Diversity

Understanding and appreciating diversity is one of Penn’s most important priorities and is fundamental to success in today’s world.

Racial Empowerment Collaborative discussion

Academic Programs

A list of academic programs across Penn schools that advance Penn’s goal of achieving excellence through diversity.

Local, National, and Global Engagement

News and information about initiatives that advance the University-wide goal of impacting an array of individuals and communities at home and around the world.

Administrative and Co-curricular Programs

A list of programs that support and enrich the intellectual, cultural, and social diversity of Penn’s campus.

The Racial Empowerment Collaborative at Penn GSE

The Racial Empowerment Collaborative (REC) is a research, program development, and training center that brings together community leaders, researchers, authority figures, families, and youth to study and promote racial literacy and health in schools and neighborhoods.

School-Specific Student Organizations

A list of undergraduate and graduate student organizations that ensure inclusion and diversity within specific Penn schools.

Student, Faculty, Staff, and Alumni Resources

A list of resource offices, committees, organizations, and groups, which support, encourage, and advocate for diverse members of the Penn community.

Projects for Progress

Projects for Progress awards prizes to support proposals by teams of students, faculty, and staff designed to promote equity and inclusion and to make a direct impact in Philadelphia.

classroom with diverse group of students gathered around laptops

Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs

The Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs is charged with ensuring that the University meets its obligations as an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer and educational institution.

students walking over the 38th street bridge

Diversity & Inclusion

Across 12 Schools, more than 25,000 students, and more than 5,000 faculty members, Penn becomes one university: a wide-ranging, ever-changing community that draws its strength from a multitude of races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, historical traditions, ages, religions, disabilities, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

The Center for Hispanic Excellence: La Casa Latina

Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center

makuu director brian peterson with student

Makuu: The Black Cultural Center

Penn Women's Center

Greenfield Intercultural Center

Pan-Asian American Community House

Student Cultural Centers

Penn’s six cultural resource centers provide a welcoming forum—and a home away from home—for students of all backgrounds who are interested in enriching their knowledge, finding encouragement, testing ideas, asking questions, and initiating change.

Explore

Diversity (Fall 2023)

62%

of those accepted for admission to the Class of 2027 identify as Black, Hispanic, Asian, or Native American.

56%

of all currently enrolled students are women.

Diversity at Penn

Campaign for Community

The Campaign for Community aims to strengthen our Penn community by finding ways to discuss and understand key issues that may appear to be difficult or intractable.

Rev. Charles Howard speaks to a diverse crowd of students on College Green

Social Equity & Community

The Office of Social Equity & Community was established to promote awareness, communication, collaboration, research, and programming that advance the University’s mission of fostering social equity, diversity, and inclusion. This team works in concert with offices across the university and with local community partners to identify new opportunities for progress, and also to recognize ongoing initiatives by students, faculty, and staff.

Diversity News

Top row, left to right: Zoltan Pierre Aramy, Kathryn H. Bowles, and Scott D. Halpern. Bottom row left to right: Eugenia South, Alexis A. Thompson, and E. John Wherry III.