College of Engineering Staff Advisory Committee at Penn State

The College of Engineering Staff Advisory Committee congratulates Dan Henderson and
Jessica Wilson, who have been named the Fall 2024 Staff Members of the Semester!

In the words of their nominators (Matt Barone and Jessica Chhan, respectively):

Dan Henderson, Associate Director for Belonging & Inclusion (Center for Engineering Outreach and Inclusion), seems to have an unrelenting source of passion for student advocacy and works tirelessly to help create positive experiences for our students. In general, Dan operates at a level of excellence that is hard to match. He is constantly asking how we can do things more efficiently and effectively. The PSV (Prospective Student Visits) program is designed to welcome prospective students to campus as they navigate their college decision making process. Our event requires coordination and buy-in from faculty, staff, students, and prospective families. Dan goes above and beyond in understanding the goals of each stakeholder and designing an event that meets their goal without sacrificing another. Specifically, some of our departments historically saw poor attendance at their events. Dan creatively adjusted our registration process and schedule of the event to allow those departments increased face time with students, while not sacrificing engagement with other units. Additionally, he works tirelessly to train, schedule, and coordinate the ESTAR group in their role as tour guides. His creativity, intelligence and compassion have made him an incredible asset to our program.

Jessica Wilson, department head assistant for Civil and Environmental Engineering, brings both initiative and creativity to everything she does. She's a go-to resource and has a wealth of knowledge, always ready to help make processes more efficient and manageable. Whether it's assisting with IT-related issues like navigating the EBS system, sharing helpful resources like ECoRE meeting room spec sheets and itinerary templates, or offering guidance on reconciling expenses in Concur - Jessica always has something to help make things easier. She doesn't just solve problems—she shares what she knows so others can benefit too. Jessica truly embodies Penn State’s values. She demonstrates integrity, respect, and responsibility in all that she does while actively fostering a sense of community. She supports and uplifts those around her while holding herself to a high
standard of excellence.

Congratulations, Dan and Jessica!

Thank you to everyone who came to our 2024 Staff Recognition Ceremony!

Please enjoy the following photos that were taken during the event, as well as the award announcements.

KIERSTEN KLING
2023 FALL STAFF OF THE SEMESTER

The College of Engineering Staff Advisory Committee would like to extend our congratulations to
Kiersten Kling, an Administrative Support Coordinator in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and recipient of the Fall 2023 Staff of the Semester award.

Kiersten’s nominator states that she is proactive in all the tasks she manages and works tirelessly. She is excellent at mentoring new assistants and does a great job of inspiring the staff of EE and CSE to work in a cohesive manner as a team.

Kiersten takes ownership of her job and feels a great level of responsibility for the school. She managed the P&T for the entire school and proofreads every dossier, all committee letters and all of my letters for inconsistencies or errors in terms of policy. She successfully learned the financial system (SIMBA) due to a vacancy and is willing to pitch in wherever needed.

We would like to thank Kiersten for upholding the virtues of the Staff Advisory Committee’s mission: facilitating communication and nurturing a spirit of community. It is our honor to bestow her with this award.

Congratulations to Thomas Houck, Business and Operations Director in Mechanical Engineering, and awardee of the SAC Staff of the Semester for Summer 2023!

Last month SAC arranged for staff to tour the Larson Institute Test Track and take a ride on the track itself! 🚌 Thanks to the Events Team and Test Track folks for setting this up.🙂

Congratulations to Lisa Timko, administrative support coordinator for the department of Electrical Engineering, and the SAC Spring 2023 Staff of the Semester award recipient! 😊

CONGRATULATIONS to Benjamin McMullen, this years SAC Staff Education Award recipient!

Benjamin is currently an academic adviser and is enrolled in the Higher Education Doctor of Education program at Penn State University, with classes set to begin full-time in August 2023.

According to Benjamin in his application letter:

“I am excited to begin classes full time in August of 2023 in a graduate program designed to help me engage in higher education as a research professional, bringing that experience to bear in my work at this institution every day.” (Cont’d): “With my participation in the higher education doctoral program, I hope to research groundbreaking work in higher education accountability and environmental interactions with students in order to holistically view the way institutions shape our students and the decisions they make…I seek to improve the way that the College of Engineering can engage with students and help to build a supportive and inclusive environment centered around a mission of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.”

Benjamin’s goals greatly reflect the goals that the College of Engineering Staff Advisory Committee, and Penn State as an institution, set forth to achieve each day. We are proud and honored to bestow this award on Benjamin to assist him in his pursuit of educational and professional development goals.

CONGRATULATIONS to Jamyson Focht,
This years SAC Dependent Education Awardee!

Jamyson is the daughter of Jaime Focht, department head staff assistant for the Ken and Mary Alice Lindquist Department of Nuclear Engineering. She is a third-year student, currently enrolled in the Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, working to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing.

In her application letter, Jamyson states,

“I strive to master fundamental nursing skills, facilitate communication and interpersonal skills, and develop leadership skills.” (Cont’d): “My coursework in nursing school…plays a vital role in helping me to achieve my career aspirations. My education provides me with a comprehensive understanding of nursing theory, clinical practice, and patient care. It also involves multiple clinical rotations which are beneficial in gaining hands-on experience in various healthcare settings. I believe all of these aspects of my coursework and education are beneficial in contributing to my career aspirations of becoming a CRNA or CRNP.”

It is our honor to bestow this award to Jamyson to assist her in her ongoing pursuit of her Nursing degree so that she may one day fulfill her goal of becoming a skilled healthcare professional.

Some College of Engineering Staff touring the Breazeale Nuclear Reactor!

CONGRATULATIONS to Mariah Germello who guessed 850 m&m's in the jar at the Spring Fling. Actual number was 858. Enjoy your swag, Mariah!🤩