News & Events

New Faculty and Staff Welcomed

Penn State Lehigh Valley has announced the appointment of new staff and faculty members:

            Dr. Kenneth A. Thigpen will begin his responsibilities as Director of Academic Affairs on July 14, 2008.  Dr. Thigpen has a Ph.D. in English from Indiana University and was most recently Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Briarcliff College. He was in the English department at Penn State at the beginning of his career and Associate Head of English for Penn State’s Commonwealth Education System from 1986-1993.

            Dr. Kevin S. McFall has joined the faculty as Assistant Professor of Engineering. He previously taught at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Lorraine Campus in Metz, France. He holds a doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology; a master's in Mechanical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and a bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

            Dr. Ana Figueroa has accepted a full-time position as Assistant Professor of Spanish. She received her Ph.D. in Latin American Literature and M.A. in Hispanic Literature from Rutgers University.  Until recently, she had been teaching Spanish at Princeton University.                 

            Michael J. Damweber has joined the admissions team as an admissions counselor. He will work with first-time college students, transfer students, and adult learners seeking enrollment into Penn State University, and assist with Open Houses and College Nights at local school districts and community colleges. Prior to his appointment, Mike was working as an admissions counselor for Delaware Valley College. A 2005 graduate, Mike earned a bachelor of science in Business degree from Penn State University.

            Kate Morgan will assume the position of Director of University Relations. Previously, she was coordinating e-learning courses at the Savannah College of Art & Design in Savannah, Georgia. Kate holds a master's degree in Interactive Design and Game Development from Savannah College of Art and Design; a bachelor's degree in Journalism and Public Relations from Mississippi University for Women; and a Web Professional certificate from Penn State University.