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: [email protected]
Office of Development and Alumni RelationsMaren GaughanAssociate Dean for Leadership GivingPhone: [email protected]
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