Meet the Staff

Dr. Christian M. M. Brady, Dean, came to the Schreyer Honors College in August 2006, from Tulane University, where he directed the honors program at Tulane University and previously directed the university’s Jewish studies program. Dr. Brady holds two advanced degrees from the University of Oxford, a graduate diploma in Jewish studies, and a doctorate in Oriental studies with a concentration in ancient Hebrew and Jewish literature, the former obtained simultaneously while completing a master’s degree in biblical and theological studies from Wheaton College. His baccalaureate degree, in Near Eastern studies and history, is from Cornell University.

Dr. Brady possesses a unique blend of dynamic teaching, focused academic research, and broad administrative experience. When asked about his plans for the honors college, he replies, “Schreyer Scholars will become the standard of undergraduate excellence in intellect, character, moral fortitude, and leadership. Any high school student in Pennsylvania and the United States who wants to become a leader in any field or industry will look to the Schreyer Honors College and Penn State.”

Upon looking into Dr. Brady’s office, one can immediately see his many academic interests, as demonstrated by bookshelves full of much-loved books, with vintage Macintosh computers used as bookends. His connection with students is evidenced by a Jelly Belly machine given to him by a former student. The video "Conversation with the Dean" offers insights into how the dean puts students first.

Dr. Brady enjoys living in State College with his wife Elizabeth and daughter Isabel (Izzy). He encourages Scholars and alumni to contact him any time via email at cbrady@psu.edu or instant messenger (AIM drcbrady).

For the dean’s latest thoughts on life at the Schreyer Honors College, see his dynamic blog and podcasts. The podcasts feature engaging conversations with Scholars, his State of the College address, and his vision for the future of the honors college.

Dr. Arun Upneja, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, joined the Schreyer Honors College administration in June of 2010, but has been a part of Penn State since 1996. Before starting as associate dean of the SHC, Dr. Upneja was on the faculty of Penn State’s School of Hospitality Management. During his tenure within the School of Hospitality Management, Upneja served as professor-in-charge of International Programs. In recognition of his research accomplishments, the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education named him the recipient of its John Wiley & Sons Lifetime Research Award in 2007.

Dr. Upneja works with all curricular and academic aspects of the SHC, including course scheduling, advising, thesis issues, the Integrated Undergraduate/Graduate programs, and many other facets of the college.

Dr. Upneja earned a bachelor of science, an M.B.A., and his Ph.D. in accounting from the University of Houston. He also holds a bachelor of arts degree with majors in economics and business administration from the University of Jammu in India. If you have any questions or would like to meet with Dr. Upneja, he can be contacted at axu4@psu.edu.

Dr. Michele "Mitch" Kirsch, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, joined the SHC in August 2005. Dr. Kirsch is responsible for the management and operations of the college as well as recruiting and marketing. She brings a wealth of experience to this position, having served as the MBA admissions director at both Penn State and Indiana University. Dr. Kirsch received her B.A. in history and a teaching certificate from Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA, M.S. in education from Indiana University in Bloomington, and doctoral degree in counseling and personnel from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. You may reach Dr. Kirsch at msk11@psu.edu.

Chris Arbutina, College Relations Coordinator, has been a member of the SHC staff since February 2007. Prior to joining the honors college, Chris worked at Penn State Outreach in Continuing Education and with Penn State Public Broadcasting. Her background also includes journalism (she was the features editor at the Centre Daily Times) and nonprofit marketing and volunteer management. In the SHC, Chris' role is to promote the college to prospective students and their families and regularly update alumni and friends of the college's news and activities.

Chris is a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, weed whacks her perennial gardens each fall in the hopes that lush blooming plants will follow in the spring, enjoys knitting (but can't yet purl), and can make apple strudel from scratch. She enjoys many outdoor activities, including kayaking and cross-country skiing. You can contact Chris with questions at chrisarbutina@psu.edu.

Jenny Blew, Administrative Support Assistant, joined the Schreyer Honors College in January 2010. Jenny’s responsibilities include assisting with the planning and production of admissions events, processing of applications, and managing the faculty readers. She also works behind the scenes on many projects to keep the admissions process running smoothly.

