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, inclusive excellence and belonging, we hope to help all students find their place in our college.
In addition to the programs below, our office provides guidance to students, connecting them with information, resources, and opportunities. We support student-led and student organization initiatives. And we work closely with departments and with the Graduate School to recruit and retain a diverse graduate student body.
Outreach, Recruiting and REU Programs Open to Undergraduate Students
Fox Graduate School Open House -- Underrepresented junior and senior undergraduates with strong academic records and research programs and an interest in applying to graduate programs in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences are invited to submit an application.
Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program -- The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program (also known as the McNair Scholars Program) is one of the federally funded TRiO programs at Penn State. It is designed to provide one-on-one support to undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds in pursuit of a Ph.D. The McNair Scholars program does not provide financial support or scholarships.
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.
GENIUS – The Geography Education Networking Initiative for Underrepresented Scholars (GENIUS) is a three-day workshop for underrepresented rising third- and fourth-year students to receive support and mentoring in preparing to apply to graduate programs in geography.
Interdisciplinary Climate Science Research – Undergraduate students will conduct authentic research on topics related to climate science. The research topics will take an interdisciplinary look at climate science and the societal relevance, spanning beyond atmospheric science to also include impacts of a changing climate such as human health, ecology, and engineering solutions. New statistical and computational approaches will be introduced to students to make sense of the ever-larger data being collected on the climate system. For more information or to apply contact PIs: Dr. Raymond Najjar rgn1@psu.edu, Dr. Gregory Jenkins gsj1@psu.edu, or Dr. Natasha Miles nlm136@psu.edu.
Professional Development
Office of Graduate Educational Equity – The Penn State Graduate School’s Office of Graduate Educational Equity Programs in concert with the Graduate School and the academic colleges sponsor professional development opportunities for underrepresented graduate students. These workshops, seminars, and conferences are intended to address issues that may not be addressed in the academic units that can serve as barriers to students’ academic success.
BUILD -- This University-wide diversity education initiative aligns with the University’s Strategic Plan, which out-lines “Advancing Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity” as one of its foundations. We have an obligation to fight ignorance and intolerance, model inclusivity, and embrace the power that diversity represents as part of our mission to cultivate the next generation of leaders within the Commonwealth and across the globe.
Fellowships and Scholarships Opportunities
Bunton-Waller Graduate Awards are assistantships awarded to incoming students who will contribute to EMS and University inclusive excellence,as part of the University's comprehensive educational opportunity program. The graduate admission application serves as the Bunton-Waller Graduate Awards application. Students must be nominated by their program. The Bunton-Waller Graduate Awards Program competition is open to incoming graduate degree candidates who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Nominees will be evaluated on scholarly promise and upon receiving a commitment from the student's graduate major program to support the student through their graduate program, provided that the student continues to make satisfactory progress toward degree.
Sloan Scholars --The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation provides funding for underrepresented students who are pursuing doctorates in mathematics, science, and engineering. The Sloan Scholars Program specifically targets African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans. All must be U.S. citizens. Students receiving Sloan Foundation grants may use the money to pay for professional travel, research, equipment, books, and to cover many other needs during their doctoral studies. These funds are in addition to any assistantships and fellowships awarded to a student.
Graduate Student Programs
We Are For Science/EMS Graduate Fellows for Science Advocacy and Diversity – WE ARE For Science (WAFS) promotes a diverse and inclusive scientific community through advocacy, outreach, and community-building activities in EMS and beyond. Two graduate students serve as fellows each year, hosting outreach events and programs, and collaborating with graduate and undergraduate student organizations in EMS.
Graduate Engagement Program – The Graduate Engagement fosters an inclusive environment for all graduate students within the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. The program cultivates an inclusive space across departments through extracurricular engagement, including welcome events, resource workshops, and community building; all in collaboration with graduate student leaders and graduate student-focused staff. Outcomes of this project include: improved mental well-being and sense of belonging; increased knowledge of University resources for graduate students, especially marginalized graduate students; and a strengthened sense of inclusion, community, involvement, and cross-disciplinary interactions. To get involved, contact edequity@ems.psu.edu.
