Staff News

The Staff Senate would like to thank all staff members who took the time to recognize and share their colleagues' accomplishments, sense of community, and dedication to excellence. The Meg Cullen Brown Magis Award would not exist without our caring community!

THE MEG CULLEN-BROWN MAGIS AWARD WINNER for January 2025 is:

Jenn Kretsch – History Department

How long have you worked at the University?
I started in August 2015

What is your title?
Administrative Assistant for the History Department 

What do you like best about your job?
I love the day-to-day interactions that I have with students, faculty and staff. 

What do you like to do for fun?
I enjoy the outdoors and spend most of my free time riding horses, or walking.    

Shown above, Jenn Kretsch with her pup Magoo.

We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and celebrate the good work thatJenn does on a daily basis. We hope you will join us in personally congratulating Jenn and all our nominees.

Jenn will receive a gift certificate for complimentary food at our fabulous University food service outlets, as well as a reserved parking space in the DeNaples Parking Pavilion for the month of January. Each winner is also invited to the Staff Senate Recognition event next May to receive a certificate of appreciation.

We congratulate Jenn and all nominees for being recognized as “Magis” employees!

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January 2025 Nominees

An annual celebration united University staff members on Dec. 11 when the Staff Senate Holiday Luncheon united 275 guests at DeNaples Center McIlhenny Ballroom. Seatings began at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

In lieu of an attendance fee, Staff Senate requested donations of food and personal care items to benefit the Royal Restore Food Pantry. 

Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., University president offered a blessing at the event and thanked attendees for their support of Scranton's mission on a daily basis in "unique ways that are helping the University move forward in profound, and even divine, ways for the sake of our students."

After an announcement that raffle basket ticket sale proceeds would support participation in Domestic and International Service trips hosted by the University, student service participants shared messages of gratitude via a video presentation.  

Staff Senate President Kristi Klien credited many with support for the luncheon, including the Staff Senate Social Events and Community Building Committee, which provides community-building opportunities among staff with a "welcoming session" for new employees at the beginning of the fall semester, establishes a system for contributing money to charities, organizes food drives, identifies other activities, and reviews roundtable discussion procedures. 

Senate's Social Events and Community Building Committee includes: Co-chairs Lucy Grissinger and Melissa Eckenrode, and members Brenda Amato, Bridget Conlogue, Jill Eidenberg, Melinda Finnerty, Autumn Forgione, Kristi Klien, Janice Mecadon, Sandina Meo, Melissa Sherrill, Daniela Teneva, and Traci Vennie.

Staff Senate 2024-2025 Officers are: President Kristi Klien, Vice President Traci Vennie, Secretary Lucia Grissinger and Parliamentarian Kym Fetsko.

Staff Senate organizes a number of events throughout the year, including roundtables, symposiums, informational events and the Meg Cullen-Brown Magis Award. Every semester, a Staff Senate newsletter is posted.

Staff Senate operates as a part of the University governance system to provide a forum for open communication and ongoing dialogue among staff and between staff and the administration, faculty, students, and the University community. 

