Supporting Student Success on Campus
At Penn State, faculty and staff play a pivotal role in fostering student well-being, belonging, and success—both inside and beyond the classroom. Student Affairs offers training, tools, and services to help you support students with confidence and care.
Health & Well-being Support
A healthy student is an engaged student. Health education programs build student resilience, empowering them to show up fully—whether that’s in a club meeting, service project, or late-night study session.
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Faculty and staff can partner with our health and well-being units to bring educational workshops directly to their classrooms, teams, or student groups. These sessions help reinforce key skills—such as stress management, sleep habits, substance use education, and overall wellness—that support student success and engagement.
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The Sokolov-Miller Family Financial and Life Skills Center offers workshops and programs that help students build confidence in managing money—both now and long after graduation. Through classroom presentations, interactive sessions, and practical tools, the center supports faculty and staff in teaching essential skills like budgeting, credit management, financial planning, and responsible decision-making. These offerings make it easy to weave real-world financial education into courses, co-curricular programs, and student support initiatives.
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University Health Services does not provide excuse notes for routine illnesses, colds, or minor injuries. In line with the university’s class attendance policy (E-11), students should communicate directly with faculty for missed classes or exams. Documentation from UHS is only available for serious, prolonged illnesses or injuries that meet specific criteria.
When a student is hospitalized, injured, or experiencing a significant personal emergency, they may not be able to reach out to their instructors immediately. In these situations, Student Care and Advocacy may receive information from hospitals, residence hall staff, families, or other campus partners and will send you a courtesy notification that indicates a student has been hospitalized and may be without access to technology while they receive care.
These notifications are informational only and are not absence excuses, verification of medical details, or directives regarding coursework. Academic decisions, including make-up work, flexibility, or accommodations, remain at your discretion and should be determined through direct communication with the student once they are able to re-engage.
Recognizing & Responding to Students in Distress
A student’s ability to engage in co-curricular life depends on their well-being. When students are struggling, early intervention from a caring staff or faculty member can be the bridge that keeps them connected, involved, and thriving.
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The Red Folder Initiative is a quick-reference guide designed to help faculty and staff recognize when a student may be in distress and connect them with the right support. The folder outlines common signs of academic, behavioral, and emotional concern, offers guidance on how to approach a student, and provides clear referral pathways to campus resources. It’s a practical tool that helps you respond with confidence, care, and consistency—ensuring students get the help they need when it matters most.
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If you’re worried about a student’s well-being, behavior, or ability to remain engaged in their coursework, Penn State’s care reporting system provides a direct way to share your concerns with the right support team. Submitting a report ensures Student Care and Advocacy can reach out, assess the situation, and connect the student with resources that promote safety, stability, and success. When our community speaks up, we create a campus where no student has to navigate hardship alone.
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If you’re concerned about a situation, witnessed something troubling, or need help navigating a difficult experience, Penn State offers several ways to report what’s happening. Students, faculty, staff, and families can submit a concern online, connect with support offices, or speak directly with someone who can help. No matter which option you choose, reports are handled with care so students can get connected to the resources they need quickly and safely.
Allyship and Inclusive Practices
Students who feel seen, safe, and valued are more likely to engage with leadership roles, identity-based organizations, and campus events. Inclusive environments fuel student involvement and success.
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Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity Workshops
The Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity offers educational workshops that help faculty and staff create more inclusive, supportive classroom and workplace environments. Sessions explore LGBTQ identities, terminology, allyship practices, and strategies for fostering belonging in academic settings. Whether you are looking to strengthen course discussions, improve climate, or deepen your understanding, the center provides tailored workshops that meet the needs of your department or team.
Center for Social Change and Belonging Workshops
The Center for Social Change and Belonging provides workshops that help faculty and staff build learning spaces grounded in equity, dialogue, and shared understanding. Programs explore social identity, cultural humility, community-building, and strategies for facilitating meaningful conversations across difference. These workshops can be customized for classrooms, units, or committees looking to strengthen engagement and support students’ holistic development.
- Request a workshop from the Center for Social Change and Belonging
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The Safer People Safer Places network seeks to create a safer and more inclusive environment for sexual and gender diversity. The network is a campus-wide program designed to raise visibility about the LGBTQ+ population, increase the understanding of issues facing LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff, and raise the awareness of the various LGBTQ+ resources available across Penn State.
The program offers a variety of workshops providing a foundation of knowledge needed to be an effective ally to the LGBTQ+ community at Penn State. Individuals who complete workshops can choose to display a Safer People Safer Places decal in their work area. Network members should be comfortable with LGBTQ+ individuals approaching them to talk about LGBTQ+ related issues, and be able to assist individuals in finding campus and/or local resources. Those who complete the foundations workshop will also be added to our Safer People Safer Places network listserv and be listed on our website as a network participant.Safer People Safer Places Workshops
Safer People Safer Places: Foundations Workshop
The Safer People Safer Places Foundations workshop provides a baseline knowledge for understanding and addressing sexual and gender diversity.
