Volume 39, Issue 2 An e-newsletter published by the Pennsylvania College Personnel Association

February 2015

Top Photo: Keynote Speaker Courtney O’Connell. Bottom: PCPA President Morgan Rizzardi, President-

Elect David Greene, Conference Chair Amanda Ries, & Keynote Speaker Dr. Joe Bertolino

The 2015 conference was highlighted this year by keynote presentations by Ms. Courtney O’Connell and Dr. Joe Bertolino. Both guests brought a sense of energy and inspiration to the crowd of Pennsylvania higher education pro-fessionals.

The conference featured plenty of quality workshops; a service project; lots of networking; and the awarding of PCPA’s annual awards

Dr. Kelley Kenney, Amanda Ries, Alli-son Shumar, and Alyssa Caffarelli were recognized as PCPA’s annual award-winners at the conference.

• Dr. Kelley Kenney was honored with the Ron Lunardini Mentoring Award. Dr. Kenney is PCPA’s faculty liaison.

According to one of Dr. Kenney’s nom-inees, “While she has only been in this role for a brief time, I have witnessed Kelley, almost single-handedly, pro-vide a greater depth of involvement for our graduate students. She is ob-viously well-respected within the field as well as by her students, and a num-ber of her students are currently in-volved in the leadership of PCPA. Her years of experience within the field are a tremendous resource to the or-ganization, and she is a wonderful model for her students to emulate. She is truly deserving of this recogni-tion.”

Another nominee – one of her stu-dents – said, “Dr. Kelley Kenney is a person that anyone would want in their corner. If you need the support and encouragement that only a moth-er can provide she is the one who can provide it. If you need the advice and guidance of a veteran professional she can and will provide it.”

• Amanda Ries was recognized with the Joseph Merkle Outstanding Con-tribution to PCPA Award. Ries has served PCPA in numerous capacities in recent years, including conference chair in 2014.

Amanda is one of the most deserv-ing individuals in PCPA to be hon-ored with this award. Starting on the Execu-tive Board as the Member at Large for

Award. She is in the Class of 2015 co-hort at IUP.

Her nominee stated, “For FY14, the Annual Giving program had one of its highest fund raising results to date. Beyond the myriad of our Annual Giv-ing fund raising statistics I could share with you, I believe some of Alyssa’s most significant development work is found in her leadership of the Student Philanthropy Council (SPC). With Alys-sa’s leadership, the Student Philan-thropy initiative has expanded from a series of appeals targeted to graduat-ing seniors to a more comprehensive program involving the university’s entire undergraduate student body through service, volunteerism, and philanthropy. Equally important, Alys-sa has better positioned the Student Philanthropy initiatives to be peer-driven by SPC student members.”

4-year private colleges in the western side of the state, she organized a suc-cessful networking event drawing in both current and new members. Upon a board vacancy, she quickly stepped up to the challenge of President of the state division and helped see the as-sociation through navigating the wa-ters of dual membership with ACPA and re-writing our current by-laws to reflect the change.”

• Allison Shumar – a former PCPA board member – was recognized with the Outstanding New Professional Award.

Her nominee wrote, “Allison has been a phenomenal asset to PCPA since she started on the board as a Graduate Student Liaison. She transitioned to Membership Chair when she started her position at IUP. As membership chair, Ali was instrumental in imple-menting the dual membership chang-es to our bylaws and in our member-ship database. She also played an im-portant role organizing registration for the 2013 Annual Conference. On top of being an outstanding asset to PCPA, she also excelled in her role as Assis-tant Director of Student Life at IUP. She coordinated and organized the implementation of Collegiate Link for student organizations to communicate with current and prospective mem-bers and worked to create non-alcoholic programming to be offered during Homecomng and IUPattys Day (among countless other responsibili-ties).”

• Alyssa Caffarelli was honored with the Outstanding Graduate Student

A Look Back – PCPA Conference Notes

PCPA’s 2014 Award Winners: From left to right, Dr. Kelley Kenney, Amanda Ries, Allison Shumar,

and Alyssa Caffarelli

Save the Date:

Gettysburg 2015

Your conference co-chairs David Greene and Brian Root are working out the details of a Gettysburg 2015 conference the weekend of October 23-25, 2015.

