Administrative Fellows Program

The Administrative Fellows Program provides professional development opportunities for faculty and staff with standing appointments. By serving under the mentorship of a senior-level administrator, fellows receive opportunities to broaden their perspectives and experiences in higher education administration. The fellowship experience enables participants to be more effective in their current University positions and provides a foundation for them to excel in future, higher-level jobs. Although participation in the program does not guarantee an appointment to an advanced or administrative position at the University, the program has increased the number of qualified women and minorities who are interested in pursuing careers in University administration.

The Administrative Fellows Program aims to:

  • identify faculty and staff who have the potential for effective leadership;
  • increase awareness of the complexity of issues facing higher education;
  • enhance understanding of the environment in which higher-education-related decisions are made; and
  • provide opportunities for participation in activities that facilitate an enhanced understanding of careers in higher education.

2026-2027 Administrative Fellows Program

Mentors for the 2026-27 academic year will be Fotis Sotiropoulos, Executive Vice President and Provost; Renata Engel, Vice President for the Commonwealth Campuses and Executive Chancellor; and Jennifer Wilkes, Vice President for Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer.

Mentor Descriptions:

2026-2027 Informational Meeting

Information Session: Monday, November 10, 2025, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Please view the recording of the informational session

Program Documents:

2025-2026 Administrative Fellows

Danielle Downs
Tammy Spevak
Pauline Thompson

2025-2026 Informational Meeting

November 18, 2024, 2:00 p.m.
Recording (Please note, this is a partial recording due to technical difficulties - please reach out to Ann Clements if you have any specific questions.)
Agenda: DOC PDF

2025-2026 Administrative Fellows Program Mentor Information

2025-2026 Administrative Fellows Program Documents

  • 2025-2026 Administrative Fellows Program Application Form PDF (fillable when downloaded) DOC
  • Administrative Fellows Program Frequently Asked Questions PDF   DOC
  • 2025-2026 Administrative Fellows Program Brochure PDF   DOC

2024-2025 Administrative Fellows

Saurabh Bansal
Vivian C. Hsu
Roderick L. Lee

In May 2024, the University announced the three Administrative Fellows for 2024-25 and their mentors.

2024-2025 Informational Meeting

November 9, 2023, 2:00 – 3:00 PM Eastern Time
Recording of meeting
Agenda: DOC PDF

2024-2025 Administrative Fellows Program Mentor Information

2024-2025 Administrative Fellows Program Documents

  • 2024-2025 Administrative Fellows Program Application Form PDF (fillable when downloaded) DOC
  • Administrative Fellows Program Frequently Asked Questions PDF   DOC
  • 2024-2025 Administrative Fellows Program Brochure PDF   DOC
  • 2024-2025 Administrative Fellows Program Selection Committee PDF    DOC

2023-2024 Administrative Fellows

Melissa Doberstein

2023-2024 Administrative Fellows Program Documents

2023-2024 Administrative Fellows Program Mentor Information

  • Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost (DOCX  PDF)
  • Office of the Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses and Executive Chancellor, Dr. Kelly Austin (DOCX  PDF)
  • Office of the Vice President for Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer, Jennifer Wilkes (DOCX  PDF)
Luis F. Ayala H.
Meeghan Hollis
Darcy A. Rameker

2022-2023 Administrative Fellows Program Documents

  • 2022-2023 Administrative Fellows Program Application Form (DOCX  PDF fillable form)
  • Administrative Fellows Program Frequently Asked Questions (DOCX  PDF)
  • 2022-2023 Administrative Fellows Program Brochure (DOCX  PDF)
  • Guidelines for Administrative Fellows, Mentors, and Assistants (DOCX  PDF)
  • 2022-2023 Administrative Fellows Program Selection Committee (DOCX  PDF)

2022-2023 Administrative Fellows Program Mentor Information

  • Office of the Vice President and Dean for Undergraduate Education, Dr. Yvonne Gaudelius (DOCX  PDF)
  • Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, Damon Sims (DOCX  PDF)
  • Office of the Senior Vice President for Research, Dr. Lora G. Weiss (DOCX  PDF)
Carrie Jackson
Erica Smithwick

2021-2022 Administrative Fellows Program Documents

  • 2021-2022 Administrative Fellows Program Application Form (DOCX  PDF)
  • Administrative Fellows Program Frequently Asked Questions  (DOCX  PDF)
  • 2021-2022 Administrative Fellows Program Brochure (DOCX  PDF)
  • Guidelines for Administrative Fellows, Mentors, and Assistants (DOCX  PDF)
  • 2021-2022 Administrative Fellows Program Selection Committee (DOCX  PDF)

2021-2022 Administrative Fellows Program Mentor Information

2018-2019 Administrative Fellows

Zuleima T. Karpyn, Professor of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, Program Chair for Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, Quentin E. and Louise L. Wood Faculty Fellow in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, and FCMG Chair in Fluid Behavior and Rock Interactions; John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering; College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
Mentor: Dr. Nicholas P. Jones, Executive Vice President and Provost

Laurie Verost, Associate Director, Department of Student Affairs/Career Services
Mentor: Lawrence Lokman, Vice President for Strategic Communications

Lynette Yarger, Associate Professor, College of Information Sciences and Technology
Mentor: Michael Kubit, Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer

Gary Chinn
Lisa Kerchinski
Debra Thurley

2020-2021 Administrative Fellows

In May 2020, the University announced the three Administrative Fellows for 2020-2021 and their mentors:

Moradeyo Olorunnisola, Director of Admissions, Schreyer Honors College (pictured above right)
Mentor: Tracey Huston, Vice President for Outreach

Andrea Tapia, Professor of Information Sciences and Technology (pictured above left)
Mentor: Dr. Nicholas P. Jones, Executive Vice President and Provost

Linghao Zhong, Professor of Chemistry and Assistant Director of Academic Affairs, Penn State Mont Alto (pictured above center)
Mentor: Dr. Madlyn Hanes, Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses and Executive Chancellor