UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Brian Patchcoski, the newly appointed assistant vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion at Penn State, will serve a second term on the Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs.

Originally established through an executive order by Gov. Tom Wolf in August 2018, the Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs works to advise the governor and state agencies regarding policies, programs, and legislation that impact LGBTQ communities and serves as a resourceful intermediary between LGBTQ communities and state government.

“Over the last two years, I have had the honor and privilege of serving our sexual and gender diverse communities with colleagues across our commonwealth dedicated to issues of aging, education, health equity, policy development along with legislative action,” said Patchcoski. “I’m grateful to Gov. Wolf and the commission’s leadership for the opportunity for a renewed tenure with the commission to continue fostering change across Pennsylvania and in turn for our many student, staff, faculty, and alumni communities. I am grateful to represent the many voices across our University and look forward to the future potential and continued growth of this work.”

Initially the first of its kind in the nation, the Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs consists of 40 members throughout Pennsylvania who act as representatives and advocates for LGBTQ communities across the commonwealth.

Joining Patchcoski on the Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs is Freddy Purnell. Purnell graduated from Penn State in May 2020. During their time on campus, Purnell was actively engaged in advocacy efforts through serving as president of the LGBTQA Student Roundtable, vice president of QTPOC (Queer and Trans People of Color), a member of Men Against Violence, a Greeks CARE facilitator, a member of the President’s Commission for LGBTQ Equity and a member of the Straight Talks Peer Education Program. Purnell’s engagement provided a foundation for action that will benefit their role on the Commission.