Through the workshop, participants discuss a variety of topics that will help them become a better ally and provide support to members of the LGBTQ+ community. After attending the Foundations workshop, participants will be able to define and describe common concepts and language relating to sexuality and gender; explore the experience of homophobia, heterosexism and genderism; and identify specific actions to create welcoming, affirming and inclusive spaces for people marginalized by their sexuality and/or gender. After completing the Foundations workshop, participants will be able to display the Safer People Safer Places decal as well as be listed on our online resource page as a network member.
- Register for upcoming Foundations sessions
Safer People Safer Places: Transgender and Gender Inclusion 101 Workshop
- Please note, all individuals must complete the Foundations workshop before electing other available options.
The Transgender and Gender Inclusion 101 Workshop explores basic terminology associated with the transgender and/or gender non-binary community, engages participants in a discussion around gender diversity, and highlights some of the challenges constructed by gender restrictive practices. The workshop concludes with ways to be an ally to transgender and gender non-binary community members and challenges participants to recognize ways that they can foster culture change.
- Register for upcoming Transgender and Gender Inclusion 101 sessions
Safer People Safer Places: Lunch and Learn Sessions
The Safer People Safer Places program has been created to foster culture change across Penn State. As part of that mission, the Safer People Safer Places Lunch and Learn sessions are meant to provide network members with direct and on-going conversations around real-life situations related to bias and discrimination that occur in the daily life of the University and surrounding community.
- Register for upcoming Lunch and Learn sessions
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Queer Voices Panels consist of 3-5 Penn State students who are LGBTQ+ or allies to the LGBTQ+ community. While not representative of the entire LGBTQ+ community, panelists share their personal experiences and perspectives with classrooms, residence hall floors, fraternities and sororities, and other campus groups.
Panelists give a brief overview of the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity and discuss terminology and identities in the LGBTQ+ community. Panelists then give their personal stories related to coming out, being an LGBTQ+ student at Penn State, or committing to being an ally. Panels finish with a question and answer session where audience members are welcome to ask panelists about their identities and experiences.
Penn State Resources
Advisor & Leadership Support
Student organizations and leadership roles are key developmental experiences. Faculty and staff advisors are critical mentors, helping students translate learning into leadership and involvement into impact.
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Career Services offers customized workshops that bring career readiness directly to your students. Whether you want support with resume writing, networking, or preparing students for internships and the job search, our staff can partner with you to create an engaging, practical learning experience. Inviting a career specialist to your class or program helps students connect academic learning with life after graduation.
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Career Services can bring real-world preparation straight to your classroom through our mock interview program. These sessions give students a supportive space to practice answering interview questions, receive personalized feedback, and build confidence before they meet employers. It is an easy way to embed career readiness into your course while helping students strengthen the communication and professionalism skills they need to succeed.
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Serving as a faculty advisor is an opportunity to guide student leaders as they develop skills, build community, and bring their ideas to life. Advisors offer insight, continuity, and mentorship that help organizations stay grounded in their purpose while fostering meaningful co-curricular learning. If you’re eager to support students beyond the classroom, this role allows you to make a lasting impact on their growth and success.
Student Conduct & Accountability Support
Student development includes learning from mistakes and making ethical choices. When faculty and staff model accountability and fairness, students are more likely to engage positively in their communities and co-curricular lives.
Event Spaces & Promotion
Events, programs, and campus campaigns are central to student life. Sharing your opportunities widely helps students plug into the co-curricular ecosystem and take advantage of everything Penn State offers.
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Student Affairs spaces are designed to support collaboration, connection, and learning beyond the classroom. Faculty and staff can reserve meeting rooms, event venues, and specialized spaces across campus to host programs, workshops, and student-focused activities. Our reservation process is straightforward, and our team is here to help you find the right space to match your goals.
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The Student Organization Printing Support office provides high-quality, affordable printing for posters, banners, tickets, and other promotional materials. Whether you are helping students prepare for an event or supporting a class project, the team offers guidance, quick turnaround times, and options that make campus advertising simple and accessible.
Partners in Student Success
At Penn State, faculty and staff are vital partners in fostering a vibrant, student-ready campus. Together, we create meaningful opportunities for growth, leadership, and well-being—ensuring every student feels supported and empowered to thrive beyond the classroom. Explore our department directory to find offices and professionals ready to collaborate.
Campus Benefits for Faculty & Staff
In addition to supporting students, many Student Affairs resources are also available to Penn State employees. These services promote personal well-being and work-life balance and encourage staff to stay engaged in campus life.