Purdue Identities Project shining light on invisible identities

The Purdue Identities Project (PIP) is a broad inclusion initiative aimed at recruiting and retaining diverse individuals to Purdue, and increasing diversity awareness and resources on the West Lafayette campus.

The project is one of the twelve Diversity Transformation Awards funded by the Office of the Provost with the goal of enhancing campus diversity. 

Drew Mallory, co-lead of PIP and graduate student in the industrial-organizational psychology program in the Department of Psychological Sciences, says the project has a special focus on potentially concealable diversity, or “invisible identities.” These are social identities that might not be known until they are disclosed, such as veteran, disability, or LGBTQ status, which are often subject to negative perceptions. He works on the project with Deborah Rupp, professor and William C. Byham Chair in industrial/organizational psychology.

"The PIP initiative is helping to promote a campus climate where everyone feels included, safe and acknowledged, whether their identities are known to others or not," he says.

Mallory says the project is providing classroom curriculum support, certification opportunities and media products that can be used for a variety of purposes.

"Feeling as though you can’t share part of your identity can negatively affect work, school and life in general," he says. "We are working to ensure that all students, faculty and staff identities are welcomed at Purdue by increasing awareness, training and resources for those with minority identities."

The PIP website lists resources and activities for those seeking help or information and has testimonial videos, called #BoilerIdentities, of campus members speaking out about their identities. The project is open to all members of the Purdue community. Anyone can record a video for the #BoilerIdentities series, while the #BoilerIdentities Blog is a resource for those who wish to remain anonymous in discussing issues of identity on campus.

Faculty can reach out to PIP for curricula by emailing identities@purdue.edu.

Campus organizations also can be certified Purdue's i²  (identity inclusive) certification program.

The certification is broadly inclusive and based on the best available research, which shows that both awareness and behavioral trainings are needed to create truly inclusive organizations.

All certified areas receive materials to use in future recruiting events, including the i² certification badge, which can be a signal to minority members on campus of their inclusive status. 

For more information, contact Mallory at dmallory@purdue.edu or visit www.purdue.edu/pip.

Writer: Megan Huckaby, 765-496-1325, mhuckaby@purdue.edu