Penn State Lehigh Valley announces new staff members and faculty promotions

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. — Penn State Lehigh Valley has announced the following new staff hires and faculty promotions.

NEW STAFF

Jessica Kemmerer has joined Penn State Lehigh Valley as community outreach associate. Kemmerer earned a master of public administration from Penn State, as well as a bachelor of arts in political science from Kutztown University. She had previously served as campaign manager for Congressman Charlie Dent. Kemmerer currently resides in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania.

Pam Kiser has joined Penn State Lehigh Valley as administrative support assistant for Academic Advising and Career Services. Kiser earned a master of library and information science from the University of Texas at Austin, as well as a bachelor of arts in American history and secondary education from Cedar Crest College. She had previously served as administrative support assistant at Penn State Extension Lehigh County. Kiser currently resides in Breinigsville, Pennsylvania.

John Kukitz has joined Penn State Lehigh Valley as the assistant women’s soccer coach. Kukitz earned a bachelor of arts in business administration from DeSales University, as well as both a National Soccer Coaches Association of America National Diploma and a U.S. Soccer Federation D license. He was inducted into the Lehigh Valley Soccer Hall of Fame in 2010. Kukitz retired from PPL in 2011 after a 43-year career. He currently resides in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania.

Chris Leavy will serve as the athletic trainer at Penn State Lehigh Valley contracted through Lehigh Valley Health Network. Leavy earned a master of science in human performance from Frostburg State University in Maryland, as well as a bachelor of science in athletic training from the College at Brockport, State University of New York (SUNY). He had previously served as the director of Steel Fitness. Leavy currently resides in Allentown, Pennsylvania. 

Tim Lutterschmidt has joined Penn State Lehigh Valley as the head women’s volleyball coach. Lutterschmidt earned a master of arts in history and a bachelor of science in secondary education from East Stroudsburg University. He is currently a history teacher at William Allen High School. Lutterschmidt currently resides in Whitehall, Pennsylvania.

Yu Mi Jeong has joined Penn State Lehigh Valley as a laboratory technologist. Jeong has earned a master of science in genetics and a bachelor of science in chemistry in South Korea. She also obtained an international technologist license in molecular biology. Jeong had previously served as a laboratory assistant at Temple University. She currently resides in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Michael Missmer has joined Penn State Lehigh Valley as the head women’s soccer coach. Missmer earned a bachelor of science in information systems from Cedar Crest College, as well as a NSCAA National Soccer Coaching License. He is currently works for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections in security, assault management and facility control. Missmer currently resides in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Vernon J. Mobley has joined Penn State Lehigh Valley as a women’s assistant basketball coach. Mobley is currently a professional musician, an operational manager for City Entertainment Systems and serves as Southern Lehigh Middle School’s head basketball coach. He currently resides in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania.

Elaine Thode has joined Penn State Lehigh Valley as a part-time program coordinator of the Council for Retail and Sales (CRS). Thode earned an MBA from Saint Joseph’s University, as well as a bachelor of science in marketing and management with a focus in fashion merchandising from the University of Delaware.

MaryAnn Rush Wallace has joined Penn State Lehigh Valley as coordinator of athletic programs. Wallace earned a doctorate in education from West Virginia University, as well as a master of science in exercise science from California University of Pennsylvania. Wallace also earned a bachelor of multidisciplinary studies from West Virginia University. She previously served as assistant sports information director, assistant athletic director and head cheer coach at Ancilla Domini College in Indiana. Wallace currently resides in Hellertown, Pennsylvania.

Andrea Watkins has joined Penn State Lehigh Valley as a women’s assistant basketball coach. Watkins earned a bachelor of science in rehabilitation and human services from Penn State Lehigh Valley. She currently resides in Macungie, Pennsylvania.

FACULTY PROMOTIONS

Mark Gruskin received promotion to associate professor of finance and accounting. He has been at Penn State Lehigh Valley for seven years. Gruskin earned a doctorate in finance and econometrics from Wayne State University, as well as an MBA in accounting and a bachelor of science in computer science, both from Penn State. Gruskin currently resides in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Elizabeth Flaherty received promotion to associate teaching professor of art history. Flaherty also serves as coordinator of the Art Administration Program and the Honors Program at Penn State Lehigh Valley. She has been with Lehigh Valley for seven years. Flaherty earned a doctorate in interdisciplinary urban education from Temple University, as well as a master of arts in art therapy from Marywood University and a bachelor of arts in studio art and psychology from Moravian College. Flaherty currently resides in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania.

Karen Kackley-Dutt received promotion to associate teaching professor of biology. She has been at Penn State Lehigh Valley since 2009. Kackley-Dutt earned a doctorate in botany and plant pathology, as well as a master of science and bachelor of science in ornamental horticulture, all from the University of Maryland, College Park. Kackley-Dutt currently resides in Fogelsville, Pennsylvania.

Kevin Kelley received promotion to associate teaching professor of psychology. He has been at Penn State Lehigh Valley since 2001. Kelley earned a doctorate in counseling psychology from Temple University, as well as a master of arts in counseling from Kutztown University and a bachelor of science in individual and family studies from Penn State. He also earned a graduate certificate in women’s studies from Temple University. Kelley currently resides in Easton, Pennsylvania.