Be sure to mark your calendars to join us for our annual conference.

If you are interested in being on the conference planning committee, con-tact Brian at bkr5@pitt.edu. We are searching committee members to assist with the following:

Facilities/Technology; Registration; Donations & Vendors; Entertainment; Breakout & Educational Workshops; Mentor/Mentee Program; Grad Stu-dent Case Study Competition.

Brian Root David Greene

Contributed by Jenna Konyak, PCPA Membership Chair

PCPA Conference keynote speaker Joe Bertolino, Ed. D., visited PCPA in October to

offer some insightful words. Currently the President of Lyndon State College in Ver-

mont, he still prides himself on his roots in Pennsylvania and with PCPA.

Dr. Bertolino’s journey in student affairs started in the Pennsylvania state higher

education system. During his time as a leading student affairs professional, he grew

to love and appreciate how his students shaped his career. He says he is an advo-

cate for student affairs professionals being presidents of higher education institu-

tions.

Where does Dr. Bertolino being an innovator come into play? In his approach to

advocating for student affairs professionals to reach for their dreams. Throughout

his career, Dr. Bertolino never thought that being a university president was an op-

tion. For one, he was a student affairs professional, which is not the typical career

path for a university president. In addition, he is also openly gay. The combination of

these two things led him to believe that being a chief student affairs professional

was his calling in life.

This all changed when a mentor suggested he apply to be a Fellow with the Ameri-

can Council on Education. Throughout that process, he followed the daily footsteps

of various university presidents and learned that it was something he desired to be.

He recalled a meeting he had with his guide that concluded with him realizing that

he was using his personal traits as a scapegoat for failure rather than a push to

change the lives of students. After this meeting, he knew that he needed to be a

president, and that his student affairs background was going to be his ladder for

change.

Today, Dr. Bertolino knows that a large part of his days are spent meeting with di-

rectors of Lyndon State College and answering questions from the Board of Trus-

tees. However, he still makes a point to have personal interactions with students

each and every day. These interactions keep him grounded and remind him of his

roots in student affairs.

He concluded his speech by recognizing that each of us has our own niche and our

own desires. Pursuing those dreams is one way in which we can be innovative in the

world of higher education.

Bertolino returns to his roots to

discuss student affairs journey

Check out photos

from the 2014

Conference.

PCPA officially

becomes internal

chapter of ACPA The PCPA Executive Board recently made a unanimous decision to pursue what ACPA refers to as “internal status” as a state association.

The board was presented with the deci-sion to become an internal or external chapter beneath ACPA as a parent or-ganiztion. A third option was to be an association independent of ACPA.

Becoming an organization independent of ACPA would have taken away the association’s ability to use ACPA’s name and, as the board discussed, may have had other unexpected ramifications. Our neighboring association to the north in New York State is one example of a state who decided to disaffiliate with ACPA (see more).

The executive board discussed the issue at length, but ultimately decided to join the many other state associations who have moved to internal status. This move allows PCPA to continue to utilize the ACPA name and experience the shift. ACPA had asked all state associa-tions to make a decision by December 31, 2014.

One of the major issues that may po-tentially impact PCPA membership is the fact that now all official members of PCPA must be also be ACPA members. ACPA membership comes at a cost of $93 to $149 per year, depending on his/her institution’s status with ACPA. Graduate student membership in ACPA can be done at a discounted rate of $53-$69.

Because of this change, the PCPA board moved to eliminate its state association membership fee to remove any poten-tial monetary barriers for professionals who wish to join PCPA. This also means a loss of revenue for PCPA.

According to ACPA’s website, there are currently 17 state chapters, including Pennsylvania. New York State is no longer listed on ACPA’s website since it moved to disaffiliate with ACPA.

FOR MORE INFO: Click here.

