York College Magazine 2021 Vol. 3

COLLEGE MAGAZINE

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT GIVING BACK

<< Bryce Kruger ’18

PURSUITS

FEATURES

Cover photo of Bryce Kruger ’18

Photo by Emily Rund.

Daisy Soaps helped senior Chemistry major, Sarah Zavatsky, pay for her YCP education.

Photo by Our York Media.

VIEW FROM MY WINDOW YORK COLLEGE

President

Pamela Gunter-Smith, PhD

Provost and Vice President, Academic Affairs

Laura Niesen de Abruña, PhD

Vice President, Development

As I have said often, “As York goes, so does York College, and as York College goes, so does York.” One of the factors that attracted me to the presidency of York College was an opportunity to lead an institution that mattered to its community. Since the beginning of my tenure here in 2013, one of my major goals has been to strengthen the symbiotic relationship between the College, the city of York, and the greater York region. This commitment is expressed as a goal in the 2016-2021 Strategic Long Range Plan to be a catalyst for positive change in our community.

The current edition of the York College Magazine focuses on community. I am proud to say that we have realized many of the objectives included under this goal. We are responsible for educating thousands of people from our area, and many others who came to the College and made our region their home. We employ hundreds of workers, including students; contribute to workforce development for private industry and the public sector; and generate revenue that expands the local tax base.

Our commitment goes beyond the number of degrees conferred and our fiscal impact. We planted our YCP flag right in downtown York with two facilities—the Center for Community Engagement and Marketview Arts. In doing so, we have built programs that bridge the exchange of ideas and creation of initiatives between the College and the community. Our capacity to build strong relationships is key to our contributions to economic and social growth throughout our region.

We know that good things happen when academic resources are deployed to enrich business growth—particularly with regard to high-knowledge industries.

Our J.D. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship at Kings Mill, an early-stage business incubator, links the region’s entrepreneurial community with the College’s intellectual resources. In this way, our students and faculty accelerate venture creation and growth. The College’s Knowledge Park will deliberately blend highimpact learning and real-world innovation to create and revitalize partnerships with industries in our region.

The many contributions of the College to community development are highlighted in our recent publication, The Community and Economic Impact Report. The report, available at publications.ycp.edu/impact-report-2021, provides a snapshot of the collaborative relationships in which the College has been engaged since 2016, the year the Strategic Long Range Plan was adopted. York College continues to positively influence our community and, in turn, continues to thrive.

Finally, just this year we added the York College Promise program. Like its predecessor, the York College Community Opportunity Scholars Program (YCCOSP), our Promise program provides financial and other resources for students from low-income families, fulfilling our commitment to develop future leaders for our community.

York College has been part of this community since 1787. For over 230 years, we have grown together. We are not done; in fact, we are just getting started!

Troy M. Miller

Chief Communications and Marketing Officer

Mary Dolheimer

Vice President, Enrollment Management

Daniel Green, DMA

Assistant to the President for Capital Projects and Facilities Utilization

Kenneth Martin, PhD

Dean of Student Development and Campus Life

Rick Satterlee, PhD

Vice President, Finance and Campus Operations

Anthony DeCocinis

Dean, Center for Community Engagement

Dominic DelliCarpini, PhD

Head of School, York Country Day School

Christine Heine, EdD

YORK COLLEGE MAGAZINE

Director of Editorial Services

Gail R. Huganir

Director of Creative Services

Lance A. Snyder ’05

Graphic Designer Ryan Kidd ’13

Design Consultant

Skelton Sprouls

Photographer

Emily Rund

Writer

Colleen A. Hiltl

Senior Administrative Assistant

Colleen M. Adamy

Fall 2021 Intern

Eva Savill ’22

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Send address label along with new address to: Division of College Advancement

York College of Pennsylvania York, PA 17403-3651

717-815-1410 or email yorkmag@ycp.edu

York College Magazine is published three times a year (May, August, December) by the Division of College Advancement, York College of Pennsylvania, York, PA 17403-3651. Periodicals

postage paid at York, PA, and additional mailing offices. Permit No. 174. © 2021 York College of Pennsylvania. Printed in U.S.A.

We welcome your news and comments at yorkmag@ycp.edu. York College of Pennsylvania does not discriminate because of race, color, religious creed, disability, ancestry, national origin, sex, or age in employment or in recruitment and acceptance of students.

Pamela Gunter-Smith, PhD President, York College of Pennsylvania

Should the U.S. Move to a Four-Day Work Week?

James Norrie, PhD Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship

This is a provocative question; and I have an even more provocative answer. The U.S. should abolish the idea of the standard work week all together and bring human resources and employment law current with the new world of work. Other than those who must work on-site in service industries, professionals increasingly do not treat work as a destination, but as an activity seamlessly woven into their schedules and managed around personal and professional priorities and preferences. Work times vary widely—and flexibility and acceptance of working from home—or living at work!—is the new norm. Let’s embrace this as an opportunity to reinvent dated HR regulations to match this new reality.

Adam Carr ’05 Software Engineer, Johns Hopkins University

I think it will depend on the job. For example, I can’t imagine healthcare workers ever having a four-day work week, given that they tend to be understaffed even with a six- or seven-day work week. The same goes for restaurants and such. White collar jobs will be the most likely to embrace a four-day work week, which is a shame, honestly, because those healthcare workers and line cooks could use the break a lot more than we could. In addition, salaried positions would more readily accept this than hourly ones. Someone working an hourly wage can’t necessarily afford to work a day less.

Ideally, I’d like to see an across-theboard move to a shorter work week that benefits everyone. This would need to include a proportionate increase to hourly wages and better shift planning for essential jobs like healthcare.

Laura West Steck, PhD Associate Professor of Sociology and Chair, Dept. of Applied Behavioral Sciences

Americans work longer hours than those in any other modern industrialized nation in the world. Over the past 40 years, annual work time among employed Americans has increased by 173 hours. The 40-hour, five-day work week has been an American standard for nearly a century. However, this model has never adequately accounted for the everincreasing unpaid obligations that also require adult commitments of time and energy. International and U.S. companies that have adopted more flexible employment options, such as the fourday work week, have reported improved work-life balance, lower stress levels, and greater productivity among employees. While achieving these positive outcomes would not require universal adoption of the four-day model, the availability of diverse flexible work options, including the four-day work week, could significantly enhance both worker wellbeing and overall corporate productivity.

“Ideally, I’d like to see an across-the-board move to a shorter work week that benefits everyone.”

— ADAM CARR ’05

LIFESAVER

York College Nursing student Sarah Friedman ’23, had just started her waitressing shift at the Red Lobster in Bridgewater, NJ, when someone ran into the restaurant and asked if anyone knew CPR.

“I didn’t even hesitate,” Friedman says. “I remember my professor telling me, ‘You never know when you’ll be in a position where you’ll need this.’ ”

A police officer arrived on the scene and was able to give the man oxygen while she continued compressions. Minutes later, when an ambulance arrived, the man regained consciousness.

“I decided to stay and complete my shift,” she says. “When I’m working in my field, I’ll have things like this happen, and I’ll have to

FIGHTING FOR A NEW LIFE

Sherrell “China” Robinson ’22 had days when there wasn’t enough food in the house to feed herself, but she pushed past her struggles to rewrite her story. She was living in North Philadelphia when the crime in her neighborhood got to be too much. Her son, Naheem, was less than a year old. She decided to pack her bags and move. “A lot of people questioned my choice to go back to school,” she says. “They told me I needed to just go out and get a job. I needed to support my son.”

