PA Dignity Day

In a time when divisiveness seems to dominate the global conversation, PA Dignity Day’s mission is to bring us together to tackle the division that exists in our communities by fostering dignity in our workplaces, schools, communities, and government so we can all lead with dignity in divided times. 

Dignity is a framework for understanding how treating others based on their inherent worth can help strengthen relationships, resolve conflicts, or make organizations more successful, and how violations of dignity inevitably damage relationships, incite conflicts, or undermine organizational cultures. Violations of dignity do not just occur at the level of relationships; they can be perpetuated and amplified by the cultures of organizations, communities, and societies.

Schedule

While dignity may seem straightforward, applying its principles in real-life situations requires intentional practice and skill — especially when interacting with people who may think, believe, or act differently than we do. Each of these interactive workshops will give you the chance to dive deep into one of these powerful dignity principles and gain practical tools you can use in the spaces where you live, work, learn, and play. Ready to expand your impact? Join us for a journey of growth, connection, and empowerment through dignity.

Workshop A: Identity Acceptance 

Facilitator: Dr. SeriaShia Chatters, Interim Vice Provost for Educational Equity, Penn State

What does it mean to fully accept others for who they are? In this workshop, we’ll explore how to honor and celebrate the unique identities of those around us without judgment. Together, we’ll practice the art of creating spaces where people feel empowered to express their true selves — whether defined by race, religion, gender, class, sexual orientation, or other core facets of identity. Walk away with tools to foster a culture of inclusivity and respect wherever you go.

Workshop B: Fairness

Facilitator: Elizabeth Siegelman, Executive Director, Center for Alternatives in Community Justice (CACJ) and Irvin Moore, Community and Education Liaison for the Penn State Restorative Justice Initiative (RJI)

Fairness isn’t just a concept; it’s a daily commitment to treating people with justice and impartiality. This session will focus on creating spaces for fairness and dignity through the use of Restorative Practices. You’ll learn how to apply fairness in real-world situations, ensuring that everyone you encounter feels they are treated equally and with respect. Discover how fairness can transform your interactions and build trust, both in your personal and professional relationships. This workshop offers practical strategies for creating an environment where fairness isn’t just a goal — it’s a standard.

Elizabeth will speak from her practical experience with reentry work in the Centre County Correctional Facility, focusing on how fairness and equity can be applied within the carceral system. Irvin will speak from his experience as a formerly incarcerated individual and bring his knowledge of the Restorative Justice Initiative’s reentry programming, which seeks to connect formerly incarcerated individuals with access to higher education. 

Workshop C: Acknowledgment

Facilitator: Dr. Nalini Krishnankutty, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Program Manager, Penn State Human Resources

Everyone wants to feel heard, seen, and understood. In this workshop, you’ll develop the essential skills of acknowledgment — actively listening, validating, and responding to the concerns and experiences of others. Through interactive exercises, you’ll practice turning everyday conversations into meaningful moments that leave people feeling valued and supported. Whether you’re building relationships at work or at home, this session will elevate your ability to truly connect.

Workshop D: Project Unite — The Dignity Index

Facilitator: Madeleine Jones, Field Director, Students for Dignity, and Iradukunda Esperance, Dignity Index Student Ambassador

In a world where disagreements often divide, what if we could flip the script? Discover how to shift the purpose of public debate from conflict to collaboration. Through the groundbreaking Dignity Index — a dynamic tool that measures how we speak to one another — learn how to replace contempt with dignity and become a leader in bridging divides. This interactive session will leave you empowered to defuse tensions and drive real change, where dignity prevails and problems get solved. Be part of a movement that redefines how we disagree.

Workshop E: Position and Perspective

Facilitator: Wanda B. Knight, Ph.D., Professor of Art Education, African American Studies, and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Penn State

N/either Here N/or There — Exploring Positionality and Perspective: This workshop invites you to explore the concept of positionality, where our unique intersections of identity — social, cultural, and personal — meet and shape our perspectives, relationships, and understanding of the world. Through critical reflection, personal narratives, and interactive activities, you’ll gain a greater awareness of the factors that shape your positionality and perspective, learn how to navigate positional dynamics in personal and professional settings, and obtain practical skills for building empathy and fostering inclusive relationships. Prepare to shift perspectives, expand empathy, and redefine the boundaries of acceptance. Together, we’ll unleash the power of positionality to inform purposeful action, equipping you with tools to honor the inherent dignity of every person.

SeriaShia Chatters, Ph.D.

Dr. SeriaShia Chatters is the interim vice provost for educational equity and an affiliate associate teaching professor of counselor education in the Department of Educational Psychology, Counseling, and Special Education at Penn State. Dr. Chatters is the co-chair of the College of Education’s Diversity and Community Enhancement Committee and Equity Team. 

Within the Office of the Vice Provost of Educational Equity, Dr. Chatters leads the Office of Scholars Programs, the Bias Reporting Network, and the Campus Access and Success Grants and Equal Opportunity Planning Commission (EOPC) Seed Grants. Additionally, Dr. Chatters is a liaison with the Development Office and supports the Commonwealth campuses and collaboratively organizes and facilitates equity-centered professional development across the Commonwealth. Dr. Chatters also serves as a co-chair for the Advisory Committee on Policing Communities of Color and is a member of Community and Campus in Unity. 