Representing PCPA in Tampa

ACPA15 has come and gone, and PCPA is proud to have had a number of rep-

resentatives at the annual conference in Tampa, including executive board

members, Morgan Rizzardi, David Greene, and Dr. Matthew Shupp.

ACPA president Gavin Henning has shared a few updates via the ACPA website

since the conference. His post-conference note – “We Must Do Better” – is a

reflection on the difficulties surrounding the conference. It is even more so a

reflection on some of the difficult conversations about equity and inclusion

that were happening at the conference

FOR MORE INFO: http://www.myacpa.org/

PCPA President Morgan Rizzardi and President-Elect David Greene pose for a photo at the recent ACPA Conference in Tampa, Fla.

PCPA Past President, Dr. Amber Rac-chini, recently posted a call for execu-tive board nominations. The deadline to nominate was March 30, and elec-tions are set to take place soon. All elected officers will begin their terms on May 1, 2015.

The following positions will be elected this month:

President Elect: This person will serve as President Elect in 2015-2016, Presi-dent in 2016-2017, and Past President in 2017-2018. As President, this per-son will preside over all meetings of the organization, provide leadership in association activities, and be the communications liaison to ACPA.

David Greene is the current President-Elect.

Recorder: This person keeps all rec-ords of the Association, keeps and

PCPA Elections Coming Soon Four Year Private Member-at-Large East: This person will serve a two year term, representing the needs and interest of the four year private insti-tution student affairs professionals from the Eastern section of the Com-monwealth.

Craig Dillaman is the current Four Year Private MAL.

Two Year College Member-at-Large West: This person will serve a two year term, representing the needs and interests of two year college student affairs professionals in the Western section of the Commonwealth.

Anna Elias is the current Two Year College MAL.

PCPA members should keep an eye out for an elections ballot, which will hit your email inbox soon.

distributes minutes of all business meetings of the Association, and is responsible for annually updating the Associations policies & procedures.

Dr. Charmaine Strong is the current Recorder.

Communication Commission Chair: This person will oversee and recom-mend appropriate action affecting overall policy of Association publica-tions, including but not limited to the newsletter, journal and social media.

Brian Root is the current Communica-tion Commission Chair.

Four Year Public Member-at-Large West: This person will serve a two year term, representing the needs and interest of the four year public institu-tion student affairs professionals from the Western section of the Common-wealth.

Are you an ACPA member who

would like to join PCPA for FREE?

Log on to the ACPA website and request your FREE

annual PCPA membership application/renewal. If you

are NOT a current member of ACPA: you can join us-

ing the previous link.

Although non-members are able to participate in

PCPA-sponsored events, they will do so at different

rates and will not be included in official correspond-

ence of the organization nor have access to ACPA

membership discounts and services.

Save the Date

March 6-9, 2016

Conference Website

•True Colors of Leadership: Positively Impacting the Queer Community. Register for this April 10th conference that focuses on leadership within the LGBTQIA community and allies.

Contact PCPA member and confer-ence co-coordinator Tedd Cogar for more details. The conference will be held on the campus of Indiana Univer-sity of Pennsylvania.

•The National Association for Multi-cultural Education (PA-NAME)’s 17

th

annual conference is April 10-11th

at Keystone College in La Plume, PA.

The conference theme is “Inclusive Multicultural Education: Uniting for Political, Economic and Educational Empowerment”. More details are available online.

•The 2015 Transfer Admissions & Advising Committee (TAAC) Annual Transfer Conference is Thursday, May 14, 2015, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Rosemont, PA.

The TAAC Transfer Conference gathers interested student-centered individu-als and organizations to disseminate relevant information and better serve transfer students. Interested partici-pants may register online.

Around the State

May 19 – 21, 2015

at Millersville

University

Graduate programs in the field of Student Affairs are the life-

blood of the profession. The students that our programs

admit have a ton of energy, excitement, and enthusiasm

about the field. This was clear at the annual PCPA confer-

ence in October where graduate students from over half of

the graduate programs across the state were present.

