Membership Updates
Dr. Paul M. Miller recently began a new position as an Assistant Professor of Communication at Penn State Harrisburg. After more than a decade in higher education, the role represents an exciting next chapter in his academic career and provides the opportunity to continue teaching, mentoring students, working with interns, and developing his research within a new academic community.
On the scholarship side, Miller’s article, “Yippee-Ki-Yay, Christmas? Audience Reception, Genre, and the Debate Over Die Hard as a Holiday Film,” is scheduled for publication in the October/November issue of Popular Culture Studies Journal. The article grows out of his broader dissertation research on Christmas films, genre, audience reception, and cultural ritual, and marks the culmination of an extended research and revision process. While he has been published before, this is his first journal article to be accepted.
The Center for Career Services & Development at Central Penn College had the honor of recognizing Fastenal as our 2026 Business Partner of the Year at our 22nd annual Business Partner of the Year Breakfast on September 10th . Fastenal has been a valued partner for many years. They have made internships available to our students and hired graduates from Business and Communications programs. We are thankful that they have been represented at many of our recruiting events over the years and provide representation on our Advisory Council.
The theme of this year’s event was “Powered by Partnership: Long-Term Recruitment”, so it was only fitting to recognize an employer who values partnership and long-term recruitment. Fastenal uses hands-on campus partnerships and paid internships to recruit top college talent. They target students in sales, supply chain, and manufacturing. Their main goal is hiring early talent and promoting them from within. Fastenal's regional recruiters and local branch managers work closely with us for guest speaking in classrooms, targeted information sessions, panel discussions and most recently, creating an employer spotlight video.
Juniata College
Tammy Stuber left her role at Juniata College to pursue a new opportunity outside of higher education. Her last day at Juniata was be Aug. 14th.
She has started a small crafting and laser engraving business. She is looking forward to putting a dedicated effort into growing and expanding this new venture, reconnecting with my creative side, and having more flexibility to travel and spend time with family. If you’d like to know more about it, please feel free to contact me! Tammy shared that she hopes to stay in touch through LinkedIn, Facebook, or whatever means you prefer.
Tammy is happy to share that Bekah Ford ’19 will serve as the new Associate Director of Career Development. As a Juniata graduate, she brings considerable skills, experience, and a broad alumni network to the role. Bekah and I are working together to facilitate a smooth transition, and she is working toward credentialing with NCDA as a Certified Career Services Provider (CCSP). Please feel free to say hello and welcome her to her new role. Bekah’s email is fordr@juniata.edu .
"It has been a pleasure getting to know so many members of this group. I am grateful for all I’ve learned and the relationships formed through PennACE."
Point Park University: Professional Career Readiness Center (PCRC)
Monica Ritter reached the10 year milestone in the PCRC at Point Park University. Monica is an asset to our team and has positively impacted numerous students and alumni through her work as a Career Counselor.
Kenny Anderson is the Coordinator - Career Readiness Engagement on our team. In this revised role, Kenny is using his career counseling background to meet directly with students and alumni in addition to creating internal career-readiness events alongside university departments. Kenny’s prior role focused specifically on events and workshops and had limited opportunities to work directly with students as a Career Counselor.
Aysan Younesi joined our team as the Career Readiness Events Planner. In this new role, Aysan focuses on the coordination and support of events that connect Point Park students with valuable career development, experiential learning, and employment opportunities. Aysan is instrumental to our employer outreach efforts and in maintaining strong connections to our students and alumni as well.
Grace Thomas joined our team as the Career Readiness Assistant. In this special project’s role, Grace presents to University 101 classes, provides workshops, handles resume reviews, and conducts appointments with our first year and new transfer students.
University of Pittsburgh - Greensburg
Over the summer, Kristen Stratton completed the certification Advanced Techniques: Motivational Interviewing through the Institute for Career Advising and Development. The training built upon concepts from her graduate-level Professional Counseling coursework and introduced new approaches for helping students and alumni reflect on their strengths, identify goals, and navigate career decision-making with confidence.
The Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board (WIB) Experience Works! Program hosted its annual Internship Summit this summer, bringing together student interns from across the region. Our office was honored to be invited to present on professionalism and career readiness. Marcy Yonkey, Assistant Director, represented Pitt-Greensburg Career Services with a presentation titled “Brand Identity & Online Presence." The summit provided an excellent opportunity to strengthen our partnership with the WIB while helping students develop skills that will support their future career success.
For the third consecutive year, our campus was recognized as a College of Distinction for Outstanding Career Services. This honor reflects our ongoing commitment to providing exceptional career support and motivates us to continually uphold the standards of excellence that earned this recognition.
Later in the summer, we returned for the WIB's Ice Cream & Interviews event, where student interns participated in one-on-one mock interviews and a group debriefing focused on strengthening their interview skills and professional confidence. Kristen Stratton represented our office at the event and enjoyed networking with fellow professionals and student interns before everyone celebrated with a well-deserved ice cream treat.
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