Daily Brief

Leininger Named Project Manager for University's Title III Grant

Brandy Leininger has been named the new project manager for the university’s Title III grant. Leininger will start at KU Monday, Feb. 26. She comes to KU from Alvernia University, where she served as associate director and most recently director of Student Success for Graduate and Adult Education. Her time teaching in Alvernia’s transition program, similar to KU’s First-Year-Seminar, as well as her participation in the PA Parent Pathways Learning Network Task Force contributed toward similar goals as KU’s Title III grant. We are very happy to have Ms. Leininger join our Title III team. Her past experience managing large projects and her devotion to student success are well aligned with the goals of our multi-faceted grant.

Lorin Basden Arnold, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Commission on Human Diversity's 14th Annual Conference

The Commission on Human Diversity is pleased to announce that registration is open for its 14th annual conference 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, March 1, McFarland Student Union. The conference is hybrid, so most sessions are also available on Zoom. The conference theme this year is “Inspirational Advocacy Through the Arts.” The two keynote speakers, John Nolter and Dr. Phillip Jeffrey Tietbohl, are amazing artists and visionaries. Biographies and program information can be found here. KU faculty, students and community members will also be presenting workshops. All students, faculty, staff and community members are encouraged to attend this free event. Registration information can be found at the link below.

Commission on Human Diversity

Patricia Ann Brenner, The Commission on Human Diversity

Recap: KU Alert Test

Thank you for your patience as we completed our required emergency alert test Thursday, Feb. 15. The Desktop Alert pop-up system did not function as anticipated; we will schedule a future test to further assess this alert function. KU Alert, the university's text message warning system, powered by Omnilert, advises the campus of life-threatening situations as well as weather-related closures and concerns. Faculty and staff must opt-in to receive the text messages. If you already have an account, now is the time to review it to make sure your account is up-to-date and validated. Please take note of the expiration date that is seen after you log in. To create or review your account, use your KU single sign-on credentials online.

University Relations

Reflections of Inspiration: Perspectives on Humanity, Love and Liberation

As part of Connectivity Live (PASSHE DEI Office), we are hosting a virtual panel session noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, on "Reflections of Inspiration: Perspectives on Humanity, Love and Liberation" to celebrate Black History Month. We hope you can join us. Our three panelists include a student and two faculty members from across PASSHE: Kennedy Holt (Shippensburg), Dr. Akita Donald (Slippery Rock) and Dr. Daris McInnis (West Chester). Each panelist will share their own stories of how their family, mentors and influential thought leaders have helped and shaped them into who and where they are today. We will also have time for the audience to ask the panelists questions. Visit the link below to register for the Zoom session. 

Registration for Zoom Session

Jerry Schearer, Diversity and Inclusion

Commission on Human Diversity 2024 Social Justice Award

The Commission on Human Diversity is accepting applications for the 2024 Social Justice Award. All undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply. This award recognizes KU students who embody an ongoing commitment to critical social justice through campus and community activities such as areas of study, research, writing, performance, artmaking and service. Applications are due Monday, Feb. 19. Awards will be given at our 14th annual conference Friday, March 1, MSU. Apply online.

Commission on Human Diversity

Patricia Ann Brenner, Commission on Human Diversity