DUS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
We welcome everyone to our community.
David Smith
Associate Dean for Advising and Executive Director
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What are you doing to become more culturally competent?
I reflect upon my own values and how I might identify possible biases that I have that are unintentionally fostered by my upbringing and development.
I aim to take every opportunity to attend an event or ask about a new word, fad, or trend so that I can do my part to remain an active participant in the desire to promote my own understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion for all individuals.
I actively seek out opportunities to learn from people with identities and experiences different from my own. This could mean joining a club or organization, trying a new food, reading an article or book, going to a social event, enrolling in a course, engaging with media, attending a lecture or panel discussion, or following someone on social media. The options are endless!
In my learning, I center the lived experiences of people in the communities that I’m trying to learn more about. I am grateful to have learned so much from people in the AAPI, Black, Christian, disabled, Hispanic/Latinx, immigrant, Indigenous, Jewish, LGTBTQIA+, Muslim, and veteran communities, along with so many others.
No one owes me their story, so when someone chooses to share theirs with me, they are giving me a gift. It’s my responsibility to accept the gift graciously, to work past any discomfort of stepping outside of my own culture, and to understand where they’re coming from. I don’t have to believe or agree with everything people share, but I do have to sit with it and let what I’ve learned inform my actions.
I try to be more culturally competent by sharing ideas and experiences with others from a wide variety of backgrounds when I can. I read articles, books and more that are written from a different perspective than my own. I search for opportunities to move out of my own understanding and opinions and learn about how others view the world, its events and its people. I listen and learn when I know that I am not well-educated in a topic being discussed and then try to incorporate the new knowledge in how I act. I also value the opportunity to visit and explore new and different places both domestically and internationally to first-hand experience different cultures.
Something simple that I've been intentional about lately is diversifying my media consumption. I realized that many of the influencers I watch, pages I follow, books I read, shows I watch, podcasts I listen to, etc. are from people who identify in similar ways that I do. I spend much of my leisure time doing these activities, and it has made a difference in my perspective and education to be taking in more diverse content from a wider range of creators.
Student Spotlights
My DUS-ES meetings with all of my peers and advisors were very impactful to my growth as a student, leader, and person. The friendships I made from DUS-ES turned out to be some of my closest friends, which in turn helped guide me to where I am today.
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Having safe spaces where you can interact with people that may or may not look like you, and engage in conversation and activity, makes you feel big at a smaller school.
Read morePartnerships
Connect to the multicultural coordinators in each college.
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Multicultural & Special Interest Organizations
Join one of over 70 multicultural student orgs.
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First-Generation College Students
Connect to 1st gen students, professionals, and advocates.
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Student Stories
Hear from our students; do you see yourself in their stories?
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Community & Belonging
There are many ways to be a Penn Stater. Let us help you build your community.
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Connect With Us
Connect with the DUS Diversity Team.
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Penn State’s Land Acknowledgement
Find out who lived on the land Penn State resides.
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An inclusive, diverse community is one where all experiences and perspectives are valued. Here in DUS, we want everyone to feel that they can share their stories openly and be accepted for who they are and how they see the world. It is through the inclusion of the broadest range of perspectives that we will find solutions to the many problems that confront our world. I encourage you to be yourself, to share your story with your adviser and others, and to join us in building a strong, inclusive community at Penn State.