Mission

PennWest University’s Office of Community, Opportunity, Responsibility, and Engagement (CORE) provides strategic leadership in fostering a campus environment grounded in dignity, belonging, and opportunity for all students, faculty, and staff. Through comprehensive programs and collaborative partnerships, CORE advances student success, cultivates academic and leadership development, and strengthens community engagement in alignment with the university’s mission.

Vision

The Office of Community, Opportunity, Responsibility, and Engagement (CORE) aspires to be a catalyst for transformative learning that strengthens student development, empowers leadership, cultivates a deep sense of belonging, and drives student success, thereby contributing to the institution’s enduring impact and excellence.

Values/Pillars

Office of CORE Team

 

CORE Activities and Events

The Office of Community Opportunity, Responsibility and Engagement collaborates with departments across the university to develop programs and events that support a welcoming and respectful campus culture. We host a wide range of activities and celebrations that encourage cross-cultural understanding, social responsibility, and active participation in community life. Our initiatives include speaker series, cultural gatherings, panel discussions, and volunteer opportunities. We are committed to fostering an environment where every member of our campus feels respected, supported, and empowered to thrive.

You Belong

All students are encouraged to participate in student clubs and organizations that help build meaningful connections across campus and beyond. Among the wide variety of groups available at PennWest’s California, Clarion, and Edinboro campuses are several with a multicultural focus. These include the African Student Association, Black Student Union, Asia Club, Hispanic Student Association, and Rainbow Alliance—student-led organizations that celebrate cultural heritage, promote understanding, and foster a strong sense of belonging within our campus community.

CORE Outreach and Education

The Office of CORE is committed to fostering a campus environment where respect, opportunity, and community engagement are actively supported. As part of this commitment, we emphasize the importance of outreach and education on topics that impact campus culture and individual experiences.

Through workshops, open dialogues, and ongoing learning opportunities, we aim to equip students, faculty, and staff with the tools to recognize bias, understand identity, and build respectful relationships. Our offerings include sessions on dignity and respect, bias literacy, microaggression awareness, leadership, social justice, and identity exploration, as well as customized workshops for classrooms, student organizations, and university offices.

The Building Bridges Program

The Building Bridges dialogue program creates a platform for meaningful and constructive conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion within the university and greater communities. Student facilitators lead structured forums to promote professional and personal growth by facilitating discussions among peers, faculty, and staff, fostering a conducive environment for mutual learning and development. The Building Bridges dialogue program is available for classrooms, student clubs and organizations, and university department staff and faculty.

Safe Zone

The PennWest Safe Zone program is a network of individuals who have completed training to become knowledgeable and supportive allies for LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff. They provide a visible presence across the university, demonstrating a commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. Safe Zone allies offer resources, support, and a safe space for those who may be facing discrimination or feeling isolated.

Navigating Gender Identity in Professional Spaces

PennWest Commissions

The PennWest Commissions are committed to advancing initiatives that strengthen opportunity, representation, and community engagement across the university. Through research, consultation, and policy recommendations, they help shape a culture where all feel respected and supported. Faculty and staff are welcome to join in planning programs and events that reflect varied perspectives and support the academic and personal growth of all students.

Women’s Commission

The PennWest Women’s Commission supports a university culture that recognizes the unique experiences of women and promotes respect, opportunity, and civility. Its mission is to empower women in their pursuit of knowledge, career, and leadership, ensuring they can thrive as active contributors to the campus and broader community.

LGBTQIA+ Commission

The mission of PennWest’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA+) Commission is to facilitate the development of a university community that is open, caring, nurturing, personal, fair, engaging and respectful, inclusive, and equitable.

Military and Veterans Commission

The PennWest Military and Veterans Commission advocates for and supports concerns affecting all military-affiliated individuals in all aspects of university life. It works toward making student veterans and their families feel they are a part of the university community and helps develop programs to assist them in their professional careers.

Mobility and Disability Commission

The mission of the PennWest Mobility and Disability Commission is to increase awareness of disability issues, to identify areas of concern and possible solutions and to serve as an advocate for the disability community in order that all persons, regardless of disability, can participate in and benefit from the university programs, services and activities.

Report Incidents of Bias

The Inclusive Community Assessment Team supports the university community by tracking, reviewing, and providing effective, educational responses to conduct that disrupts campus life, including behaviors or speech that contribute to a hostile or unwelcoming environment. The ICAT team does not investigate, arbitrate, or take the place of other university processes or services. Instead, this team of staff and faculty members plays an educational role by providing services to witnesses, bystanders, targeted individuals, offenders, or members of the community in order to create change in a timely, effective, and comprehensive way.

PennWest defines bias as a personal preference that can affect how we judge people or situations, sometimes making it hard to be fair or objective.

Reporting incidents of bias helps our University create a more supportive environment for all.

Make a Report

Contact Us

Email: core@pennwest.edu