MEDIA, Pa. — Michael Sturm, associate teaching professor of human development and family studies (HDFS), was appointed associate director of academic affairs (ADAA) at Penn State Brandywine for the 2025-26 academic year, effective July 1. Sturm has taken over the position while James Berkey, associate professor of English, embarks on a fall 2025 sabbatical and spring 2026 fellowship.
“My entire career has been about helping others and making a difference," Strum said. "I am eager to do the same as associate director of academic affairs. Previously serving as HDFS program liaison and social science division coordinator has been important preparation, and I look forward to contributing to academic affairs initiatives and goals.”
Sturm said what he enjoys most about the role is getting to creatively problem-solve issues that arise in academic affairs.
“My favorite aspect of the role is the creative problem-solving that has been required. As I move through a year of firsts, I’m eager to see what improvements I can make,” he said. “As ADAA, some of my goals include evaluating and improving the hiring and support of part-time faculty and collaborating with student support offices as the campus rebuilds capacity. Also, as the campus has transitioned to a program coordinator structure, I aim to assist program coordinators in their new positions.”
Chief Academic Officer Jennifer Nesbitt said Sturm’s varied experiences make him well-suited for the leadership position.
“Michael Sturm brings broad knowledge of our students' and faculty's needs to this position. In his former leadership positions, he collaborated with staff and faculty across the campus to enhance student academic success,” she said. “As the current internship coordinator for Human Development and Family Studies, he can offer insights into the co-curricular and curricular practices that prepare students for their post-college employment goals. A prominent accessibility advocate on campus, his work forwards Penn State’s goal of fostering diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.”
In addition to his role as ADAA, Sturm will continue teaching various human development and family studies courses at Brandywine and will co-lead the Chancellor’s Commission on Disability and Advancing Accessibility.
Sturm earned a master's of family therapy from Drexel University and his bachelor’s degree in family studies from Messiah College.