Department Directory

College is exciting and challenging for non-traditional undergraduate students. Whether you are coming back after having been out of school for several years, or this is your first college semester, we want to help you navigate campus resources that will complement your academic, personal, and career goals.

Welcome to Campus Recreation

Our people are our greatest asset. Our community is enriched by the commonalities and differences of everyone we serve. We invite you to work with us towards fostering a welcoming environment that enables all to thrive. 

Campus Recreation facilities and programs serve our students, faculty, staff, and community with a diverse offering of wellbeing opportunities to enhance the student experience at University Park.

Career Services is committed to offering a comprehensive array of programs and services that supports and facilitates career development for all students. Programs and resources are provided to assist students and alumni in specifying career goals, expanding knowledge of career alternatives, understanding effective decision making, and acquiring appropriate strategies and skills to carry out the process.

The Center for Character, Conscience, and Public Purpose strives to inspire every Penn State student to live a life defined by a strong character, a thoughtful conscience, and an understanding of their responsibility for the public good. The Center offers programs and services designed to challenge students to reflect on questions of personal conscience and character and equip students with the understanding, motivation, and skills of responsible citizenship.

The Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity (CSGD) provides a comprehensive range of education, information, and advocacy services to students, faculty, staff, and alumni. We work to create and maintain an open, safer, and inclusive environment honoring gender and sexual diversity. Through educational, social, and supportive programming, along with workshops and individual consultation, the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity strives to serve the entire Penn State community. Our staff is eager to support you on your journey through Penn State! Please stop by the center to say hello, engage with us virtually, and get involved. This center will be enforcing University COVID guidelines including masks required, physical distancing, and sanitizing of all spaces. 

The largest multi-faith center of its kind in the country, The Pasquerilla Spiritual Center is home to the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Development at Penn State. The center offers a welcoming, safe, inclusive environment, and aims to promote an environment of appreciation and respect for religious and spiritual diversity.

The Penn State Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC) is a program of Student Affairs that supports students in recovery from alcohol and other substance use disorders by providing ongoing support for major lifestyle changes, a commitment to help students in recovery find success at Penn State, and a community that reinforces healthy and sustainable habits of mind, body, and spirit.

We provide communications & marketing support to Student Affairs units. We can work with you on press releases, print or digital publications, website content, social media, photos, videos, campaigns, ad placements, promotional items and apparel, and more. Contact us to get started on a project.

Counseling & Psychological Services

CAPS offers a wide range of services for undergraduate and graduate students, including: 

• Wellness and self-help options 
• Group, individual, and couples counseling
• Crisis intervention
• Psychiatric services
• Virtual Services
• Community education and outreach services for the University community. 

Penn State’s Gender Equity Center supports students who have been impacted by sexual violence, relationship violence, stalking, harassment, and other campus climate issues. In addition, the office works to educate the campus community about Gender Equity issues and to provide workshops and resources for the prevention of sexual violence.

Penn State Health Promotion and Wellness is an excellent resource for student health education and information. Our goals include:

• Increasing awareness and knowledge of health and wellness issues, including:
  • Alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs
  • Body image and eating disorders
  • Nutrition and being active
  • Resilience and mindfulness
  • Sexual health and healthy relationships
  • Stress and sleep
• Promoting healthy behaviors
• Providing health education services, programs, information, and materials to students
• Advocating for a healthy Penn State community

As a center of University community life, the HUB-Robeson Center complements the academic experience by offering students opportunities in leadership, social responsibility, citizenship, volunteerism, and student employment. The HUB-Robeson Center provides a variety of cultural, educational, social, and recreational programs.

The HUB-Robeson Center encourages self-directed activities providing opportunities for individuals to recognize their own competencies, learn the dynamics of group activity, and understand their role as responsible citizens. The HUB-Robeson Center strives to provide an environment, which fosters respect, values all individuals, appreciates diversity, and celebrates the contributions of all its members.

Off-Campus Student Support

Welcome to Off-Campus Student Support! We serve a diverse group of over 38,000 University Park students who live off-campus or are preparing to live off-campus.

There are resources to help off-campus students during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as helping them through a financial crisis, during self-isolation, with medical issues, or connecting them to other relevant University or community resources.

We also have resources to help students:

• Decide whether to move off campus
• Find housing options or roommates
• Resolve problems with a roommate or landlord
• Find community services and resources
• Become an advocate for off-campus students
• Get involved in the State College community
• Learn about tenants' rights and responsibilities

The Office of Fraternity & Sorority Compliance works to improve safety in the Penn State fraternity and sorority community through education, monitoring, assessment, and relationship building. 

Social fraternities and sororities at Penn State consists of a diverse group of men and women who help create smaller communities within the large university environment. Penn State's fraternities and sororities are committed to the basic principles of membership:

• Academic Achievement
• Service and Philanthropy
• Leadership
• Brotherhood and Sisterhood
• Social
• Alumni involvement

The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life supports the active and alumni members of the Penn State fraternity and sorority community. The office provides resources to help the student leadership fulfill their mission.

Penn State is committed to fostering an environment free from sexual or gender-based harassment or misconduct. The Office of Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response ensures compliance with Title IX, a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on the sex or gender of employees and students. The University does not tolerate behaviors, including sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, as well as retaliation for reporting any of these acts. The University is also committed to providing support, resources, and services to those who may have been impacted by one of these incidents.

The many offices under the Vice President for Student Affairs provide students with a web of support and opportunity outside the classroom.  

