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Welcome to the New Kensington Campus

Objectives

After completing this module, you will be able to:

Know the important campus resources provided at the campus to help your student succeed.
Know where the Academic and Career Success Center is located and all of the resources available to your student.
Be able to identify important campus contacts who are partners with you in supporting your students health and wellbeing.
Know what comes next for your student following orientation and how students and families can keep connected to Penn State New Kensington during the summer.
Learn more about why it’s important for your student to participate in New Student Days and Welcome Week at the start of the academic year in August.

Overview

Your student’s adviser and others in the New Kensington campus community are here to help your student succeed academically and in the co-curricular student experience. The more your student interacts with community members, the better advice they can provide them on their Penn State journey. In the following pages, you will learn more about campus specific academic resources and the important contacts at Penn State New Kensington that partner with parents/families to support their students success. The Penn State New Kensington campus community is dedicated to creating welcoming environment for all students and providing a terrific student experience whether that is virtually or in person.

Agenda

Welcome to Penn State New Kensington
Welcome to academic resources and services
Academic and Career Success Center at Penn State New Kensington
Important tips for supporting your student’s success
Need to Know Campus Services
Campus Specific Resources and Virtual Tour
What’s next for you and your student?

Welcome to PSNK – Chancellor Snider

Dr. Kevin Snider, Chancellor at Penn State New Kensington, welcomes new students to the campus and to the virtual new and transfer student orientation program.

Chancellor, Kevin Snider, Penn State New Kensington

Dr. Kevin Snider

Chancellor, PSNK

Kjs33@psu.edu

Ph: 724-3334-6050

139 Science Building

Welcome to Academic Resources and Services – Dr. Adolph

Dr. Andrea Adolph, Director of Academic Affairs at Penn State New Kensington, welcomes new and transfer students and their families to the New Kensington Campus and introduces our academic resources.

Dr. Andrea Adolph

Director of Academic Affairs

aea13@psu.edu

Ph: 724-334-6030

Office Location: 104 Administration Building

Academic And Career Success Center at Penn State New Kensington

The Academic & Career Success Center

Also known as the "Success Center" is home to Academic Advising, Career Services and Learning Center Resources. With four professional staff members, Student Success Coaches, and numerous qualified tutors, the Success Center is a valuable resource as your student makes the most of your Penn State education!

Four people who are the Success Center staff, left to right: Lynnsey Doane, Ruth Ann Herstek, Lauren Abersold, Jim Shields

The Success Center is located on the lower level of the Student Union building, next to the bookstore!

For more information on Academic Advising and the Academic and Career Success Center, please visit our website https://newkensington.psu.edu/success-center

Academic Advising

Academic Advising at Penn State New Kensington has two layers of support for students. There are professional academic advisers and there are faculty advisers who assist your student in making academic goal decisions and help them navigate through their degree path.

Academic Advisers at Penn State New Kensington teach students how to:

understand the purposes of higher education
make connections between personal interests, life goals, and academic opportunities
think critically and question common assumptions about majors and careers
find educational opportunities such as study abroad programs, research assistantships, leadership activities, and internships

All students are encouraged to meet with their academic adviser often to ensure they are on track with their degree requirements. Advisers help students reach their goals!

Ruth Ann Herstek, M.Ed.

Associate Director, Academic Advising
rah32@psu.edu
Ph: 724-334-6094
Office Location
Student Union- Lower Level, Success Center

Lauren Abersold, M.Ed.

Academic Adviser and Success Center Coordinator
lea5058@psu.edu
Ph: 724-334-6096
Office Location
Student Union- Lower Level, Success Center

Advising Appointments:

During the academic year students can schedule ½ hour to 1-hour appointments with their assigned adviser through Starfish.

Examples of appropriate topics for appointments:

Evaluating academic progress
Major exploration
Long-range planning
Course selection and scheduling

If an appointment must be cancelled, the student should do that through Starfish or, if unable, through an email to the adviser.

Quick Question Advising:

QQA is held in the Success Center on Wednesdays from 9am-1pm. No appointment is necessary. These sessions are for quick questions (no more than 15 minutes), on a first come, first served basis.

Assigned Adviser in your Major

You will find your assigned adviser in your LionPATH account at the top right corner under “My Advisors.” Go to our advising web page to find campus advisers by degree program.

Career Services

Career Services at Penn State New Kensington provides comprehensive and personalized career planning, education, and job/internship search services for students and alumni of Penn State. Career Services is available to assist with all career-related questions and concerns at any stage during your student’s time at Penn State including:

Deciding on a major and learning about career paths in their major;
Gaining knowledge of career opportunities and employers;
Meeting and interacting with professionals and alumni in their field;
Developing an effective resume;
Creating a Linked In profile to attract employer interest and network with alumni;
Practicing and improving interview skills;
Locating and applying for internships to build experience and connections; and
Making contacts for job opportunities after graduation.

