Glossary of Terms

Student perceptions of advising services increasing their ability to navigate the University’s academic opportunities, policies, systems, and procedures.

Out-of-classroom experiences that give students a deeper understanding of how they connect and contribute to the communities at Penn State and beyond.

Advising services that successfully guide students in curriculum and pedagogy and produce positive learning outcomes.

The elapsed time between when a student begins their coursework to the time they graduate.

The number of credit hours students accumulate through their academic career until graduation.

Fulfillment of all degree requirements after a student has completed 59.1 total credit hours.

A student who receives federally funded Pell Grants based on demonstrated financial need.

A group that has disproportionately lower representation at the University or as applicable in a chosen field or area. 

A student whose parents or guardians did not complete a baccalaureate degree.

Educational experiences shown to provide significant benefits to students and foster deeper learning, according to the American Association of Colleges and Universities.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for a graduate’s success in their future careers or studies.

Out-of-the-classroom practices that provide significant educational benefits, according to the American Association of Colleges and Universities.

Requisite core competencies for graduates in their workplace and lifelong career management, as outlined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Negative impacts on the psychological health of a student due to internal and external pressures within the academic environment.

The knowledge and skills to manage resources for a lifetime of financial wellbeing.

An approach to research that combines creative and academic research practices and supports the development of knowledge and innovation through artistic expression, scholarly investigation, and experimentation. The creation process is situated within the research activity and produces critically informed work in a variety of media (art forms). Research-creation cannot be limited to the interpretation or analysis of a creator’s work, conventional works of technological development, or work that focuses on the creation of curricula. Fields that may involve research-creation may include, but are not limited to: architecture, design, creative writing, visual arts (e.g., painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, textiles), performing arts (e.g., dance, music, theatre), film, video, performance art, interdisciplinary arts, media and electronic arts, and new artistic practices. (Adapted from the University of British Columbia.)

Bibliometric measurements used to gauge the impact of researchers, institutions, and journals.

Research that is regarded as being exceptional in its findings, rigorously peer reviewed, widely read or cited, and/or helped shape discourse in its field.

Outcomes for employment or further learning after a student graduates or a post doc completes their training from Penn State.

Includes spending on operations, capital expenditures, labor income expenditures, and value added to the economy of the Commonwealth as a result of expenditures made by Penn State. Total economic impact is the combined impact of direct, indirect, and induced impact.

Active, reciprocal partnerships between University stakeholders and communities to strengthen the quality and impact of in-class activities.

Active, reciprocal partnerships between University stakeholders and affected communities to strengthen the quality and impact of academic research.

Opportunities for students to learn, reflect, and analyze through first-hand experiences.

Equity recognizes that individuals come from different backgrounds, opportunities, and experiences, and it focuses on fostering an environment where all can succeed.

An institutional commitment to fostering a culture where all individuals can fully participate in the Penn State community. Inclusion requires proactive efforts to ensure that people of all backgrounds, identities, and perspectives feel valued and have equitable opportunities for engagement and success.

A campus environment where every member of the community feels welcomed, valued, and supported in their academic, professional, and personal journey. Belonging is cultivated through intentional actions, policies, and practices that foster meaningful connections and promote a shared sense of purpose within the University.

Recognizing that community members of all backgrounds and identities have a place at the University and a role in its core mission.

Optional learning opportunities to build individual skillsets and enhance the workplace.

A person who belongs to a group that has disproportionately lower representation at the University or as applicable in a chosen field or area.

The likelihood that a community member would recommend Penn State to a friend or colleague for education or employment opportunities.

A meritocratic system to recruit and hire employees that does not discriminate against individuals.