IMAGE: Penn State
“It’s like we’re laying out a welcome mat,” said Rodriguez, a sophomore who co-led the initiative while serving as the student government’s Justice and Equity Committee chair and College of the Liberal Arts representative. “The banners will be a physical representation of our University values to create a welcoming and inclusive community for all, and to promote the idea that Penn State is a family and a home for every student.”
What started a few years ago as a “You Are Welcome Here” banner initiative by UPUA in collaboration with the Borough of State College to welcome international students to campus and community has now expanded to offer a broader message of belonging and support for those from historically underrepresented and marginalized groups, according to Lexy Pathickal, immediate past vice president of UPUA and Penn State senior, who collaborated with Rodriguez on the project.