Daily Brief

Beekey Care Bears Spread Joy and Belonging

Walk through the halls of the Beekey Education Center and you may just spot a tiny bear tucked into a corner or hidden in some inconspicuous place. If you've found one of these, you've discovered the Beekey Care Bears, a heartwarming initiative launched by an anonymous College of Education faculty member to brighten days and foster a sense of belonging. Each miniature bear carries a cheerful message, “This Beekey Care Bear found YOU! Keep it, smile, or pass it on. You're doing beary great! Stay Golden! #BeekeyCareBears.” This simple act of kindness reflects what Kutztown University strives for every day, a campus where care, connection and community thrive. It's about reminding each of us that we matter and that even small gestures can make a big difference. The anonymity behind the initiative makes it even more powerful, showing that leadership and compassion often happen quietly, without expectation of recognition. Belonging isn't just a word, it's something we create together. These little bears spark joy, encourage kindness and strengthen the bonds that make KU feel like home. As we head into the spring semester, let these Care Bears inspire us all to lead with empathy, celebrate one another's efforts and keep building a culture where every student and every colleague feels seen and supported. Together, we can make this semester golden. Wishing you a wonderful spring semester.

College of Education

MLK Commemoration Speaker: Hill Harper

West Chester University invited the KU campus community to join its 2026 MLK Campus Commemoration webinar featuring Hill Harper as the keynote speaker, 3 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, 183 MSU. Harper is an award-winning actor, New York Times best-selling author, entrepreneur and nationally recognized youth advocate whose career spans television, film, public service and social justice.

MLK Commemoration Speaker

Jerry Schearer, Diversity and Inclusion/Chief Diversity Officer

University Curriculum Committee

The University Curriculum Committee will meet 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, via Zoom. The link can also be found on the UCC Document Submissions SharePoint page and the meeting agenda.

Brian Meares, University Curriculum Committee

Miller Keystone Blood Drive

Miller-Keystone Blood Center will be at the Student Recreation Center Wednesday, Feb. 4. Sign up online and make a life-saving contribution. Every donation matters.

Register for Blood Drive

Amanda Garcia, Community Outreach Center

KU BEARS Grant Funding Deadline: Feb. 23

The KU BEARS Grant funding program supports faculty and student research pairs. The goals are twofold: to develop the necessary skillset of undergraduate students to help them become student researchers; and to provide faculty members with student-research assistants. Funded projects will be allotted up to $2,500 to cover student wages and $500 for presentation travel for the student. The program is open to all faculty members and to current freshmen, sophomores or juniors.

KU BEARS Grant Funding

Heather Arbuckle, Grants and Sponsored Projects

"Healthy U" Healthcare Premium Reduction Program Open Enrollment

"Healthy U" is for all staff in the following groups: APSCUF faculty and coaches, managers, OPEIU, POA and SPFPA. AFSMCE and SCUPA healthcare plans have the “Get Healthy” program, so “Healthy U” does not apply to you. To qualify for the lowest health care premium beginning July 2026, enrolled employees and spouses on your plan are required to complete “Healthy U” by Sunday, May 31, to keep the lower premium payment. If you have a spouse on your plan and they do not complete the survey through their personal Highmark login, you will pay the higher premium. This is an annual survey that must be completed each year for continued enrollment in the lower premium. Please check your email for a notice from PASSHE Employee Benefits. If you do not compete the “Healthy U” survey before May 31, you will automatically be switched to the higher premium payment from July 2026 through June 2027 and will have to wait until the enrollment period in 2027 to complete the survey for the lower premium payment starting July 2027. For more information, please visit the PASSHE Healthy U webpage.

Quick Tips:
- If you don't have a MyHighmark account, register first.
- Follow the Healthy U Step By Step Instructions – You must agree to all of the authorizations to qualify for the discounted premium rate.
- Save a screenshot when complete.
- For technical assistance with your MyHighmark account, call 1-866-306-1059, option 1
for general “Healthy U” questions, feel free to contact Highmark at 1-888-745-3212 or your university HR department. This is a quick and easy survey that takes about 15-20 minutes to complete. Be proactive and make sure you take 20 minutes to save hundreds of dollars a year.

Elisabeth Manwiller, Human Resources

University Writing Center Spring 2026 Information

Please have your students reach out to the KU Writing Center for help and to schedule a writing session concerning papers for any subject/discipline. Also, please include this information in your syllabi and share the poster or flyer on your D2L pages. We have two methods of writing tutoring available: in-person and online sessions. Please use the following Google form link (or email me) to let us know if you would like an in-person or Zoom information session about the UWC or any in-class writing information sessions (the writing process, writing stress, citation styles, etc.). Please let your students know they can choose to have you emailed after coming to the UWC for help with work from your class. Please direct any questions to pytleski@kutztown.edu.
For Your Students:
Making an appointment:
- In-person sessions: please call 610-683-4733 or email wrcenter@kutztown.edu to setup an in-person appointment. You can also stop by the Writing Center, 100c Rohrbach, 2-6 p.m. Sundays; 2-8 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
- Online sessions: visit the WCOnline website to schedule an online session. Please see our website for additional helpful instructions and screenshots. Online hours are 2-6 p.m. Sundays; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; 3-8 p.m. Wednesdays; and noon to 4 p.m. Fridays.

Writing Center

Patricia D. Pytleski, KU Writing Center