Two teams from Penn State Abington joined a national coalition of more than 55 colleges and universities at the 2023 Summer Institute for Equity in the Academic Experience. The three-day series of workshops, panels and provocations was aimed at improving equitable access and outcomes for low-income, first-generation, and students of color at the institutions.
A total of more than 400 faculty, staff and administrators tackled meaningful equity projects linked to their strategic institutional priorities.
One Abington team’s project focused on breaking down ableist barriers on campus through professional development programs. Additionally, the team proposed systems that would encourage colleagues to participate in diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) opportunities and highlight the importance of critical storytelling as a tool to raise awareness about the experiences that people with disabilities have on campus.
The team was comprised of Teri Dodaro, assistant teaching professor of elementary and early childhood education; Judy Newman, associate professor of human development and family studies and bioethics; Chavonne Campbell, disabilities coordinator; and Randy Ingbritsen, assistant director of Continuing Education.
The second team from Abington represented the Division of Arts and Humanities. The team's project focused on how the Abington faculty might hold itself accountable in terms of ensuring annual DEIB-focused reflections. They also proposed ways that faculty and staff might be recognized for their work as they continue to implement DEIB-focused pedagogies, practices and interactions on campus.
Grace Lee-Amuzie, director for the Center for Intercultural Leadership and Communication and assistant teaching professor of applied linguistics; Rachel LaMance, assistant teaching professor of applied linguistics and TESOL; and Lisa Chewning, interim division head for Arts and Humanities and associate professor of corporate communication, represented the Division of Arts and Humanities.
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