On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Robinson would spend her days at York College taking classes. She enrolled in the Criminal Justice program. Every morning, she walked

her son the two miles from her apartment to his daycare and then walked to campus. She has stood in the snow and the rain waiting for the doors of the Academic Support Center at York College to unlock each morning. The recognition of Robinson’s efforts came this past year in the form of the Academic Senate’s Khanna Scholarship. Robinson cried when she received it. “School is one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done,” she says, “but, I’m doing it. I’m pushing through. I’m not backing down. I’m changing my life for the better.”

York College supports students as they work to turn career dreams into reality. Some 99% of new, full-time students receive financial assistance or scholarships. A variety of scholarships and grants are available, based on both merit and financial need.

FALL SENIOR EXHIBITION

December 3-15, 2021

Brossman Gallery, 5-7 p.m.

Fine Art and Graphic Design seniors exhibit their final bodies of work and senior design projects.

Call 717-815-1354 for information.

With clinicals ahead of her, Friedman hopes to continue to use the skills she’s learned at York College, and later hopes to pursue a career as a Nurse Practitioner.

“It’s great to see that what you’re learn ing can impact someone’s life,” Friedman says. “As I grow as a medical provider and a woman, I want to remember these experiences that shaped me.”

SUPERFUND SITE 101

February 15, 2022, 7-8 p.m.

Willman Business Center 118, Weinstock Lecture Hall Environmental Protection Agency staff provide a history of superfund sites and discuss their transformation into community assets. Call 717-815-1754 for information.

In your experience, how best can students prepare for a career in music?

So much of our students’ success relies not just on talent, but on discipline, determination, and preparedness.

The most successful music students are the ones that work the hardest at their craft and who find their niche of creative expression that lines up with

What drew you to teach voice and music literature at the collegiate level?

I’ve always looked to the future through the lens of what has come before, so teaching students about music literature from the last 1,000 years can be incredibly informative to the music we are making today. Teaching at the college level has allowed me to be an active musician with amazing colleagues and engage with students who are serious about learning and becoming better musicians. There’s nothing more rewarding than helping a student discover and develop their own potential and watching them grow over our four years together.

across disciplines on campus?

Our performance classes are open to all students, regardless of major. In fact, many students choose York College because they can continue to participate in musical activities while pursuing a degree outside of music. The musical theatre productions involve students and skillsets from many disciplines—everything from live sound reinforcement to costume management, graphic design, set building, lighting design, event promotion, not to mention the performers on stage!

What kinds of hands-on opportunities do you design for your students?

With music, experiential learning is inherent to the curricular process. I teach a lot of individual voice lessons, which extend into weekly studio classes and recital performances with other voice students. Perhaps the most interactive component of my job, though, is directing the musical theatre programs on campus. Last semester in our Hy-Flex learning environment we recorded a fulllength musical utilizing our Wolf Hall recording studio to capture individual audio tracks, and then stitched together video footage recorded and submitted by each student.

MEET ERIN LIPPARD, DMA

“There’s nothing more rewarding than helping a student discover and develop their own

— ERIN LIPPARD, DMA

Assistant Professor of Music

REALIZING POTENTIAL

David McHugh ’23 visited multiple colleges and was unimpressed until he stumbled upon an Open House at York College. He heard stories from current students, who shared their experiences and the value they found at the College. Today, he tries to share his own knowledge so others can see all York College has to offer.

“I saw that I wouldn’t just be working with Computer Science students, but engineers and clients,” he says. “I wasn’t going to be lectured day in and day out, but learn tangible skills, as well.”

McHugh was able to secure an internship by the end of his first semester. His next internship was

with Becton Dickinson, a fortune 500 federally regulated medical device company. He is continuing this internship in fall 2021. He is also leading the team working on the Radio Telescope Project, making him the youngest to take on that role.

McHugh sees the many opportunities he’s been given at York College and still remembers what led him to want to attend the College in the first place.

“If you’re motivated enough, York College will help you succeed in about anything you put your mind to,” he says. “I’m right there next to the engineers, business representatives, and clients to ensure the success of anything I put my mind to.”

SOAP PAYS TUITION

Senior Sarah Zavatsky’s company, Green Daisy Soaps, has helped the Spring Grove, PA, student pay for her York College education. She will graduate without any student debt.

By the time she was 16, she had her first soap product and launched a business. In her final year as a Chemistry major, that little soap company has helped Zavatsky get through college debt-free.

During a study abroad trip to Costa Rica with her Sustainability Class, Zavatsky learned some of the unique impacts that plastic use has on the environment. She returned with a new drive to make a difference.

Now branded as Green Daisy Soaps, Zavatsky wanted her product to reflect the green initiatives that

A NEW PLACE TO CALL HOME

York College welcomed a group of 80 students into the new Springettsbury Apartments at the start of the Fall 2021 Semester. The 20-apartment, two-building complex was built around student input.

Christa Simpson ’22 (Perry Hall, MD) states, “it is the perfect place to spend my final year at YCP.”

Construction for the residence halls started in December 2020 and finished in August 2021. Each air-conditioned apartment boasts single bedrooms, two bathrooms, and complete kitchens with dishwashers. The buildings are located on Springettsbury Avenue, which according to Karen Rice-Young ’92,

were important to her. She says, “You can have an environmentally friendly, green product that isn’t boring and still smells good or looks pretty.” While some of her products, such as body scrubs and lotions, are still packaged in plastic, Zavatsky offers her customers a recycling program. For every 10 containers they return, she gives a discount on her product. “It really helps people become aware of their plastic use,” she says. “If I can get them to just think about it a little more, I think I’m already helping make a dent.” Even after she graduates and pursues a career in a lab, she hopes to keep Green Daisy Soaps in operation.

process,” Zavatsky says. “I know it’s

Manager of YCP’s Archives & Special Collections, was named after the founder of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, William Penn’s grandson, Springett. The apartments are next to the Gordon Center for Jewish Student Life and Springettsbury House and are completely enclosed with security fencing. Residents also have on-site parking, laundry, and CCTV surveillance. Students had the option to choose between first- or secondfloor apartments, all of which have vinyl floors and gray walls. Senior Brooke Serio from White Marsh, MD, believes that “it was so easy to decorate and make the apartment our own. All our bedrooms are so different, it was easy to let our personalities shine through!”  — E.S.

THE RISE, FALL, AND RETURN OF THE AMERICAN MOVIE PALACE

With Photographer Matt Lambros

February 17, 2022, 7 p.m.

Capitol Theatre, Appell Center for the Performing Arts

A multimedia presentation showing the decline and renovation of classic film theatres. Call 717-815-1354 for information.

LEMONS, LEMONS, LEMONS, LEMONS, LEMONS, By Sam Steiner, Directed By Malanie McGeary ’22

February 24-25, 2022, 7 p.m.

Perko Blackbox Theatre

This unique play forces the audience to think about censorship and language. Call 717-600-3868 or boxoffice@ycp.edu for tickets and information.

NOMADLAND

With Professor Laura Steck March 24, 2022, 7 p.m., Humanities 218 Chloé Zhao’s Oscar-winning 2020 film stars Frances McDormand as a woman who leads a nomadic life on the road. Call 717-815-1354 for information.

JL SMITH NEW PLAY FESTIVAL

May 5 and 6, 2022, Virtual Students work with professional playwrights to develop the 2nd annual play contest and festival. Call 717-600-3868 or boxoffice@ycp.edu for tickets and information.

“You can have an environmentally friendly, green product that isn’t boring and…looks pretty.”

— SARAH ZAVATSKY

OVERHEARD

EDUCATION BUILT FOR IMPACT

“I believe that some of the adjustments operators made during the pandemic will endure. Particularly the trend of contactless ordering and pickup/ delivery…I anticipate that successful hospitality operations in the future will be those that learn to blend the convenience of technology with the human touch the industry is known for.”

virtual, that puts students at ease and encourages discussion and personal connection does more than facilitate the understanding of content; it prepares students to work with one another toward a deeper understanding of the material and one another.”

