Dr. Darcy Medica, interim director of Academic Affairs and associate professor of biology, has been named director of Academic Affairs (DAA) at Penn State Schuylkill, effective Feb. 1. Dr. Medica has been serving as the interim director of Academic Affairs since her appointment to the position Oct. 1, 2014.
"I look forward to working with Dr. Medica as she builds on the momentum of the good work that she has been doing in her role as interim director of Academic Affairs," said Kelly Austin, chancellor at Penn State Schuylkill. "Her collaborative approach has brought about many positive developments for the campus, including: dual enrollment opportunities at local high schools; collaborative academic programs with other Penn State campuses; and great progress on strategic academic priorities outlined in our strategic plan."
The DAA is the campus chief academic officer and is responsible for all academic functions of the campus within its service area. The DAA is responsible to the chancellor for providing leadership for all academic and faculty matters, and acts on behalf of the chancellor in his or her absence, or as delegated by the chancellor.
"I am pleased and honored to have been selected to serve in the position of director of Academic Affairs at Penn State Schuylkill," said Medica. "I look forward to working with the students, faculty, and staff at our campus to develop a community of excellence, and provide opportunities for engaged scholarship that will benefit all of our students."
In addition to serving students well, Medica notes that she is also excited to develop initiatives that will allow increased interaction between the campus and the local community.
As a member of the Penn State Schuylkill faculty since 2003, Dr. Medica has received numerous appointments, awards, and fellowships during her tenure, and has also had many accomplishments while serving as interim DAA. She has always been highly regarded as a teacher and a scholar, and her student-centered approach to leadership has strengthened the student experience.
Dr. Medica earned her bachelor of science, master of science, and doctorate degrees in animal sciences from Rutgers University. Her postdoctoral fellowship was completed in the Department of Medical and Molecular Parasitology at the New York University School of Medicine.
Medica and her husband, Joseph, reside in Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania with their two sons, Joseph and Aidan.
