Daily Brief

Rafi Named Director of Institutional Research

Dr. Fawad S. Rafi has been hired to serve as Kutztown University's new director of Institutional Research. Rafi will begin his appointment Monday, April 25. Rafi has an extensive career history and comes to KU from Lehigh Carbon Community College, where he served for more than four years as the executive director of Research and Effectiveness. As director of Institutional Research, Rafi is responsible for advancing the educational mission and institutional effectiveness of the university by providing creative and dynamic leadership for a comprehensive program to support strategic planning. He will collect and provide information, data analysis and projections for university planning and assist in the planning and execution of strategic initiatives. He will also provide leadership and guidance in the areas of institutional research, effectiveness, accountability, accreditation, information management, data reporting and assessment.

https://www.kutztown.edu/news-and-media/news-releases/april-2022/rafi-named-director-of-institutional-research.html

University Relations

Kahlan Tripp Presents at the Middle Atlantic Archeological Conference

Kutztown University anthropology major Kahlan Tripp presented her research on microscopic characteristics of jasper mined by prehistoric Native Americans in eastern Pennsylvania at the Middle Atlantic Archeological Conference in Ocean City, Maryland March 24-27. Kahlan’s research with anthropology professor Dr. Khori Newlander and geology professor Kurt Friehauf involved field work in archeological quarries, polarized light optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy. Microscopic characteristics that are specific to individual quarries enable archeologists to connect artifacts found elsewhere with point of origin. She also did experimental archeological research on fire-treatment of jasper as a method of rock quarrying by stone-age cultures.

Kurt Friehauf, Department of Physical Sciences

SSHE Open Enrollment - April 18-29

Open enrollment for non-represented (management), nurses, faculty and police is April 18-29. If you do not have changes, no action is required during open enrollment. View the Open Enrollment website for important health plan and increased employee premium information for the 2022-23 plan year. Please reach out to Jeanette Forster with any questions.

https://www.passhe.edu/inside/HR/syshr/Pages/OE.aspx

Jeanette L Forster, Human Resources

Collegiate Recovery

Collegiate Recovery Open Meeting, Thursdays, 7-8 p.m., Health & Wellness Center (119 Beck Hall).

Frances Cortez Funk, Alcohol & Other Drug Services

Vice Provost Search

Candidates for the position of Vice Provost Extended and Lifelong Learning and Dean of Graduate Studies will visit campus April 25, May 2 and May 4. Please view the website below for candidate information and a schedule of open forums available to students, faculty and staff.  Candidates’ names and vitae will be posted on the website 48 hours prior to their visit to campus.
- April 25: Candidate A
- May 2: Candidate B
- May 4: Candidate C

University Vice Provost Search webpage

John Ward, Search Committee Chair

APSCUF Wellness Committee: Mindfulness Practices

The APSCUF Wellness Committee is sponsoring a free virtual event 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 26. Dr. Patti Brenner, assistant professor of Counselor Education, will discuss daily mindfulness practices for health and well-being. This one-hour interactive webinar will explore daily personal mindfulness practices that can reduce pandemic-related stress. The webinar will also explore family and individual resource websites, apps, and professional programs. Click here to register. The Wellness Committee will randomly select five participants for a small gift at the conclusion of the webinar. We hope you join us for this informative discussion on wellness.

Scott Tracy, Ju Zhou and Kunio Mitsuma, APSCUF Wellness Committee