Career Services creates opportunities for your student to grow and develop the professional skills that employers expect in their successful candidates. The office coordinates professional development programs for students including the G.R.E.A.T. Program, Leader Launch conference, alumni networking events, etiquette dinners, career fairs and other events which will help them become ready for success in the workplace.

As students prepare to find a job or internship, Career Services is here to help. To connect with employers, they can view and apply for the positions posted to the online PSNK WorkBench or Penn State’s Nittany Lion Careers at any time and attend local job fairs and trips to Career Days at University Park.

Jim Shields

Associate Director, Career Services and Professional Development
jim.shields@psu.edu
Ph: 724-334-6095
Office Location
Student Union- Lower Level, Success Center

Career Advising Appointments:

Students can schedule 45 minute appointments for career advising through Starfish.

For more on Career Services at the campus, click here.

Penn State Career Services is available to you wherever you go within the University. Click here to see all the resources and services available to all students.

Career Services continues to provide services to you after graduation. Click here for more on services available to Penn State alumni.

Learning Center Resources – Disability Services

Learning Center Resources that include Academic Coaching, Disability Services and Tutoring are part of the Success Center services at Penn State New Kensington. Lynnsey Doane, is the coordinator and links to the services are below.

Lynnsey Doane

Learning Center Coordinator
lxd5235@psu.edu
Ph: 724-334-6098
Office Location
Student Union - Lower Level, Success Center

Penn State New Kensington offers learning resources to students free of charge. The learning resources include:

Tutoring – individual or in groups
Academic Coaching
Academic Resource Materials
Resources for those with physical and/or learning disabilities

Academic Resource Materials

Textbooks – Supplementary textbooks in a variety of subject areas are available for use in the Success Center.
Solution Manuals – Answer keys and/or solutions to problems found in mathematics, engineering technology, and physics textbooks are sometimes available.
Study Guides – Student guides that outline and supplement current course textbooks may be available.
Test Files – Ample course examinations from previous semesters, provided by professors in mathematics, engineering technologies, and science courses may be available.

All Penn State New Kensington students are welcome to use the Success Center for studying, completing homework, and receiving tutoring.

Campus Services for Students

To feel prepared for the semester to begin, here are some important and unique student services at Penn State New Kensington of which you should be aware:

Athletics
- Penn State New Kensington offers 7 varsity sports, has wonderful athletic facilities and offers numerous recreational sports and fitness programs for all currently enrolled students. We hope that you will support your student athletes by cheering them on at home games and following @psnksports on social media. Contact Director of Athletics, Megan Bratkovich, mhb40@psu.edu or visit the varsity sports website at psnkathletics.com for the most up to date schedules and information.

Adult and Veteran Student Support
- Penn State New Kensington has a special affinity for adult and veteran student populations, and that is reinforced through our Adult Learner Community, coordinated through the Success Center. There is an adult learner and veterans resource center and lounge space located in the Administration Building ground floor that has a computer, printer, mini-fridge, and coffee machine for adult and veteran students at the campus.
Dining and Meal Plans
- There are two dining options at Penn State New Kensington: Café 780 and the Junction. To learn more about campus dining hours and options, visit newkensington.psu.edu/campus-dining
- Students at Penn State New Kensington have the option to sign-up for a University meal plan that can be used at on-campus dining locations and charged to your University Bursar account. If you choose to enroll in a meal plan, you will receive a 10% discount when dining on campus. For more information on meal plans, visit hfs.psu.edu/commuter-meal-plan
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Penn State New Kensington values and celebrates diversity in all forms. The educational environment of our campus cultivates the diversity of students, faculty, staff, groups, and cultures that unify in the spirit of learning. During the fall and spring semesters the campus has a cultural series that features performances and guest speakers. We also schedule events supporting our Country of Focus initiative that provides opportunities for students to learn more about a specific country or region of the world. Please visit our website newkensington.psu.edu/diversity-equity-and-inclusion
- Contact Evan Ditty, Interim Director of Student Affairs and campus diversity liaison at 724-334-6060 or email edd13@psu.edu.
Financial and Student Aid
- If you have any questions regarding your student’s tuition or tuition bill please contact our Bursar, Debbie Hoch at dlh53@psu.edu or by phone at 724-334-6023! She can help you and your student determine what your financial responsibility is, work with financial aid to get your aid in place, sign-up for eRefund, enroll in the Installment Payment Plan, locate your 1098T tax form, and post outside scholarships to your account.
- Ashley Traini, the Financial Aid Coordinator at Penn State New Kensington, is here to help. If you have any questions regarding your student’s aid package please contact Ashley at amm383@psu.edu or 724-334-6046. She can also assist with verification documents and provide information on alternative aid sources to help with your student’s tuition balance.

