Diversity
Student Support
Explore Student Support
Cultivating a Supportive Environment
At Penn State College of Medicine, our goal is to cultivate a robust and diverse pipeline of future physicians, scientists, researchers and policymakers by providing comprehensive training, mentorship and educational opportunities in and out of the classroom. We promote a respectful, supportive environment where everyone can experience a strong sense of belonging.
Diverse Student Champion Program
Penn State College of Medicine’s Office for Diversity, Equity and Belonging offers the Diverse Student Champion Program (DSCP), a mentorship program which pairs first year students from underrepresented backgrounds with diverse mentors, or "champions."
Through the mentorship pairings, mentees have the opportunity to learn from distinguished College of Medicine alumni and faculty members, as well as current clinicians and researchers. Students benefit from this supportive relationship by sharing successes and challenges unique to diverse learners, strengthening their career networks, and receiving guidance about their educational paths.
The DSCP serves first-year MD, physician assistants, and graduate students. Students have the option to continue the mentor/mentee relationship based on mutual interest and availability. Students receive an invitation to join this program in August/September of their first year.
Scholarships
Penn State College of Medicine is committed to making medical education accessible to all qualified students. Donors have established 15 new scholarships and strengthen two already-existing funds to support students whose gender, race, ethnic, cultural and/or national background contribute to the diversity of the student body.
Pictured: The estate of Dr. Alphonse E. Leure-duPree, former associate dean for academic achievement, has endowed a $1 million scholarship for students whose gender, race, ethnic, cultural and/or national background contribute to the diversity of the Penn State community.
Prospective Students
Building a Strong Pipeline of Diversity
Penn State is committed to increasing the number of underrepresented populations in medicine as part of the national effort to decrease the widespread disparities in health outcomes among minority groups. It is crucial that the health care system mirror the patients and communities served to address their unique needs. In keeping with this goal and the guidelines set forth by the Liaison Committee for Medical Education, the Office for Diversity Equity and Belonging offers robust outreach programs to support institutional diversity and establish an effective and consistent pipeline of applicants from diverse backgrounds.
K-12 Programs
PULSE
This 12-week program is for high school students interested in medical and research fields and includes lectures, problem-based learning modules, and mentorship with current medical student trainees.
Science of Surgery Camp
A weeklong summer day camp for students from diverse backgrounds who will be entering grades 10, 11 and 12. Led by general surgeon Dr. Amanda Cooper and hosted at Penn State Harrisburg, with trips to Whitaker Center and the College of Medicine. Application opens in March/April.
Partnership with Milton Hershey School
A local school with a shared benefactor – Mr. Milton S. Hershey – and a robust health sciences program. Students engage with Penn State College of Medicine trainees, faculty, staff, as well as shadowing opportunities with Penn State Health providers.
Healthcare Career Exploration Program
This semester-long educational program provides shadowing experiences and seminars on various topics in healthcare, research and related fields. HCEP is open to high school seniors who attend participating schools: Bishop McDevitt, Central Dauphin, CD East, Derry Township, Lower Dauphin, Milton Hershey School, and Palmyra. Juniors can request information and from their school co-op coordinator or guidance office.
Undergraduate Programs
Minorities in Medicine
A year-long program for students who have completed two years of college. The focus in the fall is application preparation, with guidance from College of Medicine students during virtual sessions. At the start of the spring semester, participants begin to develop a research project, which is presented at the culminating visit to the College of Medicine.
RiSE UP
This bridge program at Penn State University Park supports students from underrepresented backgrounds who are on the pre-health/pre-med track; students in the cohort make a trip to the College of Medicine for a tour, hands-on experiences, and networking with admissions staff, faculty and trainees.
Millennium Scholars Program
This is a program at Penn State University Park supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds who are on the pre-health/pre-med track; students in the cohort make a trip to the College of Medicine for a tour, hands-on experiences, and networking with admissions staff, faculty and trainees.
Student National Medical Association
The campus chapter of Student National Medical Association (SNMA) is paired with Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, and connected with Dickinson College and Franklin & Marshall College, for mentorship opportunities and educational experiences at the College of Medicine.
Med Talks
Med Talks are designed to inspire and encourage undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in the medical fields by introducing them to speakers and topics that mirror their communities.
Summer Undergraduate Research Internship Program
SURIP is open to students who have completed at least two years of college and are interested in pursuing careers in biological sciences, geared toward students considering PhD programs.
Graduate, PA, Residency/Fellowship Programs
In addition to the MD program, Penn State College of Medicine offers advanced degrees in biomedical and basic sciences, a physician assistant program and numerous residency and fellowship programs. The pipeline seeks to incorporate opportunities for exposure of each program offered in order to increase the diversity of the applicant pool and matriculating student body.
Trailblazer Talent Pathway Program (T2P2)
T2P2 is a workforce development initiative to support growth in the diversity of staff, as well as professional development and mentorship opportunities. The goals of this program are to recruit and retain staff from diverse backgrounds, increase a sense of belonging from the onset of employment, and provide training and support to managers who oversee participating staff.
Phase 1 – A pilot cohort of recently hired staff is participating in the T2P2 curriculum, helping to focus on what new employees and employees from diverse backgrounds need to be successful.
Phase 2 – We will work in tandem with our Human Resources department to support recruitment of qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds in the greater Harrisburg/Hershey area to fill open positions. Relationships with key community stakeholders will provide the necessary channels to reach prospective employees: Milton Hershey School, Catherine Hershey School, local high schools, Harrisburg Area Community College, Penn State Harrisburg – just to name a few. These new hires will immediately become part of the next cohort of Trailblazers, with opportunities for networking and mentorship from Phase 1 participants.
Phase 3 – Recruitment will expand to regional and national, with funding that can subsidize relocation expenses, housing, and other important supports.
Support Recruitment Initiatives
Faculty and Staff
Your support helps build the pipeline! There are many ways to support our diversity pipeline programs, from speaking engagements and lectures to hosting clinic tours and shadowing opportunities.
Giving
If you wish to make a financial contribution to support pipeline programs please email Tiffany Brandt-Thomas. You may also make an impact by supporting students through our Educational Equity scholarships.