PSAMA’s Evolving Approach to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
We believe marketing has the power to make a difference. As innovators, strategizers, ambassadors, and storytellers, we shape narratives that communicate value, create meaning, and establish societal norms. As stewards of the brand and voice of the customer, we have a responsibility to leverage our platform to foster true belonging within our chapters, communities, and society as a whole. Our inaction and silence in the past have resulted in hurt, exclusion, and harm in ways that we cannot measure, but we are committed to rectifying this and ensuring that our efforts are sustainable and far-reaching.
Achieving equity among all of our communities is our goal, with race being the most challenging obstacle to overcome and the most pervasive part of our history. Collectively, we can tackle the inequities that face many members of our society using the power of marketing to elevate the voices of underrepresented communities of color while celebrating the various differences that make up the complete fabric of our society.
As a collegiate chapter of the American Marketing Association and as marketers representing a diverse set of people, industries, and disciplines:
We commit to recruiting and retaining Black, Brown, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) representation* within our membership.
We commit to increasing Black, Brown, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) representation throughout our programming.
We commit to building a pipeline of marketers that reflect the demographics of the populations we serve.
We commit to partnering with organizations that value and have demonstrated their support to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
We commit to further educating ourselves as to the plight of racial and social injustice and will use our platform to facilitate courageous conversations that promote anti-bias and anti-racism within the marketing community.
We commit to demonstrating how we are progressing toward our commitments to hold ourselves accountable and make continuous improvements.
Together, we will use the power of our collective voices to outline the roles marketers can play in standing for and delivering on inclusion: the ideals, values, and principles that promote equality, respect, and unity.
*Diverse representation includes but is not limited to: race, ethnicity, religious preferences, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, abilities (seen or unseen), socio-economic status, language, and thought.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to our Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Will Tazza, with any inquiries as we navigate this new initiative! wqt5115@psu.edu
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources
Below, you'll discover a wealth of resources dedicated to aspects of diversity, equity, and inclusion from our three prominent institutions: AMA, Smeal College of Business, and Penn State. Combined, there are over 20+ listed resources (and growing) at your disposal. These resources encompass a wide range of initiatives, programs, and tools that empower individuals and organizations to foster diverse, equitable, and inclusive environments. Explore these resources to access valuable insights, best practices, and guidance, empowering you to make a positive impact on your journey as an aspiring marketing professional.
Click any resource below to learn more! Inquiry form at the bottom of this page.
AMA Specific
AMA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force and Advisory Group
The DEI Advisory Group is composed of diverse skills and experiences that represents a cross-section of community leaders, stakeholders and clients served by the AMA. This group will also support and advise the Director of DEI in building a cross-community DEI strategy for the AMA that is inclusive of addressing the needs of all of the communities we support.
AMA Inclusive Marketing Program
Learn how to strengthen organizational culture and practice inclusive leadership with microlearning. Gain insights, tips and best practices for inclusion, leadership, allyship and more from this curated library of subject matter experts.
AMA Diversity Leadership Scholarship
Marketing professionals are as diverse as the consumer populations that they serve. A diverse pool of talent is essential for maximizing creativity, innovation, and synergies within the marketing profession. To this end, the American Marketing Association is dedicated to developing leadership within our minority student populations to fuel the power of diversity within our profession and at large.
AMA Trainings for Marketing
Marketers have the power to change minds, improve lives and impact the world for good. But, the pace of change in marketing moves fast. That’s why the AMA is a community dedicated to helping marketers gain the skills and connections they need to stay ahead and advance their careers.
AMA First-Generation Mentor Program
The American Marketing Association’s First-Generation Mentoring Program supports undergraduate students who are the first in their families to attend college. Through this program, First-Generation students will be matched with mentors that are experienced professionals in the Marketing field. This program provides the environment, advice and resources they need to pursue their career interest in marketing and advertising.
AMA Diversity Leadership Institute
The AMA Diversity Leadership Institute (DLI) is a four-day retreat that allows participants the opportunity to meet and interact with an intimate cohort of marketing students from historically disenfranchised and underrepresented communities in the marketing field.
AMA DEI Research Articles
Issues of racial and ethnic diversity have recently come to the fore in conversations about equity, representation, and inclusion. These concerns have been present far longer than the world has been discussing them, and many marketing journals are only beginning to contribute to the conversation.
