Awards

Commonwealth Commitment Awards

The Commonwealth Commitment Awards recognize Penn State faculty and staff whose work exemplifies our Commonwealth Commitments to inspire discovery, prepare students, and serve Pennsylvania, all in support Penn State’s land-grant mission.

Recipients of a Commonwealth Commitment Award receive a $2,000 stipend and recognition at an annual awards celebration.

This award recognizes faculty or staff who inspire discovery by creating access to learning, enrichment, or creative experiences that broaden perspectives and strengthen communities of learners. The Inspiring Discovery Award celebrates those who expand Penn State’s educational reach and spark intellectual exploration among learners of all ages.

Examples of eligible initiatives include:

public engagement programming that promotes curiosity, lifelong learning, and/or intergenerational education
community arts, culture, and STEM outreach or broader impacts events/work
camps, conferences, or symposia that foster discovery and innovation
research that enhances or communicates the impact of the preceding examples or similar work

This award recognizes faculty or staff who prepare students for professional and civic success through experiential learning, mentorship, and applied engagement. The Preparing Students Award honors those whose work creates measurable change in student skills and competencies according to NACE (National Association for Colleges and Employers) or recognized institutional outcomes.

Examples of eligible initiatives include:

curricular or co-curricular experiential learning programs, peer mentorship, student clubs or organizations, travel- and place-based learning
industry and employment–related experiences, internships, co-ops, and externships
service-learning or community-based research tied to student outcomes
programs that enhance career readiness and NACE competency development

This award recognizes staff who serve the commonwealth by leading outreach and engagement initiatives that create solutions for and/or empower communities, local organizations, and public agencies. The Serving Pennsylvania Award acknowledges those who model Penn State’s land-grant mission with reciprocity, co-creationism, and mutualism—using scholarship and partnership to improve lives across Pennsylvania.

Examples of eligible initiatives include:

collaborative projects or courses with embedded projects that address public challenges, promote community engaged learning, or enhance community well-being
research or technical assistance that results in public impact, civic improvement, and/or community transformation
creating social and economic development through partnerships with nonprofits, local governments, or industry, including but not limited to small businesses, municipalities, law enforcement, and K-12 schools
professional training and capacity-building programs for Pennsylvania’s workforce

These awards celebrate employees whose teaching, research, and/or service creates significant and measurable impact for individuals, organizations, or communities throughout Pennsylvania in ways that:

direct or operate programs that connect students and/or the University to community needs
benefit the public through partnerships, research, and sharing University knowledge
integrate engaged teaching, research, and service to address local, regional, and global challenges
strengthen the University’s role as a trusted public partner and anchor institution within the commonwealth

Nomination Process

Nominations are invited from across the University community, but we ask that you only nominate an individual, group, or project for a single award. Please note that you are welcome to nominate your own work for recognition.

All nominations must be submitted using the Commonwealth Commitment Award nomination form and include:

two letters of support from University colleagues (one may be from the nominator)
one letter from an external partner describing the value and impact of the nominee’s work. Note that letters from external partners may be up to one year old from date of submission deadline.

You can begin your nomination at any time, save your progress, and return to complete the form at your convenience, but in order for a nominee to be considered, you must submit a completed nomination form with all supporting materials by the nomination deadline. A selection committee will review and select award winners.

Nomination Deadline: Monday, April 6, 2026

full- or part-time faculty or staff members from any Penn State location
individuals or teams
work that demonstrates measurable and meaningful impact
projects that integrate research, teaching, and service components are encouraged
individuals may receive one award every five years

Nominees should demonstrate excellence in at least two of the following areas:

Impact—evidence of significant benefit for individuals, organizations, or communities
Innovation—creative approaches to collaboration and public engagement
Partnerships—sustained, reciprocal relationships with community, corporate, or industry partners
Leadership—contributions that advance Penn State’s mission and inspire others
Engaged scholarship—application of academic expertise to address public needs

Nomination Form

Awardee Expectations

To celebrate awardee work, strengthen partnerships, and highlight the collective impact of Outreach across the commonwealth, award recipients will be expected to:

participate in a recognition and showcase event, sharing a brief overview of their work and its impact via a short presentation, poster, or summary
contribute to Outreach communication and storytelling efforts as requested
submit a short reflection or impact update following the award period

Regional and National Recognition

One Commonwealth Commitment Award recipient may also be named Penn State’s nominee for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Engagement Scholarship Award (Northeast Region), sponsored by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU). If so nominated, the recipient would receive an additional $500.

