Daily Brief
May 6, 2026
Teaching Through Heritage: Cultural Exchange in the Classroom
Faculty from the College of Visual and Performing Arts and the College of Education visited one another’s classes this semester to share how their lived experiences shape their teaching and curriculum. Dra. Sotomayor visited Dr. Min and Dr. Weiler’s class, and Dr. Min visited Dra. Sotomayor’s class, with both faculty members sharing aspects of their Latine and Korean heritage. Their visits highlighted how Culturally-Relevant and Sustaining Education (2022) offers a powerful framework for pedagogy and classroom practice.
Leslie C. Sotomayor II, Art Education
SBA Leadership Visits Kutztown SBDC
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) reinforced its commitment to strengthening the small business support network through a recent visit to the Kutztown Small Business Development Center (KUSBDC), where regional partners gathered for a roundtable focused on collaboration across Pennsylvania’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Paul Fitzpatrick, associate administrator for SBA's Office of Entrepreneurial Development, met with business support organizations and economic development leaders to discuss how coordinated services are helping small businesses start, grow and access resources throughout Berks County and the surrounding region. The discussion emphasized how collaboration among Pennsylvania small business support organizations, including SBDCs, lenders, chambers of commerce, state and federal partners, is improving access to capital, technical assistance and trusted guidance for entrepreneurs. By working together, these organizations are helping small businesses navigate resources more efficiently and build sustainable operations. This visit highlighted how the Kutztown SBDC and its partners are advancing a connected small-business ecosystem in Pennsylvania, where coordinated support, shared expertise and strong regional collaboration are driving economic growth, innovation and long-term success for small businesses. Participating partners and their representatives included: SeedCOPA, Marie Shires, Sherwood Robbins; Greater Reading Chamber Alliance, Arron Gantz; Penn State Berks LaunchBox, Erica Kunkle; Finanta, Deb Joyce; United States Department of Agriculture, David Foster; DCED Business One Stop Shop, Leora Appleby; Customers Bank, Dave Patti; ASSETS Women's Business Center, Lisa Weaver Gonzalez; Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce, Lori Brandt; Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers, Kara M. Riccioni, Sarah Mailloux, Brian Kelly; Kutztown University, Dr. Philip Cavalier; Kutztown University College of Business, Dr. Chali Nondo; Kutztown Small Business Development Center, Rachael Wolfe, Soufiyane Belyamani.
Kutztown University Small Business Development Center
Rachael Wolfe, Kutztown Small Business Development Center
Weather
Weather forecasts are provided by KU's Dr. Michael Davis and "Monsoon Mike" Regensburger
Announcements
Communication Studies Student Showcase
The Communication Studies Student Showcase is 5-6 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, 223 MSU. Support our graduating seniors as they present the projects they’ve worked hard on all semester in their capstone courses. This is a great opportunity to see the creativity, research and passion our students bring to their work. Enjoy food and refreshments while you explore a variety of engaging and thought-provoking presentations. All students, faculty and staff are welcome.
Communication Studies
Dissertation Defense for June Roger
Please join the College of Education 10 a.m. Thursday, May 7, 245 Beekey, for a public dissertation defense by June Rogers, "Cultivating Digital Belonging: A phenomenological study of Black male students' experience in a Title Three online student support hub." The dissertation chair is Dr. Amber Pabon and the committee members are Dr. Christopher Weiler and Dr. Tabetha Bernstein Danis.
Catherine McGeehan, College of Education, Ed.D. program
Tutor.com Available During Finals
Although peer tutoring is ending, students still have access to academic support through Tutor.com, a virtual tutoring platform available 24/7. Students can find instructions for using this service on the Tutoring Services website. For additional questions, please contact tutor@kutztown.edu.
Adam Troxel, Tutoring Services
Signage Sale
The KU Print Center is having a 10% off sale for signage orders throughout May and June for any orders of foamboards, yard signs, A-Frame inserts, posters, wall/window/floor/sidewalk decals, trade show displays, banners, etc. Please call, email or visit the Print Center for any details.
