SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, Pa. — Penn State Schuylkill has announced the promotion of three faculty members in recognition of their excellence in teaching, scholarship and service to the campus and broader University community.
Jessica Saalfield has been promoted to associate professor of psychology, D.J. Higgins has been promoted to associate teaching professor of film/video and music, and Janelle Gruber has been promoted to assistant teaching professor of corporate communication.
Interim Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer Cory Scherer congratulated the faculty members on their achievements and contributions to the campus.
“These promotions recognize the dedication, expertise and impact that Dr. Saalfield, Dr. Higgins and Professor Gruber bring to our students and campus community every day,” Scherer said. “Their commitment to academic excellence, student success and meaningful scholarship reflects the very best of Penn State Schuylkill. We are proud to celebrate this important milestone in their careers.”
Jessica Saalfield
Saalfield, an early career research scientist, joined Penn State Schuylkill with a background that spans both animal and human experimental models in alcohol studies. She earned her doctorate in behavioral neuroscience from Binghamton University and completed a National Institutes of Health-funded Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award postdoctoral fellowship at Rutgers University.
Her research focuses on understanding the effects of substance use and misuse across development, with a particular interest in how place and context influence substance use behaviors. One of her current research projects examines alcohol culture on small, rural college campuses and has received internal funding support. Saalfield has presented her work at regional and national conferences and has published research related to substance use among adolescents in rural communities.
“Dr. Saalfield has established herself as an innovative scholar whose research addresses important issues affecting rural communities,” Scherer said. “Her dedication to mentoring students and engaging them in meaningful research opportunities has strengthened the academic experience for our students.”
D.J. Higgins
Higgins, who teaches film, video, music, Italian and Spanish courses, holds a doctorate in modern languages from Middlebury College and multiple master's degrees in Italian, Spanish and film studies.
An active filmmaker, Higgins has directed, written and produced numerous films with creative partner Julie Robinson. Their work is available through major streaming platforms and explores a variety of social and cultural themes. His scholarly interests focus on American cinema from a global perspective, as well as filmmaking in Italian- and Spanish-speaking cultures.
Prior to joining Penn State Schuylkill, Higgins taught at several institutions, including Sacred Heart University, Indiana University, Mercy College and Empire State College.
“Dr. Higgins brings an extraordinary blend of creative achievement, academic scholarship and passion for teaching to the classroom,” Scherer said. “His ability to connect media, culture and storytelling creates engaging learning experiences that inspire students to think critically and creatively.”
Janelle Gruber
Gruber serves as program coordinator for the corporate communication degree, academic adviser for corporate communication students and co-adviser for the campus chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, the National Communication Association’s honor society. She also coordinates the sports administration certificate program and has supported the campus co-op program through both teaching and program development.
Beyond the campus, Gruber leads the Northeast Corporate Communication Consortium, coordinating degree offerings and assessment efforts among the Hazleton, Schuylkill and Wilkes-Barre campuses. Her leadership in assessment earned her recognition as an Assessment Champion and a role on a University committee focused on faculty engagement in assessment initiatives.
Her research focuses on strategic and applied communication, using rhetorical theories to analyze media, advertising, public relations campaigns and crisis communication. She is an active member of the Pennsylvania Communication Association and the Eastern Communication Association, where she has held multiple leadership positions.
“Professor Gruber’s leadership extends well beyond the classroom,” Scherer said. “She has played a vital role in advancing the corporate communication program while remaining deeply committed to student success, academic innovation and collaboration across the University.”
Scherer said the promotions reflect the faculty members’ ongoing contributions to Penn State Schuylkill’s mission of providing a high-quality, student-centered education.
“Our faculty are at the heart of everything we do,” Scherer said. “Jessica, D.J. and Janelle have each made significant contributions through their teaching, scholarship and service. These promotions are well deserved, and we look forward to their continued impact on our students and campus community.”