Danielle DeStefano, left, assistant director of enrollment management, met with high school students in Puerto Rico during a 2014 recruiting trip.
Danielle DeStefano is latest to
receive University accolades
UPPER BURRELL, Pa. -- As early radio DJs would crow, “The hits just keep on coming.”
Another Penn State New Kensington staff member has been recognized recently in “We Are,” a weekly feature of the daily email publication, Penn State Today.
Danielle DeStefano, assistant director of enrollment management, was highlighted June 2. “We Are” is a University-wide initiative that was launched in February to provide students, faculty and staff with a platform to give kudos to fellow Penn Staters for work that goes above and beyond their job duties or responsibilities.
DeStefano is the fifth staff member from the New Kensington campus to receive the honor. Nancy Miller, co-director of continuing education, Corinne Coulson, enrollment services specialist, Kevin Churik, information technology generalist, and Jennifer Marino, assistant director for financial aid, were highlighted in the past five months. They were nominated by campus colleagues for personifying Penn State’s commitment of service to the community.
Kevin Snider, chancellor of the New Kensington campus, praised DeStefano for shining the Penn State spotlight on New Kensington.
“Yet again, our campus has an employee highlighted in the 'We Are' feature in Penn State Today,” Snider said. “Danielle is identified for learning a software system to aid in recruitment, retention and marketing initiatives. This is terrific work and great to know that it is recognized.”
A native of Washington Township, DeStefano joined the admissions staff in 2008 as a counselor and was named assistant director in 2013. She holds a bachelor’s degree in applied psychology from the campus, and an MBA from Seton Hill University. While matriculating at the campus, DeStefano received the Eric and Josephine Walker Award in 2006. The Walker award is the campus' highest honor and is given to the student whose outstanding qualities of character, scholarship, and leadership contribute to the prestige of the campus. The award was established in 1971 by Penn State President Eric Walker and is presented at each of the 24 Penn State campuses.
A culturally diverse campus
As assistant director, DeStefano works with traditional-aged students, including international students. In keeping with the chancellor’s vision of a culturally diverse campus, she has traveled to Canada and Puerto Rico to spread the word about the New Kensington campus. The University is popular in both areas of the world.
The efforts are producing results as campus enrollment has become more diverse, according to Penn State’s annual snapshot count taken at the end of the sixth week of the fall 2014 semester. International students from eight countries and out-of-state students from 10 states, including Arizona, North Carolina, Maryland, Nebraska, and Virginia contribute to the cultural diversity of the campus and add to the potential talent available to western Pennsylvania. Snider noted that international and out-of-state students have the potential to contribute to the region after graduation.
“Given overall demographic trends, our region needs the talent we can produce to meet employer needs,” Snider said. “We’re excited by the prospect of providing even more local Penn State graduates to the area.”
A testament to the talented and community-oriented international students is Sandra Muhhuku, a native of Uganda. Muhhuku, a petroleum and natural gas engineering major, was named this year's Walker award winner. She was the first international student to earn the campus’ honor. Muhhuku moves on to the University Park campus in the fall to complete her undergraduate studies. Her sister, Samantha, earned an associate degree in biomedical engineering technology in 2014, and is finishing her bachelor’s degree at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College.
The campus’ unique academic programs, such as biomedical engineering, are magnets for students living outside Pennsylvania. The program is offered only at the New Kensington campus, and it is one of seven programs in the United States to be accredited by ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology).
“We Are” nominations
A “We Are” candidate could be a maintenance worker taking extra steps to make sure a project is completed, a student organizing a charitable event, an administrator doing something special for employees, or a faculty member taking additional time to advise students. Snider encourages the campus community to recommend other colleagues for the honor.
“We need to get the word out about what a great campus and community we are,” Snider said. “It's a great way to continue to get our fantastic community recognized outside the campus.”
To nominate someone from the campus community, visit http://news.psu.edu/WeAre
To view “We Are” stories, visit http://news.psu.edu/story/359184/2015/06/01/we-are-thankful-these-penn-staters