Health and Wellness Services
- Health Services: Your student’s health and well being are of utmost importance to us and for the success of your student. The campus provides a myriad of services in our health clinic, Monday-Friday, 8 am - 5 pm that is staffed by Stella Milburn, Campus Nurse. Twice a month students can also make appointments to see a physician in the clinic. Details on all services offered through the clinic are available at: newkensington.psu.edu/health-services.
- Disabilities Services: Stella Milburn, Campus Nurse, is also the physical disabilities liaison for students needing accommodations. Lynnsey Doane, Learning Center Coordinator, is the liaison for those with learning disabilities. Resources and how to register for physical and/or learning disabilities: newkensington.psu.edu/disability-services.
- Personal Counseling and Mental Health Services
  Students encounter a great deal of stress during their University years (i.e., academic, social, family, work, financial). To help students manage the demands of University life, we provide free and confidential individual psychological and personal counseling services to all students. Learn more by visiting the PSNK Counseling Services website.

Off Campus Housing
- The Office of Student Affairs serves as an advocate for students living off campus independently and is the resource for off campus housing. While Penn State New Kensington does not have residence halls, our close proximity to Pittsburgh makes finding a place to live easy for students. Some students make the choice to live in the Nittany Highlands Apartments, which is directly adjacent to campus. You can learn more about the apartments and contact their management by visiting the Nittany Highlands website.
Student Engagement
- Student Life and the Campus Activities Board (CAB) at PSNK are focused on delivering fun and engaging experiences for the campus community. Activities like comedians, hypnotists, musicians, trivia nights, and grocery bingo are offered regularly throughout the semester on campus. Student Life and CAB events are often free of charge or come at a reduced cost for students!
- Follow @psnkstudentlife on social media to see what’s happening for students at Penn State New Kensington!
Technology Assistance and Support

The Computer Center at Penn State New Kensington provides direct support to students and can assist students with the many technology resources available on campus and at the University. It would be important to review these vast resources as you and your student make any decisions regarding technological needs.

For additional parent related information at Penn State New Kensington, please see our website for parents and families at newkensington.psu.edu/parents-families.

Campus Specific Staff Resources and Virtual Tour

Campus Specific Staff Resources

Our Campus Contacts page will introduce you to some of the staff members at Penn State New Kensington who are ready to welcome your student to campus with helpful information, resources and tools to guide them through orientation and beyond!

As the parent of a student at Penn State New Kensington, these professionals are also valuable resources for you. You may reach out to the contacts in the gallery linked above to have your general questions answered about advising, learning support, disability services, financial aid, tuition and billing, student life, career services, and more. [Reminder: responses to questions about your student’s specific situation may be limited due to FERPA regulations.]

Virtual Campus Tour

An optional Virtual Campus Video Tour of Penn State New Kensington will help acclimate you and your student for when you arrive in person!

Penn State New Kensington: What’s Next?

At this point, you are probably feeling overwhelmed with the amount of information you’ve received about Penn State and our many processes – you’re probably wondering, “what’s next?”

After your student’s NSO Programming and advising appointment, you will have to opportunity to attend one of our two parent and family virtual“Connect Events” entitled “Parents and Families Connect with PSNK”

Learn more about post-NSO virtual family programs at Penn State New Kensington by visiting newkensington.psu.edu/post-nso-program.

In addition, please encourage your students to register and attend the following “Connect Events” to complete their orientation to PSNK. These include: Connect with PSNK, Connect with Your Peers, and Connect with Success!

Connect with Your Peers

Students navigate the campus in small groups during a Connect with Your Peers program in 2020.

After completing orientation, all new students are expected to participate in Connect with Your Peers. During Connect with Your Peers, your student will be welcomed to our campus community, meet fellow Penn State New Kensington peers, and participate in a robust welcome experience in small groups. These days will help make your students’ transition to college and Penn State New Kensington a smoother one and will be a lot of fun! Details regarding how your student can register for the Connect with Your Peers day is available in their virtual NSO Canvas module.

Students participating in First Year Summer Reading Program discussion groups during a Connect with Your Peers program in 2020.

First-Year Summer Reading Program

Over the summer, your student will be provided with access to an article on a topic of compelling interest to our times. All incoming students are required to read it and be prepared to discuss it during Connect with Your Peers in August. Look for information about the article and how to access it in future New Student Connections newsletters.

Communication Reminders

Be sure that you and your student are checking your email regularly throughout the summer, as communications from their adviser, about opportunities, and more will come through their Penn State email.

Have lingering questions about orientation, the Parent & Family Connections to PSNK program, or the student experience at Penn State New Kensington? Feel free to reach out to our campus orientation team at nkorientation@psu.edu.