Penn State's Jonathan Kukta has been sworn in as the new president of the National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS) East region. Kukta said that this accomplishment marks a significant milestone in his longstanding commitment to enhancing higher education environments.
Cory Scherer, interim director of academic affairs and professor of psychology at Penn State Schuylkill, has been named the campus' permanent director of academic affairs, effective July 1. Concurrently, Scherer has been appointed interim chancellor of Penn State Schuylkill, also effective July 1. Scherer has been serving as interim director of academic affairs since July 2023.
Penn State has announced the recipients of the inaugural Presidential Public Impact Research Awards, a new program designed to support faculty and students who are working on research projects that directly benefit communities.
The Sustainable Labs Program provides educational support and networking opportunities to labs across Penn State, helping them implement changes to become more energy and resource efficient. Actions taken by participating labs are estimated to result in over $155,000 in savings for the University and reduce about 490 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
Emily Papa's decision to pursue a nursing degree at Penn State Schuylkill was a natural one, influenced by her family members who also are nurses and by her exposure to health care programs in vocational school. Over the course of her four years, she was a dedicated tutor, and she was part of the first cohort of nursing students to participate in the inaugural pinning ceremony at Penn State Schuylkill. She looks forward to beginning her career at Geisinger St. Luke’s in the medical-surgical unit.
Abby Morneau, a dedicated criminal justice student at Penn State Schuylkill, reflected on her academic journey in anticipation of delivering the student address at the 2024 commencement. She said she is proud of her growth as a first-generation college student and offered advice to future students: Build relationships with professors, get involved on campus and savor every moment of their college experience.
Psychology student Poetic Session's journey at Penn State Schuylkill is marked by her dedication to mental health advocacy and meaningful campus connections. Her multicultural upbringing inspired her to tackle mental health stigmas, particularly within Black and Hispanic communities.
As part of our regular "We Are!" feature, we recognize 16 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University.
Kyle Ferguson spent his time at Penn State Schuylkill dedicated to personal and academic growth. Initially pursuing a degree in business, he switched to corporate communication after discovering an interest in the subject during an introductory course. His involvement in campus clubs like Lion Ambassadors and THON enriched his experience and helped him build skills and friendships. As he graduates, Ferguson reflects on the supportive campus environment and advises incoming students to embrace the available resources and opportunities for a fulfilling college experience.
Alivia Payne's journey at Penn State Schuylkill, where she will graduate t has been transformative, merging her passion for communication arts with her involvement in campus athletics. Initially pursuing physical therapy at Penn State Mont Alto, she transferred to Schuylkill to pursue a degree — and her passion — in communication arts. Payne excelled as an intern with the Penn State Athletics Department, enhancing the department's social media. Looking ahead, Payne envisions a career in sports media or operations and plans to pursue graduate studies.
