Jennifer Nesbitt has been appointed chief academic officer at Penn State Brandywine, effective April 1. Nesbitt, a professor of English at Penn State York, has served as Brandywine’s interim director of academic affairs since last summer. She joined Penn State York in 2003 after teaching for three years at Wilkes University.
Penn State’s Commonwealth Campuses and the state’s community colleges have announced a new collaboration aimed at expanding educational opportunities in Pennsylvania and removing barriers to degree completion among college students. The collaboration builds upon long-standing relationships between the campuses and the community colleges and a shared commitment to access and affordability in higher education.
At an event held on Oct. 31, leaders from the Student Philanthropy Network announced that the class of 2024 has voted to create the University Park Undergraduate Association Basic Needs Endowment as their class gift. The fund will provide sustained support for students facing hardships in pursuit of their degree.
Penn State Brandywine has appointed Stephanie Jones as director of student affairs, effective July 5. Jones, a Penn State alumna, has extensive experience in student engagement and programming, including previous positions as Brandywine and Penn State Lehigh Valley.
A series of seed grants from the Office of the Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses has provided Penn State campus leaders with the support to implement transformative initiatives and best practices that have been successful at other University campuses.
Roger Brindley, vice provost for Penn State Global; Andrea Dowhower interim vice president for Student Affairs; and Renata Engel, vice provost for online education, share resources available for individuals who have been impacted by the earthquake in Syria and Turkey, as well as ways to help with the rescue and recovery.
Shawn Manderson, a 2003 alumnus, has a vision for leadership and excellence in action at Penn State Brandywine. The Brandywine Advisory Board member and former Brandywine Alumni Society Board president has committed $30,000 to establish the Penn State Brandywine Leadership and Legacy Excellence Program Fund.
The 2022 Summer Institute for Equity in the Academic Experience held in June saw 16 teams across Penn State colleges and campuses, as well as seven teams from regional colleges and universities, gather in person at Penn State Harrisburg and virtually to focus on expanding access and advancing academic equity at their institutions.
Penn State Brandywine welcomed alumni and friends back to campus for the 2022 Brandywine Ball on May 13. The ball raised more than $55,000 for the Brandywine Future Fund’s support of the campus’ Academic Success Center, which is located in the Vairo Library.
A new look and feel will greet visitors to Penn State’s Commonwealth Campus websites beginning June 21. The refreshed websites, which apply to each of the University’s Commonwealth Campuses, are the result of in-depth research on user needs and best practices, resulting in modern, mobile-friendly and engaging sites that highlight the power of Penn State’s campus communities.
