UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Jon Emigh, director of marketing and digital education in the College of Agricultural Sciences, has been honored with the 2026 Shirley Hendrick Award, presented by the Penn State Commission for Adult Learners for service to adult learners.
The Shirley Hendrick Award recognizes an administrator Universitywide who has contributed to the success of Penn State’s efforts to serve adult learners. The award is named in memory of Shirley Hendrick (1936–2000), the first recipient, dean for continuing education in the Smeal College of Business and inaugural chair of the Commission for Adult Learners, who advocated for continuing education.
Nominators called Emigh an effective leader who creates a shared vision for how Extension and College of Agricultural Sciences teams can use technologies and efficiency to better serve Extension’s programs as well as adult learners. They said he relies on his marketing experience to create data-driven approaches.
Under his leadership, Extension webinars and workshops grew by 169% over five years to include more than 69,000 collective participants.
“Simply put, Extension is reaching more people in more impactful ways because of Emigh’s contributions,” a nominator said. “His leadership in creating a shared vision for how a modern educational institution engages adult learners in non-credit programs has not only boosted Penn State Extension’s programmatic reach and impacts but has also become a model for other Extension systems across the country. He has proven to be an asset to Penn State Extension, and the University.”
Adult learners have also benefited from his leadership. Nominators said he significantly improved the learning experience by creating innovative models that better deliver support and resources to those in need.
“One of the most remarkable qualities of Emigh is his entrepreneurial and visionary leadership,” a nominator said. “He has been at the forefront of creating new opportunities for adult learners to access Penn State programs, exemplifying the spirit of innovation and forward-thinking that is essential for the continued growth and success for all Extension programs.”