Graduate Equity

The mission of Graduate Equity is to grow and diversify College of Engineering graduate programs. We work toward this goal through high impact recruiting, developing targeted first-year programs for incoming graduate students, fostering community, and professional development opportunities. We are here to support your graduate school journey, and we encourage you to explore the many opportunities we offer!

Engineering Graduate Student Community

The College of Engineering hosts several graduate student groups, events, and resources with the goal of promoting scholarship and equity. These include:

• Multicultural Engineering Graduate Association
• Graduate Women in Engineering: meet bi-weekly to build a mentoring network through discussion and guest speakers
• STEM Scholars Monthly Luncheons: graduate students across Penn State’s STEM colleges meet monthly at the Nittany Lion Inn for professional development and community building
• Student Well-Being Groups: graduate students meet up to discuss and pursue hobbies, such as photography. Contact Cindy Reed for more information.

Graduate Student Professional Development

Professional development builds skills for graduate students beyond their academic training. These programs are intended to address issues that can serve as barriers to students’ academic and professional success.

• Penn State Graduate Professional Development
• The National GEM Consortium

Recent professional development programs include:

• Rethinking presentations in science and engineering
• Curating your professional identity
• Creating your personal website
• Salary negotiation

Welcome Workshop

A weekend workshop for incoming graduate students traditionally underrepresented in Engineering (i.e., underrepresented minorities and women). Through the Welcome Workshop, first-year graduate students will:

• Learn about graduate resources offered by the College of Engineering and Penn State
• Have an opportunity to interact with key multi-cultural leaders, faculty/staff allies, and current graduate students
• Start building community with one another

Graduate Student Recruiting Events

Note: More events and meetings are being planned. Please check back here for more details as they become available.

• STEM Open House
• College of Engineering Graduate Programs and Contact Information

Other Graduate Resources at Penn State

• Student Support Programs
• Office of Graduate and Education Equity Programs
• Graduate Women in Science
• The Graduate & Professional Student Association
• Counseling & Psychological Services