CONNECT YOUR PROFESSIONAL GOALS WITH REAL-WORLD OPPORTUNITIES.

ADVANCE YOUR CAREER WITH A YORK COLLEGE OF PENNSYLVANIA GRADUATE DEGREE.

Discover our full graduate program portfolio: ycp.edu/graduate

” I was able to build lasting connections with staff that supported, encouraged, and believed in me to try things outside of my comfort zone. Each class, I walked away with renewed excitement for my career and the endless possibilities it holds for my learners.”

Brianna

“Would they even admit to being attacked, given the current environment they’re in?”

Tamara Schwartz , Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity and Business Administration, York College, who was quoted in “Why Facebook went down: What caused 6-hour outage on Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp,”

by Terry Collins, USA Today October 5, 2021.

“They know they are the next generation of folks that will be providing care.” [Professors at York College of Pennsylvania are working to shape their curriculum to help students step into the throes of the pandemic. They said many of their students are already working within healthcare systems or as EMTs.]

Carrie

Pucino

Associate

Professor

of Nursing, York College, who also worked as a critical care nurse, was quoted in “The next generation of nurses prepare to step into the pandemic,” by Jamie Bittner, FOX43, September 9, 2021.

“That’s something that’s going to weigh on the shoulders of those who have served there, but we should still look optimistically at the good things that we were able to accomplish while we were there.”

John

Weaver

,

Associate Professor

of Intelligence Analysis at York College, was quoted in “Local vet says the decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan was not surprising,” by Paola Belloso, FOX43, July 9, 2021.

“Creating a classroom atmosphere, whether real-world or

Lisa Hess , Adjunct Professor of Psychology, York College, “The Joys of Musical Breakout Rooms,” Faculty Focus, September 27, 2021.

Joseph Scarcelli Associate Professor, Hospitality Management, York College, “US Cities Most Impacted by Leisure and Hospitality Job Loss and Recovery,” by Danielle Kiser, MoneyGeek September 1, 2021.

Weaver, MEd ’21 3rd Grade Teacher, York, PA

YORK COLLEGE PROMISE

York College of Pennsylvania has a lifeline for those who might consider a college education beyond their reach. Building upon its longtime commitment of offering a high-quality, affordable education, the College introduced a new program in fall 2021—the York College Promise—designed to expand access to college and to drive economic development in York County. Participating students receive free tuition, but are responsible for other costs, including room and board. They have the opportunity to access federal and state need-based assistance, including college workstudy, to help with those costs.

According to Dr. Gunter-Smith, President of the College, “The York College Promise program opens doors for York County students who, without assistance, would be less likely to attend college. Most importantly, these students will be prepared with the skills and credentials to become contributing citizens. The success of this program is a long-term opportunity to improve our own community.”

Criminal Justice major Juan Barajas ’25, from York, PA, says, “I am very grateful and proud for being accepted into the York College Promise program. As part of the first group of students, my hopes are to prove how beneficial and helpful a program like this could be for students. Being in the Promise program not only gives me opportunities for my everyday life on campus, but it helped me to be debt- and stress-free in the future.”

The program encourages students who may be considering skipping college to reconsider. “We want to ensure that all students—particularly those in our own community—understand the value of the college experience,” says GunterSmith. “As families read more about increasing student debt, they should be aware that research shows students with a college diploma have higher earnings and a better quality of life. The return-on-investment is substantial, and the message is clear: college matters.”

STUDENTS DESIGN STOREFRONT

First-year student Ruby Bair (York, PA) states, “Being in the York College Promise program has enabled me to follow my dreams to become a child psychologist. With the Promise program I am able to live on campus and be a first-generation college student. I already have a large group of friends who are York Promise students just like me. I feel as if I found my second family in the York College program.”

The York College Promise program provides eligible graduates from York County high schools with an opportunity to attend college as part of a cohort of fellow program participants who live and learn together on campus. Students receive support with academic advising, work-study job opportunities, and free tuition toward their cost of attendance at York College.

“The cohort model will assist students, many of whom are first-

generation students, to navigate the college experience, but also allow for the personal attention students expect,” said Vice President for Enrollment Management Danny Green. “The program includes full engagement in academic and student life, and Promise students take some key courses together, reside on campus in a living-learning environment, and will provide service to the community through the IMPACT York program. These opportunities and more will contribute to student success.”

Rylee Presswood ’25 (York, PA) says most of the students in the program live in the same dorms and they are in the same Changemakers class taught by Cody Miller and Jonathan Lopes. She is ready to help out the community and appreciates that the program will allow her “many opportunities to make a positive impact in someone else’s life.”

Bair knows the program will have an impact on her life. “I find the leadership of the College faculty astronomically life-changing,” she says.

Criteria for participation and information on applying to the York College Promise program is available at ycp.edu/york-college-promise

Arts entrepreneurship is alive and well at Marketview Arts in downtown York. Dr. Gunter-Smith, President of York College, and Dr. Dominic DelliCarpini, Dean of the Center for Community Engagement (CCE), recognized a need for a space for arts entrepreneurship, meaning the process artists engage with to make a living practicing their art form. Designing a space that would meet this need at Marketview Arts became a project for the Engaged Scholars’ First Year-Seminar (FYS) taught by Professor Meagan Given, fundraiser and community builder, Dean DelliCarpini, and Karin Swartz, Assistant Dean of the CCE. The students used design-thinking to create and prototype a storefront, business plan, and community programs based on interviews with the artists in the Marketview Arts building, YCP students in the art programs, faculty members, and community members.

After the FYS, four students chose to continue with the Shop at Marketview project. Additional scholars joined the team to implement the programmatic ideas that the class had developed. The Shop at Marketview is managed by CCE staff with input from the original student team.

The Shop, as well as the rest of the building, is open Tuesday through Saturday. It is staffed by student workers and the Appell Arts Fellow. A combination of the scholars’ team, CCE staff, and the artists dictates what is available for sale. Currently, there are original works, prints, T-shirts, tote bags, magnets, journals, and refreshments.

Swartz says, “As we approach the holiday season, we expect to increase inventory and add more small items and reproductions of artwork as well as new original works. We will also feature more student work as the semester progresses.”

She adds, “We are committed to low commissions and making the space acces sible for artists so they can sell their work. The idea is to foster a place for students and Marketview artists to promote their work in the community with the hope of encouraging more people to visit the exhib its and studios in the rest of the building.”

This project was a collaborative effort between all the Engaged Scholar programs. The Scholars were able to put their understanding of design-thinking to work to serve the community and create entrepreneurship opportunities for the artists at Marketview Arts.

Hours of Operation

Tuesday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Wednesday 12–7 p.m.

Thursday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Friday–Saturday 10 a.m.–9 p.m.

Sunday–Monday Closed

“The success of this program is a long-term opportunity to improve our own community.”

— DR. PAMELA GUNTER-SMITH, PRESIDENT OF YORK COLLEGE

“The idea is to foster a place for students and Marketview artists to promote their work in the community with the hope of encouraging more people to visit the exhibits and studios in the rest of the building.”

— KARIN SWARTZ, ASSISTANT DEAN, CCE

LEFT TO RIGHT: Rylee Presswood ’25 and Juan Barajas ’25 are proud to have been accepted into the York College Promise program.

TAKING THE REINS

with her players or her new co-workers— she was forced to build relationships over Zoom calls, individual meetings, and social-distanced practice sessions.

“It certainly wasn’t the ideal time to come in as a new coach,” said Wakeman. “But we were all dealing with something that none of us were ever fully prepared for.”

