Daily Brief

Made in the PSAC list honors three from Kutztown University

Kutztown University had three former student-athletes named to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference's "Made in the PSAC" list as part of the league's 75th anniversary season in 2025-26. "Made in the PSAC" honorees are former student-athletes from PSAC institutions that have gone on to influential careers after graduation, inside or outside of sport. The list is comprised of 75 individuals and is part of the conference's ongoing 75th anniversary celebration, in which it will recognize 300 of its most prominent contributors throughout the month of September and the fall of 2025. Representing KU on the "Made in the PSAC" list are Dave Borden (football, 1999-2003), Liz DiLullo Brown (field hockey, 1993-97) and John Gabriel (men's basketball, 1976-78). Additionally, Kutztown's current head softball coach Judy Lawes was named to the list by her alma mater, Shippensburg.

Made in the PSAC

Sports Information

Golden Bear Football Featured on ESPN SportsCenter Top 10

Check out KU football on ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 Friday, Sept. 5, featuring a touchdown catch in a Golden Bear victory over Assumption.

KU Golden Bears Instagram

Sports Information

Women's Center Keynote Speaker: Tish Norman

The Women's Center is thrilled to announce "I Don't Need to Fit In, I Belong Here: Real Inclusion, Like FRFR" with keynote speaker Tish Norman, 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10, 135 Rickenbach Auditorium. This keynote challenges traditional notions of "fitting in" and emphasizes taking personal responsibility for creating environments where everyone truly feels they belong. Or should we? Led by a certified DEI master trainer, participants will explore various dimensions of identity, bias, stereotypes, acceptance and prejudice by examining practical strategies for fostering inclusive and welcoming spaces. Norman is the founder of Transforming Leaders Now, Inc., a consultancy specializing in diversity, equity and inclusion. She is a recipient of the Daniel Bentley Communicator Award, the Ross Szabo Speaker Award and has presented more than 1,000 talks, including presenting her research at the Dr. Joseph H. McMillan National Conference on The Black Family in America and the National Council for Black Studies. Norman is also an adjunct professor of African American History at Kentucky State University.

Women's Center Instagram

Diane Biehl, Women's Center/It's On Us

Rohrbach Library Open House

Join us for Rohrbach Library's annual Open House, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16. This event is a fantastic opportunity for new students to explore the library's services and resources. The open house includes a scavenger hunt that will lead students through the building and our website to answer specific questions. Participants who complete the hunt will have a chance to win prizes. For more information, please contact Sylvia Pham at spham@kutztown.edu.

Rohrbach Library's Open House

Sylvia Pham, Rohrbach Library

Neurodiversity Reading Group for Fall 2025

As part of Kutztown University's Title III Grant, we are once again organizing a discussion group around issues of inclusion. This academic year we will read "The Canary Code: A Guide to Neurodiversity, Dignity, and Intersectional Belonging at Work" by Ludmila N. Praslova, Ph.D. Meetings will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30; Thursday, Oct. 30; and Tuesday, Dec. 9. If you are interested in taking part in the discussion, please contact Karen Rauch, rauch@kutztown.edu, by Wednesday, Sept. 10. A copy of the book will be provided to each participant.

Karen Rauch, Office of the Provost

Kutztown University Launches New International Strategic Plan

The Office of International Education and Global Engagement is pleased to announce the launch of Kutztown University's new International Strategic Plan, a comprehensive roadmap designed to expand global engagement and create meaningful opportunities for our students, faculty and the wider campus community. The plan is built around four key functional areas: comprehensive internationalization; international enrollment management; international student and scholar services; and study abroad. Together, these pillars will guide our efforts to strengthen international partnerships, enrich the student experience and advance the university's commitment to preparing graduates for success in an interconnected world. Over the coming year, the office looks forward to sharing these initiatives with the campus community by providing briefings during academic department meetings and other campus forums. These conversations will serve as an opportunity to highlight new initiatives, foster collaboration and invite faculty and staff to play an active role in bringing the goals of the International Strategic Plan to life.

International Strategic Plan

Christina Kinney, International Education and Global Engagement

Vector Solutions Trainings Email

Many faculty and professional staff recently received an email to complete an online training from the Dean of Students email account. The subject line included, "Vector LMS, Higher Education Student Edition Online Training." This is real and not spam or phishing. Those who received it are likely listed as an advisor to a student group or someone whose professional responsibilities would necessitate this training. The training complies with a national mandate that universities offer this educational training to both students and employees. While this tool complies with the mandate, the tool is designed for students to complete and at times does not offer an answer option for non-students. When this happens, please choose "Prefer Not to Answer" or the option most appropriate. You will not impact any collected data by answering any questions. Additional questions can be directed to deanofstudents@kutztown.edu.

Dean of Students Office

Starfish Express Workshops

Join us for a Starfish Express Workshop to learn how to navigate Starfish features, set up your profile, manage consultation hours, raise flags and referrals and more. Zoom link to join. Workshops are offered 3-3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16; and 11-11:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 18. Please contact starfish@kutztown.edu or 610-683-4106 if you are unable to attend a scheduled session.

Nancy Brynildsen, Student Success and Academic Excellence

Fall 2025 Attendance Verification

Attendance Verification, required federally for awarding financial aid Policy ACA-090, is available until 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10. Faculty should indicate whether students have attended or never attended by utilizing one of two flags. Please be sure to verify attendance status for every student. Students who have just added a course, but a meeting has not yet occurred since that change, should be marked as attending. For additional assistance, please visit Starfish in D2L, email starfish@kutztown.edu, call 610-683-4106 or attend a Starfish Express Workshop. Workshops will be held in September, 3-3:30 p.m. Tuesdays, and 11-11:30 a.m. Thursdays, via Zoom.

Nancy Brynildsen, Student Success and Academic Excellence

Women Faculty Luncheon

APSCUF Social Justice Committee, in collaboration with the Office of the Provost, are hosting a Luncheon for Women Faculty 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, Sept. 11, 250 McFarland Student Union. As we embark on a new academic year, please join us as we enjoy a meal, fellowship, connect and build networks of support across disciplines and departments.

Marlene Nanouh Fares, APSCUF Social Justice Committee

University Curriculum Committee

The next University Curriculum Committee (UCC) meeting will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 25. The proposal deadline is noon Thursday, Sept. 11. Please submit proposals to the UCC SharePoint site. Contact Brian Meares at meares@kutztown.edu with any questions.

Brian Meares, University Curriculum Committee

McDonald picks up PSAC Athlete of the Week after Stellar Opening Weekend

Kutztown University women's soccer forward Caroline McDonald was named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference East Division Athlete of the Week Monday, Sept. 8, following a strong set of games to open the 2025 season. The Exton, Pa., native kicked off the season with a bang, notching a hat trick in the 4-1 victory over non-conference foe Concord. McDonald managed four shots on goal and six total shots in 66 minutes of action for KU. The senior forward started the 5-0 win at Mansfield, facilitating the Golden Bears' explosive offense in 35 minutes of action to open conference play.

McDonald Named PSAC Athlete of the Week

Sports Information

Stewart secures PSAC East Offensive Athlete of the Week Award

Following a commanding 51-14 victory for the Kutztown University football team over Assumption in the 2025 season opener, redshirt junior running back Jaedyn Stewart was recognized by the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) as its Eastern Division Offensive Athlete of the Week Monday, Sept. 8. Stewart ran for a career-high 150 yards and a pair of touchdowns while adding 47 yards receiving in the victory over the Greyhounds last Thursday night, Sept. 4.

Stewart Secures PSAC East Offensive Athlete of the Week

Sports Information