The APLU recognizes five regional winners of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Engagement Award each year at the Engagement Scholarship Consortium (ESC) Conference. Regional winners receive a $6,000 stipend, $1,500 toward the production of a digital story, and $2,000 in travel support to attend the conference and will advance to nomination for the nationwide C. Peter Magrath Community Engagement Scholarship Award, which is presented at the APLU Annual Meeting and includes a $20,000 cash prize.

Questions

If you have any questions concerning eligibility, criteria, or nomination materials, please contact Michael Zeman, selection committee co-chair, at mjz120@psu.edu.

Intercollege Graduate Student Outreach Achievement Award

Created in spring 2004 by a generous donation from alumni Steven E. and Alice R. Linberg and a matching commitment from Penn State Outreach, this award recognizes degree candidates in any of the Intercollege Graduate Degree Programs who have achieved superior academic records while bringing their scholarship to the community to benefit society in some manner. University employees receiving educational privileges are not eligible for this University scholarship/award in accordance with Penn State policies HR36 and HR38.

Learn more about the Intercollege Graduate Student Outreach Achievement Award.

Past Awards and Winners

These previous awards recognized exceptional faculty, staff, supporters, and engaged scholarship initiatives, dating back as far as 1998.

This award recognizes a Penn State engaged scholarship project or initiative that exemplifies an engaged institution as defined in the Kellogg Commission Report Returning to Our Roots: The Engaged Institution.

2024 — Pearl Gluck, Associate Professor of Film Production, Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications
2023 — Dr. Amulya Yadav, Assistant Professor, College of Information Sciences and Technology
2023 Exemplary Distinction — Dr. Sherri A. Mason, Director of Sustainability and Associate Research Professor, Penn State Behrend
2023 Exemplary Distinction — Ilona Ballreich, Sustainable Communities Collaborative Manager, Penn State Sustainability Institute
2022 — Dr. Peter Stempel, Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture, College of Arts and Architecture
2022 Exemplary Distinction — Dr. Amulya Yadav, Assistant Professor, College of Information Sciences and Technology
2022 Exemplary Distinction — Lisa Domenico Iulo, Associate Professor of Architecture, College of Arts and Architecture
2021 — Dr. Shivaani Selvaraj, Director, Penn State Center Philadelphia, Penn State Outreach
2020 — Boaz Dvir, Assistant Professor; Director, Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Education Initiative, Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications
2019 — Dr. Glenn Sterner III, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, Division of Social Science, Penn State Abington
2019 Exemplary Designation — Dr. Kristin Buss, Professor, Psychology; Director of PACT, College of the Liberal Arts
2018 — Laurie Grobman, Professor, English and Women’s Studies, Division of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences; Coordinator, Center for Service Learning and Community-Based Research, Penn State Berks
2017 — Dr. Andrea Tapia, Associate Professor, Director of Graduate Programs, College of Information Sciences and Technology
2016 — Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness, led by Dr. Daniel Perkins, Clearinghouse Director and Professor, College of Agricultural Sciences
2015 — Partners in Music, led by Dr. Linda Thornton and Dr. Robert Garner, School of Music, College of Arts and Architecture
2014 — The PROSPER Project, led by Mark T. Greenberg, Bennett Chair of Prevention Research, College of Health and Human Development.
2013 — Humanitarian Engineering and Social Entrepreneurship (HESE), led by Khanjan Mehta, Director, Humanitarian Engineering and Social Entrepreneurship Program, Instructor, Engineering Design. View the Humanitarian Engineering and Social Entrepreneurship video.
2012 — CHANCE, Connecting Humans and Nature Through Conservation Experiences, led by Dr. Jacqueline McLaughlin, Associate Professor of Biology, Founding Director, CHANCE, Penn State Lehigh Valley.
2011 — The Pittsburgh Studio: Regenerative Design in Stressed Communities, led by Ken Tamminga, College of Arts and Architecture. Read the news story. Watch Regenerative Design in Stressed Communities.
2010 — Drug Resistance Strategies Project, which features the Keepin’ it REAL Curriculum, led by Dr. Michael Hecht and Dr. Michelle Miller-Day of the College of the Liberal Arts.
2009 — Northern Appalachia Cancer Network: Changing Cancer Research, Changing People’s Lives, led by Dr. Eugene Lengerich, College of Medicine.
2008 — Rethinking Urban Poverty: The Philadelphia Field Project, led by Dr. Lakshman Yapa, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences.

