Ken Bedell
Ken Bedell is ordained in The United Methodist Church. He led congregations for 16 years in New York, Maryland, and Ohio. He has taught at the junior high, high school, college and theological school level. As a volunteer with the Mennonite Central Committee he taught high school in Swaziland. In his capacity as executive secretary of the International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges and Universities Ken visited schools and colleges in Argentine, Brazil, Korea, Mozambique, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. His is the author of five books and numerous articles and scholarly papers. His book entitled, Different Ships, Same Boat, on ethics was published by the World Association for Christian Communication. For five years he edited the annual Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches for the National Council of Churches. After receiving his PhD in sociology he became active in the Religious Research Association where he served on the executive committee. As an early promoter of the use of technology in education and the church, he was the founding president of the Church Computer Users Network in the mid-1980s. He is married to the former Kathryn Hale. They have two grown daughters, Charity Pelletier and Sarah Cook and five grandchildren.
Max Finberg
Max Finberg is the Director of AmeriCorps VISTA at the Corporation for National Community Service (CNCS). Max started his career as a VISTA supervisor and has been addressing poverty-related issues ever since. Prior to joining the CNCS community, Max served at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a senior advisor coordinating rural anti-poverty and diversity and inclusion initiatives. In that role, he worked with communities around the country to promote growth and opportunity in high-poverty rural areas. He was Acting Director of the Office of Tribal Relations and Director of USDA’s Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. In 2012, he served on the White House’s Domestic Policy Council as a senior policy advisor working on immigration, child nutrition, and outreach to various communities. Before joining President Obama’s Administration, Max directed the Alliance to End Hunger, a non-profit organization that engages member organizations in building the will to end hunger. He also served in the State Department, working with the United Nations, and was the founding director of the Mickey Leland Hunger Fellows Program – an AmeriCorps VISTA program – with the Congressional Hunger Center. A graduate of Howard University's School of Divinity and Tufts University, Max’s commitment to public service runs deep. He is someone who has demonstrated his ability to work with various communities and deliver results.
Bill Isler
Bill Isler, President and CEO of The Fred Rogers Company, is a longtime professional educator and advocate for children. He began his career as a teacher and administrator, and later joined the Pennsylvania Department of Education, where he served as Executive Assistant to the Secretary of Education, Commissioner of Basic Education and Senior Program Advisor for Early Childhood Education before joining The Fred Rogers Company in 1984. In addition to his leadership role at The Fred Rogers Company, Mr. Isler is a member of the board of the Pittsburgh Public Schools. He is a board member of a number of organizations in the region, including the Grable Foundation, The Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, an honorary fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, The Jewish Community Center of Pittsburgh, and is Treasurer of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. He received The Pittsburgh Foundation's Isabel P. Kennedy Award for child advocacy and was named Person of the Year in 2007 by the Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern Pennsylvania. In 2015 he was named The Urban Educator of The Year by The council of Great City Schools and received The Coleman Award for Excellence in Community Service by The University of Pittsburgh’s Institute of Politics. He has Co-chaired The Governor’s Early Learning Council since 2006, and he has served on the Early Learning Investment Commission since 2008. Bill Isler holds a B.A. in English from Saint Vincent College and completed post-graduate study in child development at the University of Pittsburgh. He is married and has a son and granddaughter.
Joyce Davis
Joyce M. Davis is founder and president of The World Affairs Council of Harrisburg, a member of The World Affairs Councils of America. She is an award-winning journalist and internationally acclaimed author who has lived and worked around the globe. She is former foreign correspondent and foreign editor for National Public Radio and Knight Ridder Newspapers, once the second-largest newspaper chain in the United States. Davis specializes in foreign affairs and the media, and has written extensively on terrorism, national security, and Islam. Davis is author of m any articles and two books: Between Jihad and Salaam: Profiles in Islam, written in 1997 and published by St. Martins Press; and Martyrs: Innocence, Vengeance, and Despair in the Middle East, written in 2002 and published by Palgrave Macmillan. She has also authored a chapter in The Trauma of Terrorism, a compendium of the writings of experts in the field edited by Yael Danieli, Danny Brom, Joe Sills and published by The Hawthorne Press in 2005. Davis is a member of the board of directors of the World Affairs Councils of America; the board of advisers of the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs; the board of trustees of Elizabethtown College; the board of trustees of Harrisburg Academy, Keystone Human Services International. She is also a member of the board of directors of the State Street Academy of Music and of the Open State of Harrisburg, PA. Davis lives in Harrisburg, PA, with her husband and son.