As the Graduate Program Faculty Liaison for PCPA, I'd like to

personally thank all the graduate program coordinators and

faculty for the work that you do with graduate students, and

especially for emphasizing the importance of becoming in-

volved in the field by attending and participating in our con-

ference.

I encourage you and your students to keep an eye out for

information from me and from our three Graduate Student

PCPA Faculty Liaison extends invitation to grad students Submitted by Dr. Kelley Kenney, PCPA Faculty Liaison

Liaisons about other important news and events throughout

the year. If there is anything that we can help with, please

do not hesitate to send us an email. Our contact info is

listed below:

• Dr. Kelley R. Kenney, PCPA Graduate Faculty Liaison,

Kutztown Univ. - kenney@kutztown.edu

• Cameo Pritchett, PCPA Eastern Region Graduate Student

Liaison, Kutztown Univ. - cprit6785@live.kutztown.edu

• Jaclyn C. Beasley, PCPA Central Region Graduate Student

Liaison, Bloomsburg Univ. - jcb28424@huskies.bloomu.edu

• Britany Gallagher, PCPA Western Region Graduate Student

Liaison, Indiana Univ. of PA - b.m.gallagher5048@gmail.com

The most recent PCPA Board meeting took place February

27th

. The following are board briefs compiled by PCPA Re-

corder Charmaine Strong. For full board meeting briefs, visit

the PCPA website.

Communications Plan: B. Root will take the lead and co-

ordinate meeting with Mindy, Amber, and will include A.

Elias within the next few weeks. M. Shupp also agreed to

assist. M. Rizzardi will share information that Todd Eicher

had prepared on a communications plan. Consistent with

timely messaging. M. Rizzardi will also join if she is able.

Grady Roberts Graduate Student Writing Award: J. Kon-

yak noted that about $300 was garnered from the mem-

bership dues survey. K. Kenney reported that things

should be in motion with a goal of a June 1 deadline.

2014 Annual Conference: M. Rizzardi reported that in

spite of some complications (e.g. no survey was done,

presenters withdrawing at last minute) keynotes were

good and the overall conference was successful.

Internal Chapter Agreement: M. Rizzardi reported that

all state associations are struggling through this together;

but most became an internal chapter of ACPA. Losing

some autonomy as far as contracting, reporting, advertis-

ing for events, new website platform; can’t say every-

thing is perfect – a challenge for ACPA as well as PCPA.

State division meeting at ACPA – M. Rizzardi and D.

Greene attending..

Treasurer’s Report: M. Rizzardi reviewed the report until

B. Koval joined the meeting. Will continue to maintain

two bank accounts – PCPA and ACPA. D. Kennedy raised

the $5/month service fee – are we still paying this? Not

reflected on the report. Also noted that website mainte-

nance fees may not be needed in the future once the AC-

PA/PCPA is rolling. B. Koval reported he would check on

the service fee. The $400 ACPA speaker’s grant was de-

posited. Total assets $17,105.05.

Membership: J. Konyak reported that she receives

membership info once/month from ACPA; just received

January report. Reviewed the report. Pointed out that

361 ACPA members reside in PA but are not in PCPA. J.

Konyak would like to outreach to those folks.

Communications: B. Root reported that newsletter will

be distributed soon. Will use new Issuu platform. Will ini-

tiate communications plan meeting..

Professional Development: C. Turissini reported that best

strategy is to use technology; book club? Will work with

B. Root to email blast re: professional development;

component of the newsletter; sending out NPR post or

article something similar and use techno platform for dis-

PCPA Board Meeting Briefs cussion. Will outreach to members via listserv to push in-

fo out and identify interested members to assist. Anoth-

er idea: take PCPA conference programs related to grad-

uate students on the road to various graduate programs.

Connect with Graduate Student Liaisons. Will try to get

something organized this semester.

Two Year West: A. Elias reported she scheduled Lunch

and Learns through Jan – May with different topics. The

January session was cancelled due to a building closure.

Second L&L this afternoon.