The Paul Robeson Cultural Center provides programs and support services to encourage and cultivate the appreciation and celebration of the diverse perspectives, experiences, and cultures of many under-represented communities at Penn State.

Welcome Parents and Families

The Penn State Parents Program welcomes you to the Penn State family. We look forward to supporting you as you support your student. We are here to partner with you to ensure your student's success by:

• Serving as a central University resource
• Enhancing parent and family involvement opportunities
• Providing information about the student experience at Penn State
• Communicating regularly with families

We invite you to contact our office with any questions or concerns.

We see a future where all fraternities and sororities are STRONGER and SAFER

The Timothy J. Piazza Center for Fraternity and Sorority Research and Reform's research agenda is based on a change model focused on a two-pronged approach to stronger and safer organizations.

• Stronger: Enhancing student learning, specifically around leadership; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and service
• Safer: Focusing on campus prevention and intervention, including prevention of hazing, substance misuse, and dangerous drinking

Welcome to Residence Life. Our mission is to provide a safe, comfortable, secure and nurturing living-learning environment that is conducive to students' academic pursuits and personal growth while fostering a sense of community, civic responsibility and an appreciation of diversity.

Each residence hall/apartment area has student and professional staff members who live in the community and are available 24/7 to provide information and resources, offer help and support, plan social and educational activities, and address residents' concerns. Their goal is to assist residents in creating communities that are inclusive, engaging and caring.

Welcome to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response (OSACR). The Pennsylvania State University educates students from around the world and supports individuals and communities through integrated programs of teaching, research, and service. As a community of scholars, students and student organizations are expected to follow the Student Code of Conduct to help ensure a learning environment that supports the University’s mission while being safe, supportive and equitable.

In line with the Penn State mission and values, the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response works to uphold these community and university standards through compassionate interventions in which students are heard, respected, and treated with dignity. These students, including student organizations leaders, have the developmental opportunity to participate in fair and impartial resolution processes which encourage personal accountability and responsible decision making; promote reflection and restoration; and reduce and prevent behavior which undermines student success and community safety.

We support and challenge students as they expand learning beyond the classroom, develop personal and professional understanding and skills, and achieve the success they seek at Penn State and in their lives beyond. We also encourage a safe and healthy living and learning environment, in which students can explore endless interests, find their niche within the large and diverse Penn State community, and form lasting relationships.

Your support of Student Affairs increases the potential of each and every one of our Penn State students and elevates the value of a Penn State degree.

The Student Affairs Finance Office is an administrative support unit which serves as the liaison between the Office of the Corporate Controller and Student Affairs. Our goal is to provide exceptional customer service to Student Affairs while maintaining sound fiscal practices.

The Student Affairs Human Resources Office assists new and current Student Affairs employees in all matters related to onboarding, benefits, performance management, employee and family resources, and compensation and classification.

Student Affairs has its own Information Technology office. Student Affairs Information Technology (SAIT) provides an array of services to the staff in Student Affairs.

Penn State Student Affairs Research and Assessment (SARA) seeks to evaluate and improve the student experience and the educational outcomes of students by providing data relevant to Student Affairs, the academic colleges, and the Commonwealth Campuses. To accomplish this, we coordinate and assist in the development of a broad range of assessment and evaluation efforts, including:

• Designing and administering Penn State PULSE and other new and recurring surveys
• Conducting surveys, focus groups/interviews, and other assessment methods upon request
• Providing consulting services to offices/units related to assessment projects (e.g., survey development, data analysis)
• Assisting in the creation of cocurricular learning outcomes
• Evaluating Student Affairs educational programming

SARA supports the mission of Student Affairs and the University by serving as a leader in gathering actionable data that inform decision-making, planning, and improvement efforts around programs, initiatives, and policies.

Students may experience a variety of challenges during their college career. Student Care & Advocacy is a central location that coordinates efforts with campus partners to assist students who encounter challenges or concerns in achieving success at Penn State.

Student Engagement Programs provides students with opportunities to get involved in experiences that complement both their in-class and out-of-class learning. 

Office of Student Leadership and Involvement

The Office of Student Leadership and Involvement cultivates student learning by fostering exploration, community engagement, and development through educational and experiential opportunities.

Through participation in programs and leadership opportunities offered by the Office of Student Leadership and Involvement, students will:

• Exhibit knowledge and awareness of diversity around identities, cultures, and communities

• Enhance awareness of and commitment to social justice and active citizenship 

• Improve self-understanding by developing an integrated identity

• Develop the ability to interrelate and establish collaborative relationships 

• Gain knowledge and understanding of resources, policies, and involvement opportunities

• Demonstrate skills to guide a group, organization, or community to achieve its goals

• Utilize critical and reflective thinking to assess assumptions and consider alternative perspectives and solutions

• Develop an appreciation for the arts and creative expression 

About Student Legal Services

Student Legal Services provides advice, referrals, document drafting, and other legal services to University Park and Commonwealth Campus students facing personal legal issues. To get started, complete our intake form or stop by drop-in hours.

Whether you are just starting out at Penn State, transferring from another school, or changing campuses, we are here to assist you in your transition to Penn State. Our office coordinates a variety of programs for students and their families, including New Student Orientation, Transfer Student Orientation, Parents and Families Orientation, and Welcome Week. 

University Health Services (UHS) is your comprehensive on-campus health care resource. We specialize in outpatient student health including the treatment of medically urgent problems and ongoing health concerns. We provide preventative care, education, and resources to help students live a healthy lifestyle.