“Fostering a Sense of Belonging to Improve Campus Culture” presented by Aneesah Smith, director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Penn State Abington

DEI efforts on college campuses have made great strides, but focusing on adding “belonging” to the equation will truly impact student success and faculty and staff retention and satisfaction. Just having a welcoming campus is not enough; underrepresented groups, due to their history of exclusion and discrimination, have the natural tendency to question if they are respected, valued and understood. By creating spaces that affirm and celebrate diversity and are free from microaggressions, we can all contribute to a more inclusive campus culture.

Co-sponsored by Penn State Global, Educational Equity, Human Resources, Student Affairs, Undergraduate Education, and the University Libraries