SPARTAN SHORTS

groundwork for what we have been able to do over the last six months.”

Spartan Head Women’s Soccer Coach

Kelly Wakeman was hired in May of 2020 after the retirement of Vicki Sterner, the only coach in the history of the program.

All the normal parts of taking the reins of a program didn’t happen, at least in the traditional way. Wakeman didn’t get to have the face-to-face interactions

Wakeman used all the available resources to begin reaching out to her new players, getting to know them and building relationships that started to form the foundations of her women’s soccer program. That construction took a little longer, but only because that’s what the situation dictated.

“I was very proud of how our players handled the entire situation,” said Wakeman. “The work that we were able to do over the summer of 2020 heading into last fall laid the

Once Wakeman was able to get into the office and meet all of her co-workers and her team, another challenge came her way. The fall of 2020 season was canceled due to the pandemic. What should have been a year to be celebrated as the Spartans’ first in the MAC Commonwealth, was nothing but skill sessions with masks and social distancing. Two things that are not exactly conducive to the game of soccer.

“One of the many things we have learned since the start of COVID is being adaptable and flexible,” said Wakeman. “We have better learned how to adjust on the fly and make the best of any situation.”

The Spartans were finally able to get on the field as a team in a less limited capacity in the spring of 2021. York played a series of friendlies against other MAC Commonwealth teams as they were able to better prepare for the fall campaign.

Wakeman said, “It was extremely beneficial for us to get some game action in during the spring. It was great for the players to get to compete in a game situation. It was great for me to get to familiarize myself with how our players play. It set a great tone heading into the fall.”

The Spartans were off to a good start as they played nine non-conference contests in September before they kicked off MAC Commonwealth play on October 2 with a home game against defending champion Messiah University.

“I am thankful to have found a home in the Spartan Athletic Department, and I am extremely excited about the potential of our program,” said Wakeman. Though the start of her time as a Spartan may have been particularly challenging, Coach Wakeman has viewed all of the roadblocks as exciting challenges to overcome and has enjoyed building a strong foundation with her team as they set out to make a statement in the MAC.

The Spartan swim program has a new Head Coach and Director of Aquatics as Birkir Jonsson assumed the role for the men’s and women’s programs. Jonsson joins the Spartans after serving as an assistant at University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) and Texas Christian University (TCU).

The Spartan Athletic Department has a number of big athletic events in December and January.

The Spartan men’s basketball team plays its first-ever Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Commonwealth home game on Saturday, December 4 vs. Lebanon Valley. They also host former Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) rival Christopher Newport on January 8.

The wrestling program will host the loaded New Standard Invitational on December 3 and 4 at M&T Bank Fieldhouse. The tournament expanded to a two-day event this year.

The women’s basketball team opens their Commonwealth home slate on December 4 vs. Lebanon Valley in a league doubleheader.

SPARTANS EARN NATIONAL ACADEMIC ACCOLADES

The Spartan Athletic Department had a pair of student-athletes earn College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-American honors at the conclusion of the 2021 spring campaign.

Senior baseball shortstop Austin Denlinger and senior women’s lacrosse midfielder Jenna Cholowinski became the 14th and 15th Spartans in school history

POST-SEASON HONORS ABOUND FOR SPARTAN SPRING SQUADS

The spring season resulted in great team success for York in 2021. That team success resulted in 15 Spartans earning national All-American honors.

The Spartan baseball team had a school-record three players earn ABCA All-American honors. Seniors Jack Barry and Austin Denlinger were named to the second team while pitcher Brandon Haggerty was a third team pick. Barry was the MAC Commonwealth Player of the Year while Haggerty was the league’s Pitcher of the Year.

Women’s golfer Natalie Robson ’23 became the first player in program history to earn WGCA honors after finishing 21 at the Division III National Championships. Robson was the MAC Player and Rookie of the Year.

SPARTANS HAVE A NEW WEB PRESENCE

The York College Athletic Department and Athletic Communications Office debuted a new website on August 25. The Spartans contracted with Sidearm Sports, the premier athletics’ website provider in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) athletic departments. The new site houses three distinct aspects of Spartan athletics that was previously housed with

to earn the prestigious honor. Those 15 student-athletes have combined to earn 19 All-American honors.

Denlinger is a Civil Engineering major who owns a cumulative GPA of 3.67. Cholowinski boasts a 3.96 GPA as she pursues degrees in Intelligence Analysis and History. In addition to being national academic honorees, both Denlinger and Cholowinski were named on-the-field All-Americans by their respective coaches’ associations.

Women’s lacrosse standouts Jenna Cholowinski ’22 and Riley DiFiore ’22 both earned IWLCA All-American honors for the Spartans. Cholowinski was named a first team midfielder while DiFiore was a second team goalie. Cholowinski was the MAC Commonwealth Midfielder of the Year while DiFiore was the Defender of the Year. The men’s lacrosse team had a schoolrecord nine United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) AllAmericans. Ryan Kennedy ’22, Tyler Nation ’22, Dylan Wolf ’22 Brendan O’Sullivan ’22, Jack Michael ’23 Will Harnick ’24 Eric Ranck ’23 Ethan Greene ’23, and Noah Bruno ’22 were selected to the squads. Kennedy was named the William C. Stiles Memorial Outstanding Defenseman of the Year while Nation was picked as the national Long Pole Midfielder of the Year.

three different companies. The Spartan website, live game stats, and video are now all available under Spartan Game Day.

“The ability to have all of our services under one roof is something that was extremely appealing to us,” said Scott Guise, Director of Athletic Communications. “It also falls in line with our new conference as 17 of the 18 MAC schools are now under the Sidearm umbrella.” The athletic website remains at www.ycpspartans.com

Taking charge of a new program is hard. Taking over a new program on the front end of a pandemic, well, there is no playbook for that.

AUGMENTED REALITY IN THE CLASSROOM

Megan Tyson ’21 wanted to help her high school students develop better vocabulary skills. She used technology to see how she could better engage them.

She remembers when flashcards were the primary way teachers tried to get their students to recall new information. The William Penn Senior High School English teacher noticed that method didn’t work for everyone.

“Technology is such a changing, adaptive force,” she says. “I wanted to make sure I was using all the tools available to me in the classroom.”

She was so drawn to finding new ways to help students learn that she studied the use of Augmented Reality (AR) in the classroom, leading to her work being published in Issues and Trends in Learning Technologies

That journey—from teacher to published author—started at York College.

It was while developing her capstone project for her master’s program that Tyson decided to find new ways to help students expand their vocabulary. Students in 9th, 10th, and 11th grades participated and used both flashcards and AR through a program that can easily be accessed on student cell phones to help them learn the meanings of new words. It helped in a lot of ways, Tyson noted. Through the AR program, students would find themselves exploring city scenes, such as Times Square. The words and their definitions would be integrated into the scene, giving students a technology-driven visual to help them recall the information.

RNA MOLECULE RESEARCH

Alianna Landry ’22 and Jazzlyn Grenier ’21 have been working with Sean Georgi, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biology on research into different types of the molecule RNA.

Tyson enrolled in the College’s Master of Education program with a specialty in Educational Technology. She wanted to learn about the latest classroom tools, but, more importantly, Tyson wanted to help her students tackle some of their biggest challenges.

As an English teacher, Tyson has seen vocabulary impact students across the board. If students don’t have a good understanding of grade-level vocabulary, they will struggle with reading comprehension or may not score as well on state testing or their SATs.

“It’s something that impacts so many aspects of a student’s education,” Tyson says. “Helping students excel with vocabulary is incredibly important to me.”

It also helped remove the distraction of the cell phone, Tyson adds, which can be a problem for some students. Rather, this exercise helped them use their phones intentionally to learn.

