UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 22 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University.
This week, on behalf of the entire Penn State community, we’d like to say thank you to:
- Sarah Davis, educator for food, families, and communities in Penn State Extension, whose nominator wrote: “In addition to delivering excellent Extension programs in the community, Sarah provides strong program leadership. She listens to concerns, clearly explains challenges and offers solutions within required systems. She advocates for colleagues and continually works to improve internal processes.”
- Sarah DeWolfe, assistant director of financial coaching in the Sokolov-Miller Family Financial and Life Skills Center, whose nominator wrote: “Sarah is knowledgeable, capable, and always willing to support her colleagues at the Sokolov-Miller Family Financial and Life Skills Center. This year our team had several leaves of absence, and each time Sarah stepped up and stepped into interim roles. Sarah is a true team player!”
- Michele Duffey, associate teaching professor of kinesiology in the College of Health and Human Development (HHD), whose nominator wrote: “Michele goes above and beyond in every role. She takes time to hear all voices, think through problems and collaborate across the University. She never stops thinking about what is best for students. She supports and builds up everyone around her to help them excel.”
- Lisa Edwards, academic adviser in Smeal College of Business, whose nominator wrote: “On several occasions when help was needed, Lisa stepped up without hesitation. Beyond that, Lisa is a welcoming presence in the office. Her positive attitude is infectious, and the care and compassion that she offers to students is unyielding. The positive impact she makes cannot be overstated.”
- Marsha Freije, outreach program specialist at the SAFE-T Center in Nese College of Nursing, who received multiple nominations. One nominator wrote: “Marsha’s impact on the SAFE‑T Center is profound. She brings heart, empathy and collaboration to all she does — connecting people and resources, strengthening partnerships, and supporting colleagues and communities with lasting care.” Another nominator wrote: “Thank you, Marsha, for going above and beyond for your colleagues every day and leading with compassion. We are so grateful for your hard work and constant support!”
- Eric Harpster, telecommunications analyst in Penn State IT, whose nominator wrote: “Eric has helped our unit with the Telephony Transformation from the start and continues to be available to help with any phone issues. He always has time to help out and always has a great attitude. A lot of issues would be delayed getting resolved if Eric wasn't here to help.”
- Courtney Horner, assistant director of scholarships and special programs in the Office of Student Aid, whose nominator wrote: “Courtney goes above and beyond to support colleagues, acting promptly and proactively. Her accurate and timely guidance greatly benefits students, and her dedication makes a positive impact on Penn State.”
- Jodi Jeffries, IT support specialist in Information Technology in the College of the Liberal Arts, whose nominator wrote: “Jodi always goes above and beyond to help our department. I can reach out to her for guidance when we have an IT question, and she will guide us in the right direction. Her personality is open, professional and patient, and she is a pleasure to work with on campus.”
- Crystal Lee Garrett, academic program coordinator in Nese College of Nursing, whose nominator wrote: “Shout out to Crystal for going above and beyond during our short-staffed period. They stepped up to train new staff, take on critical extra duties and support colleagues. Simply put, our work would not have been possible without Crystal’s positivity, humor and dedication. Thank you, Crystal!”
- Jill Lehman, business analyst at Penn State World Campus, whose nominator wrote: “Jill is always willing to jump in and do whatever is needed, no matter the task. She consistently goes above and beyond, is always prepared, and brings a positive, can-do attitude to everything she does. The World Campus Work Management and Planning team is incredibly lucky to have her!”
- Dani McCauley, instructional designer at Penn State Behrend, who received multiple nominations. The first nominator wrote: “Dani bridges the gap for units without ID support. From my first Canvas steps to launching a provost-endorsed program and streamlining a general education assessment, Dani’s cross-campus mentorship, from Behrend to University Park, has been vital. She always goes above and beyond to ensure my assessment projects succeed.” Another nominator wrote: “Dani has been central to our college's AI task force work, has helped me develop several asynchronous online courses, and has provided substantial support for our school and college on several topics. She is always willing to step in and help, supporting everyone from students, faculty, and staff.”
