The WEcARE Committee (formerly Campus Community Connections/Commission for Women) seeks to provide a forum for exchanging ideas that can translate into improved practices to support Penn State Great Valley employees, and to promote women’s initiatives in the areas of equity, professional development and recognition, while strengthening networking and social connections.  

To contact the committee with questions or suggestions, please email [email protected]. 

WEcARE Committee logo

Annual Events

  • Welcome Back Ice Cream Social, held in the fall at the beginning of the academic year
    Fall Food Drive to gather non-perishable food donations for local organizations
  • Life Choices, a program dedicated to getting to know the women on our campus through presentations in which they share about their personal and professional background and the people and choices that influenced their life paths
  • Fundraising Luncheons to Benefit Student Scholarships and THON
  • Holiday Luncheon
  • Women’s History Month
  • Health Programs
  • Book to Film Club
  • Travelogues, a series of presentations in which faculty and staff share about trips they have taken
  • Table at the Pennsylvania Conference for Women with tickets for 10 staff members to attend
  • Staff Appreciation Lunch

Herstory

Penn State University established the first Commission on Women in 1982 to serve as an advisory group to the President on issues affecting women and to guide the University in its efforts to enhance the status of women at Penn State. The commission released landmark reports in 1981 and 2001 on the status of women at Penn State.

In November 2022, the Great Valley Support Staff Forum, PSGV Commission for Women and Staff Development Committees were combined to create the Campus Community Connection Committee (CCC). 

Awards

Suzan Lynn Kershner Award for Women’s Advocacy

The Suzan Lynn Kershner Outstanding Commitment in Support of Women’s Issues and Initiatives Award is presented to an individual who demonstrates vision, leadership, and a passion for advocating for women’s issues at Penn State Great Valley. 

Past Recipients:

2000 – Elayna McReynolds and Dr. Veronica Godshalk
2001 – Dorothy D. Ray and Maureen P. Bezold
2002 – Carla Holway and Mary Catherine Scheeler
2003 – Catherine Datte-Smythe and Barrie Litzky
2004 – Delores Wiant and Dolores Fidishun
2005 – Denise Balawejder and Janice Dreachslin
2006 – Sue Kershner
2007 – Dr. Denise Potosky
2008 – Carole Brush
2009 – Andrea Hornett and Amanda Neill
2010 – Carole Brush
2011 – Sue Kershner
2012 – Trish Shea
2013 – Peggie Finan
2014 – Trish Shea and Kathy Tauber
2016 – Lori J. Hoyle
2018 – Tish Super
2019 – Denita Wright-Watson
2021 – Ted Hartz
2023 – Jill Desiderio
2024 – Sue Kershner
2025 – Sally Richmond

Chancellor presents a staff member with an awards plaque and lion shrine

Staff Excellence Award

The campus Strategic Plan and campus leadership’s desire to recognize staff excellence gave rise to a call for a campus Staff Excellence Award. The Staff Development Committee worked on the details at a retreat on June 9, 2005. The Academic Executive Council and the campus Management Team agreed to establish the award to recognize a staff member for excellent service to Penn State Great Valley. 

Past Recipients: 

2006 – Ursula Thompson
2007 – Sue Kershner
2008 – Elizabeth Del Valle
2009 – Abbey Philip
2010 – Ted Kurpiel
2011 – Jean Stefanski
2012 – Lori Hoyle
2013 – Jill Desiderio
2014 – Cathy O’Neill
2015 – Pat Misselwitz and Millie Ingersoll
2016 – Paula Pierce
2017 – Lori Hoyle
2018 – Van Hicks
2019 – Denita Wright-Watson
2021 – Amy Downey
2022 – Bob Gray
2023 – Sharon Patterson
2024 – Linda Mrak
2025 – Becky Stanko