Daily Brief

New Cohort of Emerging Educators Participates in Teach Forward Convening

Thirteen Kutztown University students represented Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Special Education and Social Work Friday, March 20, joining peers from across PASSHE at West Chester University for "Teach Forward: Building Community, Wellness and Consciousness as Aspiring Educators." Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Educator Diversity Consortium in collaboration with East Stroudsburg, West Chester, Cheyney, Millersville and Kutztown University, the convening centered on cultural competence, trauma-informed praxis, inclusive access in the classroom and professional pathways. Kutztown students participated through Emerging Educators, a program founded and led by Dr. Amber Pabon, COE and FDI, that supports the recruitment, development and retention of historically underrepresented educators. As part of a cross-institutional planning effort, Pabon and Dr. Tracy Driehaus, COE, collaborated with faculty and administration to co-design, coordinate and facilitate the convening. The day featured an inspirational keynote, four breakout sessions facilitated by leading experts, an interactive gallery walk and a hip-hop performance - all focused on wellbeing, advocacy, professional identity, career pathways and wellness. Students described the experience as "thoughtful and refreshing," highlighting the value of connecting across institutions and engaging in meaningful dialogue about their development as future educators. They received an official Emerging Educators Digital Wellness Badge to document their participation within professional networks. Special thanks to our College of Education faculty who supported student participation, including Dr. Mark Wolfmeyer and Dr. Tabetha Bernstein-Danis. Pennsylvania Educators Diversity Consortium, the Teach Forward Convening, West Chester University’s Future Teachers United and Kutztown University’s Emerging Educators reflect a growing, cross-institutional commitment to developing a more diverse, culturally responsive and well-supported educator workforce across the commonwealth.

Frederick Douglass Institute

Amber Pabon, Frederick Douglass Institute

Advocacy and the Social Work Major

In a time when so many people are asking who will speak up, who will step in and who will help create change, social work offers an answer. Join the Department of Social Work 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, March 30, 250 MSU, for conversation, light snacks and refreshments. If you are already considering the major, looking for a career that lets you advocate for those in need while standing up for fairness and working alongside individuals, families and communities, social work may be the major for you.

Social Work

Christopher Harris, Social Work

Award Nominations due March 31

Please remember the award nominations listed below are due Tuesday, March 31. Nominations can be submitted using the appropriate form.
- Exceptional Service Award for Diversity Nomination Form (Faculty)
- Staff Exceptional Service Award Nomination Form
- Faculty Exceptional Service Award Nomination Form
- 2026 PASSHE Keeper of the Flame Award (Kutztown University)
- 2026 Martin Luther King, Jr. Service & Leadership Award (Staff/Administration)

Jerry Schearer, Chief Diversity Officer, Diversity and Inclusion

Miller-Keystone Blood Drive

Miller-Keystone Blood Center will be at the Student Recreation Center Wednesday, April 1. Register online to reserve your donation time slot and make a life-saving contribution. Every donation matters.

Community Outreach Center

New Spin Class

We have a new spin class 12:15-1 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, South Studio, Student Recreation Center. Our graduate assistant, Mikaela Scott, is the instructor. Reserve your bike by preregistering for the class.

Tracy Turner, Recreational Services

Survey on EV Charging Interest and Demand

Faculty and staff are invited to participate in a survey conducted by one of KU's students. The “Kutztown University EV Charging Interest and Demand Survey" is available until Friday, April 3.

Survey

University Relations

President's Open Hour

Faculty, staff and students are invited to stop by and talk with President Cavalier during his open hour 3:30 p.m. Monday, April 6, MSU Fireside Lounge. President Cavalier welcomes your thoughts, concerns and suggestions regarding KU.

Office of the President

Gary Burton and Escape Ten Duo

Join us for a truly unique evening of percussion history 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 7 at the Wells-Rapp Center for Mallet Percussion Research. At 5 p.m. we welcome Gary Burton, seven-time Grammy Award winner, to present his historical lecture on the history of the jazz vibraphone. Then at 6:30 p.m. we welcome the Escape Ten Duo, Annie Stevens and Andrea Venet, to perform several of their commissioned contemporary percussion compositions. Tickets for Gary Butron and Escape Ten Duo.

