Philadelphia native Lydia Abdullah ’75 has played a significant role in transforming Penn State into a more diverse and inclusive community.

Lydia’s dedication to fostering an inclusive environment at Penn State has shown through her many positions at the University. Spearheading the strategic diversity efforts in her work unit for more than two decades, Lydia has served on the Equal Opportunity Planning Committee at Penn State since 1989 and is a member on the Vice Provost’s Administrative Council on Multicultural Affairs, helping to promote greater equality for historically underrepresented groups within the University. She has been a driving force behind implementing programs and activities intended to advance the diversity mission at Penn State.

Lydia is a long-time member of the African American Alumni Organization and the Forum on Black Affairs, an organization that provides leadership and development opportunities for African American faculty, staff and students in the State College community. And most recently, she was named the first-ever director for diversity and inclusion in the Office of the Senior Vice President for Finance and Business (F&B) at Penn State. In her new role, Lydia managers the Strategic Plan Key Initiative for Fostering Diversity and operationalizes related efforts, which formalizes her long-time intentions to foster a more diverse and welcoming climate within F&B and the Penn State community.

Lydia has had a great impact on Penn State, and she will always be a loyal, dedicated and inspirational member of the State College community.