Chris Holley, associate professor of automotive, comes to the mic for a laughter-filled episode that covers everything from his journey from being a "tread head" at Sears to his path to Penn College. Chris doesn't take life too seriously, but don't let him fool you. He holds a high bar for student performance. In fact, he confesses his students appreciate him most after they graduate and realize the value of their hard work. We hope you enjoy this fun conversation with a fan favorite in our automotive department.

Meet masters of graphic design Nick Stephenson, instructor at Penn College, and Ali Petrizzi, graphic design alum and senior UX designer at Microsoft. Ali graduated just a few years ago, but the duo's dynamic feels more like old friends than anything else. We explore what it means to be a graphic designer, possible career paths, freelance opportunities, Ali's obsession with experiments and evidence, AI, and loads more. Nick tells some childhood stories. Ali shares why data doesn't lie. There's a lot to learn in this action-packed episode. Hang on for the ride!

In this heartfelt episode, we chat with Dr. Tanya Berfield, director of student advocacy and Title IV coordinator at Penn College. She shares the values that drive her work at Penn College and the empowerment coaching she does through her private business. It all boils down to living authentically and practicing self care. Tanya lends a wealth of wisdom and a down-to-earth approach that promotes grace and exudes joy. Press play, relax, and enjoy the journey.

Emergency management and homeland security instructor Will Schlosser joins us for an informative and entertaining discussion about this field work, journey into the profession, and extensive background of skills including serving as an incident commander in the Civil Air Patrol. Will also gives us a preview of Rotorfest, a massive on-campus event planned and executed by his students.ResourcesOODA Loop ExplainedAbout the 2023 Rotorfest Event2024 Penn College Summer Programs

Today's guest is Joe Dibucci, Building Construction Technology instructor at Penn College. Maybe it was the coffee. Maybe it was the conversation. Either way, this one brought loads of laughs and lots of insight about the industry's most widely used building material—concrete.

Jump into a captivating conversation with Charles Niedermyer II. He's a nationally recognized chef with 25+ years of experience, instructor at Penn College, and a fan favorite among students. His passion for baking and zest for life is palpable. It seemed like our conversation had only begun when it was time to wrap things up. We hope you enjoy this engaging dialogue and look forward to a follow-up conversation as much as we are!

Baja SAE is coming to Pennsylvania College of Technology's Earth Science Center May 16-19, 2024! We snagged Marshall Fowler, engineering design technology student and Penn College Baja SAE Club president, for a lively conversation about his dedication to this one-of-a-kind club. With countless hours in the lab designing, building, and perfecting their off-road vehicle, Marshall and his team are pouring their hearts and minds into this year's masterpiece. Join us for an update on PCT Baja's progress. Learn what Marshall's looking forward to most about the May event. And get details on how you can get in on the action. Traveling to the event from afar? Listen up as Marshall shares his team's favorite post-work session restaurant. Enjoy!Learn more about PCT BajaFollow PCT Baja on InstagramVolunteer for Baja SAE Williamsport

Here's your chance to meet Carl Bower Jr., assistant professor of horticulture at Penn College. He tells us about his journey to Penn College and what drew him to the dynamic field he loves so much. If you're considering a career in landscaping or plant production, enjoy gardening at home, or simply want to join an engaging conversation, this one's for you!Interested in supporting Carl's horticulture students traveling to the National Collegiate Landscape Competition at Brigham Young University March 13-16?Learn more and submit your gift here.

We had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Dawn Dickey, director of disability and access resources at Penn College. Dawn's enthusiasm and passion for her life's work tops the charts! As someone who has been hearing impaired since birth, Dawn speaks about her real-life experiences and how they influence and inspire her efforts to level the playing field for students at Penn College.This episode is a perfect listen for high school and college students, parents, and instructors at all levels. For everyone else, we're sure the message of inclusivity will hit home in meaningful and thought-provoking ways.

Happy New Year! We're excited to be back after holiday break with Lizze Winters, career and professional programming manager at our Center for Career Design. If you're a high school student unsure about your career path, a parent helping your up-and-coming graduate, or knee-deep in your career and ready for a change, this one's for you. We explore the process of designing a career, work-life balance, the role values play, and why ROI matters. As always, we welcome your ideas and feedback at podcast@pct.edu.References:Career AssessmentsCareer One Stop - Career ExplorationMy Next Move - Career ExplorationPersonality AssessmentsMyers-Briggs Type Indicator®Truity Career Aptitude TestOnline Career Design CoursesStanford University: Designing Your CareerExploratory Summer CampsPenn College Summer Camps

In this free flowing conversation with Dr. Tom Ask, industrial design professor, and Nick Flores, a student in the program, we dive into the creative process, touch on the influence of AI in academia, and chat a bit about music. This one felt like a campfire conversation among friends. We hope you enjoy the ride!Resources:Infinity: Shoes designed by Kyle BentonObjective Elements of Visual CompositionAI in Art & Music

In this episode, we meet Dr. Justin Ingram, associate professor of biology at Penn College. We tap into his love of science and brewing and explore how he crafted a career that unites these two passions. He teaches us that if you indulge your curiosities and surround yourself with a talented team of go-getters, there's nothing you can't tackle. Let us know what you think at podcast@pct.edu.

