Meet The Strat Comm Team
Bill Hessert
Senior Director of Strategic Communications
Bill oversees the planning, implementation, and evaluation of all strategic communications within the College of the Liberal Arts.
Marketing and Branding
Kathy Swidwa
Assistant Director of Marketing and Branding
Kathy directs the college’s marketing and branding initiatives, encompassing strategic oversight of the college’s websites and other digital marketing, student and recent graduate storytelling, merchandise, and brand identity.
Benjamin Bryan
Programmer/Analyst
Ben develops and maintains the college's in-house WordPress environment, digital signage network, and events platform.
Shree Chauhan
Editorial Assistant
Shree manages the University Brand Review system—reviewing, editing, and approving—promotional materials for units across the college. She also reviews and approves events submitted to the college calendar.
Kate Kenealy
Unit Engagement Coordinator
Kate is the initial point of contact and works closely with the college’s academic units seeking to develop and/or enhance their marketing and communications strategies. She helps units define their marketing objectives and devise actionable plans, often in collaboration with other members of the college’s Strategic Communications team.
Clayton Lose
Web and Creative Services Team Lead
Molly McKim
Web and Marketing Content Specialist
Molly develops strategic messaging for websites and other marketing materials to support recruitment, engagement, and brand awareness for the college.
Stacey Newell
Web Designer
Stacey is a creative designer who collaborates with Liberal Arts units to enhance website design and digital/print materials. She prioritizes branding, visual aesthetic, and accessibility to ensure all designs align with unit and college values.
Becka Turner
Graphic Design Specialist
Becka collaborates with Liberal Arts units to create graphics, promotional materials, signage, and a variety of other digital and print media.
Andrew Wright
Web Designer
Andrew manages website changes across the college's portfolio of more than 100 websites. He works closely with unit website editors, providing guidance and training on best practices.
Vama Maniar
Intern
Vama manages the college’s Instagram account and writes student and alumni spotlight stories for Penn State News.
She is a third-year student majoring in English with a minor in Business. Vama is also a proud member of the Penn State women’s fencing team.
Development
Jo Bergsma
Donor Communications Writer
Jo produces—from conception to dissemination—strategic stewardship communications for the College of the Liberal Arts’ network of alumni, donors, and stakeholders.
Anissa Ilie
Lead Writer
Anissa is the primary development communications officer for the College of the Liberal Arts.
News
Josh McAuliffe
Senior Writer
Josh spotlights faculty research and accomplishments via feature stories and press releases and assists with other strategic communications.
Unit Engagement
David Price
Communications Director, Rock Ethics Institute
David is the communications director for the Rock Ethics Institute, working in concert with the CLA strategic communications team.
Jenna Spinelle
Communications Specialist, The McCourtney Institute for Democracy
Jenna Spinelle is a writer and podcaster who tells stories that inspire hope and change in trying times. She hosts and produces the Democracy Works podcast and the narrative series When the People Decide, both productions of the McCourtney Institute for Democracy.