What is DEIB?
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are central to creating a culture of Belonging at work. In all organizations, including universities, employees can achieve their full potential when they feel valued and accepted and have equitable access to resources and facilities. An inclusive organization with an accepting and diverse culture will allow the entire community to thrive, creating better outcomes and employee satisfaction, and fostering a culture of innovation and success.
To further explore DEIB at Penn State, visit Penn State's Educational equity website.
Diversity
Diversity represents the many traits that differentiate individuals and groups from each other. Some of these characteristics include Age, Ethnicity, Family Structures, Gender and Gender Identity, Language, National Origin, Physical Ability, Race, Religion, Sexual Orientation, Socioeconomic Status, and Veteran Status.
Equity & Equality
Equity and Equality are two terms that are often used interchangeably but don’t mean the same thing. Equity refers to understanding the diverse attributes and needs of individuals and providing access to the necessary resources for success. This differs from Equality, which would give all individuals the same access to resources without consideration of their diverse needs.
Inclusion
Inclusion refers to the acts of valuing, respecting, and supporting diverse individuals and perspectives, and enabling their full participation in a community. Inclusion requires us to constantly assess who is left out, and who is not represented.
Belonging
Belonging is the emotional feeling that an individual or group feels when their identity, diverse characteristics, and unique needs are seen and accepted by a community or organization When individuals or groups experience belonging in any space, like a workplace, they feel empowered to be authentically themselves.