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.
We aim to provide all students with a world-class education. By fostering an environment that values diversity, we hope to help all students find their place in our college.
We highly recommend these important University references:
- All In at Penn State: A Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
- 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
- Action Together: Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Penn State
- Diversity and Inclusion Resources
- Addressing Bias: Rights, Responsibilities and Responses
If you have questions about any diversity-related initiative in the college, please contact the EMS Office of the Associate Dean for Educational Equity.
Pre-College and Research Programs
- Upward Bound Math and Science — The Summer Experiences in Earth and Mineral Sciences (SEEMS) is a program where the College hosts approx. 50 high school students from urban areas. The students are then split up and placed in research groups, supervised by faculty and graduate students. In addition to the research they perform, they take academic classes to help prepare them for college matriculation.
- Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) — The Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) is an eight-week research program designed to interest talented undergraduate students from underrepresented groups in academic careers and to enhance their preparation for graduate study through intensive research experiences with faculty mentors. In addition to the research experience, the program includes professional development workshops, seminars, field trips, and social activities.
Undergraduate Research Experiences
- GCSE EnvironMentors Penn State Chapter
EnvironMentors is the college access program for underrepresented and underserved high school students across the country, created by the Global Council for Science and the Environment (GCSE). EnvironMentors has the mission to mentor and motivates high school students from underrepresented and underserved communities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). High school student participants are paired with an undergraduate student, a faculty member, and a graduate student, who serve as their mentors on research teams for the academic year. - WISER/MURE/FURP — is a one-year research experience program offering students the opportunity to collaborate with a research team, learn the language of research and use high-tech equipment.
WISER: Women in Science and Engineering Research is available to first-year women students; MURE: Minority Undergraduate Research Experience is available to underrepresented minority first-year students, sophomores, or juniors (African-American, Hispanic, Native American, Pacific Islander); FURP: Freshman Undergraduate Research Program is available to all first-year students; those with economic hardship are encouraged to apply.
Student Organizations for Underrepresented Students
Here is a small sampling of some of the student organizations our students have been involved with during their time at Penn State. Penn State has many more student organizations, which you can browse through in the student organization directory. You can also view a list of International and Cultural organizations.
- Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (oSTEM)
- Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
- Society of Women Engineers
- Supportive network for Women in Meteorology (SWIM)
- Supporting Women in Geography (SWIG)
- Association for Women Geoscientists
- American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
- National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
- Phi Sigma Rho Sorority (Women in science and engineering)
- Minorities in Agriculture and Natural Resources (MANRRS)
- Minorities in Earth and Mineral Sciences (MEMS) - Contact President Bryttani Wooten baw50@psu.edu
- Women in Earth and Mineral Sciences (WEMS) - Contact Kayla McCauley kxm765@psu.edu
- Women in Materials Science and Engineering
- Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)
Campus Resources for Underrepresented Students
- Penn State Treasure — Guide to multicultural resources at Penn State, put together by underrepresented students at Penn State
- Special Living Options — Live with and learn from classmates who share similar interests as you. The ALLY House provides an open, safe, and inclusive living environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and ally students. The Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) House offers a supportive environment for women students in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
- Paul Robeson Cultural Center
- Multicultural Resource Center
- Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Equity (CLGBTE)
- Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity
- Gender Equity Center
- All Gender Restrooms
- Adult Learners Programs and Services
- Prior Learning Assessment — how to request academic credit for equivalent life experience
- Office of Veterans Programs
- Millennium Scholars — a scholarship program and support network designed to foster diversity with STEM fields
Getting Help or Assistance
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.