Jenny lives in State College and enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She is a 1984 graduate of Penn State and is part of four generations to attend PSU. You can contact Jenny with questions at jcb28@psu.edu.

Corinna Bressler, Business Manager and Stewardship Coordinator, began her career at Penn State in 1992 in the College of Agriculture. Throughout her tenure, she has worked in various colleges on the University Park campus. Her responsibilities include managing the SHC’s financial records and scholarships and serving as office manager. You can contact Corinna with financial questions at cxz7@psu.edu.

Liz Brown, Graduate Assistant, joined the SHC team in August 2012. Liz is currently pursuing a M.Ed. in College Student Affairs at Penn State. Liz works with the SHC staff on a variety of special projects dedicated to enhancing the undergraduate student experience for Scholars at Penn State. Liz will graduate with a Master of Public Administration and M.Ed. in spring 2014. A Wyoming native, Liz earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science and was a graduate of the Honors Program at the University of Wyoming.

In her free time, Liz enjoys reading and traveling - particularly road trips! You can contact Liz with questions at ejb272@psu.edu.

Dan Hansel, IT Consultant, joined the Schreyer Honors College in April 2009. Dan graduated with a BS from Penn State's College of Information Sciences and Technology in 2007 with certificates in Security and Risk Analysis and Information Technology Consulting. Dan's primary responsibilities are network and server administration, support for the general technology needs of SHC, and other projects critical to SHC success.

Dan is an outdoorsman, enjoys sports, is an avid archery hunter, and loves to play summer men's softball. You can reach Dan at dth139@psu.edu.

Melissa Doberstein has been the Schreyer Honors College Diversity Coordinator since September 2012. Melissa is also the Director of the Presidential Leadership Academy. Previously, Melissa worked as a Coordinator in the Office of Residence Life and as the Student Volunteer Coordinator in the Undergraduate Admissions Office at Penn State. A Long Island native, she earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science and her Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration at The State University of New York at Buffalo.

Melissa enjoys spending time with her husband, two Siberian Huskies, and a cat. She is also a Penn State Fitness instructor.

If you have questions about diversity programming, feel free to contact Melissa at mif3@psu.edu.

Jessica Hoffman, Development Assistant, joined the Schreyer Honors College in July 2012. Hoffman works in the Development and Alumni Relations office providing support to the Director and Associate Director of Development, coordinating events, and striving to engage Scholar alumni with the College and with each other.

Hoffman came to Penn State as a graduate student, then became a staff member in the Office of the Vice President for Research in September 2010. She will graduate with her Master’s of Education in Higher Education in May 2013. Hoffman’s graduate research focuses on access to and aspirations for postsecondary education for rural Pennsylvania students. She is currently working on a grant from the Center for Rural Pennsylvania with faculty members from the Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education. Hoffman is a 2010 graduate of the Cook Honors College at Indiana University of Pennsylvania with bachelors of arts degrees in English and Theatre.

When outside of the office and not focused on graduate studies, Hoffman enjoys spending time with her husband and Jack Russell terrier on their family farm in Karthaus, PA. You can reach Jessica at jrs5162@psu.edu.

Lisa Kerchinski, Coordinator of Career Development, is responsible for career and professional programming as well as counseling and advising Scholars regarding internships, scholarships, graduate school applications, and job searches. Lisa joined Penn State in 2003 as a graduate program coordinator and continuing education instructor at The Lancaster Center. At University Park, Lisa has served as the internship coordinator for the College of the Liberal Arts, a career coach for the Smeal MBA program, and as the assistant director of alumni career services. Prior to joining Penn State, Lisa was employed in higher education in career development, student affairs, development, and continuing education.

Lisa earned her bachelor's degree in communications at Bowling Green State University and her master's degree in higher education administration at Indiana University. You can reach Lisa via email at esk10@psu.edu.

