Daily Brief

Vice President Peña to Retire from KU Dec. 22

Jesus A. Peña, Esq., vice president for Compliance, Equity and liaison for Legal Affairs at Kutztown University, has announced that he will be retiring from the institution, effective Friday, Dec. 22. Peña has served Kutztown University for two decades.

Peña oversees the offices of Disability Services, Human Resources, Public Safety and Police Services and Social Equity. He leads KU’s protection of minors efforts and was responsible for the creation, implementation and oversight of the university’s Risk Assessment Plan. He also conducts all Article 42, 22 and Title IX investigations. Additionally, Peña has served as the interim Title IX coordinator for Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education, providing support and coordination for matters related to Title IX within the State System.

“My congratulations to vice president Jesus Peña on the public announcement of his well-earned retirement,” said Kutztown University president Dr. Kenneth S. Hawkinson. “I am grateful, that when he informed me of his retirement plans a year ago, at my urging, he generously agreed to extend his retirement date to after the completion of the fall 2023 semester.

“Jesus has had one of the most challenging jobs on campus, dealing with very controversial issues, yet handles his responsibilities with professionalism, calmness and grace. He has been a strong advocate for First Amendment rights and due process for all, as well as being a strong supporter of the Latino community and increased support for students in need. I have been very fortunate, as has the broader Kutztown University community, to have someone with his credentials and experience in this very important position. His work has been exemplary, and he will be missed.”

Peña was named to the VP role in July of 2019. Prior to that, Peña served as KU’s deputy to the president for Compliance, Equity and Legal Affairs, as well as the university’s Title IX coordinator for 15 years. His responsibilities included providing leadership in shaping the direction of the university, directly advising the president and the president’s cabinet on matters pertaining to equal employment and educational opportunities. He drafted policies, programming and training to educate the campus community on civil rights laws and regulations, the university’s Sexual Harassment Policy, Anti-Harassment Policy, Anti-Discrimination Policy, Title IX, the Violence Against Women Act and the Clery Act, among various other duties.

Some of Peña’s specific accomplishments include restructuring the university police department, assisting in the increase of the number of faculty and administrators of color employed at KU, drafting the university’s annual Affirmative Action Plan and the Adjunct Pool Hiring Guidelines, and assisting in the creation of an educational training video titled “How to Request Accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act.” He also oversaw the provision of necessary and reasonable accommodations to approximately 700 qualified students, faculty and staff with disabilities.

“As I depart from the university, I take with me many fond memories,” Peña said. “It is extremely fulfilling to end my career at such a wonderful academic institution, surrounded by so many esteemed colleagues. I wish Kutztown University, continued success.”

Prior to his time at KU, Peña served as the director of Communications and Press for the Pennsylvania Department of State, the director of Human Resources for the City of Reading and the owner of his own general law practice. He is also a published author, having written a history book titled, “The History of Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc,” and a children’s book titled, “I Will Be a Lambda.”

Peña earned a Bachelor of Arts in history at Rutgers University and a Juris Doctor from Rutgers University School of Law. He has been admitted to the practice of law in New Jersey, Florida, the District of Columbia and Pennsylvania.

The succession plan for Peña’s role will be determined by the administration in the near future.

University Relations

Heemet Fescht Returns Sept. 23

Kutztown University's Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center is set to host Heemet Fescht 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 23, where attendees can treat themselves to live music in the barnyard, traditional crafts, folklife demonstrations, hearth-cooking, live animals, children’s activities and much more. The Heritage Center’s Heemet Fescht is a celebration of the harvest and Pennsylvania Dutch farm life.

News and Media web page

Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center

Condolences

The Department of Elementary, Middle Level, Library and Technologies is saddened to share the news that Dr. Catherine McGeehan's father, Mr. William Vigilante, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 12, at the age of eighty-two. Our thoughts and prayers are with Cathy and her family during this difficult time. Cards can be sent to the department.

https://www.semiancares.com/obituary/william-vigilante

Tracy L Keyes, Department of EMLT

COVID-19 Protocols for Employees

As a reminder, employees experiencing symptoms or testing positive for COVID-19 should visit the HR website for protocols. In addition, please take note of the university’s COVID-19 protocols, which can be found on our website.

University Relations

The Rohrbach Library Catalog has a new URL -- Please update links in your resources

Over the summer, the Rohrbach Library moved to a new Library Catalog user interface. This interface uses a new URL. If you have old links to our Library Catalog or resources accessed through our catalog, they will not work. They will not redirect. You will have to update those links.  You may have these dead links in your D2L pages, web pages, or other resources. Please contact weber@kutztown.edu if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you. You can find new links by using either of the URLs listed below:
- Our home page: https://library.kutztown.edu/home 
- The direct link: https://klnpa-kutztown.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?vid=01SSHELCO_KUTZTOWN:KUTZTOWN

Michael Weber, Rohrbach Library

Bagpipe Lessons

Are you interested in learning to play the bagpipes? The Kutztown Pipe Band offers free introductory bagpipe lessons to KU faculty, staff and students, as well as local community members. In-person group lessons are held 6-6:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Wells-Rapp Center for Mallet Percussion Research beginning Thursday, Sept. 21. There is also a go-at-your-own-pace online course option available through D2L for KU community members. Experienced pipers and drummers are also invited to join the band, with band practices held 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursdays. Contact sherrod@kutztown.edu for additional details and to reserve your spot, or stop by on Thursday evenings to check it out.

https://kutztownpipeband.com

Laura Sherrod, Kutztown Pipe Band

Career Development Center Closure

The Career Development Center will be closed 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. today, Friday, Sept. 15 due to the Career Classic Golf tournament. It will be open 2-4 p.m. for walk-in hours.

Jeann Cengeri, Career Development Center

Discover the World at the Study Abroad Fair

We extend a formal invitation to you to motivate your diligent students with aspirations of enriching their academic horizons through international education to participate in this event. The Study Abroad Fair is poised to serve as a conduit to a realm of cultural exchange, personal development and academic distinction. It stands as an indispensable resource, affording students the opportunity to explore a myriad of diverse study abroad prospects that lie ahead. This event is scheduled 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5, 218 McFarland Student Union Building. Your support in encouraging student participation is greatly appreciated.

Melissa Lincoln, Vice Provost and the Dean of Graduate Studies