Chad Frey
Chad is the Director of the Agape Center for Curricular Service-Learning at Messiah College. In this role, Chad cultivates mutually beneficial and reciprocal local, national and international partnerships on behalf of the College. Chad gives leadership to the nationally recognized Together for Tomorrow (TFT), a service-learning initiative between Messiah College and the Harrisburg School District to improve student achievement. For over a decade, Chad has also worked internationally on a range of community engagement initiatives in N. Ireland related to education, economic development and conflict transformation. Chad has been invited to speak and moderate an international conference on forgiveness and has served as a consultant on several films - including an international award-winning documentary entitled A Step Too Far. Prior to serving at the Agape Center, Chad worked in Messiah Colleges Advancement Division where he managed a $2 million grant through the Programs for the Theological Exploration of Vocation (PTEV) funded by the Eli Lilly Foundation.
Sybil Knight-Burney
Sybil Knight-Burney has served as superintendent of the Harrisburg School District since 2010. Her leadership in the district has been characterized as being committed to and believing in the students, ensuring the certification of all teachers, and leading the efforts toward curriculum excellence. Prior to her appointment as superintendent of the Harrisburg School District, Knight-Burney served as the acting superintendent and assistant superintendent for the school districts Division of Student, Family Community Support Services. Before moving to Harrisburg, she spent eight years as a K8 and high school principal and served as a supervisory instructor at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Additionally, she was an adjunct instructor for Lesley University and Framingham State University in Massachusetts. Knight-Burney serves as chairperson of the Central Pennsylvania Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Committee, is on the committee of the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators, and is vice president of the Pennsylvania League of Urban Superintendents.
Donald Murk
Donald Murk has a Ph.D. from University of Maryland in Human and Child Development. He also holds degrees form Messiah College and Penn State University. He has been teaching in the Department of Education at Messiah College since 1981.Don's research interests include the moral and spiritual development of children, school reform and leadership, family studies, and the Basic School philosophy. He has written numerous articles in a variety of journals. Don has been working with Downey School located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in the Together for Tomorrow initiative. He has recently received a VISTA Grant to continue work at Downey, developing strategies to increase parent participation and education—two factors that studies indicate contribute to higher academic achievement for their children.
Pedro A. Rivera
Pedro A. Rivera was nominated by Governor Tom Wolf to serve as the Secretary of Education on January 20, 2015, and was confirmed by the state Senate in June 2015. He most recently served as Superintendent of The School District of Lancaster, a position he held from 2008-2015. Under Riveras leadership, The School District of Lancaster developed and implemented a new curriculum, an aggressive professional development plan, and innovative teacher observation tools. These initiatives resulted in an increased graduation rate, notable improvements in math, science and writing proficiency scores, and enhanced the level of participation from high-performing students in programs that help prepare them for college and other post-graduation opportunities. In September 2014, Rivera was honored by the White House as a Champion of Change for his efforts to transform urban education, one of ten recipients nationwide to receive the prestigious honor. He brings extensive experience in public education to his role as a member of Governor Wolfs cabinet and has spent his entire career helping students. Prior to serving as superintendent of The School District of Lancaster, he served as a classroom teacher, staff member with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, assistant principal, principal, and executive director for the School District of Philadelphia. Rivera is a first generation college graduate and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from The Pennsylvania State University, a Masters degree in Education Administration from Cheyney University, and his Superintendents Letter of Eligibility from Arcadia University. Rivera was raised in the Hunting Park section of North Philadelphia and resides in Lancaster with his wife Erika, son Lucas and daughter Elena.