2024 — Pearl Gluck, Associate Professor of Film Production, Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications
2023 — Dr. Amulya Yadav, Assistant Professor, College of Information Sciences and Technology
2023 Exemplary Distinction — Dr. Sherri A. Mason, Director of Sustainability and Associate Research Professor, Penn State Behrend
2023 Exemplary Distinction — Ilona Ballreich, Sustainable Communities Collaborative Manager, Penn State Sustainability Institute
2022 — Dr. Peter Stempel, Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture, College of Arts and Architecture
2022 Exemplary Distinction — Dr. Amulya Yadav, Assistant Professor, College of Information Sciences and Technology
2022 Exemplary Distinction — Lisa Domenico Iulo, Associate Professor of Architecture, College of Arts and Architecture
2021 — Dr. Shivaani Selvaraj, Director, Penn State Center Philadelphia, Penn State Outreach
2020 — Boaz Dvir, Assistant Professor; Director, Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Education Initiative, Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications
2019 — Dr. Glenn Sterner III, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, Division of Social Science, Penn State Abington
2019 Exemplary Designation — Dr. Kristin Buss, Professor, Psychology; Director of PACT, College of the Liberal Arts
2018 — Laurie Grobman, Professor, English and Women’s Studies, Division of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences; Coordinator, Center for Service Learning and Community-Based Research, Penn State Berks
2017 — Dr. Andrea Tapia, Associate Professor, Director of Graduate Programs, College of Information Sciences and Technology
2016 — Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness, led by Dr. Daniel Perkins, Clearinghouse Director and Professor, College of Agricultural Sciences
2015 — Partners in Music, led by Dr. Linda Thornton and Dr. Robert Garner, School of Music, College of Arts and Architecture
2014 — The PROSPER Project, led by Mark T. Greenberg, Bennett Chair of Prevention Research, College of Health and Human Development.
2013 — Humanitarian Engineering and Social Entrepreneurship (HESE), led by Khanjan Mehta, Director, Humanitarian Engineering and Social Entrepreneurship Program, Instructor, Engineering Design. View the Humanitarian Engineering and Social Entrepreneurship video.
2012 — CHANCE, Connecting Humans and Nature Through Conservation Experiences, led by Dr. Jacqueline McLaughlin, Associate Professor of Biology, Founding Director, CHANCE, Penn State Lehigh Valley.
2011 — The Pittsburgh Studio: Regenerative Design in Stressed Communities, led by Ken Tamminga, College of Arts and Architecture. Read the news story. Watch Regenerative Design in Stressed Communities.
2010 — Drug Resistance Strategies Project, which features the Keepin’ it REAL Curriculum, led by Dr. Michael Hecht and Dr. Michelle Miller-Day of the College of the Liberal Arts.
2009 — Northern Appalachia Cancer Network: Changing Cancer Research, Changing People’s Lives, led by Dr. Eugene Lengerich, College of Medicine.
2008 — Rethinking Urban Poverty: The Philadelphia Field Project, led by Dr. Lakshman Yapa, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences.

This award recognizes current or former University faculty, staff, and technical service employees who have made significant contributions to support the Outreach vision through their work, either within Outreach or in their respective University units.

2022 — Tracey Huston
2021 — Martha Jordan
2020 — Not awarded
2019 — Dean Susan Welch
2018 — Dr. Craig Weidemann
2017 — Patty Satalia
2016 — Dr. Pete Rubba
2015 — Dr. Sara Parks
2014 — Dr. Al Turgeon
2013 — Dr. Jim Ryan
2012 — Sandy Edwards
2011 — Jim Campbell
2010 — Marlowe Froke and Corky Potter
2009 — Dr. Gary Miller

This award recognizes early-career tenure-track and non-tenure-track faculty members whose work has significant potential to advance engaged scholarship through teaching, research, and/or service.

2024 — Dr. Lena Surzhko-Harned, Associate Teaching Professor of Political Science, Penn State Behrend
2023 — Dr. Glenn Sterner III, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, Division of Social Science, Penn State Abington
2022 — Shaheen Pasha, Assistant Professor of Journalism, Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications
2021 — Dr. Katherine Mclean, Associate Professor, Program Coordinator in Administration of Justice, Penn State Greater Allegheny
2021 Exemplary Distinction — Dr. Kathleen Sexsmith, Assistant Professor of Rural Sociology and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, College of Agricultural Sciences
2020 — Dr. Rebecca Tarlau, Assistant Professor, Education, College of Education; Assistant Professor, Labor and Employment Relations, College of Liberal Arts
2019 — Dr. Efrain Marimon, Assistant Professor; Director, Restorative Justice Initiative; Director, Social Justice Fellowship, College of Education
2019 Exemplary Distinction — Pearl Gluck, Assistant Professor, Film-Video; Distinguished Honors Faculty, Schreyer Honors College
2018 — Dr. Kristen P. Goessling, Assistant Professor, Human Development and Family Studies, Penn State Brandywine
2017 — Dr. Carter Hunt, Assistant Professor, Recreation, Parks and Tourism Management, College of Health and Human Development
2016 — Haley Sankey, Lecturer and Adviser, John A. Dutton e-Education Institute, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences

This award recognizes an individual faculty member for his/her body of work in and significant contribution to outreach and engaged scholarship. They have extended their scholarship to external constituents resulting in significant impact on individuals, communities, or organizations.

