Daily Brief
March 18, 2026
Congratulations Deputy Chief Justin Soumas
Kutztown University and the Division of Student Affairs are pleased to announce the promotion of Justin Soumas to the rank of Deputy Chief. Deputy Chief Soumas brings 25 years of distinguished law enforcement experience to this command position. He began his career with the Fleetwood Police Department in April 2001 and joined Kutztown University Public Safety and Police Services in September 2003. Throughout his tenure, Deputy Chief Soumas has served in multiple roles, including Patrol Officer, Corporal, Detective and Lieutenant. He also co-chairs the university's Emergency Management Team. Deputy Chief Soumas is married to his wife of 22 years, Angela, and is the proud parent of Aiden (KU student and member of baseball team) and Ryleigh. He looks forward to continuing his service to the KU community in this new leadership capacity.
Division of Student Affairs
Weather
Weather forecasts are provided by KU's Dr. Michael Davis and "Monsoon Mike" Regensburger
Partly sunny and continued cold for mid-March, but with lighter winds compared to Tuesday. High of 37.
Announcements
March Madness Golden Bracket Challenge
The Office of Human Resources is excited to host the March Madness Golden Bracket Challenge for the Men's and Women's NCAA Division 1 Basketball Tournaments. Employees can enter the Men's Golden Bracket Challenge and the Women's Golden Bracket Challenge. The password for both bracket challenges is GoldenBears. The winner of each bracket challenge will receive a prize from the Office of Human Resources. Men's brackets must be submitted by 12:15 p.m. Thursday, March 19. Women's brackets must be submitted by 11:30 a.m. Friday, March 20.
Bradley Davis, Human Resources
Digital Accessibility Open Office Hours
Digital Accessibility Open Office Hours are available for faculty and staff who need help ensuring that digital content is compliant, including documents, emails, course materials and more. No appointment needed.
In Person, 200 Stratton:
- 10:30 a.m. to noon, Thursday, March 19
- 10:30 a.m. to noon, Thursday, March 26
- 1:30-3 p.m., Wednesday, April 1
- 1:30-3 p.m., Wednesday, April 8
- 10:30 a.m. to noon, Thursday, April 16
- 1:30-3 p.m., Tuesday, April 21
- 10:30 a.m. to noon, Thursday, April 30
Online Open Office Hours, Zoom:
- 1-2:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 18
- 2-3:30 p.m., Monday, March 23
- 10:30 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, March 31
- 10:30 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, April 7
- 1:30-3 p.m., Tuesday, April 14
- 10:30 a.m. to noon, Thursday, April 23
- 1:30-3 p.m., Tuesday, April 28
Troy Vingom, Office of Information Technology
Ingeniux Accessibility Open Hours
The web accessibility compliance deadline is quickly approaching and we’re here to support you. If you have questions about making your web content more accessible, stop by during open hours for guidance, best practices and help with strategizing accessibility improvements to your site. This session is intended for anyone working in the Ingeniux content management system. Registration is appreciated but not required. You’re welcome to drop in between 9:30-11:30 a.m. Friday, March 20 and Friday, March 27, 200 Stratton.
Registration for Accessibility Open Hours
Kelly Smith, Marketing and Communication
Training Sessions: Run-Hide-Fight
Please join Public Safety and Police Services for an interactive Run-Hide-Fight training session. Our goal is to better prepare our campus community for active threats and to ensure we respond effectively during these events. Training for faculty and staff is available: 1-2 p.m. Monday, March 23, 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, 1-2 p.m. Monday, April 13. Training occurs in 183 MSU. Register online.
Public Safety and Police Services
Academics
Call to Faculty for PA Bankers Program
Faculty interested in teaching a one-hour summer session on soft skills, such as communication or leadership, for interns in the Pennsylvania banking system are invited to participate. Please email extendedlearning@kutztown.edu or call Extended Learning at 610-983-4478 by Monday, March 23, if you would like to be considered or need additional information.
KU Advance Office of Extended Learning
Kutztown University Vice Provost's Office
Upcoming Events
| Date | Time | Event |
| March 23-27 | -- | Neurodiversity Celebration Week |
| March 23-24 | 11 a.m. | Grad Fest 218 MSU |
| March 23 | 1 p.m. | Training: Run-Hide-Fight 183 MSU (RSVP) |
| March 23 | 1 p.m. | Dissertation: Kaitlyn Herling 245 Beekey |
| March 23 | 6 p.m. | R.A.D. Training 22A Old Main (RSVP) |
| March 23 | 7:30 p.m. | Music Mondays Schaeffer Auditorium |
| March 24 | 2 p.m. | Reception: Mary Bononno 250 MSU |
| March 24 | 6 p.m. | R.A.D. Training Georgian Room (RSVP) |
| March 24 | 6:30 p.m. | Percussion Ensemble Wells-Rapp Center |
| March 26 | 11 a.m. | Phenomenal Women's Awards 218 MSU |
| March 26 | 6 p.m. | R.A.D. Training Georgian Room (RSVP) |
| March 26 | 6:30 p.m. | Planet Nine: The Search Is On Planetarium |
| March 27 | 8:30 a.m. | Social Work Community Forum Schaeffer Auditorium |
| March 28 | 9 a.m. | Accepted Students Day O'Pake Fieldhouse |
| March 28-29 | 9 a.m. | Blast Trombone Choir 114 Schaeffer |
| March 28 | 11 a.m. | Easter on the Farm Heritage Center |
| March 30 | 11 a.m. | Dissertation Defense: Heather Stay 215 Beekey |
| March 31 | 7 p.m. | Ignite! 135 Rickenbach |
Athletics
| Date | Time | Event |
| March 20 | 1 p.m. | Baseball vs. Shippensburg (DH) North Campus Field (Watch | Stats) |
| March 20 | 2 p.m. | Softball vs. Mansfield (DH) North Campus Field (Watch | Stats) |
| March 21 | 1 p.m. | Women's Lacrosse vs. Millersville Keystone Field (Watch | Stats) |
Accommodations
Persons with a disability, and who require accommodation, should notify the Disability Services Office two weeks prior to the event at 610-683-4108 or email DSO@kutztown.edu, TDD number: 610-683-4499, in order to discuss accommodations. Every effort will be made to provide reasonable accommodations. Please note: Kutztown University does not provide wheelchairs or other mobility devices.
Non-Discrimination Statement
Kutztown University does not discriminate in employment or educational opportunities on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status. To discuss a complaint of discrimination, please contact the Office of Social Equity, Old Main A-Wing, Room 02, by phone at 610-683-4700 or by email at socialequity@kutztown.edu. Pursuant to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Kutztown University does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, including admissions and employment. Any inquiries regarding the application of Title IX at Kutztown University may be made to Bradley Davis, the university’s Title IX coordinator, located in Old Main A-Wing, Room 01, by phone at 610-683-4782 or by email at titleix@kutztown.edu. You may also contact the Office for Civil Rights located in the Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Bldg., 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-1100, by phone at 800-421-3481 (TDD: 800-877-8339), by fax at 202-453-6012, or by email at OCR@ed.gov.