Goal 3: Objective 3.2 | Penn State College of Health and Human Development

Goal 3: Expand, Diversify, and Support Our Community

Objective 3.2: Strategically expand the reach of HHD’s undergraduate programs, with an eye toward engaging a more diverse student community

Action Item 3.2.1

Engage administrators, faculty, advisors, other staff, and students enrolled and/or interested in HHD educational programs at the Commonwealth Campuses that serve more diverse student populations (e.g., Abington, Altoona, Harrisburg).

Implementation Tasks

Capitalize on acceptance of virtual events during pandemics to continue post-pandemic and continue to explore the integration of new platforms, such as Remo, to enhance and strengthen the overall virtual experience for participants.
Extend access to other College programming (e.g., Dean’s Lecture Series) to alumni, friends and parents.

Responsible party: HHD Alumni Relations

Metrics: Virtual alumni events incorporated into regular alumni event calendar; access to college programming routinely extended to alumni.

Start and end dates: Fall 2021 – Fall 2022 then ongoing

Action Item 3.1.2

Informed by the above, build best practices for successful recruitment and retention and teaching and advising of diverse student populations at all campuses housing HHD programs, including both UP and the Commonwealth Campuses that serve more diverse student populations (e.g., Abington, Altoona, Harrisburg).

Implementation tasks

Develop a three-part virtual alumni-institute series focusing on one specific theme within the college (nominal charge for this type of programming)
Partner with other colleges, campuses, or alumni chapters to broaden the reach of alumni-focused programming.

Responsible party: HHD Alumni Relations and HHD Communications

Metrics: Institute offered; partnerships cultivated.

Start and end dates: Fall 2021 – ongoing (planning); first alumni-institute by end of AY2023

Key Performance Indicators

Increased numbers of students from under-represented minority groups (1) completing HHD gateway courses; (2) enrolling in HHD majors at those campuses and/or at UP; and (3) graduating from those majors at University Park and the Commonwealth Campuses. [May not see some of these KPIs move until the next five-year period.]