About BRIDGE
BRIDGE is a diversity action alliance consisting of faculty members and graduate students in the Department of Psychology who are interested in promoting and addressing diversity-related issues within our program, community, and beyond.
The name comes from the group’s original goal to “bridge” the diversity gap in graduate training, specifically within psychology. Since its inception, BRIDGE has grown in membership and goals accomplished. This includes hosting regular events throughout the year that provoke discussion and self-reflection, providing funding for underrepresented minority (URM) applicants, and promoting belongingness and efficacy in our current URM students.
The mission of BRIDGE includes the following three objectives:
Ongoing assessment of and advocacy for diversity-focused initiatives
- We assess departmental attitudes and perceptions around diversity and inclusion initiatives from all faculty, students, and staff
Development and implementation of strategies to address diversity needs and promote allyship
- Create resources for faculty and students to promote diversity scholarship (teaching, research, and service) and the scholarship of diverse faculty
- Sponsor workshops, trainings, and other activities aimed at educating about diversity
Increase recruitment and retention of diverse faculty, students, and staff
- With partnerships with other graduate entities, our goal is to provide support to all prospective students needing aid in the application process. We hope removing this barrier enhances our recruitment efforts.
- Through affinity groups and peer support office hours, we hope to provide opportunities for current students to engage with other underrepresented students to enhance feelings of belongingness and support.
BRIDGE Committees
In order to meet the goals above and pursue its mission, BRIDGE has set up the following five committees:
the Steering Committee
The Steering Committee helps organize BRIDGE meetings and ensure BRIDGE is continually working towards goals and hosting regular events.
the Training and Education Committee
The Training and Education Committee organizes trainings that help students and faculty learn more about diversity-related issues, shares resources for how to do diversity-related work, and supports other activities that enhance the diversity training of students and faculty.
the Social Committee
The Social Committee organizes social events such as our regular welcome picnic, dinners for six, movie nights, tailgates, bowling events, multicultural holiday celebrations and other fun, exciting events.
the Recruitment and Retention Committee
The Recruitment and Retention Committee focuses on how to recruit a diverse range of students to our psychology program, and how to help students feel at home here, through advocacy and efforts that aim to increase the quality of life our UMR students.
the Social Media/ Website Committee
The Social Media/Website Committee updates and maintains our social media accounts and the student run website to reflect the current state of the BRIDGE diversity alliance and our events.
Our current co-chairs for these committees (and their contact information) can be found on the BRIDGE student-run website.
Contact BRIDGE
To get in touch with our fun group and learn more email us at bridgepennstate@gmail.com!
Or email our fearless advisor José Soto at jas95@psu.edu.
You can also stay up to date with our events by joining the BRIDGE Facebook group! We are also on Twitter @bridgepennstate!
Check out our Student-led website for more information regarding upcoming events, meeting dates, our members and alumni network, and resources: https://sites.psu.edu/bridgediversityalliance/