Deb King, Administrative Support Assistant, joined the Schreyer Honors College in September 2012. Deb’s responsibilities include providing support for the Coordinator of Career Development and Student Records Coordinator. She assists with the planning of career programming events, sending weekly career listserv announcements, scheduling student appointments, collecting resumes for internship/job postings, and managing the Career Development Facebook page. Deb also is involved in coordinating the Summer Internship/Research Grants, senior surveys, and Thesis Day.

Deb lives in Stormstown and enjoys spending time with her family and eight grandchildren. You can contact Deb with questions at dry1@psu.edu.

Nathan Leopard, Associate Director of Development, joined the Schreyer Honors College staff in February 2013. Previously, he worked in Penn State’s Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life before serving as VP of Development at Affinity Connection, and as Distinguished Giving Director with the American Cancer Society. In his role, Nathan will be working with alumni, parents and friends of the Schreyer Honors College to raise philanthropic support for the college.

Nathan has a Bachelor of Science in public relations from Northwest Missouri State University and a Master of Science in college student personnel from Miami University. He lives in the State College area with his wife, Jen, who works in student activities at Penn State, and daughter, Caroline. Nathan enjoys following sports and cinema, keeping up with his family, and spending time in his role as a dad.

Lisa Mellott, Administrative Assistant to the dean, came to the Schreyer Honors College in November 2010. She began her career at Penn State in 1989 and worked in Pattee Library, the Eberly College of Science, the Undergraduate Admissions Office, and the Smeal College of Business before coming to the SHC. Lisa’s primary responsibility is providing support to the dean. She manages the dean’s calendar and assists the dean with strategic planning, budget, and annual reports. She provides staff support to the Director of Administrative Operations, the IT Manager, the SHC External Advisory Board, as well as various committees and task forces.  She also updates various web pages and works closely with the other SHC staff assistants.

Lisa lives in the Stormstown area with her wonderful husband, Bob, son, Mason and dog, Bandit.  She enjoys spending time with her family and friends and attending sporting events. You can contact Lisa with questions at llk3@psu.edu.

Rosanna Mersinger, Administrative Support Assistant, provides administrative support to the Coordinator of Student Programs. Her other responsibilities include: assisting Scholars with general housing concerns, sending the weekly listserv announcements, and serving as support to the four Schreyer Honors College Scholar Assistants. If you have questions or concerns in any of these areas, stop by her desk in C-4 Atherton Hall.

Rosanna lives in Coburn with her husband Duane. They have two daughters and four grandchildren. She is very active in fundraising events which support her local fire company and she enjoys reading. Feel free to stop by and say hello when you are in Atherton Hall. You may contact Rosanna at rlm29@psu.edu.

Donna Meyer, Coordinator of Student Programs, began her career at Penn State in the University Scholars Program in 1989 and years later assumed the role of the College's first coordinator of alumni relations. Today, Donna coordinates student engagement and signature programming. She serves as co-advisor to the SHC Student Council, supervises the Scholars Assistant Team, coordinates the fall orientation for incoming Scholars, and manages the SHC mentoring programs.

Donna is a graduate of Centre Business School, Inc. and a 2006 graduate of Leadership Centre County. In her spare time, Donna enjoys traveling, barbershop and doowop music, baseball, musicals and playing the piano. You can contact her at dlh15@psu.edu.

Sean M. Miller, Director of Development and Alumni Relations, joined the SHC team in January 2012. Previously, he was the Associate Director of Development for the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences and the Development Assistant in the Office of Gift Planning at Penn State. Sean is responsible for raising major gifts over $50,000 as part of "For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students," and for completing a $100 million campaign in support of honors education at Penn State.

Miller obtained his BA in Political Science from Penn State in 2005. He serves on the Board of Directors for Penn State Hillel and the Centre Country Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association. He also serves as Immediate Past President and Treasurer for the Parmi Nous Alumni Interest Group. In addition, he serves as a member of the fundraising committee for the Pink Zone, a charity in support of breast cancer research and funding that is centered on the Penn State Lady Lions Basketball team.