Basket Raffle Winners

# 1 50/50 Basket - Amy Hoegen

#2 Grinch Cozy Cocoa - Anthony Amato

#3 Cozy Winter - Melissa Eckenrode

#4 School Spirit - Richard Trygar

#5 Mini Wheel Barrel of Cheer - Jessica Hughes

#6 Holiday Happiness - Salisa Brown

#7 U of S Swag - Mary Joe Romanchick

#8 Pampered Pooch - Jessica Hughes

#9 Krispy Kreme - Tracy Muth

#10 Chromebook - Chris Judge

#11 Santa's Decadent Delights - Denise Mullen

#12 Moring Dunkin - Rebecca Dzikowski

#13 Krispy Kreme - Ariel Tucci

#14 All About The Wine - Lisa Bealla

#15 Let It Snow...Man - Kimberly Fernandez

#16 Christmas Cookie - Shannon Kaspriskie

#17 Lottery Tickets Galore - Pat Vaccaro

#18 Date Night - Salisa Brown

#19 University Swag - Mary Joe Romanchick

#20 That's Italian - Tina Pastore

#21 Turn It Up! - Daysi Carreto

#22 Chocolate Lovers Delight - Maria Vital

#23 Lucky Lottery - Joseph Medina

#24 Have a Christmas Breakfast - Anthony Amato

#25 Sweet Treats - Terri Ashenbrenner

By Amelia Farry '26, and Samantha Kosmark '26, Student Correspondents

This fall, The University of Scranton campus blossomed with vibrant life, thanks to the exceptional efforts of its Facilities Department Grounds staff. Outside the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Memorial Library, a landscaped area of chrysanthemums and other groundcover plants transformed the area into a seasonal masterpiece. Strategically placed in a central location, the landscaped area has become a cherished spot for students, faculty and visitors.

The inspiration for this project stemmed from necessity and opportunity. Landscape Specialist David Hampton explained that the removal of older plants near the library created a blank canvas for a fresh, modern landscape. With campus events like Move-in day, Open House and Family Weekend on the horizon, the team saw the chance to elevate the space into something extraordinary.

Every plant of the landscape project was strategically placed. From balancing the bold hues of red, yellow, orange and purple chrysanthemums to selecting resilient plants that thrive late into the season, the design aimed for both beauty and sustainability. Hampton said precision was key: "We measured everything to ensure balance and chose plants that were colorful and long-lasting. It was about modernizing the space and creating an impression.”

Behind the scenes, a dedicated team worked tirelessly to bring this vision to life. The project was a collaborative effort involving: Hampton, Anthony Kilker, Gene Kohut, Ken Smoke, John Williams, Nick Carcione, Scott Hintze, Ryan Heffron, Mike Mangino, Antonio Mangino, Frank Cardamone, Dave Winter, Mike James, Sev Alic, John McFadden, Brandon Siley, Eric Powell and James Schuler. Each member contributed their expertise in ensuring that every flower bed, ground cover and patch of grass was perfected.

As the fall semester winds down, the grounds staff members are preparing for their spring surprises. Grounds Supervisor Eugene Kohut revealed plans for the months ahead. Key areas around campus, including the John Long Center, St. Thomas Hall, and residence halls areas, are slated for vibrant new landscaping.

“By graduation, we want these spaces to be full of blooming plants, creating a lively and welcoming environment,” Kohut said.

Facilities Operations Director Michael Judge noted that in spring 2025 the University community will see the addition of approximately 1,500 tulip and daffodil bulbs, ensuring fresh bursts of color across campus.

“We’re always bouncing around new ideas to keep things looking fresh,” he said. Hampton emphasized the importance of maintaining the campus’s pristine grass through specialized fertilization and expert mowing techniques.

The work of the Facilities Department Grounds Staff has not gone unnoticed. Members of the University community have expressed their gratitude and admiration for the stunning display and the joy and pride it brings to campus life. For the grounds staff, these moments of appreciation are a reminder of the importance of green spaces and the positive impact they have on everyone who steps onto campus.

As the team reflects on their accomplishments and prepares for what is next, their dedication continues to be a source of inspiration. This fall, The University of Scranton displayed new landscaping, it also highlighted the heart and commitment of the people who care for the campus, one plant at a time.

 

 

The Staff Senate would like to thank all staff members who took the time to recognize and share their colleagues' accomplishments, sense of community, and dedication to excellence. The Meg Cullen Brown Magis Award would not exist without our caring community!

THE MEG CULLEN-BROWN MAGIS AWARD WINNER for December 2024 is:

Ben Storman – Facilities

We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and celebrate the good work that Ben does on a daily basis. We hope you will join us in personally congratulating Ben and all our nominees.

Ben will receive a gift certificate for complimentary food at our fabulous University food service outlets, as well as a reserved parking space in the DeNaples Parking Pavilion for the month of December. Each winner is also invited to the Staff Senate Recognition event next May to receive a certificate of appreciation.

We congratulate Ben and all nominees for being recognized as “Magis” employees!

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December 2024 Nominees

The process to develop the University’s next strategic plan for 2025 and beyond is moving full steam ahead. During the spring and summer, the Office of Planning & Institutional Effectiveness and the University Planning Committee received important input from students, faculty, staff, senior leadership, and our Board of Trustees, sharing their views on issues of potential importance for our new plan, the challenges and opportunities we are facing, and strengths that we can build upon.  