After a period, students were tested to see if they recalled the information they learned. Students who used the AR program scored higher. They also felt more comfortable and engaged with the way they learned, she says. Having her work published, Tyson feels a great sense of accomplishment. Her research could now be a resource in someone else’s study, and “that feels incredible,” she says.

“York College helped me not only learn new ways to impact my students, but they helped me share what I learned with others by encouraging me to get published,” Tyson says. “That’s something I can be really proud of.”

Georgi offers a brief explanation of their research so far. “Originally, we thought that the primary role of an RNA molecule is to act as instructions for making a protein,” he says. “Up until recently, it was thought that all functional RNA molecules are straight lines (linear). Our research is trying to identify circular RNAs that are important in the developing nervous system. We believe that they may play an important role as uncommitted cells (like stem cells) start converting into neurons. To do this, we remove RNA molecules from cells before and after they turn into neurons and then look for circular RNAs whose levels change.”

To continue this work, Georgi encouraged Landry and Grenier to apply for a grant from the Pennsylvania Academy of Science. They worked together to expand the scope of their project. After the grant was reviewed by faculty at other colleges and universities, they received their award at the end of the 2021 Pennsylvania Academy of Science conference, which was also hosted online by YCP. Their research requires special cells called PC-12 cells; this grant was fundamental to their research as Georgi says, “we did not have these cells available at YCP, so Ali and Jazzy wrote this grant to obtain funds to purchase these cells.”

Landry and Grenier both feel their research is important. Grenier states, “our research could indicate that a novel genetic material had an influence in the development of a cancerous neural cell.” Landry believes that “of course, this research won’t result in a cure for anything, but finding genes that impact the normal development of cells can build a foundation for future research.”

They have had moments where results were confusing or they needed to go back and do more research when faced with a problem. Through it all they have remained persistent and hope to help understand the role of these circular RNAs they study in the development of PC-12 cells, while also learning more about the process of working in a laboratory.

Landry, Grenier, and Georgi have immense appreciation for all that made their work possible. Georgi recognizes that their work builds upon the research of many former students. Both Landry and Grenier offer thanks to Georgi for the encouragement and assistance he has offered them throughout the process. They’re also both extremely grateful for this experience at YCP. Grenier states, “Conducting biology research at York College has been an exceptional learning opportunity and has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my education.”  — E.S.

Susan Bare MSN, CNM, RN, Instructor, Dr. Donald E. and Lois J. Myers School of Nursing and Health Professions

After an extensive career as a bedside labor and delivery nurse and certified nurse midwife, Susan Bare “finally came home” to be an Instructor of Nursing at York College. Bare brings her experience to the classroom to help train and prepare students for their own careers in helping patients with successful pregnancies. “Nursing has such potential to impact this journey,” she said. “From care received during the prenatal period, to bedside support during the labor, birth, and recovery, nursing is central to a positive outcome.”

She teaches students to not only educate themselves and keep up with advances in healthcare, but to also educate their patients. “I remind them it is a privilege and honor to be present at someone’s birthday,” said Bare. Students in the Women’s Health course complete clinical hours with WellSpan York Hospital and UPMC Memorial Hospital and have many opportunities to interact with patients and gain experience. “They will observe the labor process and may also see a vaginal or surgical birth,” said Bare. She also explained that much of the hands-on work comes into play in the postpartum unit. Prior to the firsthand experience in the field, students are able to practice their skills in a slowed-down environment using the simulation lab on campus. “Students will be able to actively participate in labor and postpartum scenarios using highfidelity mannequins,” said Bare. Many times, new parents gain their confidence in taking care of their newborns by learning from the nurses. Bare says, “Our nursing students are dedicated, hard-working, and eager for all learning opportunities.”

“Helping students excel with vocabulary is incredibly important to me.”

— MEGAN TYSON ’21

“Our nursing students are dedicated, hardworking, and eager for all learning opportunities.”

— SUSAN BARE, MSN, CNM, RN

“Up until recently, it was thought that all functional RNA molecules are straight lines (linear). Our research is trying to identify circular RNAs that are important in the developing nervous system.”

— SEAN GEORGI, P hD

“

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

GIVING BACK

YCCOSP ALUMNI IN THE YORK COMMUNITY

The York College Community Opportunity Scholarship Program (YCCOSP), started in 1989 in partnership with Crispus Attucks Association and the York City School District, provides William Penn Senior High School students with a jump-start on their college education. Students selected for the program receive four years of tuition-free education at York College along with room and board. Some students have hopes of breaking generational poverty, to be the first in their family to obtain a degree and gain access to career opportunities. After graduating from college, many recipients make strides to give back to their communities. The investment made in them creates dividends that are felt by many.

Photos by Emily Rund.

It’s not easy to be an entrepreneur, but there is a lot of reward, especially if you can help someone find their way.”

Samantha Ferguson ’10, Finance, Owner and Strategist at William Penn Insurance LLC

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

We spoke with YCCOSP recipients Bryce Kruger ’18, Public Relations, Corporate Engagement Manager, United Way of York County (pictured on the cover of this issue); Samantha Ferguson ’10, Finance, Owner and Strategist at William Penn Insurance LLC; and Joshua Santiago ’10, Mass Communication, Founder and CEO of C&P Media, about how they engage with the community today.

HOW DO YOU FEEL BEING A YCCOSP STUDENT AT YORK COLLEGE HELPED PREPARE YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO NOW?

FERGUSON: “We did résumé workshops every year. I can tailor a résumé to fit a job, but better yet, to get a contract now with carriers and companies that have products I want to sell. I review résumés to hire now and can pick out any mistakes and judge the level of dedication and understanding to the position.”

KRUGER: He was encouraged to be involved in the Spartan community and was part of the YCP Road Crew, served on Student Senate, and was an Orientation Leader. “I think that was a really good experience for me to be able to help other people find their passion, find their voice, and get their feet on the ground. A primary thing I learned at YCP was how to form an identity and I use that today to not only continue to form mine, but to help others form theirs. YCP was a way to learn how to project your voice, but also to amplify the voices of others…which is key for me.”

WHAT DOES THAT SENSE OF COMMUNITY MEAN TO YOU NOW?

SANTIAGO “Being a YCCOSP graduate, community means everything to me. If I could inspire one person to do something positive, then that’s what it’s all about. I recently had an event at the Valencia Ballroom showing my short films, and we had YCCOSP students volunteering their time for community service hours. I made sure I introduced myself to all of them and I shared that I was in their shoes years ago. A lot of them couldn’t believe it. It’s good to see someone from your community chasing their dreams. It gives them hope.”

KRUGER: As he looks back over his experience as a Spartan and YCCOSP student and now as a member of his home community making a difference, Kruger is still defining his voice and his passion by helping others find theirs. “I’m passionate about amplifying the genuine and authentic voices of those around me in a means that brings about organic grassroots change. I like to bring about change as a result of conversation.” He lives by these words: “Do more than what has been provided for you. Don’t be content with the baseline of service and then you will grow.”

HOW DO YOU STAY ENGAGED WITH THE COMMUNITY TODAY?

FERGUSON: “My role in my company is helping businesses start and gain confidence to grow. We help them with insurance, but I also enjoy mentoring businesses in figuring out the road ahead. It’s not easy to be an entrepreneur, but there is a lot of reward, especially if you can help someone find their way.”

SANTIAGO: “I love to host events for the York community, such as our short film gala that we did in August and a free community event in early September where we highlighted art in the city. We also have planned to start a program to help inner-city students get started into filmmaking, hopefully open for enrollment later this year.”

