DUNMORE, Pa. — Penn State Interim Regional Chancellor Durell Johnson has announced the addition of four new staff members at the Scranton campus. They are Maria Day, assistant director of admissions; Jordan Fritz, coordinator of student activities; Karen Gallia, assistant to the director of academic affairs; and Adam Horan, IT support specialist.
Maria Day
Day earned her bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics and her master’s degree in public administration from Marywood University. She is looking forward to working with transfer students and adult learners. Having spent most of her career supporting adult learners, she is eager to make Penn State Scranton a possibility for them. She also is participating in Leadership Lackawanna’s Core Program.
Jordan Fritz
Fritz received an associate degree in general studies from Luzerne County Community College in 2017 and a bachelor of science degree in communications with concentrations in journalism and public relations from Wilkes University in 2019. She said she is excited to be part of the Penn State community and is most looking forward to working with and getting to know the students on campus.
In 2020, she participated in the Disney College Program and received a Disney Career Development Certification. While there, she worked as an attraction cast member at Alien Swirling Saucers at Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios. She serves on the board for Coffee Inclusive and NEPA Networkers and has served as a volunteer for Dr. Jen’s Hope Foundation since August 2012.
Fritz enjoys the outdoors, spending time with family and friends, traveling and attending concerts. She is a Philadelphia Phillies and New York Giants fan. She describes herself as a major foodie and loves supporting local restaurants and businesses. She resides in Pittston with her fiancé and orange cat, Cheddar.
Karen Gallia
Gallia has been with Penn State for 12 years, beginning her career at Penn State Wilkes-Barre’s continuing education department, before transitioning to an administrative assistant to Penn State Wilkes-Barre’s chancellor/academic affairs office. As the new assistant to the director of academic affairs at Penn State Scranton, Gallia is looking forward to working with faculty and being involved in the daily functions of the campus. She enjoys working collaboratively and contributing to the success of the campus.
Gallia attended both Luzerne County Community College and King’s College and is a volunteer with the United Way of Wyoming Valley’s Annual Day of Caring. She lives in Pittston.
Adam Horan
Horan looks forward to helping the Penn State community in his new role with the information technology department. A 2025 Penn State graduate with a degree in information technology, with a cybersecurity option, he wants the students and campus community to know that he is a kind, patient individual who is always ready to help to the best of his ability.
“Having been a student at Penn State Scranton, I am grateful for the opportunity to further assist my welcoming campus community that allowed me to grow into the person I am today,” he said.
Horan lives with his parents and sister in Pittston.