Penn State forms Joint Diversity Awareness Task Force April 29, 2013 UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State has named a diverse group of students, faculty and administrators to a recently formed Joint Diversity Awareness Task Force, which will work collaboratively to provide recommendations to the University Faculty Senate and Penn State’s administration to increase diversity awareness in the University community. Penn State President Rodney Erickson and 2012-13 Senate Chair Larry Backer called for the formation of the joint task force following the Jan. 29 Senate meeting, in response to a request made by members of the Student Diversity Awareness Task Force. The goal of the task force will be to undertake a review of issues related to cultural awareness and to make suggestions and recommendations on curricular and out-of-class climate changes that could enhance the environment for all students at the University. The joint task force will hold its first meeting in the near future, at which 2013-14 Senate Chair Brent Yarnel and Penn State Vice Provost Rob Pangborn will present its formal charge. The group is expected to meet throughout the summer. “The incidents of intolerance and lack of respect and understanding in recent months have underscored the need for the University community to engage in discussions at many levels to seek ways to improve the climate for diversity at Penn State,” said Pangborn. “The Joint Diversity Awareness Task Force has the opportunity to make a lasting impact within the general education curriculum and other curricular and co-curricular learning experiences of both current and future students.” The following students, faculty and administrators will serve on the Joint Diversity Awareness Task Force for 2013-14: -- Brian Aynardi, graduate student in plant pathology and Graduate Student Association representative to the Faculty Senate; -- Mark Brennan, associate professor of rural sociology and agricultural and extension education, and UNESCO Chair in Rural Community, Leadership and Youth Development; -- Melissa Creely, undergraduate student in biobehavioral health; -- Barbara Dewey, dean, University Libraries and scholarly communications; -- Caleb Fernandez, undergraduate student in communications; -- Jesus Hinojosa, undergraduate student in psychology and economics; -- Antwain Hunter, graduate student in history; -- Patreese Ingram, assistant dean of multicultural affairs and professor of agricultural sciences and extension education; -- Krishna Jayakar, associate professor of communications; -- Ariel Johnson, graduate student in media studies; -- Terrell Jones, vice provost, Office of Educational Equity; -- Jonna Kulikowich, professor of education and chair-elect of the University Faculty Senate; -- Yanni Mai, undergraduate student, division of undergraduate studies; -- Karyn McKinney Marvasti, associate professor of sociology and women’s studies, Penn State Altoona; -- Curtis Price, associate dean of educational equity and coordinator of multicultural programs, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences -- Evan Riddick, undergraduate student in crime, law and justice; -- Jo Tyler, associate professor of training and development, Penn State Harrisburg; -- Teresa Vescio, associate professor of psychology and women’s studies; and -- Carlos Wiley, director, Paul Robeson Cultural Center. http://news.psu.edu/story/275189/2013/04/29/impact/penn-state-forms-joint-diversity-awareness-task-force Newt Gingrich (former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives) will be debating Robert Gibbs (President Obama's former Press Secretary) here at Penn State. The Great Debate will take place on Tuesday April 23rd at 8PM in Schwab Auditorium. Tickets are FREE and can be obtained at either the HUB or Eisenhower Ticket Desk. 
Come hang out with your fellow graduate students for some fun! WHAT: White Course Spring Picnic WHERE: Weston Community Center Front Lawn WHEN: April 19th, 4:30PM The GSA Election Results for the 2013-2014 Academic Year GSA 2013-2014 Executive Board Scott Rager, President Evelyn Miller, Executive Vice President Antwain Hunter, Vice President of External Affairs Brandon Merritt, Executive Secretary Marika Merritt, Treasurer Brian Aynardi, Faculty Senate Representative Graduate Council Representatives Gabriel Caceres Katherine C. Kragh-Buetow Lauren Golder Stephanie Wilson Doug Whalen UPAC Allocations Committee Runkun Jiang Adelina Hristova GSA 2013-2014 Graduate College Assembly Delegates College of Agricultural Science Doug Whalen James Banfill College of Arts and Architecture Brittany N. Wong College of Communications Ariel Johnson College of Health and Human Development Rachel Koffer Aaron Miller Dickinson School of Law Dustin Segovia Tom Robins School of International Affairs Luke Waring Eberly College of Science Bill Dusch Gabriel Caceres Joanna Bridge College of Engineering Nathan Depenbusch Runkun Jiang Brad Sottile College of Earth and Mineral Sciences Katelyn Olcott College of the Liberal Arts Nicole M. Benevento Mike Bergmaier Justin Mellette Intercollegiate Graduate Degree James Kally Smeal School of Business Gary Lin Travis Lesser We'll be voting to fill the vacant College of Education positions at the next GSA Meeting! So new delegates be sure you come and vote! We also still have openings in the following Assembly positions, those that are interested should contact gsa@psu.edu College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (1 position) College of Information Sciences and Technology (1 position) School of Nursing (1 position) Intercollege Graduate Degree Programs (1 position) White Course Apartments (1 position) Join your fellow grad students as we tour some of downtown's fine establishments! 
GSA is proud to announce the first patch of election results! The following individuals have been elected to the 2013-2014 GSA Executive Board and Assembly. Executive Board: President: Scott Rager Executive Vice President: Evelyn Miller Vice President of External Affairs: Antwain Hunter Executive Secretary: Brandon Merritt Treasurer: Marika Merritt Faculty Senate Representative: Brian Aynardi Graduate Council: Gabriel Caceres, Katherine Kragh-Buetow, Lauren Golder, and Stephanie Wilson GSA Assembly: College of Agricultural Science: James Banfill and Doug Whalen College of Arts and Architecture: Brittany Wong College of Communications: Ariel Johnson College of Engineering: Nathan Depenbusch and Runkun Jiang College of Health and Human Development: Rachel Koffer and Aaron Miller Dickinson School of Law: Dustin Segovia College of Liberal Arts: Nicole Benevento Eberly College of Science: Bill Dusch, Gabriel Caceres, and Joanna Bridge More to come soon! |