Mayor Eric Papenfuse
The Honorable Eric Papenfuse took the oath of office as the Mayor of the City of Harrisburg on Jan. 6, 2014 in a simple ceremony in the MLK Government Center, leading a movement to revitalize the citys economy and restore trust in government. A successful businessman, Papenfuse was elected on a platform of uniting the residents of Harrisburg to work toward the common goal of building a better community through attracting business and investment, improving education and restoring pride and prosperity to the state capital. With the motto: Together, We Can. Papenfuse inspired thousands of people to place their confidence in him to lead Harrisburg out of a period of economic and political malaise. As the founder and CEO of the Midtown Scholar Bookstore, Papenfuse has a track record of inspiring business and community engagement. The Midtown Scholar Bookstore-Cafe serves as an important community resource and cultural center, bringing together people from Harrisburg's diverse neighborhoods. And his main business headquarters is a 50,000 square-foot warehouse near Harrisburg stocked with more than one million books. His company is among the regions largest national and international shippers. A former public school teacher, Papenfuse taught Latin at Central Dauphin East and Linglestown Junior High Schools, where he served as chair of the Foreign Language department. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1971 to an elementary-school reading teacher and a state-government archivist, Papenfuse attended Yale University for college and graduate school. Papenfuse lives in Harrisburg with his wife Cathy and their three children. He settled in Harrisburg in 1999 after his wife accepted a post as Assistant Professor of History at Messiah College. It was not long after their move to Harrisburg that the couple went into the book business, a decision that has enriched the entire region and led to his eventual election as the citys mayor.
Karen M. Scolforo
Karen M. Scolforo, Ed. D., is the ninth president of Central Penn College, based in Summerdale, Pa. and tracing its roots back to 1881. Since joining the Central Penn family, Dr. Scolforo has strived to increase the colleges presence in the community. She has partnered with local leaders to develop programs relevant to both the advancement of the college and the needs of the surrounding area. Her vision and dedication have lead the way to develop a new institutional strategic plan, expand college operations, renovate campus facilities and housing, gain state approval for new bachelors and masters degree programs, and develop curriculum options that would ultimately impact the training and employability of more than 7,500 graduates. Dr. Scolforo holds a Doctorate of Education, with a cognate in higher education administration and finance, from the University of North Florida; a Master of Art in Writing and Literature from River College; and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Franklin Pierce University. Furthering her own education has always been a priority for Dr. Scolforo, and she is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University.
As an educational leader, Dr. Scolforo believes her role does not only apply to higher education, but is a lifelong endeavor. For this reason she volunteers with organizations tasked with educating and encouraging children to excel in their schooling and future careers; including sitting on the boards of both the Future Business Leaders of America and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region. In 2015, Dr. Scolforo was honored with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Women Who Thrive Award, and the Visionary Luminary Award from the West Shore Chamber of Commerce. In addition she was a nominee for the 2015 Business Women's Forum Business Woman of the Year Award. She is the recipient of two MVP awards from Premier Education Group, three Campus of Distinction awards from Keiser University and Bar Education Group, and three staff Circle of Excellence awards in admissions and student services with Education Affiliates. She has taught in the K-12 arena, where she was nominated Teacher of the Year, and in postsecondary education. In 2001 she authored Kids Summit, an interdisciplinary service-learning project recognized by Governor Jeanne Shaheen at the Annual Conference on Volunteerism, held in Concord, N.H.
Since her arrival at Central Penn College, Dr. Scolforo has become a member of the Harrisburg Rotary Club, the Harrisburg Regional Chamber CREDC, the West Shore Chamber of Commerce, the Executive Leadership Series Harrisburg Area class of 2013, a volunteer for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and a partner with the East Pennsboro Township Commissioners and the East Pennsboro Area School District administrators. She serves on the Board of the following community organizations: Leadership Harrisburg Area, Modern Transit Partnership and the West Shore Chamber of Commerce Foundation, where she also serves as co-chair for the Foundation Education Committee. Dr. Scolforo is a Trustee for the Central Penn College Education Foundation and serves on the Presidents Circle of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber CREDC. She looks forward to increased partnerships and service opportunities on behalf of Central Penn College and its students.
