Faculty Achievement

jen murphy

Penn State Berks Professor Murphy awarded Ken Peak Innovations in Teaching Award

Jennifer Murphy, associate professor of criminal justice at Penn State Berks, was recently awarded the 2023 Ken Peak Innovations in Teaching Award, given to one faculty member nationwide by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS). The purpose of this award is to recognize and honor criminal justice and criminology faculty members for innovative teaching methods.  
Mike Fidanza headshot

Berks professor Mike Fidanza edits book on sustainable turfgrass management

Mike Fidanza, professor of plant and soil sciences at Penn State Berks and former editor-in-chief of the International Turfgrass Society Research Journal, served as the editor of “Achieving Sustainable Turfgrass Management” — a new textbook centered on implementing eco-friendly initiatives in maintaining turfgrass.  
Penn State Berks students traveled to Mexico City during Spring Break

Shaffer’s book on Caribbean transnational history has modern implications

A new book written by Penn State Berks Professor of Latin American Studies Kirwin Shaffer explores how historical forces, people, and ideas traveled across political borders and bodies of water to shape Caribbean history. Titled "A Transnational History of the Modern Caribbean: Popular Resistance across Borders," the book discusses many of the same issues that are timely today, including same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ rights.
The Keystone Certificate

Penn State Berks faculty receive grant to weave humanities into STEM majors

Two Penn State Berks professors are working to help students in STEM majors garner the core skills and knowledge offered in the humanities in an effort to gain a more complex understanding of how their disciplines and careers relate to humanity and the fast-paced global economy. A $350,000 grant will help them implement the Keystone Certificate at several campuses.  
People shaking hands around table

Campuses recognize faculty for promoting open, affordable educational resources

Four Penn State campuses — Abington, Berks, Lehigh Valley and Mont Alto — awarded Penn State’s inaugural Open and Affordable Educational Resources (OAER) Champion Award during the spring 2022 semester. A collaboration between Penn State University Libraries and the University-wide OAER Working Group, the OAER Champion Award is a pilot initiative recognizing excellence, innovation and impact in OAER at Penn State campuses.