Advancing Tomorrow’s LeadersPenn Dental Medicine Diversity Initiatives

Building Opportunity

Penn Dental Medicine embraces Penn’s university-wide commitment to

achieving eminence through diversity—a commitment to ensuring the school

reflects the vibrancy and richness of diverse life experiences and perspectives

through our students, faculty, and staff. Diversity fosters innovative

approaches and new ways of thinking that are fundamental to the

education we provide.

With diversity as one of the school’s core values, the recruitment of

students from a wide spectrum of cultural and ethnic backgrounds and

socioeconomic levels is a top priority. To that end, the Office of Diversity

Affairs has established a strong base of pipeline programs to reach

prospective dental students at varied points in their education—from high

school students who may have never imagined a career in dental medicine to

minority dental students looking to pursue postdoctoral study and specialty

training. These programs are opening students’ minds to the myriad

opportunities within dentistry and at Penn Dental Medicine, while

scholarship support increases access, helping to make a Penn Dental

Medicine education within reach for all qualified students.

“ I didn’t realize how the

high school students would see

me as a role model. Seeing and working

with a minority person in the field of

dentistry motivated a lot

of the participants.

Teemar CareyDMD Student,

Summer Mentorship Program Coordinator”

Programs In Place

School District of Philadelphia/Oral Health Academy at Penn Dental Medicine ProgramThrough a partnership with the Randolph Career and Technical High School, this program offers qualifiedminority students enrolled in its high school dental assisting program both academic and hands-on learningopportunities at Penn Dental Medicine. Interaction with dental students and faculty provides a reality-basedtranslation of their high school vocational program to a professional career that is economically viable andintellectually gratifying.

The Bio-Dental Program unique to Penn Dental Medicine admissions, is an early matriculation program,enabling accepted students from five undergraduate institutions to enter Penn Dental Medicine after their junioryear. Hampton University, a historically black institution, is among the participating schools supporting therecruitment of underrepresented minority students to Penn. Other schools include Muhlenberg College, Villanova University, and Lehigh University as well as the University of Pennsylvania undergraduate college.

The Impressions Program led by Penn Dental Medicine’s chapter of the Student National Dental Association, is aone-day interactive workshop and seminar that targets local undergraduate students with a specific emphasis onreaching underrepresented minority and disadvantaged students attending local universities and colleges.

The Postgraduate Externship Program brings highly qualified dental students from Howard University Collegeof Dentistry and Meharry Dental School to shadow in the specialty clinics and learn about postdoctoral training atPenn Dental Medicine. This exposure to academic dental medicine also sparks interest in opportunities available atthe faculty level.

“ Being a mentor was one of the most

enlightening and enjoyable experiences I've ever

had. Watching attitudes change, blossom,

and unfold as a result of something

that you instilled in someone else

is a humbling and extremely

gratifying experience.

Harold “Colin” RobinsonDMD Student,

Summer Mentorship Program Coordinator”

Supporting Growth & Leadership

By supporting the growth and development of Penn Dental Medicine’s

diversity pipeline programs, you are supporting the growth and development

of a new generation of clinicians, researchers, and academic leaders as unique

and varied as their home neighborhoods and cultural perspectives. With the

ability to expand these programs, particularly those targeted to high school

students, we can continue to build interest in dental medicine among greater

numbers of minority youth—attracting talented students and helping to

change the landscape of health care delivery. Research has shown that better

health outcomes are achieved when ethnic minority populations are served

by ethnic minority providers.

Hand-in-hand with these recruitment efforts is the vital role of scholarship

resources. Without scholarship aid, a Penn Dental Medicine education

would not be possible for many accomplished students. As a school,

Penn Dental Medicine is committed to continuing to strengthen its

scholarship opportunities, and we invite you to join us in supporting

and impacting the future of deserving students, who if given the

opportunity will excel.

“Our goal at Penn Dental Medicine is directly

linked to the Penn Compact 2020, in which

President Gutmann speaks of increasing access to

Penn’s exceptional intellectual resources.

Our history has been one of educating the next

generation of academic leaders, clinicians,

and scholars. To do so, we must maintain the

affordability of Penn Dental Medicine for

all students through scholarships.

Dr. Beverley A. CrawfordDirector of Diversity Affairs ”

“I participated in the Summer Mentoring Program the summer before my senior year of high school, and the timing could not have been more perfect.My mentors taught me to come out of my comfort zone, and my experience inlearning how to use the dental handpiece taught me a significant lesson: the only way to overcome challenges is to be persistent and to turn yourweaknesses into strengths.”

Janet JosephPenn UndergraduateSummer Mentorship Program Participant

“My time as a Summer Mentorship Program coordinator opened my eyes tothe true value of enrichment programs such as this one. The Program provides students with the opportunity to grow as leaders and to explore theirpassions, all the while building lifelong friendships and mentorships.”

Kayla PietruszkaDMD StudentSummer Mentorship Program Coordinator

“The Summer Mentorship Program has broadened my horizon and reallyopened my eyes to the different branches of dentistry. I most definitelywant to go to dental school after college. In fact, I want to attendPenn Dental Medicine.”

Estreanna GreenRandolph Career and Technical High School StudentSummer Mentorship Program Participant

“I loved every moment at Penn Dental Medicine, but the best memory iswhen the participants got the chance to shadow in clinics.”

Dania BuenoRandolph Career and Technical High School StudentSummer Mentorship Program Participant

Impacting Students’ LivesHow our Programs are Making a Difference

Making A DifferenceSupporting Diversity at Penn Dental Medicine

The Robert Schattner Center • 240 S 40th Street • Philadelphia, Pa 19104-6030 • www.dental.upenn.edu

Contact Information

For more information on the diversity initiatives at Penn Dental Medicine andhow to support these programs and student scholarships, please contact:

Office of Diversity AffairsDr. Beverley A. CrawfordDirector of Diversity AffairsPhone: 215-898-2840minority@dental.upenn.edu

Office of Development and Alumni RelationsMaren GaughanAssociate Dean for Leadership GivingPhone: 215-898-8952gaughan@dental.upenn.edu

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