KRUGER: As a Volunteer Coordinator with the United Way of York County, Kruger connected with individuals, groups, and organizations who wanted to volunteer in the community. Now as a Corporate Engagement Manager, he says, “I work with individuals and companies to help them raise money and see why the benefit of giving to United Way helps them give back to the community that they live in.”

“ Being a YCCOSP graduate, community means everything to me. If I could inspire one person to do something positive, then that’s what it’s all about.”

Joshua

Santiago ’10, Mass Communication, Founder and CEO of C&P Media

SPARTANS RECONNECT

In October, Spartans came together as a community to celebrate Fall Fest and Homecoming Weekend. Fall Fest kicked off on October 1 with the 7th Annual Spartan Advance Golf Outing at the Country Club of York. The 10th Annual YCP 5K and Fun Run was held on October 2 and Spartans also enjoyed a campus picnic. Alumni and their families had fun reconnecting at SpartaFest. Athletics and Spartan Advance hosted the Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony. Graduates of the Classes of 2020 and 2021 and their guests were invited to a Commencement Ceremony on October 3.

Photos by Emily Rund.

What a weekend! Enthusiastic alumni filled the campus, and e were all reminded how good it is to be a Spartan for Life.”

MARK RIGG, TOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS

SPARTANS RECONNECT

STRENGTHENING THE SPARTAN COMMUNITY

WHAT STARTED WITH A SIMPLE CUP OF COFFEE HAS TURNED INTO AN ONGOING ENDEAVOR TO CHANGE THE WAY STUDENTS AND FACULTY INTERACT AT YORK COLLEGE.

SETTING

“There was this whole idea that perhaps students and faculty could collaborate, could get to know one another in a relational manner rather than transactional,” says Rachael Huebler ’22, a Biology major with a minor in Entrepreneurial Studies.

Illustration by Neil Webb.

Photo by Emily Rund.

STRENGTHENING THE SPARTAN COMMUNITY

Huebler is co-captain of the Student Academic Innovation Lab (S.A.I.L.) along with Matthew Sharrar ’23, a Supply Chain Operations Management major and French minor. They are both Graham Collaborative Innovation Fellows, and are leading the York College’s Engaged Scholars Honors community in this effort. Applying Human-Centered Design (also known as Design Thinking), they seek to build a stronger bond of empathy among York College students and faculty as collaborators and co-learners in educational processes. Their first S.A.I.L.-sponsored event was Starbucks Storytime, where about 15 students and faculty got together to interact outside of the classroom environment. That was followed by an event in which faculty and students prototyped ways to innovate how we teach, learn, and communicate. This ongoing process is continuing this fall, engaging first-year students.

On September 17, using a large whiteboard and with sticky notes in hand, faculty and students gathered around the fountain at the College and collaborated to redesign campus experiences, both in and out of the classroom. The excitement for Huebler and Sharrar is the variety of innovative ideas that resulted from this group brainstorming activity, including adapting events to be inclusive for commuters, redesigning common space with interactive materials, and hosting more weekend activities for all members of the College community. But, Sharrar says, that’s the power of design-thinking, an empathy-driven model of need-finding that results in actionable ideas and initiatives. It is a constant process of gathering stories, identifying needs, designing, and prototyping products and services tailored to the individual’s experience.

The event was part of the College’s Common Hour program for new students. Paired with an ice cream social, it created a way for students and faculty to get to know one another more personally, fostering a relationship that will improve the higher education experience for both parties.

Through events like this, Huebler and Sharrar are starting to answer some of S.A.I.L.’s initial questions: How could students shape the development of courses? What were the benefits of professors understanding how students learn differently from one another? When could there be opportunities for professors to learn from students?

“By working directly with first-year students, we get to change that relationship between student and faculty from the ground up,” Sharrar says.

For Huebler, the real success of this initiative will be when these programs are no longer special events but part of the ongoing relationship between faculty and students.

“Eventually, it may only be needed to expose new students to the culture at York College,” Huebler says.

“After that, it’s so ingrained that we don’t have to get people to think about how to collaborate—we just do.”

Throughout this fall, S.A.I.L. will be working alongside Unbound, York College’s Design Thinking Team, to run design-thinking workshops in FirstYear Seminar classes, working in tandem with course material. The purpose of this team is to integrate design-thinking techniques into the classroom and the greater York community through customizing designthinking workshops to fulfill the group’s needs.

The Student Academic Innovation Lab’s purpose is to build a foundation of empathy between students and faculty at York College by providing them with an environment and framework that is hospitable for creativity and innovation. S.A.I.L. is dedicated to advancing higher education to be directed toward fulfilling the needs of the contemporary YCP community.

“ That’s the power of design-thinking, an empathy-driven model of needfinding that results in actionable ideas and initiatives.”

Matthew Sharrar ’23

“

By working directly with first-year students, we get to change that relationship between student and faculty from the ground up.”

Matthew Sharrar ’23

“Eventually…it’s so ingrained that we don’t have to get people to think about how to collaborate—we just do.”

Rachael Huebler ’22

<< Rachael Huebler ’22 and Matthew Sharrar ’23, co-captains of the Student Academic Innovation Lab.

CAMPISI RISK MANAGEMENT MINOR

Tony Campisi ’76 has spent over 40 years working in the insurance industry, a lifelong career that he happened upon as a York College student. He recognizes that, like him, few college students aspire to work in insurance. He is hoping to bring recognition to what he calls a “noble and rewarding profession” by creating a pipeline of skilled professionals for the industry through a multiyear agreement to establish a risk management minor at the College.

“The majority of people working in insurance get there by accident,” Campisi said. “One constant, however, is that once they get in, their eyes are opened up to the opportunities and challenges to be addressed, as well as to the recognition they are serving a noble purpose.

“When you are in the insurance business, you are ultimately helping free enterprise work and enabling individuals and organizations to pursue their goals. Without risk management techniques, free enterprise does not work. If you can’t manage risk, it’s hard to take on the risk necessary to run a business, to own property, to do anything in life, because life is full of risk. Risk management is the oil that makes the gears of our free enterprise system work.”

Campisi joined Glatfelter Insurance Group in 1980 as Chief Financial Officer, was promoted to Executive Vice President of Operations in 1993 and served as President/CEO from 1999 to 2020. He now serves as the company’s Chairman. He is also President of the Arthur J. and Lee R. Glatfelter Foundation. A trustee emeritus of York College, he is co-chair for the EVOLVE Campaign and chairs the Center for Community Engagement Advisory Board. He previously served as a member of York College’s Collegiate Council, served on the “A Time to Act” Campaign Committee, and was the 2011 recipient of the College’s Professional Leadership and Service Award and one of the first Spartans of the Year award recipients. Campisi also received a Doctor of Humane Letters from York College in 2018.

ROCKETS TO THE MOON

equipment that’s later in space,” he says.

Amtmann recognizes the faculty at York College for helping him not only fine-tune his engineering skills, but also for helping him prepare his résumé and practice for interviews. They even helped him politely bow out of his first accepted internship when NASA reached out to him soon after. That helping hand, he says, made the difference in his success. “I was able to make my education my own and pursue the things that were important to me. York College gave me the opportunity to be who I am today.”

A TEAM PLAYER

The Campisi Risk Management minor is available to York College students of any major starting this fall. The curriculum is focused on risk identification and evaluation, as well as techniques to manage risk. It also incorporates broader studies of economic theory, fundamentals in insurance, and business law. Every business has to think about risk management in a very comprehensive way, according to Campisi. “Businesses make certain decisions about how they will operate and what they will or won’t do. If you don’t understand the risks associated with these decisions, you are exposing yourself and your business to potentially unmanageable losses. Every individual and organization faces risk; you can’t avoid it. That is why we’re taking this opportunity to have a curriculum that provides a basic education to students about risk management.”

