Pennsylvania College of Technology
Pennsylvania College of Technology is a public institution that was founded in 1914. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 5,322, its setting is city, and the campus size is 994 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. The enrolled student population at Penn College of Technology is 88% White, 3% Black, 3% Hispanic/Latino, 2% Race Unknown, 2% Multiracial, 1% Asian, and 1% International. There are about 63% identified male and 37% identified female students. 91% of students are from Pennsylvania.
Engagement Summary
PCT took some actions to address mental health as a campus-wide priority. These actions included a three year SAMHSA suicide prevention grant with a sustainability plan in place, QPR and Kognito gatekeeper trainings, creating the Community Peer Educators positions, the Coordinator of Student Health and Wellness position, and the Behavioral Intervention Team. PCT conducted a campus climate survey and planned to increase the diversity of the staff and student body to improve campus climate for students of color.
To increase recruitment and retention of racially diverse faculty and staff, PCT conducted exit surveys with faculty and staff to better understand racially diverse faculty and staff.
To collect data on student experience relating to their mental health on campus, PCT used the ACHA National College Health Assessment and the Health Minds Study. PCT made an effort to hire a diverse health and counseling staff to mirror the diverse student body in terms of gender identity and sexual orientation. PCT created forums for those on campus to discuss national and international events. Some of these events were The Future of American Foreign Policy, What Comes Next? Election Results 2016 and Trump’s Executive Order on Immigration, and Social Tension: Open Forum discussing Race, class, gender, and specific issues.
To improve the experience on campus for students of color, it was recommended that PCT implement semi-annual student focus groups related to mental health needs, concerns and perceptions of available resources.
Another recommendation was to host a workshop series with outside speakers to host discussions to provide insights into innovations in addressing mental health concerns for students of color.
The final suggestion was to create an online training program for all students pertaining to diversity and inclusion.
Midterm Evaluation Progress-to-Goal Snapshot
PCT had a goal to conduct two 90 minute focus group sessions, with 5-6 students of color per group, to host Steve Fund speaker Dr. Batsi on February 11th, and to explore how feasible it was to implement online diversity and inclusion training for all incoming students and ensure meaningful dissemination of the training program across campus.
Highlights include:
- The focus groups took place in the previous semester, where it was conveyed that students of color don’t see themselves in the faculty and staff.
- 37 faculty members attended the professional development session, along with 20 level 400 students. 125 students, specifically involved in Health Science, Human Services, Restorative Justice programs, and student athletics, attended the student-focused program.