Members of the University community are encouraged to continue to share their ideas and hopes for the future of the University throughout the fall. This input will be reviewed by the University Planning Committee as it continues its work in building a draft strategic plan for community review this coming spring.

Scan the QR code in the graphic below to share your ideas or email your thoughts and suggestions to planning@scranton.edu.    

Read more about the strategic planning process by visiting: www.scranton.edu/strategicplanning2025 

Zakiyyah Smith, business consultant for The University of Scranton’s Small Business Development Center, was named to America’s SBDC 40 Under 40 list, which recognizes outstanding individuals under 40 in the SBDC Network “for their mastery of commerce, sparks of innovation, and steadfast dedication to nurturing the growth and prosperity of their communities.”

“These ambitious leaders are changing communities and employing unique perspectives and strategies that resonate with a modern workforce,” said Charles “Tee” Rowe, president and CEO, America’s SBDC, of the recipients. The award was presented at the 45th annual America’s SBDC Conference, which was held in September in Atlanta, Georgia.

Smith joined The University of Scranton SBDC in 2023. She provides business consulting services to start-up and existing small business clients within Pike County and SBDC’s Women’s Entrepreneurship Center. She brings to the SBDC a diverse background of experience working in client facing and account management related roles within the financial services and insurance industries. Her three areas of specialty interest are brand awareness, digital marketing strategy and time management.

A small business owner herself, Smith has facilitated the Women’s Entrepreneurship Center StartUP Program, a six-week certificate series is designed to provide women with the skills and knowledge needed to start their own businesses, with a focus on serving women in a life transition or those trying to make a better life for themselves and their families. This program offers participants education, support and guidance in determining if entrepreneurship is an option for them while teaching business startup basics, legal and insurance considerations, marketing and social media essentials, business plan development, accounting and budget skills, financing options and goal setting.

Last February, Smith facilitated a Fireside Chat with Black Women Business Owners, hosted by The University of Scranton SBDC and sponsored by NEPA Alliance APEX Accelerator.

Smith earned a bachelor’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University and holds Google certification in digital marketing and e-commerce.

The SBDC at The University of Scranton serves small business clients in Bradford, Lackawanna, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne and Wyoming counties.

The Staff Senate would like to thank all staff members who took the time to recognize and share their colleague’s accomplishments, sense of community, and dedication to excellence. The Meg Cullen Brown Magis Award would not exist without our caring community!

THE MEG CULLEN-BROWN MAGIS AWARD WINNER for October 2024 is: Tom Kern - IT Services

How long have you worked at the University?

"Eleven years."

What is your title?

"IT Services Technician."

What do you like best about your job?

"The opportunity to work with a variety of great people from all walks of life."

What do you like to do for fun?

"I enjoy gardening and landscaping."

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We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and celebrate the good work that Tom does on a daily basis. We hope you will join us in personally congratulating Tom and all our nominees.

Tom will receive a gift certificate for complimentary food at our fabulous University food service outlets, as well as a reserved parking space in the DeNaples Parking Pavilion for the month of October. Each winner is also invited to the Staff Senate Recognition event next May to receive a certificate of appreciation.

We congratulate Tom and all nominees for being recognized as “Magis” employees!

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October 2024 Nominees

The Staff Senate would like to thank all staff members who took the time to recognize and share their colleague’s accomplishments, sense of community, and dedication to excellence. The Meg Cullen Brown Magis Award would not exist without our caring community!

THE MEG CULLEN-BROWN MAGIS AWARD WINNER for September 2024 is: Dawn Mazurik - Nursing

How long have you worked at the University?
"I am an Administrative Assistant in the Nursing Department.  I have worked in the same position for 20 years. ... I am truly blessed to work with everyone at the University."

What do you like best about your job?
"The best part of my job is preparing reports and working with numbers. Life has so many shades of gray. I love that numbers are black and white."

What do you like to do for fun?
"In my free time I enjoy going to car shows. It is amazing how much cars have changed."

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We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and celebrate the good work that Dawn does on a daily basis. We hope you will join us in personally congratulating Dawn and all our nominees.