While the minor is a natural fit for business majors, students studying other areas would also benefit from learning about risk management. “The program is designed to get students to think about the exposures to loss we all have, and how we should manage risk in a way that allows us to achieve our goals in life,” Campisi said. “If we don’t manage it well, it’s going to impact our ability to achieve our desired goals and enjoy life.”

Colleges the size of York do not typically offer a risk management program

as part of their curriculum. “I see this as a way for YCP to step into an opportunity that other colleges of comparable size are just not pursuing,” Campisi said. “This is a very mature industry according to its workforce demographics. We are going to be seeing 50 percent or more of the current workforce retiring in the next decade. Schools are not turning out enough risk management professionals to meet the current and future needs of the insurance industry.”

The time is ripe for York College to offer a risk management minor, and Campisi recognized that as he contemplated how to support his alma mater during its EVOLVE Campaign. He and his wife, Stef, previously established the Campisi Family Scholarship Fund at the College, but he wanted to do more. “I recognized the need for talent in the area of risk management and insurance. There really is nobody in our area that is doing this. Larger colleges that have these curriculums are most often preparing students for an actuarial science career. The industry as a whole, and specifically our South Central Pennsylvania Region, needs a broader and more comprehensive course of study. This minor is a great addition to the curriculum at York College, and a wonderful opportunity for students to be better prepared to manage risk and potentially pursue a very challenging and rewarding career in the world of risk management and insurance.”

William “Billy” Amtmann ’19 sure sounds like he’s living the life of a rocket scientist, but he’s quick to laugh and point out that the real rocket scientists are the ones launching rockets into space. He was interested in space exploration since he was a kid. He remembers learning how vast the universe is and how much more exists beyond our own galaxy. That fascination with the unknown elements of space led him to explore an education at York College in its Mechanical Engineering program.

In the Graham Collaborative Innovation Fellows program at the College, he spent a summer studying space exploration. When he interned at NASA and saw the next generation of rocket engines being tested, he knew he’d found his career path. Since October 2019, Amtmann has been working at Intuitive Machines in Houston, TX, which is contracted by NASA to work on the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative to help private companies build lunar landers. “We’re not just developing technology in a lab,” he says. “The things we create will be in space. They’ll be part of some pretty exciting missions.” His work is used with a very practical purpose—not just in a lab where no one will see or use it. Rather, the technology he works to develop could help to finalize the technology for rockets being sent to Mars or the development of carbon fiber. “There’s something exciting about being the person who builds the box or tightens the bolt, and that’s the

don’t know any other way.”

She saw her time as a lacrosse player, and even as team captain, as another way of preparing herself for her future career. Hart recently spoke to the team via Zoom, sharing her experience and mentoring students on how to apply those very principles to their own lives.

“Lacrosse instilled in me a lot of the skills I use today,” she says. “It can be really valuable, especially once you see the long-term impact of those skills.”

In a lot of cases, she’s not only answering calls for help—she’s trying to get to know people in the communities she serves. She wants to make a difference in their lives and be part of a team effort to make a difference.

Alexis Hart ’20 knows the value of a team. When she decided to attend York College, she knew she also wanted to play lacrosse. Playing on the team, she says, is a lot more than just enjoying a sport she loves. Her heart for teamwork beats on today as a Trooper with the New Jersey State Police. When Hart graduated with her degree in Intelligence Analysis, she saw how an understanding of criminal justice combined with international law would help her stand out.

“It’s really part of who I am,” she says. “York College taught me that well. To be a leader is to be a team player. I

“I might see someone on their worst day,” she says. “I have an opportunity to make their day a little better, or to be a resource to support them, no matter what they may be going through.”

Being recognized recently as a Spartan of the Year was unexpected for Hart. She has stayed connected with the College and the lacrosse team because she felt her experience helped her grow. She recognizes the many situations in which she refers back to lessons she learned at York College.

“I loved every minute of being at York College,” she says. “I became a person I’m really proud of.”

“The things we create will be in space.”

— BILLY AMTMANN ’19

“Risk management is the oil that makes the gears of our free enterprise system work.” — TONY CAMPISI ’76

A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY

a unique opportunity here to influence something bigger than myself.”

Diaz looks back on the opportunities he was given at York College, and he believes he’s proof that you don’t need an Ivy League education to succeed.

“Seeing people like me, who come from a similar background, the programs that York College offered changed our lives. I know there are other people who are going to see that and wonder if it’s possible for themselves. And it is. We’re proof that York College sets the foundation for an incredible future.”

APPELL ARTS FELLOW

Felix Diaz ’19 stepped into the restaurant with no idea that he was heading into a job interview. As a senior at York College, Diaz made a lot of connections. He didn’t remember giving Keith Marshall ’77 a tour of the Kinsley Engineering Center his sophomore year, but Marshall hadn’t forgotten Diaz.

Later, as Diaz prepared to graduate, Marshall reached out through York College’s Advancement Office to get connected with the bright student he met two years prior.

Today, Diaz lives and works in Albuquerque, NM. When Diaz came to York College as a York College Community Opportunity Scholarship Program (YCCOSP) student, he was given a chance he didn’t want to waste.

As a YCCOSP student, Diaz had a full academic scholarship, the opportunity to develop a broad network, and the goal to become a leader in his community. “That program changed my life,” Diaz says. “I look back on that time and it’s obvious that it guided me to where I am today.”

Marshall recruited Diaz as a Research and Development Engineer for his automation company that helps farmers with water irrigation, but he had bigger plans for the young man. Within his first year at the company, Diaz was promoted several times, and the intention became clear that within five years, he’d be running the business.

“This is absolutely what I’ve wanted to do,” Diaz says, but he’s not talking about the technology aspect. “I want to put people in positions to succeed. I’m given

Jeannine Dabb ’20 doesn’t think she was ready for college the first time she tried it more than 20 years ago. “Fine Arts can be a lot more difficult than people realize,” she says. “There is an element of knowing yourself and knowing how to present yourself, knowing how to do art in a way that you’re able to express yourself more clearly, and I wasn’t really ready the first time around.”

Nearly 15 years after Dabb left college, her mother became ill. Dabb stepped into a clay class at Creative York, hoping for some relief from the concern over her mother’s health, and it was like something woke up inside of her. “I realized I’d rather be independent and work on my own,” she says. “I wanted to return to art.”

Dabb returned to college—this time at York College—three years ago to finish earning her bachelor’s degree as a Fine Art major. “I’m grateful I came to York College because they could take the time to help me adjust and grow and learn the skills I was lacking,” she admits.

She began working at Marketview Arts soon after, where students in their junior and senior year can use studio space to create their art. She saw Appell Arts Fellows—Matthew Apol ’07, Amber Wiesberg ’19, and others—and started to think it was something she could strive to achieve after graduation. She applied and was later selected to be the 2021-2022 Appell Arts Fellow. “I jumped at it because it felt like the right time for it, for me,” Dabb

says. “I’m excited to get more involved with the community and the College and be part of something special.”

Just as York College provided opportunities for Dabb to learn no matter where she was starting in her journey, the Appell Arts Fellowship is making sure she’s ready for what’s next.

“I want to keep in mind a sense of community while having this experience,” Dabb says. “I’m looking forward to working with other students, with leaders in our community, and creating some wonderful things together.”

SHARE YOUR UPDATE AND SUBMIT A CLASS NOTE

Throughout the year, York College graduates share milestones and successes from around the world. From wedding, engagement, and birth announcements to job promotions, creative projects, travel, and fun, Class Notes show what’s happening in the professional and personal lives of alumni.

Class Notes are published three times per year in an electronic format. Submissions are subject to edits and space restrictions. To view Class Notes or to submit your news, please visit www.ycp.edu/alumni. Any questions? Email alumni@ycp.edu.

