| UPPER BURRELL, Pa. -- Although all Penn State New Kensington department directors hold master’s degrees, trending upward is a number of assistant directors, coordinators and specialists who also completed postgraduate programs.
In the past seven years, nine staff members earned master’s and doctoral degrees. Holding master’s degrees are: Lauren Blum, assistant to the director of student affairs; Sarah Conte, assistant coordinator of academic and career services; Corinne Coulson, enrollment services specialist; Danielle DeStefano, assistant director of enrollment management; Karen Harlan, multimedia specialist; Ruth Herstek, administrative support staff; Wesley Sheets, public safety manager; and Jim Shields, career services coordinator. Sean Bridgen, academic advising manager, has a doctorate.
“We have a whole group of extremely well-educated and well-prepared staff who are finding ways to use what they've learned to create even more opportunities for our students,” said Kevin Snider, chancellor of the campus. “It isn't just that they value higher education, it is the sacrifices they've had to make to acquire additional degrees. “
The offices of Enrollment Management, headed by Patty Brady, and Academic Affairs, under the supervision of Andrea Adolph, pave the way with three postgraduate degree holders each. The Student Affairs office, directed by Theresa Bonk, follows with two. Chancellor Kevin Snider's office rounds out the field.
"When our staff members earn advanced degrees, we all benefit," Brady said. "The new ideas and techniques they learn and then incorporate into their job responsibilities enhance the quality of the campus, and the experiences we can provide for our students."
“We have knowledgeable and experienced staff who are passionate and enthusiastic and bring a higher level of understanding of college student development that is unmatched by our competitors,” Bonk said. “This has greatly enhanced our ability to provide quality services and programs to our students that is reflected in our positive retention rates. Since many of the staff are also recent graduates from their programs, we gain personnel who are up to date with the latest research, skilled in the use of current technology and are savvy about how best to connect with students through the use of social media.”
A common thread among the degree holders is receiving recognition of their exemplary work ethic and serving in leadership positions, both on off campus. Coulson, DeStefano and Harlan are recipients of "We Are!” awards. “We Are!” is a University-wide initiative that provides students, faculty and staff with a platform to give kudos to fellow Penn Staters for work that goes above and beyond their job duties or responsibilities.
Shields and Harlan were named the inaugural recipients of the campus’ Outstanding Service to Students and Outstanding Service to Campus Community certificates, respectively. The awards were developed to recognize staff members who have made a valuable impact on the campus, whether through interactions with students or faculty, or through the development of new systems, policies and programs.
Herstek received Penn State’s Outstanding Office Professional award, which annually recognizes an administrative support employee who has provided exceptional meritorious service on behalf of Penn State. She also heads the campus Green Team, a group of students, faculty and staff volunteers who are committed to reducing waste and exploring ways to use resources responsibly. Sustainability is a key initiative of Chancellor
Snider’s five-year strategic plan that was unveiled last year. It cuts across several of the strategic goals and highlights the campus’ intent to become an even more important leader in the community. Sustainability, poverty initiatives and STEM programming are the main ingredients in the campus plan, and the campus is engaging the community in these critical areas.
Bridgen was honored nationally with the Outstanding Advising Certificate of Merit by the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA), an association of professional advisers, counselors, faculty, administrators, and students working to enhance the educational development of students. Shields is is the past president and executive board member of Western Pennsylvania Career Services (WestPACS) Association, a consortium of 44 colleges and universities in western Pennsylvania.
Blum is president of the New Kensington Staff Senate. She also serves as the contact for regional student activities initiatives for the western campuses. Sheets is a firefighter for the California Volunteer Fire Department where he holds the rank of second lieutenant.
“Given the resources available to them, the breadth of responsibilities and duties everyone has, and the recognition we're getting for the quality of service we deliver, it is becoming clear that we have some of the best people in the system,” Snider said. “Putting students first is something that permeates our campus, and I'm amazed at how much that drives our folks. Those getting additional degrees are doing so to advance themselves and their careers, but they are also doing it to be even more proficient in helping students and the campus.”
Lauren Blum
Blum was named student life coordinator in 2011 and assumed her current position in 2013. Working out of the Student Life office, Blum is responsible for student leadership development and student activities. Her duties include providing administrative support to student clubs and organizations, coordinating cultural programs and events, and advising the Student Government Association.
A native of Beaver Falls, Pa., Blum is a graduate of Lock Haven University with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Recreation Management. She earned a master's in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2012.
Blum heads the campus’ Penn State in Pittsburgh program, which provides opportunities for students from four campuses in western Pennsylvania to experience the best of what the city of Pittsburgh has to offer. Beginning its third year, the program brings together students from the campuses of Beaver, Fayette, Greater Allegheny and New Kensington for a series of events highlighting the city’s educational, cultural, athletic and shopping benefits. During the next several months, campus students can participate in the Warhol Museum workshop, dine at Conflict Kitchen, tour Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, and visit the Carnegie museums. A Gateway Clipper Boat Cruise, Kennywood Night and a Pittsburgh Pirates game were held earlier in the semester. More than 300 students took in the Pirates game, making it the most attended event in the history of the Penn State in Pittsburgh program. About 120 students went to the first Pirates game in 2013.
Sarah Conte
Working at the campus for just over a year, Conte is a relative newcomer to Penn State. She is the adviser for the Division of Undergraduate Studies (DUS), which is designed to assist students with academic concerns and educational plans. The program helps students evaluate their educational plans and objectives prior to attending classes. Enrollment in DUS allows exploration in programs of study or to meet requirements for a change of a program. She also helps coordinate the GREAT (Growing Regional Excellence through Experience, Academics and Training): The program matches promising engineering and information sciences and technology students with local internship opportunities. The GREAT program is a partnership between the New Kensington campus, the Penn State Electro-Optics Center and industries within the greater Pittsburgh region. This year, a record eight freshmen were accepted in to the GREAT program. They will interview for paid internship in the spring.
Conte received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology from Thiel College in 2012 before earning a master’s in Student Affairs in Higher Education from IUP last year. Graduate school was a career move.
“I knew I wanted to work with college students, and I wouldn’t have the longterm career leverage I desired with only a bachelor’s degree,” Conte said. “I strategically chose two graduate internships in advising knowing that I wanted to be an academic adviser. Those experiences, combined with the in-class knowledge I gained in graduate school, set a solid foundation for me to continue learning here at Penn State New Kensington.”
Corinne Coulson
As enrollment services specialist for the past three years, Coulson assists traditional-aged students with first-year and transfer admissions questions. She is the out-of-state representative for the campus and University. Coulson serves as adviser of the Lion Ambassadors, coordinates campus community service activities, and advises high school students for the Dual Enrollment program. |