Carl Strikwerda
Carl J. Strikwerda is the fourteenth president of Elizabethtown College, serving since 2011. Between 2004 and 2011, he served as Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. Previously, he was Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Kansas He received a B.A. from Calvin College, an M.A. from the University of Chicago, and a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. Besides his scholarship in history, he has published a book, Deans and Development: Making the Case for the Liberal Arts. President Strikwerda has served as an historical consultant to the National World War One Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, and to a number of colleges and universities on higher education administration. He has given talks to business groups, schools and religious organizations on World War One and the history of globalization. Currently, he serves on the Board of Directors of the Lancaster County Economic Development Company, public radio and television station witf in Harrisburg, and the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP), as well as serving as a member of the Presidents’ Trust of the American Association of Colleges and Universities.
John J. "Ski" Sygielski
John J. "Ski" Sygielski, Ed.D, became the seventh president of HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College, in July 2011. His previous appointments include president of Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Oregon, and president of Lord Fairfax Community College in Middletown, Virginia. He began his professional career as a teacher in a Chicago inner city school followed by a stint as a corporate trainer for two Fortune 500 companies. He transitioned to a community college career at College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois where he began his community college administration and college teaching career. Ski is the past chairman of the board for the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and AACCs 21st-Century Commission on the Future of Community Colleges. He is currently a member of Harrisburg Rotary and serves on the boards of the Harrisburg Boys and Girls Club, Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce and Pennsylvania's Workforce Investment Board. He earned his bachelors degree in philosophy, two masters degrees in business and a doctorate in education, as well as an honorary associate degree. Ski, and his husband, Steve Perrault, are residents of Harrisburg, Pa. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, he is an avid bicyclist and the only member of his working-class family to graduate from college.
Shaun Donovan
Shaun serves as Economic Development Specialist for the Capital Region Economic Development Corporation, the economic development arm of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber. His responsibilities include grant writing, website development, research and data compilation, workforce development, economic zone administration (Enterprise Zone and Keystone Opportunity Zone), and construction project assistance. Prior to coming to this position, Shaun worked in the accounting department of Ahold Financial Services, a division of Ahold USA, which runs a number of grocery retailers in the northeast, including Giant Food Stores LLC, located in Carlisle. Prior to working for Ahold, Shaun was a Senior District Executive for the York-Adams Area Council Boy Scouts of America. His duties there included coordinating adult volunteer committees to accomplish growth and advancement of the program within the district. Shaun worked for the York-Adams Area Council for 5 years. Shaun is a 2000 graduate from York College of Pennsylvania and earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics and Finance. Shaun has also earned his Masters Degree in Leadership and Business Ethics from Duquesne University in 2007.
Bradley R. Jones
Effective January, 2015 Brad became President and CEO of Harristown Enterprises, Inc. He oversees the ownership and management of over 2.5 Million s.f. of real estate, including about 60 retail and commercial tenants, and Strawberry Square in downtown Harrisburg and a staff of over 150 employees. He leads the development efforts of Harristown, which has been involved in over $500 Million of mixed use projects in downtown Harrisburg since 1974. Signature projects include Strawberry Square, 333 Market Street, the Chestnut Street and 5th Street Parking garages, the Hilton Harrisburg, the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, the International House Harrisburg, and the Messiah Harrisburg Institute branch campus downtown. Brad has served in multiple positions with Harristown during the last 15 years before becoming President in 2015.
Jonathan Bowser
Jonathan is responsible for leading the development and execution of CAEDC's long term strategy with a view to creating shareholder value. In addition, he is responsible for all day-to-day management decisions and for implementing long and short term plans for the corporation, which is charged with leveraging and promoting Cumberland County's economic development and tourism assets to drive growth, create jobs and improve the quality of life. Jonathan also acts as the direct liaison between CAEDC and the Cumberland County Industrial Development Authority (CCIDA), which helps promote economic development activity in Cumberland County through special financing and grants. Jonathan currently serves on several community boards to include; Chairman of Big Brother Big Sisters, Susquehanna Township Planning Commission Member, and Board of Directors of the Capital Region Economic Development Corporation. Jonathan holds a Master's Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Walden University in Minneapolis, MN, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science from Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD. He resides in Susquehanna Township with his wife Shani and 3 sons; Jordan, Christian and Evan.
