The College of Information Sciences and Technology strives to create a welcoming environment that promotes and values diversity and inclusion for all students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors.

We uphold the belief that diversity adds significant value to every area in the college, and we recognize that both demographic and intellectual diversity create new ways of viewing the world that provide our community with a rich experience. We are dedicated to ensuring that every individual in our community feels comfortable and capable of achieving success.

Office of Inclusion and Diversity Engagement

The Office of Inclusion and Diversity Engagement in the College of IST serves and advocates for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, including gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, ability, religious affiliation, veteran status, and first generation.

Specifically, we aim to:

• recruit and retain students, faculty, and staff from underrepresented backgrounds, including women
• serve as the focal point for developing diversity initiatives across the college and promoting the value of inclusive community
• foster the growth of our students, staff, and faculty as leaders and scholars
• enhance the educational and professional experience—including the learning, creativity, and practice of information sciences and technology—by integrating inclusion and diversity concepts

The Office of Inclusion and Diversity Engagement is housed in the college’s Academic Services suite, which allows us to further collaborate with the offices that support students’ various needs and issues. This includes supporting undergraduate and graduate students as they submit scholarship and fellowship nominations, request recommendations, and pursue undergraduate research opportunities.

To make an appointment, please visit ist.psu.edu/appointments.

Be You in Tech

Be You in Tech is a series of events and programs hosted by Penn State’s College of Information Sciences and Technology that aim to inform, inspire, and empower. Every initiative in the series is designed to help participants understand the role of diversity and inclusion in their personal and professional lives through knowledge-sharing, reflection, and community building. By sharing lived experiences and challenging established standards, Be You in Tech creates unique learning environments where everyone can explore how to be their authentic selves and create inclusive spaces for others.

Learn more on the Be You in Tech webpage.

Diversity Resolution

On July 21, 2020, the College of IST faculty, staff, Inclusion and Diversity Action Council, and dean voted to endorse a resolution that was originally drafted by the Penn State Dickinson Law faculty on June 2, 2020. The resolution recognizes the impact of systemic racism and unequal treatment of Black Americans and other marginalized groups, as well as asserts the college’s commitment toward taking meaningful actions that integrate racial justice issues into the work we do. Though largely symbolic, it is an important action to ensure that the college as a whole states its recognition of these issues and makes a public commitment toward their resolution.

IST Diversity Resolution

Additional Resources

• Inclusion and Diversity Action Council
• Resources

Nondiscrimination Statement

The University is committed to equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment for all persons. It is the policy of the University to maintain an environment free of harassment and free of discrimination against any person because of age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, marital or family status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, physical or mental disability, gender, perceived gender, gender identity, genetic information or political ideas. Discriminatory conduct and harassment, as well as sexual misconduct and relationship violence, violates the dignity of individuals, impedes the realization of the University’s educational mission, and will not be tolerated. Direct all inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy to the Affirmative Action Office, The Pennsylvania State University, 328 Boucke Building, University Park, PA 16802-5901, Email: aao@psu.edu, Tel (814) 863-0471.

View the University’s full policy on Sexual And/or Gender-Based Harassment and Misconduct at https://policy.psu.edu/policies/ad85.