AMA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources
The AMA strives to create the essential community for marketers. In order to authentically achieve this mission, we are committed to making sure that the intersectionality of diverse thought and perspectives are reflected, understood, and elevated across our community. It is our responsibility to intentionally layer DEI best practices into every aspect of our organization so that this work becomes a fundamental part of who we are as a community.
Smeal College of Business Specific
Smeal Diversity Enhancement Programs
Building a culture at Smeal that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes diversity.
Smeal Diversity Statement
Together, we will take action to nurture and promote a culture in which everyone feels safe, valued, respected, and empowered to bring themselves fully and authentically to our campuses and classrooms.
Smeal Multicultural Organizations
Smeal sponsors approximately 40 student-run clubs and organizations, several of which may be of special interest to those wanting to improve the sense of belonging for underrepresented groups.
Smeal Diversity Toolkit
Diversity, Recruitment and Selection, Retention
Penn State Specific
BLUEprint Peer Mentoring
BLUEprint is a peer mentoring program focused on offering cultural, social, and academic support to students of color, specifically those who are first-year or transfer/change-of-campus students.
Center for Education and Civil Rights
CECR is a hub for the generation of knowledge and coalition building within the education and civil rights communities to promote racial and ethnic equality in education.
Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity
The Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity (CSGD) provides a comprehensive range of education, information, and advocacy services to students, faculty, staff, and alumni, and works to create and maintain an open, safer, and inclusive environment honoring gender and sexual diversity.
Center for Spiritual and Ethical Development
The largest multi-faith center of its kind in the country, the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center is home to the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Development at Penn State.
Counseling & Psychological Services
CAPS offers a wide range of services for undergraduate and graduate students, including: Wellness and self-help options, Group, individual, and couples counseling, Crisis intervention, Psychiatric services, Virtual Services, and Community education and outreach services for the University community.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources
(a SharePoint site for Penn State employees and students). Curated research and other resources to help you think more critically about a range of topics.
Diversity and Inclusion Calendar
This University-wide calendar provides a listing of diversity-related events, exhibits, meetings, displays, activities, etc., at Penn State that contributes to Penn State’s diversity goals.
Diversity Strategic Planning
Advancing Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity-Our Commitment to Impact: The Pennsylvania State University’s Strategic Plan for 2020 to 2025.
Gender Equity Center
Penn State’s Gender Equity Center (GenEq) supports students who have been impacted by sexual violence, relationship violence, stalking, harassment, and other campus climate issues. GenEq staff provide education, advocacy, referrals, and crisis intervention/support counseling. All services are free and confidential.
Global Penn State
Global Penn State oversees education abroad programs; hosts international students, scholars, and international visitors; and provides support for the University's international partnerships and collaborations around the world.
Multicultural Resource Center
The Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) provides individual college counseling and educational services for undergraduate multicultural students at University Park and assists students in meeting the challenges associated with education and attaining a degree at a major research institution.
Paul Robeson Cultural Center
The Paul Robeson Cultural Center provides programs and support services to encourage and cultivate the appreciation and celebration of the diverse perspectives, experiences, and cultures of many underrepresented communities at Penn State.
Report Bias
This website provides students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests with a Penn State User ID with a web form for reporting acts of bias or intolerance that occur at Penn State. Students may use the form to report any act of intolerance they experience themselves or observe directed against anyone else.
Sokolov-Miller Family Financial Skills Center
The Sokolov-Miller Family Financial and Life Skills Center can equip you with knowledge and skills to make positive choices regarding money management, not just during your time at Penn State, but throughout your life. With our help, begin building a foundation that will allow you to lead the life of your choosing. Our services are available to Penn State students, staff, and alumni.
Student Care & Advocacy
Student Care and Advocacy is committed to helping students facing unforeseen challenges navigate Penn State’s structure in close and careful collaboration with campus and community partners. Our case managers welcome any opportunity to provide consultation and direct you to the resource best equipped to meet your needs.
Student Disability Resources
Student Disability Resources (SDR) is responsible for coordinating support services, reasonable academic accommodations, and promoting disability awareness in the University community. SDR provides services to students with disabilities enrolled at the University Park campus.
Student Organization Directory
Penn State has over 1,000 student organizations to fit almost any interest. If you can't find the right fit, you are always welcome to start your own.
University Health Services
University Health Services (UHS) is your comprehensive on-campus health care resource. We specialize in outpatient student health including the treatment of medically urgent problems and ongoing health concerns. We provide preventative care, education, and resources to help students live a healthy lifestyle.