Dawn will receive a gift certificate for complimentary food at our fabulous University food service outlets, as well as a reserved parking space in the DeNaples Parking Pavilion for the month of September. Each winner is also invited to the Staff Senate Recognition event next May to receive a certificate of appreciation.

We congratulate Dawn and all nominees for being recognized as “Magis” employees!

September 2024 Nominees

 

 

Patricia Vaccaro, director of the Center for Service and Social Justice at The University of Scranton, received a 2024 Alpha Sigma Nu Magis Award. The national award recognizes lay members of the national Jesuit honor society who “best exemplify scholarship, loyalty and service in their work to better the world.”

Vaccaro joined the University staff in 1987 as director of collegiate volunteers. Under Vaccaro’s leadership, the volunteer service opportunities offered to University students greatly expanded through long-established partnerships with area nonprofit organizations, as well as through the development of innovative programs and initiatives to address the needs of individuals in the greater Scranton area.

University service programs created during Vaccaro’s tenure as director include FIRST (First-years Involved in Reflective Service Together), a reflective service immersion program now in its 21^st year, through which a about 40 incoming students at Scranton arrive a week earlier than their classmates to volunteer at area nonprofit organizations and then reflect on their service experiences. The Meg Cullen-Brown SMART program, a mentoring program that has been in existence for more than a decade, pairs University students with high school students in the Scranton School District. The SPARK summer camp is a collaborative program with Scranton Preparatory School that began in 2012 and serves area teens who are at risk. More recent programs offered by the Center for Service and Social Justice include the We Care Program, through which students prepare between 50 to 100 meals weekly for community members in need; Crafts for a Cause, through which students create cards, crochet hats and other items and make jewelry that is donated to the Catherine McAuley Center and Friends of the Poor, and Teen Threads, a student run program in which students collect clothing for teens and then organize “pop-up” giveaways at area high schools.

In addition, The Center for Service and Social Justice, which Vaccaro directs and organizes, with staff from the Center, an annual Volunteer and Service Fair for area nonprofit organizations looking for student volunteers;  Safe Trick or Treat events in residence halls; annual Thanksgiving food and Christmas toy drives; and end-of-year drives that collect thousands of items annually from students as they leave campus. The items collected during move-out are donated to housing developments and area nonprofit organizations. The Center also coordinates domestic and international service programs and offers numerous other service opportunities for University students throughout the year.

Vaccaro has also helped to initiate several popular retreats offered through the Campus Ministry Office during the academic year, including the Mother Daughter retreat.

Vaccaro received the University’s 2009 Sursum Corda (Lift Up Your Hearts) Award, which recognizes staff members who have made outstanding contributions to the life and mission of the University. She was inducted as a member of Alpha Sigma Nu in 2000.

In the greater Scranton area, Vaccaro was a founding member of the Habitat for Humanity of Lackawanna County Chapter. She has served on several boards in the region, including Voluntary Action Center of NEPA and Catholic Social Services.

Vaccaro earned a bachelor’s degree from Marywood University and a master’s degree from The University of Scranton.

Julie Schumacher Cohen, assistant vice president for community engagement and government affairs at The University of Scranton, was among the 50 Higher Education Trailblazers named by City and State Pennsylvania, a multimedia news organization that focuses on the commonwealth.

At Scranton, Cohen leads a variety of community and civic initiatives. She served as project director of “Scranton’s Story, Our Nation’s Story,” a project that garnered a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. A multiple-year, community-wide project, “Scranton’s Story” explored themes of history, belonging, identity, community and democracy through a series of humanities-based programs culminating in a fall 2023 oral history collection.

“These Scranton Stories give voice to a broad array of Scranton experiences - bringing underrepresented and long-told narratives together - to create a new mosaic that connects Scranton to our nation’s ongoing story prior to its 250^th anniversary,” said Cohen of the project.