2024 — Edward Jenkins, Professor of Practice in Accounting, Smeal College of Business
2024 Exemplary Distinction — Dr. Lori Stepan, Teaching Professor of Chemistry, Eberly College of Science
2023 — Dr. Christopher Fowler, Associate Professor of Geography, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
2022 — Dr. Melanie Hetzel-Riggin, Professor of Psychology, Penn State Behrend
2021 — Dr. Sascha D. Meinrath, Palmer Chair in Telecommunications, Bellisario College of Communications
2021 Exemplary Distinction — Dr. William P. Bahnfleth, Professor of Architectural Engineering, College of Engineering
2020 — Dr. Jacob Benfield, Associate Professor, Psychological & Social Sciences; Director, Abington Center for Civic Engagement and Social Scholarship (ACCESS)
2019 — Dr. Carleen Maitland, Associate Professor; Co-director, Institute for Information Policy, College of Information Sciences and Technology
2019 Exemplary Distinction — Mark Lusk, Professor (Trombone), School of Music, College of Arts and Architecture
2018 — Dr. Paul Patterson, Professor, Poultry Science and Extension Specialist, College of Agricultural Sciences
2017 — Dr. Arthur Hattel, Assistant Professor, Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Agricultural Sciences
2016 — Dr. Roger Finke, Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Religious Studies, Director of the Association of Religion Data Archives, College of the Liberal Arts
2015 — Dr. Laurie Grobman, Professor of English and Women’s Studies, Penn State Berks
2014 — Dr. Yuefeng Xie, Professor of Environmental Engineering, School of Science, Engineering, and Technology, Penn State Harrisburg
2013 — Dr. Timothy Kelsey, Professor of Agricultural Economics, Co-Director, Center for Economic and Community Development
2012 — Dr. Samuel W. Monismith, Associate Professor of Health Education, School of Behavioral Sciences and Education, Penn State Harrisburg
2011 — Dr. Collins Airhihenbuwa, Professor and Head of the Department of Biobehavioral Health, College of Health and Human Development
2010 — Dr. Karen Bierman, Distinguished Professor of Psychology, College of the Liberal Arts, and Director of the Child Study Center
2009 — Dr. Robert P. Brooks, Professor of Geography and Ecology, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, and Director of the Penn State Cooperative Wetlands Center
2008 — Dr. Eugene Lengerich, Professor of Public Health Sciences, Family and Community Medicine, and Health Policy and Administration, Director of Community Outreach and Education, Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute
2007 — Dr. Barbara Sims, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, School of Public Affairs, Penn State Harrisburg
2006 — Dr. Charles Abdalla, Associate Professor of Agricultural and Environmental Economics, College of Agricultural Sciences
2005 — Dr. James A. Pawelczyk, Associate Professor of Kinesiology and Physiology, College of Health and Human Development
2004 — Dr. Cheryl A. Dellasega, Associate Professor of Humanities and Chair of the Arts, Healing and Humanities Committee of The Doctors Kienle Center for Humanistic Medicine, College of Medicine
2003 — Dr. Mark T. Greenberg, Bennett Chair in Prevention Research and Professor of Human Development and Family Studies, College of Health and Human Development
2002 — Dr. Audrey Maretzki, Professor of Food Science, College of Agricultural Sciences
2001 — Dr. Keith Verner, Chief of the Division of Developmental Pediatrics and Learning, College of Medicine
2000 — Dr. Lakshman Yapa, Associate Professor of Geography, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
1999 — Dr. James Van Horn, Professor of Rural Sociology, College of Agricultural Sciences
1998 — Dr. Jawaid Haider, Professor of Architecture, College of Arts and Architecture