You can contact Sean with questions about how to make a gift, community and alumni involvement, or how to get involved with Penn State’s Schreyer Honors College philanthropy at smm401@psu.edu.

Lynne O’Cain is Administrative Assistant to the Associate Dean. Her job involves working with honors curriculum, keeping the associate dean's calendar, organizing the integrated undergraduate/graduate programs, and assisting with managing several major events throughout the year. Lynne joined the Schreyer Honors College in August 2005 after working at HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehabilitation Hospital in Pleasant Gap for fourteen years.

Lynne spent over five years living abroad while serving in the U.S. Air Force and enjoys sharing travel stories with the students. She lives in Howard with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs. She is a volunteer twirling instructor for the Aristokat Twirling Corps and is involved with the Bald Eagle Area Music Boosters. You may reach Lynne at lmo11@psu.edu.

Debra Rodgers, Coordinator of Student Records, joined the Schreyer Honors College in November 2008. Debra is responsible for monitoring student records, overseeing semester grade audits, academic plans, theses, and graduation checkouts.

Debra resides with her husband Brett and her two lovely daughters. She enjoys walks with her husband, family movie night, and supporting her daughters’ extracurricular activities. In her spare time, Debra is pursuing a bachelor's degree in psychology through Penn State's World Campus.

Scholars with questions regarding their status in the college are encouraged to stop in C-5 Atherton or make an appointment to meet with her. Debra can be reached at djr255@psu.edu.

Allison Siebenmann, Administrative Support Assistant, joined the Schreyer Honors College in November 2012. Allison’s primary responsibilities include providing support to the director of development and alumni relations, associate director of development and alumni relations, and the development coordinator.

Allison received her bachelor's degree in public relations from the University of Oregon. While working toward her degree, she interned in the University of Oregon athletic department's media relations office. You can contact Allison with questions at ams78@psu.edu.

Beth Smith, Web Programmer, joined the Schreyer Honors College in September 2008. Beth has worked in the IT field for many years. She was a lead Software Engineer for Adobe Systems, and a consultant for Adobe and Microsoft. She has worked as a freelance Web developer for the past 8 years. Beth is a pianist/organist, a sports enthusiast, an avid cyclist, and enjoys cooking for her family.

Beth earned her Master's degree in Computer Science at Virginia Tech. You can reach Beth at bethsmith@psu.edu.

Taren Smith, Coordinator of Recruitment and Selection, joined the Schreyer Honors College in June 2012.  She oversees all steps in the admissions process, from meeting with prospective students and their families to managing application review.  Taren began her career with Penn State in 2008 as an admissions counselor at the Hazleton campus and transitioned to University Park in 2010.  While in this position, she represented Penn State within Pennsylvania and also across the country.  Taren received her Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies at Lock Haven University in 2007.

Dr. Richard Stoller is the Coordinator of Academic Advising and International Programs, a position he has held since 2012. He was the SHC Coordinator of Selection and International Programs from 1998 to 2012.  Dr. Stoller graduated from Wesleyan University and holds a Ph.D. in Latin American History from Duke University.  Prior to coming to Penn State he taught at Dickinson College and Philadelphia University.  He has published several articles about 19th and 20th century Colombian history, and he has translated articles for Latin American Perspectives and a book for Duke University Press.

Scholars are encouraged to contact Dr. Stoller (rjs27@psu.edu) for information about international research and study opportunities.

Tom Weber, IT Director, joined the Schreyer Honors College in December 2008.  Tom grew up on a dairy farm in eastern Pennsylvania, graduated from Penn State with a BS degree in Agricultural Engineering, and has spent over 24 years providing technology services to the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State.  During his time with the College of Ag he played key roles in the creation of their computer infrastructure. He was also on the team that developed PEN*PAGES, one of the first electronic public information sources for Cooperative Extension information in the country. 

Tom lives in Boalsburg with his wife and daughter and can be seen most weekends working around the house, researching family history, and of course tinkering with computers. You may contact Tom at thw@psu.edu.