Office of Inclusion Initiatives and Social Justice Education​

Mission

To foster a just, inclusive, and thriving campus community where all individuals feel valued, respected, and empowered. We cultivate education opportunities, uplift authentic dialogue, celebrate intersectionality, and build intentional relationships to mitigate bias, promote holistic wellness, and advance Penn’s commitment to belonging.

Inclusion Initiatives and Social Justice Education logo

On This Page

Guiding Principles

  • Collaboration
  • Social Justice
  • Education
  • Authenticity
  • Intersectionality
  • Civil Intercultural Dialogue
  • Empathy
  • Joy
  • Community Building
  • Holistic Wellness

Services Provided

(While the primary focus of IISJE is student support, the office can also be a valuable resource for Penn staff, faculty, and alumni)

Social Justice and Identity-Based Educational Training and Workshops

Community Building Program Development

Dialogue and Discussion Facilitation

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Consultation

Student Group Advising

Professional Moderation

Resource Referral

Educational Programming

Our workshops empower individuals to embrace their diverse identities, foster inclusive communities, and create positive change on our campus and beyond. Through interactive experiences and critical dialogue, we explore the complexities of identity, the impact of bias, strategies for promoting equity and building empathy across difference.

Key Themes

Identity Exploration: Understanding the multifaceted nature of self, how it shapes our worldviews, and how we engage across differences.

Inclusive Communities: Building environments where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered.

Social Justice: Challenging systemic inequalities and advocating for a more equitable society.

Authenticity: Embracing one’s true self and fostering genuine connections.

Empathy: Encouraging and empowering students and campus community members to build capacity for empathy, especially across differences.

Workshop Highlights

Join us in creating a more just and equitable world! For more detailed workshop descriptions and to request a workshop, please contact Malik via email at malikmuh@upenn.edu. Customizable workshops are also available. We will do our best to meet your needs; if we can’t, we’ll point you in the direction of a resource that can!

Broadening Your Perspectives:

Deepen self-awareness, challenge biases, and develop skills for effective intercultural communication.

Stand Up, Speak Out:

Learn practical tools to confront everyday forms of identity-based harm and become an active ally.

Fostering Authenticity in Academic Environments:

Create inclusive spaces where individuals can thrive and succeed.

And many more...!

I want to reach out on behalf of our chapter to express our gratitude for your support with the masculinity workshop yesterday. I loved how engaged the brothers were, and how we all listened and communicated with care. I also heard from a few queer brothers that they especially felt heard and supported. I’m excited to continue working with you in the future, and I hope you have a happy holiday season.”
– Anonymous Fraternity Brother
Your comprehensive and insightful presentation was invaluable to our community. The topics you covered resonated deeply with our volunteers, providing them with a better understanding of the nuances involved in effective communication and the importance of recognizing and addressing implicit biases. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing how much they appreciated your expertise and the interactive nature of your session.
Monica Stepanow
Monica StepanowDirector, Penn Alumni Ambassadors Program
As usual, you effectively created a safe and nurturing environment to discuss important, but sometimes uncomfortable, truths. Your contagious enthusiasm and engagement solicits others to participate and share, and the team is anxious to have you back sooner than later!
Jeffrey Greenberg
Jeffrey Greenberg Senior Director, Service Center Operations & Student Accounts

Events Calendar

Student Events Calendar

University Life departments and other campus partners host events year round. Check our student calendar for programming and other campus events.
Explore Our Student Events Calendar

Who We Are

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Malik Muhammad he/him
Director
Inclusion Initiatives and Social Justice Education

The ARCH – Office 211
3601 Locust Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Malik Muhammad (he/him) is the Inaugural Director of Inclusion Initiatives and Social Justice Education in University Life. A Philadelphia native, Malik holds a bachelor’s in psychology as well as a Master’s in Higher Education Counseling and Student Affairs from West Chester University (WCU) in Pennsylvania. A proud brother of the Pennsylvania Tau Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, Malik’s passion for social justice began at an early age as he is the son and grandson of phenomenal change agents in the Philadelphia African American Muslim community.

That passion was reignited and flourished throughout his six-year academic and para-professional career at WCU. There he realized the deep significance of social justice advocacy, education, and working with an intersectional lens at the higher education level and in all walks of life.

Now, years later, Malik is an agent of change himself. Within his role at Penn, he serves the campus community by fostering opportunities for education, discussion, and dialogue around identity that looks to mitigate bias and harm. As a sibling to the Cultural Resource Centers and several other campus partners, he works to cultivate intentional community building that continues Penn’s mission of inclusion and belonging, celebrating and uplifting the many vibrant communities that make up our campus.

Malik also works to serve the Philadelphia community at large as a member of the Colours Organization Board and as a talented local artist/entertainer. From the moment you meet him, Malik’s genuine, energetic, and optimistic nature is undeniable and, often, quite contagious. If you haven’t already, find out for yourself!