Student Life
Graduate Researchers for Inclusion, Scholarship, and Equity
The mission of Graduate Researchers for Inclusion, Scholarship, and Equity (G-RISE) at Penn State College of Medicine is to provide cultural- and identity-based safe spaces to current graduate students. The organization creates programming for each affinity group, designs signature engagement events and collaborates with allies throughout the university and community. G-RISE is excited to be an active, present force for new students each coming year and is driven to continue the path to inclusivity and belonging for all.
Picture: G-RISE 2025-26 Executive Board
This photo was taken during Kaleidoscope, the 4th Annual Diverse Graduate Student Group Awards Gala, on April 10, 2026. Pictured left to right are Jesus Avila, Elise Shealy, Cynthia Lascarez, Tarlan Arjmandi, Khadijat Olawuyi, Quiann King, Luz Ortiz, Jazzmyn Dawes, Asmita Nandi, Chris Palles, Sharon Shaju, and Kendra Parker. Not pictured are Yujie Zhao and Allison Krebs.
Graduate Researchers for Inclusion, Scholarship, and Equity (G-RISE)
The Diverse Graduate Student Group (DGSG) was founded in 2019 by Jaclyn Welles, a biomedical sciences PhD student who graduated in 2021, but efforts were hindered by the ensuing COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2022, Zari McCullers, then a second-year biomedical sciences PhD student, decided to relaunch the organization. With hard work, patience, and student support, DGSG was reborn with a new executive board. In its initial year back, the group wasted no time and organized a series of engaging events. These events ranged from student-faculty panels discussing diverse identities to dialogues addressing mental health within marginalized communities.
A significant milestone was the Inaugural DGSG Awards Banquet, where outstanding individuals in the graduate and medical community were recognized for their contributions to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Later, McCullers worked with peers to found and establish Cultivating Underrepresented Students in Science and Public Health (CUSP), a DGSG-led summer pre-orientation program for incoming graduate students from underrepresented and/or marginalized backgrounds.
DGSG was renamed during the 2025-26 academic year to Graduate Researchers for Inclusion, Scholarship, and Equity (G-RISE).
G-RISE continues to forge partnerships to create uplifting events for diverse students, ensuring a community of vibrancy, inclusion, and belonging for all.
Contact Us
Email the director, Cynthia Lascarez-Espana at cql5959@psu.edu.