Rising Doctoral Institute – EMS participates in Penn State’s Rising Doctoral Institute, which is a site within the national program. The RDI consists of a three-day workshop followed by monthly meetings to ease the transition to graduate school for incoming master’s and doctoral students in STEM. Our goal is to help prepare students to successfully navigate their degree programs and provide a network of support at Penn State. Incoming graduate students who identify from backgrounds considered underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and math are strongly encouraged to participate.
Rainbow EMS Network – The Rainbow EMS Network fosters a fully inclusive environment in our research groups and identifies research groups that have received advanced training in LGBTQ issues beyond the Safer People Safer Places Network. If your research group is not already a member of the Rainbow Network, talk to your lead faculty member about completing the steps to join.
Student Organizations for Underrepresented Graduate Students
Each of our departments has department/discipline specific organizations supporting diversity, inclusive excellence, and belonging. These include:
- Women in 3D printing
- Supportive network for Women in Meteorology (SWIM)
- Supporting Women in Geography (SWIG)
- Association for Women Geoscientists
Check your department’s website or talk with your department’s Associate Head for Graduate Programs or Associate Head for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for more information about what clubs exist or are forming within your department.
Additionally, here is a small sampling of some of the diversity-focused student organizations our graduate students have been involved with during their time at Penn State. For more student organizations, browse Penn State Registered Student Organizations are open to any student who is interested in the topic and mission of the organization.
- Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (oSTEM)
- Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA)
- Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
- Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
- 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)
- Minority Graduate Students (MGS) in STEM
- National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE)
- Physics and Astronomy for Women+ (PAW+)
- Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)
- Graduate Women in Science (GWiS)
- Graduate Women in Engineering (GradWIE)
- Multicultural Engineering Graduate Association (MEGA)
- Society for Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE)
Penn State has many more student organizations, which you can browse through in the student organization directory. You can search for graduate student orgs. You can also view a list of International and Cultural organizations.
Department Resources for Underrepresented Graduate Students
Each of our EMS departments has an Associate Head for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Contact the Associate Head for your department to learn more about programs and events in your department.
- Department of Geography: Dr. Lorraine Dowler lxd17@psu.edu
- Department of Geosciences: Contact Dr. Liz Hajek eah21@psu.edu
https://www.geosc.psu.edu/about/who-we-are/diversity-equity-and-inclusion - John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering: Contact Dr. Chiara LoPrete cxl63@psu.edu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering: Contact Dr. Allison Beese amb961@psu.edu
https://www.matse.psu.edu/undergraduate/undergraduate-student-experiences/diversity-equity-inclusion-and-belonging - Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science: Contact Dr. Eugene Clothiaux eec3@psu.edu
EMS Graduate Student Ombuds program -- The Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS) Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Scholar Ombuds Program provides graduate students and postdocs with a neutral, third-party to assist with conflict resolution and solutions-oriented support. Graduate students and postdocs within EMS can choose to meet with any ombudsperson across the College, regardless of department affiliation.
University Park Campus Resources for Underrepresented Graduate Students
Help or Assistance
EMS Graduate Student Ombuds program -- The Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS) Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Scholar Ombuds Program provides graduate students and postdocs with a neutral, third-party to assist with conflict resolution and solutions-oriented support. Graduate students and postdocs within EMS can choose to meet with any ombudsperson across the College, regardless of department affiliation.
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.
- Fox Graduate School Ombuds Program
- Student Legal Services
- University Police — Report a Crime
- Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
- University Health Services
- Report Bias
- Office of Sexual Misconduct Prevention & Response
We recommend these important University references:
- Belonging at Penn State Calendar
- Penn State Statement on Belonging
- 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 from the University Office of Educational Equity
- Addressing Bias: Rights, Responsibilities and Responses
- DEIB Dashboard
If you have questions about any diversity-related initiative in the college, please contact the EMS Office of the Associate Dean for Educational Equity.