In 2022, Cohen coordinated The University of Scranton’s third Living Wage Study rooted in the Catholic social justice tradition that details problems and solutions related to economic insecurity in Northeastern Pennsylvania. She chairs the University’s Community-Based Learning Board, which involves academic, course-based programs through which students work with individuals or organizations on projects that address community needs in such areas as poverty, neighborhood revitalization, refugee solidarity, and non-profit capacity building. She also chairs the University’s Political Dialogue Initiative, which encourages reflective, structured discussion for students around contentious issues such as immigration, guns, upcoming elections, foreign policy and more. Cohen serves on several Scranton area boards, including Scranton Tomorrow, Valley in Motion and First Friday. She co-chairs the city of Scranton’s World Refugee Day.

Cohen joined the University in 2010. During her tenure, she has spearheaded a new downtown Scranton student-engagement initiatives and built collaborative relationships with community, neighborhood and government leaders and organizations. Together with community and faculty partners, she has helped to create refugee solidarity programming. From 2016-2019, Cohen served as co-chair of the University’s Middle States Self-Study for reaccreditation. She has written editorials and articles that have appeared in the Scranton Times-Tribune, America, Connections, Conversations and the Journal of Ecumenical Studies.

Prior to Scranton, Cohen served as deputy director of Churches for Middle East Peace, a coalition of church bodies that works to advance Israeli-Palestinian peace, among other roles with cross-cultural and social justice organizations. She is currently a member of the Catholic Advisory Council of Churches for Middle East Peace and the board of the Foundation for Middle East Peace and has been active this past year in organizing educational programs and activities on the Gaza-Israel crisis to discuss how to end the current hostilities and foster a just peace.

Cohen earned a bachelor’s degree in political studies and English literature from Gordon College and a Master of Public Administration from Villanova University. Currently, she is pursuing a political science doctoral degree at Temple University.

The Staff Senate would like to thank all staff members who took the time to recognize and share their colleague’s accomplishments, sense of community, and dedication to excellence. The Meg Cullen Brown Magis Award would not exist without our caring community!

THE MEG CULLEN-BROWN MAGIS AWARD WINNER for May 2024 is: Donna Rupp - Psychology

How long have you worked at the University? 
"I have worked at the University for 23 years."  
 
What is your title? 
"I am the full-time Administrative Assistant for the Psychology Department. I am also the part-time administrative assistant for the Latin American/Latinx Studies and Women’s & Gender Studies programs." 
 
What do you like best about your job? 
"I enjoy the daily interactions with students and faculty. The appreciation and respect I receive is very gratifying." 
 
What do you like to do for fun? 
"Some of my favorite things to do are spending time with family (especially with my four-year-old grandson), shown below, running socially with two good friends several times a week, camping and occasional long weekend trips to the Atlantic City casinos."

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We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and celebrate the good work that Donna does on a daily basis. We hope you will join us in personally congratulating Donna and all our nominees.

Donna will receive a gift certificate for complimentary food at our fabulous University food service outlets, as well as a reserved parking space in the DeNaples Parking Pavilion for the month of June. Each winner is also invited to the Staff Senate Recognition event next May to receive a certificate of appreciation.

We congratulate Donna and all nominees for being recognized as “Magis” employees!

June 2024 Nominees

 

The Staff Senate would like to thank all staff members who took the time to recognize and share their colleague’s accomplishments, sense of community, and dedication to excellence. The Meg Cullen Brown Magis Award would not exist without our caring community!

THE MEG CULLEN-BROWN MAGIS AWARD WINNER for August 2024 is: Kelly Cook - CAS Advising

How long have you worked at the University?
"I have worked at the University since 2009. First in the Registrar's office and now CAS Advising."

What is your title?
"Academic Advisor."

What do you like best about your job?
"What is not to like?  I have the best co-workers and get to work with our students every day!"

What do you like to do for fun?
"I love plants, so right now my garden is keeping me busy. I spend most of my free time adventuring with my dog, Sparky."

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We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and celebrate the good work that Kelly does on a daily basis. We hope you will join us in personally congratulating Kelly and all our nominees.

Kelly will receive a gift certificate for complimentary food at our fabulous University food service outlets, as well as a reserved parking space in the DeNaples Parking Pavilion for the month of August. Each winner is also invited to the Staff Senate Recognition event next May to receive a certificate of appreciation.

We congratulate Kelly and all nominees for being recognized as “Magis” employees!

August 2024 Nominees