Patrick McCloskey, KU Print Center
Reminder: Fiscal Year 2026 Purchase Requisition Deadline
The deadline to submit purchase requisitions for goods and/or services that will be delivered on or before June 30 is Monday, May 18. These requisitions will utilize fiscal year 2026 budgets. Requisitions should be entered directly in SourcePoint and approved by the account manager by the close of business May 18 to meet the deadline. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Accounts Payable at apinvoice@kutztown.edu. Additional important fiscal year end 2026 due dates can be found by visiting the Business Office website.
Kelsey Arcelay, Business Office
KU Print Center Open House
The KU Print Center will be hosting an open house 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, June 1, through Thursday, June 4. Each day we will share updates on the shop and have some "How It's Made" demonstrations to showcase the new capabilities available on site. We hope to see you there.
Patrick McCloskey, KU Print Center
Upcoming Events
| Date | Time | Event |
| May 6 | -- | Blood Drive Student Recreation Center (Register) |
| May 6 | 5 p.m. | Communication Studies Showcase 223 MSU |
| May 6 | 7:30 p.m. | Jazz Ensemble II Schaeffer Auditorium |
| May 7 | 10 a.m. | Dissertation Defense: June Roger 245 Beekey |
| May 7 | 11 a.m. | VP for Enrollment Management, Candidate A 183 MSU |
| May 7 | 3 p.m. | Dissertation Defense: Jessica Baker Zoom |
| May 7 | 4 p.m. | University Senate 202 Academic Forum |
| May 7 | 7:30 p.m. | Jazz Ensemble I Schaeffer Auditorium |
| May 8 | 11 a.m. | VP for Enrollment Management, Candidate B Zoom |
| May 8 | 7:30 p.m. | Carmina Burana Schaeffer Auditorium |
| May 9 | Noon | Vocal Ensemble Wells-Rapp Center |
| May 10 | 4 p.m. | Senior Recital: Brandon Ramos Wells-Rapp Center |
| May 10 | 7 p.m. | Senior Recital: Billy Romero Wells-Rapp Center |
| May 11 | 1 p.m. | Dissertation Defense: Lou Blair 245 Beekey |
| May 11 | 7:30 p.m. | Senior Recital: Valentina Vega Bueno 163 Old Main |
| May 12 | 11 a.m. | VP for Enrollment Management, Candidate C 183 MSU |
| May 12 | 11 a.m. | German Horror Stories Showcase Georgian Room |
| May 12 | 5 p.m. | Thesis Presentation: Eve Collier 158 Old Main |
| May 13 | 11 a.m. | VP for Enrollment Management, Candidate D 183 MSU |
| May 13 | 7 p.m. | Senior Recital: Brianna Herrera Jimenez 163 Old Main |
| May 14 | 1 p.m. | Tutor.com Orientation Teams |
| May 14 | 4 p.m. | Senior Toast 250 MSU |
| May 15 | 5 p.m. | Graduate Commencement O'Pake Fieldhouse (Watch) |
| May 16 | 9 a.m. | Undergraduate Commencement: COE, CLAS O'Pake Fieldhouse (Watch) |
| May 16 | 2 p.m. | Undergraduate Commencement: COB, CVPA O'Pake Fieldhouse (Watch) |
Athletics
Henn Voted PSAC East Athlete of the Year, Lawes tabbed Coach of the Year, Three Others Named All-PSAC East
The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference's leader in hits, Emily Henn, brought home the 2026 PSAC East Athlete of the Year for the Kutztown University softball team, head coach Judy Lawes earned the Coach of the Year and Haley Gravish, Morgan Slomkowski and Alexa Stevens were voted to the All-PSAC East Second Team. Henn is the Golden Bears' first Athlete of the Year since Sara Keeny in 2019. Lawes garners her 10th Coach of the Year and first since 2022.
Kutztown Softball Players and Coach Earn Awards
Athletic Communications
| Date | Time | Event |
| May 6 | 3 p.m. | Softball at PSAC Championships Binghamton, N.Y. (Watch) |
| May 7 | TBD | Softball at PSAC Championships Binghamton, N.Y. (Watch) |
| May 7 | 1 p.m. | Women's Lacrosse vs. Wingate NCAA First Round Slippery Rock, Pa. |
| May 9 | 1 p.m. | Women's Lacrosse at Slippery Rock NCAA Second Round *if KU wins 5/7 Slippery Rock, Pa. |
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.