- Cathy McCloskey, financial planning analyst in the Office of Budget and Finance, whose nominator wrote: “I don't know what I would do this past year if not for Cathy. You might expect organization and efficiency from someone working in finance, but it is the thoughtful, caring and patient way Cathy does things that sets her apart. She always has quick answers, a calm approach and a compassionate ear for questions.”
- Jeannie McCurdy, simulation operations specialist in Nese College of Nursing, whose nominator wrote: “We are so grateful for Jeannie's dedication and hard work. We’d also like to congratulate Jeannie on obtaining the Certified Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist (CHSOS) credentials. What a wonderful acknowledgment of her professionalism and specialized expertise in healthcare simulation!”
- Jennifer McCutcheon, financial assistant in Housing and Food Services at Penn State Greater Allegheny, whose nominator wrote: “Jennifer is a vital support for our students, especially those in the dorms. She looks out for them, cheers them on and brings contagious energy to campus. Her positivity and signature ‘Have a great day!’ brighten everyone’s day.”
- Rachel Meyer, health services assistant for the Department of Psychology in the College of the Liberal Arts, whose nominator wrote: “Rachel greets all our clients with a smile and is a core part of the staff. Her knowledge of the position is helpful with not just clients, but staff and students. Rachel's friendly and professional manner is a perfect fit for the department, and the University is very lucky to have her.”
- Elizabeth Meyers, administration manager at the College of Medicine, whose nominator wrote: “Having a leader who balances professionalism with genuine kindness makes a huge difference in any academic environment, and Lisa exemplifies this balance daily. She is consistently professional, thorough and kind, ensuring that every individual she interacts with feels supported and heard.”
- Scott Sheaffer, director of communications and creative services in the College of Health and Human Development (HHD), whose nominator wrote: “While effectively managing numerous communications for our college leadership, Scott leads a team that thoughtfully supports each of the college's departments and research centers. Scott is never too busy to coach a young or seasoned faculty member on a press interview or explain a strategy. He is an unsung leader.”
- Brenda Smith Porter, assistant director of career services at Penn State Dickinson Law, whose nominator wrote: “Brenda is an unstoppable force when it comes to helping students navigate their professional development and job search. She cares deeply about every student and always goes above and beyond to ensure they have all the resources, tools and support to attain their professional goals.”
- Melissa Szmal, program coordinator for Conferences and Institutes in Penn State Outreach, whose nominator wrote: “Melissa is an incredible colleague! She is always willing to lend a hand, provide insight into a project or help talk through an issue. She's a hard worker and balances her workload with grace and enthusiasm. We are lucky to have her on our team!”
- Patton Vo, director of campus development at Penn State Brandywine, whose nominator wrote: “Patton's commitment to our students goes far beyond fundraising. He mentors students, attends programs, advises organizations and helps students secure scholarships and opportunities to succeed. There is so much more to share. His generosity and commitment embody the true spirit of 'We Are!’”
- Brittany Yohn, HR services manager in Penn State Human Resources, whose nominator wrote: “Brittany consistently demonstrates exceptional leadership by creating a collaborative and supportive team environment where everyone feels valued. She leads by example, encourages open communication and brings people together to achieve common goals. We are truly lucky to have her as our leader.”
- Rocco Zinobile, director of grants and contracts in the College of the Liberal Arts, whose nominator wrote: “Rocco directs the Liberal Arts Award Hub, comprising several University Park colleges. Smoothly orchestrating the flow of grant proposals and awards, he assesses each challenge and guides his team to solutions with alacrity, no matter what it takes. He exemplifies the ‘We Are’ spirit and encourages it in his team.”
Thank you to these individuals and everyone across the University who contributes to making Penn State such an incredible community!
Do you know someone who deserves a shout out? If you do, consider nominating that person by filling out a short online form.