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The June 15 Board of Governors meeting streamed via YouTube. Below are APSCUF President Dr. Kenneth M. Mash’s comments as prepared.

Chairwoman Dr. Shapira, Chancellor Greenstein, members of the board, university presidents, and guests,

My name is Ken Mash, and I am (again) the statewide president of APSCUF, the union that represents the coaches and faculty at the 14 campuses that comprise the State System of Higher Education.

First, I want to express my gratitude to my friend Dr. Jamie Martin for her bold leadership and her unyielding defense of our members, her work that benefitted State System students, and all that she did to try to preserve the greatness of our universities. I know that everyone wishes her the best, and I feel fortunate that I know I can pick up the phone and be the beneficiary of her sound advice.

I have spent the last two years back on the East Stroudsburg University campus during some of the most trying times for students, faculty, staff, and administrators. If anything, I think my time back on campus has renewed my fervor to do what is right by our students. My experience has renewed my focus and my desire to remind everyone that, bickering and ideology aside, there are real people: real students with real futures, real parents paying real bills, real employees with real careers and real livelihoods. The educational experience must be at the core of everything that we all do, and we must remember the people responsible for providing it.

The overwhelming majority of those who jump through the hurdles necessary to be qualified to be a college professor — or who give their all on and off the athletic field — don’t view their positions as just a job. They view it as a vocation. I would like to remind the board that we, the System, can’t afford to lose that. It is what makes a good university tick. But that could happen if people perceive that they are being treated as mere cogs in a machine or just numbers.

I have a lot to say about what has been happening these last two years, and I have dozens of questions about decisions that have been made. In fairness, before I will share my perspectives publicly, I would like to have the opportunity to speak with the chair and the chancellor directly. Based on my experience, I have no reason to doubt that I will have this opportunity. I will share now that I am very proud of the way my colleagues helped their universities get through the toughest part of the pandemic and for the care and concern they showed to students. These challenges continue because we still have students making the adjustment to a face-to-face college experience.

With regard to the funding formula, I appreciate the work that was put into it by those who constructed it. As with most things, I think the devil is in the details. And while I know the formula was shared with some of my colleagues, I am not sure they left confident that they understood how it works, the impact on the universities, and how the universities will be affected in the future, should there be changes to the state allocation.

I do think that there was room here for a more public discussion, so that the governors could benefit from a wealth of knowledge and perspectives that may differ from those who constructed the formula. That said, I am looking forward to a robust board discussion about this policy and to many questions — because I know the board appreciates how important it is to hold our System and university officials accountable and that the public counts on the board to make sure there is accountability.

Thank you for your time.

While the 2021– 22 academic year was turbulent, APSCUF faculty and coaches continued to impress. Here is a roundup of some of their accomplishments.

Bloomsburg University’s Michael Shepard, Department of Environmental, Geographical & Geological Sciences professor, mapped the largest m-class asteroid in our solar system.

Mark Lennon, associate professor at California University of Pennsylvania, will be teaching management concepts in India as part of the Fulbright Specialist Program.

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania Professor Marietta Dantonio-Madsen spoke with PHL17 about the “Keep Black Love Alive” initiative to increase vaccinations in communities of color.

Kevan Yenerall, Clarion University professor, published a chapter titled “Pennsylvania: A new Bellwether?” in “The 2020 Presidential Election: Key Issues and Regional Dynamics.”

East Stroudsburg athletic trainer Jayme Galdieri was selected as medical director for Team Pennsylvania for the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games.

Edinboro Professor Sam Claster discussed Edinboro University’s new certificate program in cannabis science on the “Tartan Talks” podcast.

Chauna Craig, professor of English at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, was selected as the Honors Professional of the Year.

Kutztown University Professor Kurt Friehauf was awarded the 2021 Arthur and Isabel Wiesenberger Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Lock Haven University softball Coach Kelly Shannon earned her 300th and 301st career win, sitting as second all-time at LHU.

Timothy Madigan, associate professor of sociology at Mansfield University, discussed the Chinese Lantern Festival on China Global Television Network.

Millersville University Professor Dawn Lambert received the Pennsylvania Association of School Nurses and Practitioner’s 2022 School Nurse Administrator Excellence Award for the Southeast Region of Pennsylvania.

Shippensburg University Professor Scott Madey shared all about his latest book, “Music, Wellness, and Aging: Defining, Directing, and Celebrating Life,” on ABC27 news.

Melissa Ford, assistant professor of history at Slippery Rock University, published “A Brick and a Bible,” recounting African American women’s radical activism during the Great Depression.

West Chester University Professor John Kennedy discussed the race for Senate in Pennsylvania on PHL17 news.

Thank you for your outstanding work and perseverance. APSCUF strives to keep all members and followers up to date on our faculty members’ and coaches’ successes. Have a story to share? Tag APSCUF on social media or email us at .

—Madison Johnson,
APSCUF intern

Shippensburg University student Madison Johnson will intern with APSCUF’s government-and-communication department through August. Click here to learn more about APSCUF internships.

My name is Madison Johnson, and I am a student at Shippensburg University. I am entering my senior year, majoring in public service. I am a member of the Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society, and I am a member of the Shippensburg University Red Raider Marching Band. I will be continuing my education at Shippensburg in the Master of Public Administration program.

Throughout my time at Shippensburg, I have developed important professional relationships with my faculty members. Thanks to these connections, I have been afforded educational opportunities. Although Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education faculty focus on researching, preparing lectures, and teaching, they spend a great deal of time mentoring and assisting their students in ways that encourage them to grow. I am proud to work with an organization that has been a profoundly incredible advocate for PASSHE professors and for our students, especially in advocating for greater funding for state-owned universities. I share the organization’s value of providing quality higher education to Pennsylvania students. I look forward to being a productive member of APSCUF’s mission!

—Madison Johnson,
APSCUF intern

Dr. Kenneth M. Mash, left, and Dr. Jamie Martin in 2019. APSCUF file photo

Thank you to Dr. Jamie Martin for your service as APSCUF president for the past two years (and in countless other roles throughout your time with APSCUF) and to Dr. Kenneth M. Mash for your continued presidential service.

Planning to call the State APSCUF office? We’ve updated the phone system and now exclusively use the phone number 717-236-7486 (our existing number). The 800-number is no longer active.