University Park, Pa. -- Penn State's Framework To Foster Diversity initiative is attracting attention from universities nationwide, with the latest visit from Auburn University this week.
Three Auburn administrators -- Overtoun Jenda, associate provost for diversity and multicultural affairs; Florence Holland, special assistant to associate provost; and Robin Taylor, diversity planning and assessment analyst -- are meeting with Penn State senior administrators, multicultural college directors and educational equity program directors and staff during a two-day visit.
"Penn State is pleased that many colleges and universities over the past few years have visited or contacted our office about our successful equity programs particularly both Framework to Foster Diversity initiatives," said Terrell Jones, vice provost for educational equity. "This is the second visit for Auburn University, which first came five years ago. They modeled some of their approaches after those at Penn State and are returning for a review and update."
"A Framework to Foster Diversity at Penn State: 2004-2009" is a continuation of the first "Framework to Foster Diversity at Penn State 1998-2003," which provided comprehensive strategic direction to the University's diversity initiatives. More information is at www.equity.psu.edu/Framework/index.html.
In mid-October, Leon Wiles, chief diversity officer of Clemson University, also visited with similar Penn State equity program directors and staff. His position is new at Clemson and he was exploring similar Offices of Educational Equity at other colleges and universities for ideas to develop future initiatives. Wiles had been vice chancellor for student and diversity affairs at University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg, S.C. Prior to that, he served as director of the developmental year program at Pennsylvania State University.
Recently, Penn State has also hosted similar visits from University of California at Berkeley and Louisiana State University. "Our visitors inform us that there is no similar model like the 'Framework' among U.S. higher education institutions," Jones said. "The 'Framework' emphasizes a system of assessment accountability, which is uncommon among colleges and universities nationwide, but found to be important in effective diversity initiatives on campuses."