Week of October 7-11

Volume 11, Issue 5

“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”  — Nelson Mandela, South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, and philanthropist (Learn more)

Student Spotlight: Ivy Slope

Ivy graduated from IUP in May 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in LGBTQ studies. She was in the Cook Honors College and graduated magna cum laude. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling and will graduate in December 2025. She is proud that her mother is an alumna with two IUP degrees, including one in the same master’s program, and said this was the inspiration for her own academic pursuits. As an IUP undergraduate, Ivy was a member of the Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority, Psi Chi International Psychology Honor Society, Paranormal Society, Association of Korean-Cultural Interests, Residence Hall Council, and Pride Alliance. She was also a Phi Mu Delta Fraternity Sweetheart. She is currently a member of the Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Honor Society and Counselors for Social Justice. Ivy serves as the graduate assistant for Student Life’s LGBTQIA+ Support initiatives and assists all groups under Pride Alliance, including the Cro-Gay Club, Trans Tea Time, and Colors in Unity. Ivy said she is grateful to work with so many wonderful students and colleagues. We thank you, Ivy!

Staff Spotlight: Michele Petrucci

Michele is IUP’s associate vice president for International Education and Global Engagement and executive director of the American Language Institute. In her roles, she serves as IUP’s senior international officer and oversees the university’s comprehensive Office of International Education. The OIE manages international students and scholars, credit and noncredit education abroad (semester, short-term, and faculty-led), and international programs and events, such as International Education Week, International Unity Day, International Lunch Hour, and more. Michele works with IUP leadership and key faculty members to develop potential partnerships and to enrich IUP’s 60+ international and governmental partnerships. The ALI provides intensive English language instruction, academic preparation, and American culture instruction to international students from around the world. Michele also oversees several grants that further internationalize the IUP and Indiana communities. Recent examples include the Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program for International Teachers (various countries), the University of Miyazaki Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology language program (Japan), and the Secretariat for Research, Innovation, and Higher Education State of Yucatan language program (Mexico). Michele is passionate about offering IUP students opportunities to engage with the world and to be part of the global landscape. These academic and personal international engagements enrich individual students as well as the commonwealth. We thank you, Michele!

A note about IUP Values Me: Each week, we highlight one student and one staff member to “shine a spotlight” on their leadership and involvement in campus programs and their great work assisting our campus community with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and/or civil rights awareness.

Digest issues are emailed every Monday morning. Send all information concerning your event to social-equity@iup.edu, and we will include it in the appropriate weekly issue. Please be sure to enter your event in the online DIVERSITY, STUDENT, and CENTRAL CALENDARS so that it will receive wider marketing and achieve greater attendance.

Elise Glenn

Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer/Title IX Coordinator

B-17 Delaney Hall

social-equity@iup.edu

title-ix@iup.edu