In this episode we spark a thought-provoking conversation around the story architecture tells. With guests Dr. Naim Jabbour, associate professor of architecture and sustainable design, and Sandra Gallick, a student in his program, we talk about passive homes, sustainable ideas for existing structures, and Jabbour's dreams for the future of design. Join us for a lively discussion packed with meaning and magnitude.Resources:Design Like You Give A Damn: Architectural Responses To Humanitarian CrisesJavits CenterBasilica de la Sagrada FamíliaSupport Global Experiences at Penn College

In this episode we meet Elizabeth Legarski, nursing instructor, and student nurse, Kayla Kerstetter. Both women found their way to nursing after exploring other possible career paths. They're here with us to talk about those journeys and their personalized approach to nursing. If you're considering a career in nursing or curious about changing your trajectory, this one's for you!

We thought we knew what civil engineers did. This conversation opened our eyes to even more ways their projects impact our world. Ruth Hocker, civil engineering instructor at Penn College, and Zachary Hepler, a senior in the program, spark our curiosity with topics ranging from the vital role civil engineers have in our communities to international career opportunities to floating cities. We covered a lot of ground in this one. Hope you enjoy! As always, please reach out at podcast@pct.edu to share your thoughts and ideas.

Join us as we unravel the wide world of plastics and polymers with Dr. Kirk Cantor, professor of plastics and polymer technology, and student Mason Beaver. Kirk reflects on his path from NASA to Penn College and Mason gears up for an exciting career filled with promise. This duo touches on everything from the differences between plastics and polymers to the major processes involved in making essential parts and products. Mason also caps things off with a heartfelt message to his professor and mentor.Resources:Engineering vs. Engineering Technology Q&A with Dr. Kathy Chesmel

Dr. Rob Cooley, Associate Professor of Anthropology and Environmental Science at Pennsylvania College of Technology, views the world through an anthropological lens. After chatting with him in this episode, we can easily see the clarity in this approach. We dive into his journey to Penn College, his quest to save the world, and his advice for reducing your carbon footprint. Rob also talks about the global experience course he co-led to the Dominican Republic, the monumental impact of living and working alongside a different culture, and the abundance of life-changing takeaways.References:Global Experience Water Filter FundraiserOcean ConservancyPenn College Global ExperiencesWilliamsport Grower's MarketA Sand County Almanac: And Other Essays on Conservation from Round RiverGoogle Meets Aldo Leopold

It's Summer-fest at Tomorrow Makers. Dr. Summer Bukeavich, Associate Professor of Business Administration/Management & Marketing, and host Sumer Beatty talk all about mental health and Dr. Bukeavich's personal journey with anxiety disorder. Learn about her story and how she went from nearly being paralyzed with anxiety to becoming a campus leader. Along they way, we’ll touch on strategies for supporting those with anxiety, the importance of community, and even how Summer convinced Apple—yes, that Apple—to change Siri’s response to a voice command.References:Psych Central: "Siri, I Want To Kill Myself" Is Apple's New Update Enough?YouTube: Talking to Siri About Suicide

We have a really thought-provoking conversation on tap for you today with Dr. Craig Miller, History Professor, and Ashlee Felix-Taveras, a recent graduate of Penn College's Human Services & Restorative Justice program. Our topics are prison education and restorative justice. If you’re like us, you may have never given these concepts much thought. Regardless of how familiar you are with the topics, we can guarantee you will feel the gravitational pull of this conversation. Our guests are super passionate about finding the good in people. These two are simply incredible humans with pure intentions. And if you hold out until the end, you won’t be disappointed. Our guests connect on a personal level and Craig gives us a takeaway that’s worth the wait.Resources:Find Your Legislator

Dr. Nate Woods, Special Assistant to the President for Inclusion Transformation, at Pennsylvania College of Technology joins us for a lively conversation with Construction Management student Jason Wiedl. Dr. Woods is a true change-maker and one of the most caring and inspiring people you might meet. Jason interviews Dr. Woods about his background, his role at Penn College, and his vision for the future. Jason also surprises us by bringing a few questions of his own. Concert anyone?