Faculty Liaison: K. Kenney shared she will be outreaching

to faculty related to Grady Roberts Writing Award. Chi

Sigma Alpha – student affairs honors society for graduate

programs; one chapter at Bloomsburg in the state. Wants

to develop a chapter at Kutztown.

NBCC/POAC: NBCC will move to an ad hoc position due

to the ACPA changes. Focus on what POAC can be – M.

Shupp will take the lead and “think outside of the box”

with reinventing POAC.

Webmaster: D. Kennedy showed draft of the ACPA PCPA

webpage. Board asked to look at the proposed website

(http://pa.myacpa.org); will discuss again. Discussion

about the loss of PCPA autonomy. Currently, we are in a

one-year trial with ACPA.

C Strong moved that for the fall 2015 conference, PCPA

commit $500 to the Grady Roberts Award; second by B.

Koval. Motion passed unanimously.

Proposed Bylaw Changes: A. Racchini reported on the

bylaw changes. Section 4. Affiliations was major change.

Followed ACPA membership structure. Added the Equity

and Inclusion Statement. Discussion about the President-

Elect serving as co-chair for the Annual Conference;

agreed to leave this in for now; perhaps think about re-

structuring term dates.

Elections: A. Racchini reviewed positions and timeline for

elections: President-Elect, Recorder, Communications, 4-

year West public, 2-year West, 4-year private East.

2016 Conference: D. Greene reported that he has done

some location investigation. Thoughts: change the days

to ½ day on Friday, all day Saturday and ½ day Sunday

(based on conference feedback). Recommends 23-25 Oc-

tober 2015; target location should be between Gettys-

burg and edge of State College.

M. Rizzardi suggested that three free conference registra-

tions be offered as incentives for folks visiting the PCPA

tables; D. Greene moved to offer 3 conference registra-

tions; C. Strong second. Motion passed unanimously.

M. Rizzardi will schedule the next meeting in April 2015.

PCPA members at the 2014 conference donated nearly 150 pair of new, unused

socks that were stuffed with special treats ranging from personal care items to

small snacks. The items were then distributed to attendees at the Feeding the

Spirit soup kitchen in Greensburg, PA. Thanks to all those who participated in this

special service project at the conference.

This service project was part of Socktober and was a special initiative of Kid Presi-

dent, a YouTube and social media superstar who encourages others to spread pos-

itivity.

Do you have an idea for another PCPA service initiative? Let us know. Tweet us at

@pcpa_tweets.

PCPA Executive Board

President Morgan Rizzardi

President Elect David Greene

Past President Dr. Amber Racchini

Recorder Dr. Charmaine R. Strong

Treasurer Bryan Koval

Communications Commission Chair

Brian Root

Constituencies Commission Chair

Michael A. Jones

Membership Commission Chair Jenna Konyak

Faculty Liaison

Dr. Kelley Kenney

Graduate Student Liaisons Cameo Pritchett Jacylyn Beasley

Britany Gallagher

NBCC Coordinator Dr. Matthew Shupp

Professional Development Commission Chair Christina Turissini

Member At Large: Four-Year Public, West

Craig Dillaman

Member At Large Four-Year Public, East

Mindy Andino

Member At Large Four-Year Private, West

David Zlockie

Member At Large Four-Year Private, East

vacant

Member At Large Two-Year, West

Anna Elias

Member At Large Two-Year, East Lynsey Grace

Webmaster Dr. Daniel Kennedy

Conference Co-Chairs Amanda Ries & Morgan Rizzardi

PCPA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national

origin, gender, age, affection-

al/sexual orientation, or disabil-ity in any of its policies, proce-

dures or practices. The non-

discrimination policy covers membership and access to asso-

ciation programs and activities

including, but not limited to, conferences, placement services,

publications, and educational

service

What Happens

on Campus Stays

on YouTube

IUP Student Affairs alumnus

and PCPA’s 2014 keynote

speaker Courtney O’Connell

has co-authored a new

book with several col-

leagues. ACPA15 attendees

got a sneak peak. It is a

new, updated version that

is geared towards college

students.