2024 — Edward Jenkins, Professor of Practice in Accounting, Smeal College of Business
2024 Exemplary Distinction — Dr. Lori Stepan, Teaching Professor of Chemistry, Eberly College of Science
2023 — Dr. Christopher Fowler, Associate Professor of Geography, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
2022 — Dr. Melanie Hetzel-Riggin, Professor of Psychology, Penn State Behrend
2021 — Dr. Sascha D. Meinrath, Palmer Chair in Telecommunications, Bellisario College of Communications
2021 Exemplary Distinction — Dr. William P. Bahnfleth, Professor of Architectural Engineering, College of Engineering
2020 — Dr. Jacob Benfield, Associate Professor, Psychological & Social Sciences; Director, Abington Center for Civic Engagement and Social Scholarship (ACCESS)
2019 — Dr. Carleen Maitland, Associate Professor; Co-director, Institute for Information Policy, College of Information Sciences and Technology
2019 Exemplary Distinction — Mark Lusk, Professor (Trombone), School of Music, College of Arts and Architecture
2018 — Dr. Paul Patterson, Professor, Poultry Science and Extension Specialist, College of Agricultural Sciences
2017 — Dr. Arthur Hattel, Assistant Professor, Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Agricultural Sciences
2016 — Dr. Roger Finke, Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Religious Studies, Director of the Association of Religion Data Archives, College of the Liberal Arts
2015 — Dr. Laurie Grobman, Professor of English and Women’s Studies, Penn State Berks
2014 — Dr. Yuefeng Xie, Professor of Environmental Engineering, School of Science, Engineering, and Technology, Penn State Harrisburg
2013 — Dr. Timothy Kelsey, Professor of Agricultural Economics, Co-Director, Center for Economic and Community Development
2012 — Dr. Samuel W. Monismith, Associate Professor of Health Education, School of Behavioral Sciences and Education, Penn State Harrisburg
2011 — Dr. Collins Airhihenbuwa, Professor and Head of the Department of Biobehavioral Health, College of Health and Human Development
2010 — Dr. Karen Bierman, Distinguished Professor of Psychology, College of the Liberal Arts, and Director of the Child Study Center
2009 — Dr. Robert P. Brooks, Professor of Geography and Ecology, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, and Director of the Penn State Cooperative Wetlands Center
2008 — Dr. Eugene Lengerich, Professor of Public Health Sciences, Family and Community Medicine, and Health Policy and Administration, Director of Community Outreach and Education, Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute
2007 — Dr. Barbara Sims, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, School of Public Affairs, Penn State Harrisburg
2006 — Dr. Charles Abdalla, Associate Professor of Agricultural and Environmental Economics, College of Agricultural Sciences
2005 — Dr. James A. Pawelczyk, Associate Professor of Kinesiology and Physiology, College of Health and Human Development
2004 — Dr. Cheryl A. Dellasega, Associate Professor of Humanities and Chair of the Arts, Healing and Humanities Committee of The Doctors Kienle Center for Humanistic Medicine, College of Medicine
2003 — Dr. Mark T. Greenberg, Bennett Chair in Prevention Research and Professor of Human Development and Family Studies, College of Health and Human Development
2002 — Dr. Audrey Maretzki, Professor of Food Science, College of Agricultural Sciences
2001 — Dr. Keith Verner, Chief of the Division of Developmental Pediatrics and Learning, College of Medicine
2000 — Dr. Lakshman Yapa, Associate Professor of Geography, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
1999 — Dr. James Van Horn, Professor of Rural Sociology, College of Agricultural Sciences
1998 — Dr. Jawaid Haider, Professor of Architecture, College of Arts and Architecture

The Penn State Outreach and Online Education Fischer Award of Distinction recognizes friends, donors, alumni, and volunteers (including posthumous) who have distinguished themselves through extraordinary service to advance Outreach and Online Education.

2023 — Jonathan E. Dambrot
2022 — Mark W. McBride
2021 — Not awarded
2020 — Not awarded
2019 — Robert J. Beaury
2018 — Dr. Mary Ellen Litzinger
2017 — Sheila Gallucci-Davis
2016 — Paul Umbach
2015 — Beverly Wise
2014 — Daniel Mazur
2013 — Nancy Silvis
2012 — Steve Schlotterbeck
2011 — Robert Tunno
2010 — Jane Zimmerman
2009 — Frank Mayadas
2008 — Richard B. Fischer

Commonwealth Commitment Awards

Inspiring Discovery Award

Preparing Students Award

Serving Pennsylvania Award

Nomination Process

Award Eligibility

Selection Criteria

Awardee Expectations

Regional and National Recognition

Questions

Intercollege Graduate Student Outreach Achievement Award

Past Awards and Winners

Community Engagement and Scholarship Award

Dubin Pioneer Award

Emerging Faculty Outreach Award

Faculty Outreach Award

Fischer Award of Distinction