New Kensington staff earn plaudits from chancellor, campus community

Corinne Coulson and Candee Christy recognized for excellence in service
Staff awards

Penn State New Kensington staff members Candee Christy, left, and Corinne Coulson, with their service awards. 

Credit: Karen Harlan

UPPER BURRELL, Pa. — Penn State New Kensington Chancellor Kevin Snider honored two staff members May 19 as the recipients of the campus’ outstanding service awards. The initiatives were developed in 2015 by Snider to recognize campus staff members who have made a valuable impact on the campus, whether through interactions with students or faculty, or through the development of new systems, policies and programs.

Corinne Coulson, enrollment services specialist, received Outstanding Service to Students kudos and Candee Christy, administrative support assistant for Chancellor Snider, earned Outstanding Service to Campus Community laudations.

The service to students citation recognizes a staff member who promotes a consistent student-centered environment. Criteria include demonstrating a positive campus experience, furthering academic achievement, helping to make education more accessible and affordable, and contributing toward the development of students both personally and professionally.

The service to campus community commendation is given to a staff member who demonstrates a pattern of extraordinary dedication and goes above and beyond assigned job responsibilities in an effort to serve the needs of members of the New Kensington campus. The award recipient is honored for providing excellent service to meet the needs and expectations of members from the campus community, exhibiting a willingness to help others, impacting the campus community when taking action, setting policies or carrying out tasks, improving services that may increase efficiency, demonstrating positive interpersonal relationships that support diversity, and building partnerships with other departments for the sake of improvements.

The remarkable duo shares a common trait –- winners of the University-wide “We Are!” awards. “We Are” is a Penn State initiative that provides students, faculty and staff with a platform to give acclamation to fellow Penn Staters for work that goes above and beyond their job duties or responsibilities. Coulson (March 2015) and Christy (March 2016) were nominated by campus colleagues for personifying Penn State’s commitment of service to the community.

Coulson, who joined the admissions staff in 2013, is responsible for recruiting and counseling prospective students. She focuses on traditional aged students, defined as 18-24-years old. In addition, she is the adviser to the Lion Ambassadors, a student organization found on every campus of Penn State. Their mission is to serve the University, the student body and alumni by acting as representatives of the University.

Coulson earned a bachelor's degree in communications media at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she was a member of the dean’s list and recipient of the National Collegiate Communications Award.

"Corinne brings a lot of talents and positive energy to our office,” said Patty Brady, director of enrollment services. “She loves working with students, whether they are prospective students or our current ones. Her work with our Lion Ambassadors has been impressive, and they provide valuable service both to the campus and to our community. We are fortunate to have her on our team."

Christy earned an associate degree in secretarial science from New Kensington Commercial School. She joined the campus community in 2004 as staff assistant in Continuing Education before moving two years later to the Development Office as the staff assistant. When Snider was named chancellor in 2008, the Lower Burrell resident took on the responsibilities of running his office.

In her position, Christy handles all aspects of the chancellor's work for the campus, from supporting events to coordinating the chancellor's schedule.

“Candee is extraordinarily committed to this campus, frequently staying late or getting up early to help with functions put on by other departments,” Snider said. “She does this because she cares deeply about the campus, students, faculty and staff, and she'll do whatever she can to make sure each and all of us are successful. In addition she is one of a few staff members who, after working all day, will return to support students and coaches at sporting events, speaker series, plays and other evening functions. If someone has a problem and asks, Candee will work to see it resolved. It is terrific that others see the commitment that I do every day and recognized it with this award.”

For more about Penn State New Kensington, http://newkensington.psu.edu/
 

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