As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 18 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:
- Allison Albinski, graduate enrollment coordinator in the Fox Graduate School, whose nominator wrote: “Allison is always willing to jump in and take on extra work, whether it be learning something new, assisting a colleague or taking a deep dive into researching an issue. She has superior job knowledge and accuracy. She brings her strong work ethic and a sense of humor with her to work each day.”
- Estelle Belko, student aid coordinator at Penn State Greater Allegheny, whose nominator wrote: “Estelle puts students first and always has. She is constantly looking for ways to save students money and ways to find more for them. She always has the students' best interest at heart and works well with other departments to continue to provide the best service to our students.”
- Erin Connolly, professor and head of the Department of Plant Science in the College of Agricultural Sciences, whose nominator wrote: “In the eight years Erin has been at Penn State, she has done nothing but support everyone in her department as well as individuals across Penn State. She continually fights for equity for all. When someone is dealing with any type of issue, she fights for them! Our department has grown in so many ways because of her!”
- Lorri Dotts, graduate program support assistant in the College of Engineering, whose nominator wrote: “Lorri has been so helpful in getting the finances sorted for a symposium we held off campus. She has dealt with multiple requests for external reimbursements and has helped me navigate the process, as this is my first year working for Penn State.”
- Sandy Drebelbis, records specialist in the Office of Enrollment Management, whose nominator wrote: “Sandy always has a kind word for everyone. She is consistently helping others out and lifting them up. She is the most positive and hardworking person I know. She brings a wonderful energy and spirit to our office!”
- Tamra Fatemi-Badi, events manager at WPSU, whose nominator wrote: “Shoutout to Tamra for her incredible contributions to WPSU! From managing events of all sizes to leading the DEIB Council and hosting World Kitchen and Culinary Connections, Tamra juggles it all with skill and passion. She’s a critical part of WPSU’s success!”
- Robert Fogarty, LionPATH reporting lead for Penn State IT, whose nominator wrote: “During a recent training, I shared a project I’ve been struggling with. Bob was willing to follow up with me to understand my needs and develop a solution that streamlined my process and removed inefficiencies. What he created will benefit not only my department, but the Penn State community at large!”
- Tabetha Haberberger, administrative assistant in Human Resources, whose nominator wrote: “Tabetha goes above and beyond to provide a sense of welcome and inclusion to all who enter The Child Care Center at Hort Woods. Everyone is greeted with genuine happiness to have them there, children and adults alike. She does anything she can to make sure her coworkers have everything they need to succeed.”
- Jamie Harris, applications developer in Penn State IT, whose nominator wrote: “Big shout out to Jamie for going above and beyond what's expected of her and for her out-of-the-box thinking, expertise and positive attitude. She made a difference in the implementation a number of new system integrations.”
- Michaela Henry, university registrar specialist in the Office of Enrollment Management, whose nominator wrote: “Michaela handles many requests efficiently and professionally in every case, making sure that our students can make degree progress. She catches errors and flags them for correction, and she is always collaborative and helpful!”
- Megan Hurley-Knight, academic adviser at Penn State Hazleton, whose nominator wrote: “Megan is an exceptional adviser, especially in working with students in academic recovery. She works tirelessly to help students attain their academic and personal goals. She is responsive to student needs, going the extra mile to support success. Her commitment to students and campus sets an example for all.”
- Wendy Kephart, administrative assistant for academic affairs at Penn State Abington, whose nominator wrote: “Wendy is amazing. No matter what the area, she is always willing to help. Wendy truly becomes a subject expert in many areas to serve as a resource to others. She is extremely creative and thinks out of the box. Wendy is irreplaceable!”
- Steve Koths, financial officer in the Office of Budget and Finance, whose nominator wrote: “Steve is an extraordinary champion for faculty, generously sharing his time, wisdom and support to find solutions to challenges. His collaborative spirit and creative problem-solving have made him an invaluable part of my team. I am grateful for his genuine commitment to supporting faculty success.”
- Jennifer Muccitelli, administrative support assistant at WPSU, whose nominator wrote: “Jennifer provides exceptional support to multiple departments at WPSU. From organizing board meetings to managing our silent auction, Jen's responsiveness, dedication and positive attitude are instrumental to our success. We couldn't do it without her!”
- Leslie Pollard, OCI and CMS manager in Career Services, whose nominator wrote: “Leslie is constantly going above and beyond. She is always jumping in to help other units when they are in need, even without being asked. She truly cares about the work we do and about the impact Career Services plays in a student's successful journey during and after college. She is a true role model.”
- Renee Pusey, coordinator for talent and professional development in Penn State Extension, whose nominator wrote: “Recognizing the difficulty of caring for aging parents, Renee started an Employee Resource Group (Penn State Cares) to help fellow Penn Staters in similar situations find resources and share experiences. Her hard work in starting this group has provided hope and comfort to many colleagues!”
- Sharon Siegfried, visual communications manager at Penn State Harrisburg, whose nominator wrote: “Sharon truly is a gem in all the work she produces. Her ability to create captivating graphics and capture memorable moments as a photographer shows her talent. Aside from her work responsibilities, she is an amazing friend and mentor. The office is very successful because of her work!”
- Danny Williams, assistant director for outdoor adventures in Campus Recreation, whose nominator wrote: “It is through Danny's tireless 10 years of dedication that the outdoor adventures program is thriving and providing a massive impact to those that participate and those that work with him. When Danny sees a need he fills a need, and with that he sets the standard for who we are!”
Thank you Allison, Estelle, Erin, Lorri, Sandy, Tamra, Robert, Tabetha, Jamie, Michaela, Megan, Wendy, Steve, Jennifer, Leslie, Renee, Sharon and Danny — and to everyone who helps make 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.