SeriaShia Chatters has a Ph.D. in curriculum instruction and counselor education from the University of South Florida and has served as a faculty member, administrator, and researcher. Her academic scholarship focuses on the impact of diversity on interpersonal violence with a specific focus on preventing bias-based forms of bullying and harassment in secondary, postsecondary, and work settings.

Iradukunda Esperance

Iradukunda Esperance is a student ambassador for the Dignity Index, having first become involved during its pilot project at the University of Utah in 2022, where she worked as a student scorer and passage gatherer. She recently graduated from the University of Utah with dual degrees in political science and gender studies. Iradukunda is deeply committed to promoting a culture of dialogue, empathy, and mutual respect. She believes that disagreements should be viewed as opportunities for learning and growth, not as battlegrounds for dominance. By embracing diverse perspectives and fostering constructive dialogue, she strives to bridge divides and reinforce the shared values that bind our humanity.

Madeleine Jones

Madeleine Jones is a field director for the Dignity Index. She has been involved with the Dignity Index since its pilot at the University of Utah in 2022, where she worked as a student scorer. Inspired by the project, she went on to co-found Students for Dignity.

Today, her responsibilities include building student groups on college and university campuses, teaching community and corporate groups about the Index, and advising organizations on how to implement the Index to create a dignity-centered culture.

Wanda B. Knight, PhD.

Wanda B. Knight, Ph.D., is the head of the African American Studies Department and a professor of art education, African American studies, women’s, gender, and sexuality studies, and bioethics at Penn State. Her diverse roles span university administration, teaching, and educational leadership across several states, including positions as an art museum educator, public school art teacher, and school principal. Committed to fostering inclusive academic communities, Dr. Knight has consulted with nonprofits, educational institutions, and businesses, including a Fortune 500 company. Her research and teaching focus on social and racial justice and intercultural teacher education, with notable scholarly publications and presentations in the U.S. and abroad, including Austria, Canada, Finland, Germany, Korea, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, and Switzerland. Dr. Knight broke barriers as the first woman of color to serve as president of the National Art Education Association (NAEA), 2023–2025, where she chaired the impactful Taskforce on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, which resulted in 16 significant national recommendations. Her numerous accolades include the National Art Education Association Distinguished Fellows Award, the John A. and Betty J. Michaels Distinguished Lecture in Art Education Award, the J. Eugene Grigsby Jr. Award for outstanding contributions to the field, and The Kenneth Marantz Distinguished Alumni Award from the Ohio State University where she earned her Ph.D.

Nalini Krishnankutty, Ph.D.

Nalini Krishnankutty, Ph.D., is the diversity, inclusion, and belonging program manager in Penn State Human Resources. At Penn State, she focuses on creating equitable and inclusive communities, including via professional development offerings and programs, shaping policies and processes, and creating and supporting University-wide Employee Resource Groups. A Penn State alum, and an engineer turned writer, speaker, and DEI practitioner, Nalini has extensive experience in advocating for and shaping inclusive communities and organizations locally and statewide. She is a founding member of the PanAPIDA Circle, a local group formed in 2021 to stand up to anti-Asian hate. Her TEDx talk on “How Immigrants Shaped the United States” is used around the country for training and education. Nalini received the 2024 Mimi Barash Coppersmith Women in Leadership Award, given to one Centre County resident annually for making a significant impact through their leadership. She has served as elected chair of State College Borough’s inaugural Community Oversight Board and on the PA Governor’s Advisory Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs. Nalini currently serves as an elected council member on State College Borough Council.

Irvin Moore

Irvin brings with him a wealth of expertise and learned experience having served 52 years of incarceration in the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. It was there that Irvin began his first explorations into the pursuits of education, and where Irvin helped found State Correctional Institution-Graterford’s post secondary degree–oriented educational program in 1972, which after 50 years became the longest running and only continuous bachelor’s degree program of its kind in Pennsylvania.

Elizabeth Siegelman

Elizabeth Siegelman is a biblical scholar and Restorative Justice practitioner. During her Ph.D., she served as program coordinator for Drew Theological School’s Prison Education Program. Her current work as executive director of the Center for Alternative in Community Justice (CACJ) is informed by her academic and practical experiences, which taught her the value of education as a tool for community-building and personal transformation. The CACJ’s programming fosters personal and collective growth by providing Centre County residents with free conflict resolution services such as mediations and community conferencing. As a restorative justice advocate, educator, and person of faith, Elizabeth hopes that the communication and conflict resolution skills gained from our programming will ripple out into the lives of the people we serve, ultimately making Centre County a more just place.

The Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center provides free parking for all guests in the designated hotel parking lot. 

The Penn State Campus Shuttle runs between campus and Innovation Park, with a stop at the Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center. The shuttles are free, ADA-accessible, and available to everyone. For shuttle stops and schedules, visit the Penn State Transportation website.