the staff in the Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity for their innovation and dedication to Penn State during this unprecedented time in 2020 — as a global pandemic and issues of racial injustice intersected to underscore the divides that continue to persist in our society. Individuals within this office have made it their life’s work to embrace the Penn State values and push for equity in every aspect of our operations. They are helping the University and society lead to a more just and unbiased future for all, and I wish to acknowledge them and their persistence. 

I also wish to offer thanks to those in our University community — from our leadership to individuals serving on task forces, our students, members of Faculty Senate, staff, and the Commission on Racism, Bias, and Community Safety — who are giving us the opportunity to grow our efforts around diversity, equity and inclusion, and to continue to address racism and bias. These community members are pushing us to think more deeply about the ways each of us can — as President Barron has said — “fight ignorance and intolerance, model inclusivity and embrace the power that diversity represents.” 

My sincerest thank you to all who, through this unimagined year, have remained dedicated to listening to varied voices, taking meaningful action and being culturally responsive to the needs of all. 

— Marcus A. Whitehurst, vice provost for educational equity at Penn State