Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusive excellence that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusive excellence as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.
Diversity among students and faculty is a top priority for the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences and the Office of Educational Equity takes an active role in promoting respect and embracing diversity in the college. By fostering an environment that values diversity, we hope to help all people find a place in our college.
We highly recommend these important University references:
- Penn State Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Excellence
- Advancing Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity-Our Commitment to Impact: The Pennsylvania State University's Strategic Plan for 2020 to 2025
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Resources
- Addressing Bias: Rights, Responsibilities and Responses
- University Faculty Senate Policy on Class Attendance
- Religious and Spiritual Observances Calendar
The College of Earth and Mineral Sciences is committed to expanding diversity efforts and embarked on a number of strategic initiatives. Please visit the sections below to learn more.
The college offers resources and opportunities for all members of our community to learn about how to be a better Ally to underrepresented/underserved groups and diversity in general.
Visit Active Ally Resources to learn more >>
During 2018-19, the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences undertook a vital and relevant assessment of the environment for living, learning, and working - the Assessment of the Living, Learning, and Working Environment (ALLWE) survey. The initiative's goal was to make positive, lasting changes, and to help create a more inclusive campus. In September 2024, the final report was presented.
As part of efforts to build a welcoming culture supportive of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, the college offers resources and opportunities for all members of our community to learn about how to be more aware of and how to combat racism.
Visit Anti-Racism Resources to learn more >>
During the fall of 2019, the college partnered with Penn State’s Stand For State program to offer lively, scenario-based, facilitated discussions focusing on fostering more inclusive working and learning environments with the Bystander Intervention approach.
To learn more, visit the Bystander Intervention webpage
The brand-new College of Earth and Mineral Science’s Educational Equity Community Room (in 116A Deike) offers gathering space for EMS students in support of our diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging goals, the University Values of Respect and Community, and the EMS Values of Inclusivity and Safety and Wellbeing. This welcoming, comfortable, and flexible space can be used for student group activities, study sessions, Zoom calls, networking events, or just hanging out. Open to both undergrad and grad students, it offers unique opportunities for fostering community.
The room is available by request. Interested groups should email edequity@ems.psu.edu or swb5843@psu.edu. When requesting, students should indicate the group or meeting details, the expected number of attendees, and if any special accommodation is needed.
Open Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm
Evening hours 5:00-7:00pm by request. Please give at least one week’s notice for any times after 5:00pm.
EMS Educational Equity Community Room Guidelines
- Respect the space, respect each other.
- Please clean up after yourselves in this brand-new room. There is no regular cleaning schedule, so please help keep it tidy and neat. Please dispose of all trash in the hallway trash bin and recycle what you can. If you make a mess and you cannot clean up, please let the Office of Educational Equity know.
- No paint and no glitter. No red beverages. (There is no carpet or upholstery cleaning)
- If you create a stain, you might be liable to pay for cleaning services.
- Take any leftover food with you or store it in the fridge (date and label any items with your name).
- Stay within the scheduled time(s) of your gathering.
- Please keep in mind there is the Geosciences office surrounding the room and to keep noise levels respectable during regular business hours.
Diversity among students and faculty is a top priority for the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences and the college's Diversity Council helps the Office of Educational Equity in promoting respect and embracing diversity and inclusion in the college.
View members of the Diversity Council >>
Created in 2021, the EMS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Awards honor undergraduate students, graduate students, staff and faculty who have demonstrated exemplary leadership that manifests the ideals of diversity, equity and inclusion into practical action. These awards will be awarded annually by the college's Diversity Council.
These awards are given in recognition of students (graduate and undergraduate), faculty and staff who have gone above and beyond in demonstrating awareness, leadership, or commitment to promoting and fostering diversity, equity and inclusion in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. They are designed to foster an academically enriching and supportive climate for all members of our community and to sustain an inclusive environment, especially for those underrepresented with respect to social identities such as race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, and socioeconomic status. An inclusive culture respects and celebrates this diversity as a means to enhance the EMS community.
The student awards are named after Dr. Catherine Lyons, the first associate dean for educational equity in EMS. The staff and faculty awards are named after Dr. Charles Hosler, a former dean of the college and a strong proponent of diversity, equity and inclusion. Award information and nomination forms may be accessed using the below links:
- Catherine Lyons Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Undergraduate Student Award
- Catherine Lyons Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Graduate Student Award
- Charles Hosler Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Staff Award
- Charles Hosler Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Faculty Award
- Charles Hosler Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Postdoc Award
As part of efforts to build a welcoming culture supportive of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, the college's Educational Equity Office host EMS Reads. This program features readings and discussion on books that foster indepth thoughts on diversity topics.
To learn more, visit the EMS Reads webpage >>
The College of Earth and Mineral Sciences believes that the best science emerges when our researchers can bring their whole selves to the team. Patterned after the Eberly College of Sciences' network, the created the Rainbow Science Network (RSN) to foster a fully inclusive environment in our research groups.
Visit the EMS Rainbow Network webpage >>
Learn more about Environmental Justice >>
Undergraduate Student Resources: Below is a curated list of resources specifically designed to support first-generation undergraduate students in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS) at Penn State. These resources address academic, financial, and personal development needs to help you succeed.
- Chaiken Center for Student Success - Offers mentorship, community-building, and tailored resources for first-gen students to help them thrive academically and personally at Penn State.
- Ryan Family Student Center - Provides academic advising and personalized support for EMS students, ensuring first-gen undergraduates have a go-to resource for help.
- Financial Aid Services - Helps students access grants, scholarships, and financial aid guidance, addressing the financial barriers many first-gen students face.
- Lion Pantry - Provides free food and personal care items to students facing food insecurity, ensuring they can focus on academics.
