Diversity and Cultural Affairs

Changing the Face of Nursing to Advance Health

Penn Nursing's Office of Diversity and Cultural Affairs supports the advancement, development, translation, and integration of culturally sensitive knowledge into nursing science, education, and practice. Penn Nursing promotes a climate that attracts, retains, and promotes a critical mass of faculty, students, and staff from underrepresented populations.

When Afaf Ibrahim Meleis, a native of Egypt, became the Dean of Nursing in 2002 her vision inspired faculty to add diversity as a key strategic goal for the school. Penn Nursing is changing the face of nursing to reflect the diversity of our nation and global society through leadership development and research.

This charge is led by Associate Professor and Assistant Dean for Diversity and Cultural Affairs Nancy C. Tkacs, PhD, RN, and the Advisory Taskforce on Diversity and Cultural Competence. Researchers in the Center for Health Equity Research and throughout the school conduct scholarship aimed at increasing health equity, and provide mentorship of ethnically and racially diverse nurse leaders rigorously prepared to lead change through research and policy development.

Penn Nursing's Office of Diversity and Cultural Affairs inspires leadership and innovation in our students, the future generation of nurse educators, scholars, and practitioners.

Contact Us: diversity@nursing.upenn.edu