Nathaniel Gadsden
Life Skills Coach, Poet, Poet Therapist, Minister, and Motivational Speaker. While Nathaniel Gadsden is accomplished in many areas, his foundation remains spiritual and his door is always open. With a wealth of knowledge and experience to call his own, Nate is ever prepared to share his wealth while remaining a perpetual student of life. Nate's educational background includes degrees in Social Studies, Management, Human Relations, and Bible Studies. He also has an extensive background in Counseling and Clinical Pastoral Education. Nate has been an ordained Minister since 1989. He is currently Founder and Pastor of Imani African Christian Church, Harrisburg, PA. He has also served as an Elder at Capital Presbyterian Church, and the assistant Pastor of Christ Community Church of God In Christ. Nate has also been a sought after Motivational Speaker since 1985, including speaking engagements as: the Commencement speaker for Penn State University, Robert Lynch Student Leadership Conference, Higher Education Equal Opportunity Programs (Act 101) of Pennsylvania, and many more. He was also state Director for the Higher Education Equal Opportunity Program (ACT 101), and has worked in the PA Department of Education for eight years. Also, I worked in the PA Department of Education for 17 years. Nate is married to Patricia Gadsden, founder and director of Life Esteem, Inc. They have a blended family of six children and five grandchildren. Both Nate and Pat love to travel, read, and a good movie.
Travis Peck
Mr. Peck has had an adventurous career as an educator and school administrator with the Harrisburg School District for more than 15 years. Since 2013, he has served as the Principal Administrator of Downey Elementary School, located in Harrisburg, PA. Mr. Peck's leadership style and efforts are focused on living and following Stephen Covey's, "7 Habits of Highly Effective People". It is his commitment and daily practice to encourage and support others in finding their voice and leadership potential. Prior to becoming the Principal at Downey Elementary School, Mr. Peck served in a variety of educational positions including: Acting Principal at SciTech High Campus; Acting Assistant High School Principal at Harrisburg High School, John Harris Campus; Acting Assistant Principal at Scott Elementary School; and various teaching assignments at the middle and high school level.
Shaina Carter
Shaina Carter is an entrepreneur, who works fervently to bridge gaps, assist in bringing unity and change to our communities. Mrs. Carter, for over 14 years, serves as an ordained minister, assisting churches, nursing homes, prisons, schools and other organizations to reach their common goal which is, people of the community growing to their maximum potential. Mrs. Carter has over 11 years’ experience enforcing policies within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. She is also an actively involved parent who currently serves as the President of the Downey Elementary Schools, Parent Lighthouse Team (PLT) and the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). She also served as the Vice President on the Capital Area Headstart Policy Committee for Early Childhood Education. With continued efforts she strives to ensure that the people of our communities, the children, parents, teachers, community leaders, etc. have the access and opportunities to be successful in life.
Kara Eppley
As Harsco Corporation’s Vice President of Talent Management, Kara Eppley serves a global organization of more than 10,000 employees across some 30 countries of operation. Kara’s broad-based responsibilities include directing and implementing the company’s worldwide Talent Development Framework and providing day-to-day Human Resources support to the company’s senior executives. As a member of Harsco’s Human Resources global leadership team, Kara has also been directly involved in the company’s recruiting, hiring and succession planning efforts. She has served in senior-level HR management positions throughout her career and holds a BS in Business Administration with HR concentration from Eastern Illinois University.
Caroline Maurer
Caroline Maurer is currently the Dean of the School of Business, Education and Social Sciences at Messiah College. Before launching her career in higher education administration, Caroline was the director/ preschool teacher of a lab school at a vocational high school. Her career moved into higher education when she opened and operated a lab school at the college level and taught Early Childhood Education courses to pre-service teachers. Caroline earned her doctorate degree in Teaching and Learning from Ohio State University. Caroline lives in Mechanicsburg, PA with her husband Dan, and enjoys hiking, traveling and spending time with her 2 granddaughters.