Wells-Rapp Center for Mallet Percussion Research

Andrew Veit, Music

Elder Care Workshop for Caregivers of the Elderly

The Commission for the Status of Women is hosting Robert Kreitz, estate planning, estate administration and elder law attorney, and Melissa Oley, Protective Services Supervisor from Berks Area Agency on Aging, 11-11:50 a.m. Thursday, April 16, 203 Academic Forum or via Zoom. The workshop is open to all students, faculty and staff. Please RSVP by 4 p.m. Friday, April 10, to pytleski@kutztown.edu. If you are on campus and would like a box lunch, please include your lunch choice in your RSVP from the following options: bavarian ham and swiss on ciabatta, chicken caesar wrap, or grilled vegetable wrap with spicy hummus.

Commission on the Status of Women and Gender Issues

Patricia D. Pytleski, Commission for the Status of Women

End of Carry-Over Leave Period

Reminder that the leave carry-over period ends after Friday, April 17. Any unused personal or excess annual leave carried over from the 2025 leave year must be used by April 17. Personal carry-over leave not used by April 17 will expire. Excess annual time not used by April 17 will be converted to sick leave, up to the maximum allowed by the respective bargaining agreement. Please submit all requests for carry-over leave through ESS as soon as possible. Supervisors are asked to act on all leave requests through April 17 as soon as possible.

Jennifer Weidman, Human Resources

New Student Orientation - Save the Dates

We are excited to share the Summer 2026 New Student Orientation dates.
- Freshmen Orientation: July 8-11, July 22-25 and August 18
- Transfer Orientation: May 28, June 18, July 1, July 21 and August 19
We are ready to build off our 2025 orientation changes and look forward to collaborating with our campus partners to make 2026 even more successful.

Orientation

Brett Santos, New Student Orientation

Veteran and Military-Connected Faculty and Staff Resource Group Invitation

Military and Veteran Services (M&VS) is developing a resource group for veteran and military-connected faculty and staff. This group will meet periodically and explore ways to support one another and our military-connected students. The group can also advise and support M&VS student programming and initiatives. All military-connected faculty and staff, including dependents and spouses of veterans, are encouraged to participate in whatever capacity they can. To stay informed of upcoming meetings, events and other announcements, please submit this form.

Nick Snyder, Military and Veteran Services

Midterm Progress Survey Available

The Spring 2026 Midterm Progress Survey will be available for faculty in Starfish through Thursday, April 2. This is a great opportunity to support and motivate students. Faculty are encouraged to use the survey to send kudos to acknowledge strong performance, reinforce positive habits and encourage students to finish the semester strong. The survey also allows faculty to raise flags of concern for students who may be in danger of failing, who might benefit from withdrawing or who are facing specific academic challenges. Each kudos and flag message includes the option to add additional content, with two templates fully open to personal messages. All message templates can be viewed in Starfish D2L. If you have any questions, please email starfish@kutztown.edu, call 610-683-4106 or join a Starfish Express Workshop.

Nancy Brynildsen, Center for Student Success and Academic Excellence

Call for Nominations: 2026 John P. Schellenberg Award

The purpose of this award was established by John P. Schellenberg, professor emeritus of physical sciences, faculty, alumni and friends to recognize an early career faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding work within the mission of the Center for Engaged Learning. To be eligible for the award, an individual must have been on the faculty full-time at least three, but not more than seven years. The recipient will be chosen based on the following three areas:
1. Pedagogy and Curriculum Innovation
2. Learning Technology Innovation
3. Assessment and/or Research on Learning
The recipient will be awarded $1,250 and an engraved plaque. Please submit a nomination letter and curriculum vitae to Douglas Scott at dscott@kutztown.edu by 4:30 p.m. Monday, April 6. Nominated candidates must also submit their own letter, maximum of two pages, that clearly outlines their qualifications across all three categories mentioned above. This letter should likewise be sent to Scott. Please visit the Schellenberg Award page for more information.

Center for Engaged Learning