- EMS Library Services - Provides specialized resources, workshops, and one-on-one assistance tailored to the unique needs of EMS students.
Graduate Student Resources: Below is a curated list of resources specifically designed to support first-generation graduate students in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS) at Penn State. These resources address academic, financial, and personal development needs to help you succeed in your graduate studies.
- Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) - Provides mental health and wellness support for graduate students, helping them manage stress, imposter syndrome, and other challenges unique to graduate studies.
- EMS Ombuds Program - Provides neutral guidance to address conflicts or concerns related to academic and research experiences for graduate students in EMS.
- Graduate Writing Center - Offers support for writing theses, dissertations, and grants, helping graduate students develop their academic writing skills.
- Health Insurance Services - Helps graduate students navigate Penn State’s health insurance plans to ensure access to affordable and comprehensive healthcare.
- Graduate School Professional Development Program - Offers workshops, mentoring, and career preparation resources to help graduate students succeed in academia, industry, or public service.
The annual International Culture Night celebrates cultures from around the world through food, music, performances and cultural exhibitions.
Learn more about International Culture Night >>
- Feb. 6 - 16: Picture a Scientist Week
Picture a Scientist Week, jointly sponsored by the Eberly College of Science and College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, will feature events focused on celebrating diversity and equity in the STEM fields in conjunction with Black History Month.- Feb. 6-11: “Picture a Scientist” documentary free-viewing sessions
- Feb. 6: Empower Conference: Building Connections Through Community
- Feb. 10: Picture a Scientist Q&A with Jane Willenbring
- Feb. 10: Jane Willenbring, SAGF Lecture
- Feb. 11: Diversity in STEM Trivia Night
- Feb. 16: EMS Women Faculty Panel Discussion
The Safer People Safer Places network seeks to create a safer and more inclusive environment for sexual and gender diversity.
Learn more about the college's participation in the Safer People Safer Places program >>
One of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences' strategic initiates is the status of women faculty in the college.
In the fall of 2016, Dean William Easterling charged a committee of nine faculty from the college to assess the status of women employees with faculty appointments. The dean requested that the committee consider the following questions on the professional opportunities and climate related to gender for EMS faculty:
- What special challenges do women face in the college in achieving their professional goals and balancing those goals with their personal lives?
- How much progress has the collegle made in the past ten years toward increasing the impact of women on achieving the college’s mission?
- What are the college’s strengths in promoting a healthy and productive environment for women to thrive? What are its weaknesses?
- What are some practical and potentially effective ways the College can improve the working condition for women?
Read the report: Status of Women Academics Report - College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (June 2017)
Read the Implementation Plan
Diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence play a central role in our college’s core mission to prepare our students to live, work, and lead in a global environment. The College of Earth and Mineral Sciences’ broad and multifaceted diversity efforts are inclusive of nationality, ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ability, veteran status, socio economic status, first generation to college status, and religion and apply to students, faculty, staff.
- View Undergraduate Diversity Resources >>
- View Graduate Diversity Resources >>
- Health and Wellness webpage, maintained by Penn State Student Affairs, details the many wellness and mental health resources available to support and empower Penn State students.
- Forrester N. (2023) Fed up and burnt out: ‘quiet quitting’ hits academia. Many researchers dislike the term, but the practice of dialing back unrewarded duties is gaining traction
- Nicholls H, Nicholls M, Tekin S, Lamb D, Billings J. (2022) The impact of working in academia on researchers’ mental health and well-being: A systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis. To improve researchers’ well-being at work, scientific/academic practice and the system’s concept of what a successful researcher should look like, needs to change.
- Hammoudi Halat D, Soltani A, Dalli R, Alsarraj L, Malki A. (2023) Understanding and Fostering Mental Health and Well-Being among University Faculty: A Narrative Review. This article summarizes the available evidence on factors influencing faculty mental health and shows the prevalence of anxiety, depression, stress, and burnout among faculty from various academic fields and along the whole academic ladder. Using a suggested framework that collates the efforts of leaders and faculty, the paper concludes by exploring strategies that promote work–life balance among academics and suggesting effective interventions to improve their mental health outcomes.
- Anxiety & Depression Association of America: Black and African American Communities Mental Health Resources for the Black Community | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA
Penn State offers numerous resources specifically for underrepresented students seeking assistance with a variety of concerns. We also encourage you to contact staff in our Office for the Associate Dean for Educational Equity, who can work with you and may be able to point you to additional resources.
- University Police — Report a Crime
- Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
501 Student Health Center
814-863-0395- CAPS- Crisis Services (24/7): Penn State Crisis Line
Telephone: 1-877-229-6400
Text Line: “LIONS” to 741741
- CAPS- Crisis Services (24/7): Penn State Crisis Line
- Victim & Survivor Support & Advocacy
204 Boucke Building
814-863-2027 - Vice Provost for Educational Equity (EE)
304 Old Main
814-865-5906 - EMS Human Resources
501 Barron Innovation Hub - Office of Equal Opportunity and Access
328 Boucke - 814-863-0471
- Health Advocate Employee Assistance Program
866-799-2728 - Gender Equity Center
204 Boucke Building
814-863-2027 - Office of Sexual Misconduct Prevention & Response
222 Boucke Building
814-867-0099 - LGBTQA Student Resource Center
101 Boucke Building
814-863-1248 - University Health Services
Student Health Center
814-865-4UHS (4847) - Paul Robertson Cultural Center
21 HUB-Robeson Center
814-865-3776 - Centre County Women’s Resource Center
140 W Nittany Ave, State College, PA 16801
877-234-5050 - Supporting Students In Distress:
- Red Folder
- Penn State Hotline (anonymous reporting): 1-800-560-1637
- Title IX coordinator: 814-867-5088 or titleix@psu.edu