Amy (Mathewson) Nieves ’02 Executive Director to the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities in the City of Philadelphia

It’s not easy to live your life in the open as a recovering addict. Although that’s exactly how Amy (Mathewson) Nieves ’02 chooses to live her life as the Executive Director to the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities in the City of Philadelphia. The Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities houses the Mayor’s Commission on People with Disabilities and the Office of ADA Compliance. Both offices work to make Philadelphia a better place for people with disabilities.

“I believe that there is a fidelity in the lived experience of people that systematic approaches cannot duplicate,” says Nieves. “I intend to utilize my lived experience, and my expertise in policy and advocacy, to ensure that those facing marginalization are empowered and included around policies that impact their lives and community.”

Nieves has had a tough journey to get where she is today, but she does not regret it since her experiences have shaped her to be the strong woman she is. As she says, “the secret is that none of us grown adults know what we’re doing… we’re not supposed to have it all together.”

As a student with disabilities and involved in creative arts, Nieves transferred to York College during her sophomore year to pursue a degree in Fine Art. She was told college wasn’t for her, but she found the support she needed at York, including the office of Disability Support Services. She also agreed with her father’s suggestion to minor in business. “What matters most is not which field you study, but how you choose to grow during your time at YCP,” she says.

Nieves got involved in Residence Life as a Resident Assistant (RA) where she made some of the most meaningful connections. “It was figuring out where my strengths were,” she says. “I figured out kind of what I wanted to do. And taking arts and business classes helped me to explore what really wanted to

do and then, at the same time, was experiencing all these connections and opportunities in Residence Life. I really felt drawn to wanting to help others and felt it was more of my calling.” After graduation, Nieves worked for Student Affairs on campus and started her family. Her first child was born with a health condition, and the only place that could provide her the needed care was the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). She made the tough decision to return close to her home in the Philadelphia area where her daughter could be better taken care of.

She had to start over and entered the mental health field. “Studying art also helped me continue to have a creative lens in the way I approach systems change,” says Nieves. “It was from working at the clinic and then teaching [art classes] at a community college in the summer that started working with students, working in the field, and it just naturally started building upon itself.”

But, life was a hard balance. She has been a single parent to three children with disabilities, faced poverty, countless setbacks, and fought addiction. Just before Christmas 2015, she chose a life in recovery.

Today, over five years sober, Nieves found a home where her children can thrive, sits on three boards of directors, is newly married, and desires to make change in the way the world sees diversity, disability, equity, and inclusion.  — C.H.

“I want to put people in positions to succeed.”

— FELIX DIAZ ’19

“I really felt drawn to wanting to help others and felt it was more of my calling.”

Photo by Matt Stanley.

BELOW: “Praise Be The Lawn Mower” in acrylic, mica, and gold leaf on canvas, by Appell Arts Fellow Jeannine Dabb ’20.

York College’s Archives welcomes donations of college-related materials. Contact Karen Rice-Young ’92 at kriceyou@ycp.edu, 717-815-1439 for more information.

EVOLVE: THE CAMPAIGN FOR YORK COLLEGE

As the College’s first Dean of Student Development and Campus Life, I am excited to provide a vision that will enable York College to connect all aspects of student learning inside and outside the classroom. I can think of no better initiative to enhance this effort than the Spartan Commons. Envisioned as a new entrance to the Schmidt Library, the Spartan Commons will be perfectly located to become a new hub for learning and student engagement. By its very name, a “commons” symbolizes coming together with a shared purpose in community.

Many of the traditional areas of student engagement have outgrown their spaces in the Iosue Student Union. In the short time I have been on campus, I am so impressed with how active and engaged students are with Student Senate, clubs and organizations, Greek life, performing arts, and other areas of leadership like Orientation and Residence Life. A visible new home for these programs and initiatives will build on our strength and foster student involvement.

Equally important to the success of the Spartan Commons will be a new home for Intercultural Student Engagement. As our student body becomes more diverse, a new home for the office will represent a vital and visible symbol of York College’s commitment to creating an inclusive environment and establishing a sense of belonging for all. This also will foster a space for conversation

about broader efforts surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Spartan Commons will truly be successful by providing opportunities for learning and growth that shape a student’s experience from the time they enter the College until the time they graduate. York College prepares our graduates to be professionals who are prepared for the competitive global arena and are engaged with their alma mater. A critical element included in Spartan Commons that will help us strengthen these efforts is Career Development. By placing a Center for Career Development here, we emphasize that the building blocks for post-college success happen during the entire span of the college experience. Career Development guides students to make connections between the experiential components of their education, their campus and community involvements, and their program of study in order to identify and pursue post-graduation success. Career readiness doesn’t happen in the last semester of college, and providing this support where students are at—in the Spartan Commons—will foster this developmental and integrated approach. As important as the components of the Spartan Commons will be the aesthetic. Envisioned as an open and airy gateway building, the Spartan Commons will create a dynamic environment that also integrates technology. By providing spaces for presentations, group study, and even niche areas for quiet reflection and study, the Spartan Commons seeks to keep student learning as a focus. On behalf of York College students, I hope you will support this important initiative. The synergy drawn from bringing these important dimensions of the student experience together will benefit York College students for generations to come.

WHEN THE CIRCUS CAME TO TOWN

—

Richard Satterlee, Dean of Student Development and Campus Life

What do enterprising— and energetic—students do when they want to raise money? They put on a circus, of course. The story of how that came to be starts with Dr. Charles Boas, Geography Professor at York College from 1968 to 1991. He and Methodist Minister Rev. L. David Harris created a local high school- and college-student traveling tent show in 1969 called Circus Kirk (kirk is Scottish for church). The troupe performed in towns in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Ohio in the summers of 1969 through 1977, with the students—some from YCP—earning $50 a week.

One of those students was Don “Woody” Sherwood ’80 who traveled with Circus Kirk for several summers. When his Forensics Club wanted to raise money

approached Speech Professor Jeanne Fry, who had a background in theatre, about organizing a circus using students as the performers. They contacted Dr. Boas who became the Producer and Performance Director. He, in turn, recruited other faculty including Professor Heinz Hosch (Languages) who played the organ during shows, Dr. Thomas Hall (Speech) as Publicist, and Dr. Robert Denoncourt (Biology) to train students

on the trampoline. And then there were the students; the 1979 Spartan Circus had 70 student performers. The Spartan Circus was an annual event open to the public for three years from 1977 to 1979. In its final year, accommodations were made for individuals with disabilities, including wheelchair access. And York College’s Director of Public Relations Georg Sheets used American Sign Language to relay the ringmaster’s announcements. It may not have been the Greatest Show on Earth, but it was one of the greatest shows—and perhaps the most unique—on campus. Please share your remembrances of the Spartan Circus at archives@ycp.edu.

— Karen Rice-Young ’92

TOP:

CENTER:

Spartan Circus creator Don “Woody” Sherwood (right) gets his makeup done by fellow student Bill Campbell. The Sunday News , March 11,1979.

The entire company of Circus Kirk, Sunday Magazine, August 1971

“The Spartan Commons will truly be successful by providing opportunities for learning and growth that shape a student’s experience from the time they enter the College until the time they graduate.”

— RICHARD SATTERLEE

441 Country Club Rd. York, PA 17403-3651

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□ Provide a state-of-the-art student engagement and learning commons.

□ Strengthen career, student life, and leadership development for students beyond the classroom.

□ Prepare students for not only a successful career, but also a successful life.

T HAT’S THE SPARTAN COMMONS.

Support current and future students’ opportunity to grow into the changemakers of tomorrow with a gift to Spartan Commons at EVOLVE.YCP.EDU