Daily Brief

PASSHE Universities Increase Enrollment, Set Retention Record, See Surge in Community College Transfers

Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) continues to build momentum, with Fall 2025 enrollment climbing to 83,000 students, a 0.6% increase across its 10 universities — the first systemwide increase in more than a decade. Student retention reached its highest point on record, proving the commonwealth's increased investments in PASSHE to expand student supports are delivering strong results. Students transferring from a Pennsylvania community college increased by 14.3%, underscoring the value and accessibility of a PASSHE university degree. PASSHE universities enroll more Pennsylvania residents than any other four-year university in the commonwealth. With 89% of students from Pennsylvania, the system plays a vital role in educating the workforce and strengthening local communities across Pennsylvania.

PASSHE Universities Increase Enrollment, Set Retention Record

University Relations

On-Campus Internship and Job Fair

Please remind your students that the KU Internship and Job Fair is noon to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, 218 MSU. With more than 80 employers attending, this is a great chance for students to make connections and explore opportunities for internships and full-time jobs. Students should plan to dress professionally and bring copies of their résumé. They can check Handshake to see the full list of employers and the Career Closet is available by appointment if they need help with professional attire. To make the day even better, free professional headshots will be offered at the fair. If you have any questions, feel free to call the Career Development Center at 610-683-4067.

Chad Ganley, Career Development Center

Middle States Self-Study Exit Report

Please join us 11 a.m. today, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 183 MSU, for the Middle States Evaluation Team's Exit Report meeting. The evaluators will give an oral presentation of their Exit Report before departing campus. Per Middle States guidelines, the team will not answer questions at this meeting.

Middle States 2025 Self-Study Overview

Middle States Steering Committee

Sofrito Cooking Demonstration

Join Multicultural Center Director Melinda Quinones-Arias and Aramark Chef Alvin in a cooking demonstration of sofrito, an important base in Puerto Rican cooking, noon Wednesday, Oct. 8, 223 MSU. Students, faculty and staff are welcome. Free samples of sofrito while supplies last. Join us in this celebration of Latinx culture during Hispanic Heritage Month.

Angelica Mishra, Multicultural center

Visiting Artist Kensuke Yamada

Kensuke Yamada was born in Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan, and is currently an assistant professor of ceramics at Chico State University. He incorporates his empathic perception of the nonverbal meanings of body language, gestures and facial expressions into artworks that capture universal human experiences. His figurative sculptures contain layered narratives that evoke "the beauty, the subtleties, the sadness and the humor of our everyday life." He will present an artist lecture at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, 108 Sharadin Arts Building. He will also be conducting studio demonstrations noon to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8; noon to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9; and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9. All events are free and open to the public.

gwendolyn yoppolo, Clay Club and the Department of Art and Design

Karla Oviedo Senior Voice Recital

Senior vocal performance major Karla Marie Oviedo will be performing a wide variety of musical theatre and popular songs in English, Spanish and Italian for her Senior Recital, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, Georgian Room. The performance is free and open to the public.

Dr. Henry A. Alviani, Music

Faculty and Staff Halloween Door Decorating Contest

Get ready to bring some festive fright, or just good fun, to our halls. We are excited to officially announce a Faculty and Staff Halloween Door Decorating Contest. It's time to transform your office or department door into a festive masterpiece. Whether you go for a classic haunted house, a friendly fall theme or something completely unique, this is a great way to have some fun and bring the spirit of Halloween to our halls. To register, email stratton@kutztown.edu with the name of the office, the building and room number as well as the name of the point of contact by Monday, Oct. 13. Send a picture of your decorated door to stratton@kutztown.edu by Monday, Oct. 20. All decorated doors must be completed by Monday, Oct. 20, and be ready for judging the week of Oct. 20. Rules and specific entry guidelines apply. Please review before you start decorating. We can't wait to see your amazing creations. Let the friendly competition begin. Happy decorating!

Desiree Reasoner, Interim Vice President of Student Affairs

Student Animation Screening

Professors Liz Van Verth and Jacob Rivkin invite you to a screening of student animations from universities across the country 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, 120 Sharidan Art Building. This showcase of student animations is put together by The Collective of Animation Scholars and Practitioners (CASP) and features work from UNC Greensboro, Auburn, Ball State, Texas A&M, North Carolina Central University, Virginia Tech, Kutztown University, University of South Carolina Beaufort and NC State. This screening of student films highlights a range of animation techniques and runs for 1 hour 30 minutes. Come take a break and see some amazing animated work.

Liz Van Verth, Art and Design

Social Equity Policies Training

This fall, the Office of Equity and Compliance will offer six Social Equity Policies training sessions pursuant to the university's Anti-Harassment, Anti-Discrimination, Sexual Misconduct and Amorous Relationships Policies. Sessions are 9 a.m., via Zoom, Thursday, Oct. 16, Wednesday, Oct. 29, Friday, Nov. 7 and Tuesday, Nov. 18. Register online. Reminder: all faculty and staff must take the Social Equity Policies training on a yearly basis. If you cannot recall when you last completed the training, please contact the Office of Social Equity and we will be glad to check our records. If you would like to schedule an in-person training for your department, please send a request by email to socialequity@kutztown.edu or contact the Office of Social Equity at extension 3-4700. Please obtain approval from your supervisor if necessary.

Register for Social Equity Policies Training

Office of Equity and Compliance

Global Connections Hour

Join the International Initiatives Committee for a Global Connections Hour 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, 250 MSU. This social hour is a welcoming space for international faculty, students and friends of the global campus community to come together, enjoy light refreshments and connect across cultures. This casual gathering provides an opportunity to share stories, traditions and experiences while meeting new people in a relaxed setting. Whether you are new to campus or a longtime member of our community, Global Connections Hour is a chance to celebrate diversity, build friendships and learn from one another.

Christina Kinney, International Initiatives Committee

Psychology Career Conference

The Department of Psychology will host its annual Psychology Career Conference 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, 218 and 223 MSU.

Kara Barrell, Psychology

Temporary Faculty Committee Office Hours

The Temporary Faculty Committee will hold a series of open office hours throughout the semester. These are for temporary faculty to consult with union representatives about any issue they might need help navigating. Please feel free to stop by if you need to talk.
- Mike Covello: 2-3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, Zoom.
- Dr. Amy Lynch-Biniek: noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, Zoom.
- Mike Covello: 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, Zoom, or in person at 7G Sharadin if scheduled in advance.
- Dr. Kathleen Stanfa: 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, Zoom.
- Mike Covello: 2-3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, Zoom, or in person at 7G Sharadin if scheduled in advance.
Please reach out to us with any questions at covello@kutztown.edu; stanfa@kutztown.edu; lynchbin@kutztown.edu.

Michael Covello, Art and Design

New CEL Journal Post

Looking for a campus read that sparks ideas across classrooms, advising and student life? In our latest CEL journal post, Erin Kraal continues her Summer Reading series with "Relationship-Rich Education" by Peter Felten and Leo Lambert, a book based on thousands of interviews that highlights how meaningful connections drive student success.

CEL Summer Reading Series

Center for Engaged Learning

Gonzalez, Adolf sweep PSAC Athlete of the Week honors for No. 2 Field Hockey

Senior forward Erin Gonzalez and freshman goalie Tess Adolf both led their respective areas of the field to two nationally ranked victories last week for the KU field hockey team and have been recognized as this week's Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference's Athletes of the Week. Gonzalez is the offensive vote and Adolf is the defensive selection.

Gonzalez, Adolf Named PSAC Athletes of the Week

Sports Information