Administrative Fellows Program
The Administrative Fellows Program provides professional development opportunities for faculty and staff with standing appointments. By serving under the mentorship of a senior-level administrator, fellows receive opportunities to broaden their perspectives and experiences in higher education administration. The fellowship experience enables participants to be more effective in their current University positions and provides a foundation for them to excel in future, higher-level jobs. Although participation in the program does not guarantee an appointment to an advanced or administrative position at the University, the program has increased the number of qualified women and minorities who are interested in pursuing careers in University administration.
The Administrative Fellows Program aims to:
- identify faculty and staff who have the potential for effective leadership;
- increase awareness of the complexity of issues facing higher education;
- enhance understanding of the environment in which higher-education-related decisions are made; and
- provide opportunities for participation in activities that facilitate an enhanced understanding of careers in higher education.
2025-2026 Informational Meeting
November 18, 2024, 2:00 p.m.
ZOOM Link: https://psu.zoom.us/j/96681269452?pwd=ylnlbyZmYKJQc6vADo85UFKeFqKqHM.1
Agenda: DOC PDF
2025-2026 Administrative Fellows Program Mentor Information
- Kathy Bieschke, Senior Vice Provost and Interim Dean of Undergraduate Education
- Andrea Dowhower, Vice President for Student Affairs
- Andrew Read, Senior Vice President for Research
2025-2026 Administrative Fellows Program Documents
2024-2025 Administrative Fellows
Saurabh Bansal
Professor of Supply Chain Management, Department of Supply Chain and Information Systems, Smeal College of Business
Mentor: Sara Thorndike, Senior Vice President for Finance and Business/Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
Vivian C. Hsu
Teaching Professor of Psychology, Division of Social Sciences, Business, and Education, Penn State Abington
Mentor: Michael Wade Smith, Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff
Roderick L. Lee
Associate Professor of Information Systems, School of Business Administration, Penn State Harrisburg
Mentor: Margo DelliCarpini, Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses and Executive Chancellor
In May 2024, the University announced the three Administrative Fellows for 2024-25 and their mentors.
2024-2025 Informational Meeting
November 9, 2023, 2:00 – 3:00 PM Eastern Time
Recording of meeting
Agenda: DOC PDF
2024-2025 Administrative Fellows Program Mentor Information
- Margo DelliCarpini, Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses and Executive Chancellor
- Michael Wade Smith, Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff
- Sara Thorndike, Senior Vice President for Finance & Business/Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
2024-2025 Administrative Fellows Program Documents
2023-2024 Administrative Fellows
In April 2023, the University announced the three Administrative Fellows for 2023-24 and their mentors. They are:
Melissa Doberstein, Program Director, Presidential Leadership Academy, Schreyer Honors College
Mentor: Jennifer Wilkes, Vice President for Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer
Scarlett Miller, Professor of Engineering Design and Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering,
School of Engineering Design and Innovation
Mentor: Dr. Justin Schwartz, Penn State Executive Vice President and Provost
Juliet Pinto, Associate Professor, Department of Journalism, Donald P Bellisario College of Communications
Mentor: Dr. Renata Engel, Vice Provost for Online Education
2023-2024 Administrative Fellows Program Documents
- 2023-2024 Administrative Fellows Program Application Form (DOCX PDF fillable form)
- Administrative Fellows Program Frequently Asked Questions (DOCX PDF)
- 2023-2024 Administrative Fellows Program Brochure (DOCX PDF)
- Guidelines for Administrative Fellows, Mentors, and Assistants (DOCX PDF)
- 2023-2024 Administrative Fellows Program Selection Committee (DOCX PDF)
- Information session for the 2023-24 Administrative Fellows Program
- Agenda (DOCX PDF)
- Session Recording
2023-2024 Administrative Fellows Program Mentor Information
- Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost (DOCX PDF)
- Office of the Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses and Executive Chancellor, Dr. Kelly Austin (DOCX PDF)
- Office of the Vice President for Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer, Jennifer Wilkes (DOCX PDF)
2022-2023 Administrative Fellows
In May 2022, the University announced the three Administrative Fellows for 2022-23 and their mentors. They are:
Luis F. Ayala H., Professor of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
Mentor: Dr. Lora G. Weiss, Senior Vice President for Research
Meeghan Hollis, Senior Associate Director for Residence Life, Student Affairs
Mentor: Damon Sims, Vice President for Student Affairs
Darcy A. Rameker
Director of Student Activities, Student Affairs
Mentor: Dr. Yvonne Gaudelius, Vice President and Dean for Undergraduate Education
2022-2023 Administrative Fellows Program Documents
- 2022-2023 Administrative Fellows Program Application Form (DOCX PDF fillable form)
- Administrative Fellows Program Frequently Asked Questions (DOCX PDF)
- 2022-2023 Administrative Fellows Program Brochure (DOCX PDF)
- Guidelines for Administrative Fellows, Mentors, and Assistants (DOCX PDF)
- 2022-2023 Administrative Fellows Program Selection Committee (DOCX PDF)
2022-2023 Administrative Fellows Program Mentor Information
- Office of the Vice President and Dean for Undergraduate Education, Dr. Yvonne Gaudelius (DOCX PDF)
- Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, Damon Sims (DOCX PDF)
- Office of the Senior Vice President for Research, Dr. Lora G. Weiss (DOCX PDF)
2021-2022 Administrative Fellows
In May 2021, the University announced the three Administrative Fellows for 2021-2022 and their mentors:
Carrie Jackson, Professor of German and linguistics, College of the Liberal Arts
Mentor: Dr. Nicholas P. Jones, Executive Vice President and Provost
Erica Smithwick, Distinguished Professor of Geography; Associate Director, Institutes of Energy and the Environment; Director, Ecology Institute; and Director, Center for Landscape Dynamics, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
Mentor: Dr. Lora G. Weiss, Senior Vice President for Research
Kristin Sykes, Assistant Director of Administrative and Financial Services, Office of Physical Plant
Mentor: O. Richard Bundy III, Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations
2021-2022 Administrative Fellows Program Documents
- 2021-2022 Administrative Fellows Program Application Form (DOCX PDF)
- Administrative Fellows Program Frequently Asked Questions (DOCX PDF)
- 2021-2022 Administrative Fellows Program Brochure (DOCX PDF)
- Guidelines for Administrative Fellows, Mentors, and Assistants (DOCX PDF)
- 2021-2022 Administrative Fellows Program Selection Committee (DOCX PDF)
2021-2022 Administrative Fellows Program Mentor Information
- Office of University Development, O. Richard Bundy III, Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations
- Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, Dr. Nicholas P. Jones
- Office of the Senior Vice President for Research, Dr. Lora G. Weiss
2020-2021 Administrative Fellows
In May 2020, the University announced the three Administrative Fellows for 2020-2021 and their mentors:
Moradeyo Olorunnisola, Director of Admissions, Schreyer Honors College (pictured above right)
Mentor: Tracey Huston, Vice President for Outreach
Andrea Tapia, Professor of Information Sciences and Technology (pictured above left)
Mentor: Dr. Nicholas P. Jones, Executive Vice President and Provost
Linghao Zhong, Professor of Chemistry and Assistant Director of Academic Affairs, Penn State Mont Alto (pictured above center)
Mentor: Dr. Madlyn Hanes, Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses and Executive Chancellor
2019-2020 Administrative Fellows
In May 2019, the University announced the three Administrative Fellows for 2019-2020 and their mentors:
Gary Chinn, Assistant Dean for Digital Learning and Director, Office of Digital Learning, College of Arts and Architecture
Mentor: Eric J. Barron, President
Lisa Kerchinski, Director of Career Development, Schreyer Honors College
Mentor: Mr. Zack Moore, Vice President for Government and Community Relations
Debra Thurley, Executive Director of Research Compliance, Office for Research Protections
Mentor: Dr. Nicholas P. Jones, Executive Vice President and Provost
2018-2019 Administrative Fellows
Zuleima T. Karpyn, Professor of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, Program Chair for Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, Quentin E. and Louise L. Wood Faculty Fellow in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, and FCMG Chair in Fluid Behavior and Rock Interactions; John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering; College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
Mentor: Dr. Nicholas P. Jones, Executive Vice President and Provost
Laurie Verost, Associate Director, Department of Student Affairs/Career Services
Mentor: Lawrence Lokman, Vice President for Strategic Communications
Lynette Yarger, Associate Professor, College of Information Sciences and Technology
Mentor: Michael Kubit, Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer