Kate Peffley Named KU Employee of the Month for April 2026

KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Congratulations to Kate Peffley, assistant registrar – transfer records coordinator, Registrar's Office, on being named Kutztown University Employee of the Month for April 2026.

Peffley's nomination came from several individuals, which can be read below.

Amber Leidy, Disability Services
"I would like to nominate Kate Peffley as Employee of the Month for her dedication, compassion and going above and beyond the boundaries of her role to support our students. Kate is widely recognized in the Registrar’s Office and is knowledgeable in her own role, but also in every aspect of the Registrar’s Office and beyond. She has been a vital resource and is one of my “go to people” when there is a concern for either the Registrar’s Office or to find out if there is another resource that might be more helpful. She is not only reliable but always follows through and works quickly to resolve any issues or concerns that may involve her work. Even if she is busy, she is always willing to take time out of her schedule to assist a student or help solve problems with a complex concern involving a student. Not only is she professional, kind and compassionate when working with our students, but she also knows how to meet the students where they are at. She can easily level with them, help them understand any concern or next steps, and always provides excellent follow-up, whether it is an email recapping the important information that was discussed or ensuring that the student understands the full aspect of their situation.

It is because of staff like Kate Peffley, that help KU to keep running effectively and efficiently and ensure that our students have a positive experience at KU. Kate is not one to ever say “no,” rather if she is unsure, she will investigate, help pose a solution, and connect the individual with resources that will better assist them. Kate not only positively impacts the students she interacts with, but she also creates a supportive, positive, and welcoming work environment. She is a team player, always knows how to make others laugh, and is always willing to help other offices, staff or faculty with any questions or concerns they have. Kate is an inspiration and has made KU a more positive, welcoming, and inclusive place to be!"

Justin Trice, Disability Services
"Kate is always ready and willing to help the DSO staff whenever we need help understanding a registrar policy, timeline, transfer credit situation or useful Banner codes. Her responsiveness, can-do attitude and a good sense of humor is just icing on the cake. Recently, she has gone the extra mile and become the champion for accessibility in her department. To do so, she has had to find the time in her busy day to learn how to begin remediating the many registrar forms available online. Kate's concern about access and opportunities for Kutztown students, as well as a commitment to making sure they feel included and seen at every step in the Kutztown journey, is demonstrated by the ways she has chosen to develop herself and the thoughtful approach she brings to any issue that comes her way. KU is lucky to have her!"

Megan Rutter, Disability Services
"Universities like KU have a lot of staff that work behind the scenes, keeping up the day-to-day operations in ways that go unseen by the larger university population. For KU in particular, Kate Peffley does this thankless job in the Registrar's Office, supporting the daily operation of this university in ways that most people would never understand. In short, there would be no Registrar's Office without Kate Peffley -- and there would be no KU without the Registrar's Office.

Always ready to lend a helping hand, to get involved in student support outside of the office, to answer a phone call and dig into the meat of a problem to find a solution, Kate deserves to be KU's Employee of the Month. From double-checking pre-requisites to pulling transcript reports to answering questions about transfer credit equivalencies, Kate is fully and wholly immersed in the back end of student registration in ways that many of us take for granted and has been dedicated to ensuring that students get the help and support they need, even if what they are looking for falls outside of her job description. She is not afraid to reach out, show up, and follow up with other university faculty and staff to help students get the help that they need to be able to continue to be KU students, aiding not only in retention, but in ensuring that students feel heard and like they truly belong to the KU community.

Through volunteering with the PROFS program, training on digital accessibility, supporting our active-duty service members, veterans and veteran-dependent students, the work that Kate does on a daily basis goes far beyond just the work that she does for the Registrar's Office. Her pride for KU runs deep, as both an alum and a current graduate student.

I cannot think of another staff member who deserves to be KU's Employee of the Month more than Kate Peffley does. The amount of time and energy that she has dedicated the keeping this place running should not go unseen."

Jill McClincey, Disability Services
"Kate has many years of dedicated service in the Registrar’s Office, going all the way back to her student worker days. She volunteers as a PROFS mentor, has been a sorority advisor and has served on many search committees during her time at KU. She knows this university inside and out. She works to develop and maintain connections across campus that give her a great network as she assists students.

Her interactions with students are kind, clear and helpful, and she will track an issue down to the very end. Students are glad to interact with her and know that they will be directed to the correct people or that she will resolve their issue herself. She works tirelessly, is pulled in many directions to serve the students, fix problems and support the Registrar’s Office. Even on days when her workload was also overwhelming, when she would see me struggling, she never hesitated to jump in and help me catch up. Her care and commitment to her work and the students is seen on a daily basis, and she would be so deserving of this award, recognizing what an important part of KU she is!" 

Nominations are collected from students, faculty and staff, and the Employee of the Month is selected by the Human Resources Advisory Council. A winner will be selected each month, and out of the 12 monthly winners one will be selected as Employee of the Year. The Employee of the Month will receive a plaque, reserved parking and a monetary gift.

For more information on the award or to nominate someone, please visit the KU human resources website.