Daily Brief

Update on Federal Assistance Programs

The Kutztown University administration has been carefully monitoring updates from the Federal Office of Management and Budget regarding the pause of federal assistance programs.  This action is currently under judicial review and guidance may change at any time.  The most recent guidance provided from the U.S. Department of Education indicates that this order does NOT apply to students in receipt of Pell Grants, Stafford Loans, Work Study, Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Direct Plus Loans, or Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (SEOG) as defined by Title IV.
The following links provide additional information:
 - U.S. Department of Education on Federal Student Aid: Guidance Related to Temporary Pause of Federal Financial Assistance Programs | Knowledge Center
 - Follow-up FAQ Memo From the Executive Office of the President: Office of Management & Budget: Follow-up FAQ memo
We remain in contact with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and will provide further updates as necessary.

University Relations

Open Hour with Provost

Faculty, staff and students are invited to drop by and chat with Dr. Lorin Basden Arnold, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, during her open office hour at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, Old Main concourse. Faculty and staff who would like to have a conversation, but for whom this time does not work, are welcome to contact the Office of the Provost at 610-683-4155 to schedule a time to meet.

Office of the Provost

Anne Imschweiler, Provost Office/Academic Affairs

Welcome Nick Snyder, Director of Military and Veteran Services

We are pleased to welcome Nick Snyder as the new director of Military and Veteran Services. Snyder's first day is Monday, Feb. 10; he will be located in 260 MSU. Snyder was selected after a nationwide search and brings with him a wealth of experience, skills and student-centered service as only the second director of KU's Military and Veteran Services and the center. Snyder comes to KU from West Chester University, where he served as assistant director of Graduate Enrollment since 2022. Prior to that, Snyder was director of Military Recruitment/Senior Enrollment Representative at Eastern University for 10 years. Snyder was an Intelligence Agent/Non-Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Army for six years, earning an Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Global War of Terrorism Service Medal. Snyder earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Business Administration from Eastern University. He lives in Birdsboro with his wife and four children, enjoys gaming and all things Star Wars, Marvel and Lord of the Rings.

Military and Veteran Services

Jerry Schearer, Diversity and Inclusion/Chief Diversity Officer

2025 Ujima Conference: Confidence in Color

This Feb. 18-20, the Multicultural Center’s annual Ujima Conference will celebrate the beauty, cultural contributions, and history of African, African-American, and Black communities. "Ujima," one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa, means "collective work and responsibility". The conference is open to all students, faculty, and staff. In honor of Black History Month, this year’s theme, Confidence in Color, celebrates joy, resilience, and creativity within the Black community. Highlights Include:
 - Marketplace Africana: Explore vendors offering unique crafts and creations.
 - The Wiz Showing and Costume Party: Love Wicked? Join us for a journey down the yellow brick road with a showing of The Wiz (1978).
 - Ujima Award Banquet: Celebrate student and campus leaders at the annual awards ceremony.
 - Educational Sessions for Students: Learn how to build a portfolio and enhance your financial literacy.
 - Closing Keynote: Shanita Hubbard, award-winning author of Ride or Die: A Feminist Manifesto for the Well-Being of Black Women, will deliver the closing keynote.
 - Confidence in Color Art Gallery: Enjoy a student art showing capturing the theme of the conference.
For more information, please visit our website and check us out on Instagram @kumcc.

Thank you to all the following departments, student organizations, and individuals who helped shape this event: Dr. Constance P. Dent and Dr. Ann Gundry - Distinguished Speaker Series; Moments That Create Movement; Office of Student Involvement; Women's, Gender, & Sexuality Studies; and Rohrbach Library.
Contributors: Black Student Union; African Student Association; Office of Military & Veterans Services; Frances Cortez-Funk; Black Flame; Mirialy Valle; Angelica Mishra; Solomon Johnson; Sam Johnson; Taiya Miller; Jazmine Lord; KUBA; Tony Valle; LGBTQ+ Resource Center; Women's Center; and Linda Onwubuya.
Ujima Committee Members, MCC Staff: Austin Harris, Mirialy Valle, Solomon Johnson, Angelica Mishra, Melinda Quinones-Arias, Taj Davis, Jordan Mitchell, Tasi Gumataotao, Mory Ramos Jimenez, Mirabel Ahonle, Isiah Fernandez, Ruby Garcia, and Jaesha Wootson.

Confidence in Color

Angelica Mishra, Multicultural Center

Faculty Expert List

Local, regional and national media often contact KU to find experts in various fields. This exposure strengthens the university’s academic standing in the community and provides you an opportunity to be recognized for your exceptional knowledge and skills. If you are interested in being part of the university’s Media Resource Guide, please fill out this form and email it to Bryan Salvadore, salvadore@kutztown.edu. KU’s current Media Resource Guide can be found here. If you are included in last year’s guide and require updates, please contact Bryan Salvadore.

Bryan Salvadore, Communications

CEL Hour of Power

Join us for the Hour of Power, a one-hour writing retreat in the Center for Engaged Learning (CEL). We'll hold your phone, close the door and track time so you can focus on your work in a distraction-free environment. Sign up for your slots by filling out this form.
- 2-3 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 12.
- 9-10 a.m., Monday, Feb. 17.
- 9-10 a.m., Tuesday, March 4.
- 10-11 a.m., Monday, March 24.
- 1-2 p.m., Wednesday, April 9.
- 2-3 p.m., Tuesday, April 15.

Center for Engaged Learning

Center for Engaged Learning

Spring 2025 Attendance Verification Process

The initial attendance verification for Spring 2025 courses, required federally for awarding of financial aid Policy ACA-090, is available for faculty in Starfish beginning noon Wednesday, Feb. 5, and will remain open until 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11. Faculty should indicate whether students have attended or have never attended by utilizing one of two flags. Please be sure to verify the attendance status of every student. For additional assistance, please visit Starfish in D2L, email starfish@kutztown.edu, call 610-683-4106 or attend a Starfish drop-in training session. 

Starfish Resources

Nancy Brynildsen, Center for Student Success and Academic Excellence

Do you have a Heart of GOLD?

February 10-14, we celebrate I ❤ KU Week! Kutztown University Foundation and Kutztown University Presidential Ambassadors will host activities throughout the week that include Heart of Gold messages from our students, faculty, and staff. Stay tuned to Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to see all that makes KU special! The week will peak with gratitude to our generous supporters while celebrating the friends, departments, programs, and initiatives that make a difference on our campus. Valentine’s week is a perfect time to embrace how we’re individually unique – but Together, We’re Golden!

KU Foundation