In existence since 1981, the Commission for Women identifies areas of concern to women employees and students of Penn State, and suggests changes in existing policies and the creation of new policies that improve the climate for women.

The Commission for Women is a forum for exchanging ideas that can translate into improved practices to support women at Penn State.

Membership faculty staff – exempt and nonexempt technical service workers administrators graduate students undergraduate students

The President appoints the members of the Commission as an advisory group to recommend policies and programs to enhance the University's working and learning environments. Anyone can get involved in the Commission's activities as a volunteer affiliate member.

The Commission for Women produces an annual report on the Status of Women at Penn State that monitors women’s progress and provides a guide for improvement; encourages enhanced support of women’s athletics; supports salary equity.

The Commission for Women assesses and publishes information helpful to women such as tenure track progress for women faculty and mentoring for undergraduate students; hosts a spring banquet to honor women in the University community; sponsors speakers, including civil rights leaders and women in leadership positions throughout higher education.

The Commission for Women serves as the umbrella organization for other women- related groups at all campuses; collaborates with the other commissions in the Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity to build a supportive environment for all women and men at all Penn State locations.

Committees Executive Committee Faculty Issues & Development Student Issues & Development Staff Issues & Development Technical Service Workers Issues & Development Outreach Intercollegiate Athletics

Executive Committee composed of chair, chair-elect, past chair and committee chairs of the Commission; coordinates the activities of the Commission; has budgetary responsibility for the Commission.

Faculty Issues & Development develops and delivers programs that address the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women faculty at Penn State; fosters the hiring of more women at all faculty levels, especially for the highest faculty and administrative posts; focuses on restructuring University policy so that women faculty are able to integrate their work and family responsibilities and are rewarded for their efforts in equitable ways; works to improve the climate for women faculty at Penn State.

Student Issues & Development develops and delivers programs to address the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women students at Penn State; serves as the voice of women students to the Commission for Women; conducts surveys of issues related to women students; volunteers to help other women student organizations with their functions.

Staff Issues & Development develops and delivers programs to address the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women staff at Penn State.

Technical Service Workers Issues & Development develops and delivers programs to address the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women technical service workers at Penn State; coordinates the Technical Service Workers Workshop.

Outreach ensures that activities and programs developed and delivered by the Commission are advertised and made accessible to the wider Penn State community; supports Commission liaison among the University campuses; works to provide new promotional and educational material about the Commission.

Intercollegiate Athletics monitors the status of women in athletics; internally, conducts focus groups with both female student athletes and coaches of women’s sports; externally, monitors the national Title IX conversations.

Programs and Events Fall Retreat Banquet Mentoring Program Technical Service Workers Workshop

Fall Retreat Held each year in August, this event is a kick-off planning meeting for the upcoming academic year for the Commission’s activities and events.

Banquet Held each year in March, this event is the showcase of the Commission’s work for the academic year and celebrates the accomplishments of Penn State women in a setting open to the entire University community.

Mentoring Program designed to enhance professional and personal development among faculty and staff; mentors and protégés are paired in one-on-one relationships for an academic year based on professional experiences and career goals; program consists of flexibly-structured pair-based activities in conjunction with training- and networking- based group activities.

Technical Service Workers Workshop A one-day program for technical service employees designed to allow participants to explore non-traditional or alternative careers, training opportunities, and work-life issues.

Awards Rosemary Schraer Mentor Award Achieving Women Award

Rosemary Schraer Mentor Award created in memory of Rosemary Schraer, former associate provost for Penn State; recognizes individuals who have advised, facilitated, encouraged or paved the way for others; considered for the award are University employees who have a record of outstanding mentoring service going beyond the requirements of their employment.

Achieving Women Award celebrates the many accomplishments of women around the University; recognizes women who have achieved and excelled at Penn State and in the community; awarded to seven categories of University affiliation among faculty, staff and students.

Get Involved The Commission always welcomes volunteers as affiliate members to assist on its committees. Just fill out the application at the website: Monthly Commission meetings are open to all. The meeting schedule can be found at:

For more information contact us at: The Commission for Women 311 Grange Building University Park, PA Phone: Fax: Or visit us on the web at: