Penn State community mourns passing of LaShelle Cross

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State community mourns the loss of LaShelle R. Cross, director of the Office of Scholars Programs within the Office of Educational Equity, who died April 30 at the age of 36.

Cross joined Penn State’s Office of Educational Equity in July 2021 and quickly became well known and beloved for her enthusiastic and passionate support of students, according to colleague and friend Joseph Appel, program coordinator for the Office of Scholars Programs.

“It’s hard to put into words the type of person LaShelle was — she truly was the type of person you had to experience to believe. She was literally this energetic dynamo,” said Appel. “She would bounce through the hallways of the office, singing and dancing, and she loved to laugh.”

“I will always remember how much we laughed together — truly enjoying the people you work with is a blessing,” said SeriaShia Chatters, assistant vice provost for Educational Equity and adjunct teaching professor of education. “LaShelle was a blessing to our office, our students, and Penn State. Although her time on this earth was short, I believe those who had an opportunity to get to know her are better because of their interactions with her.

“My sincerest condolences go out to her family, students past and present, and all who knew her. She was an angel and will be deeply missed.”

Cross managed the Office of Scholars Programs, which oversees four scholarship programs: the Bunton-Waller Fellows, Lenfest Scholars, Maguire Scholars, and Milton Hershey Scholars. These programs have the broad and shared goals of enhancing diversity and inclusion efforts at Penn State by providing financial and academic support to underrepresented and underserved students through the Office of Educational Equity. Offering orientations, gatherings and resources, as well as a first-year seminar for the scholars under its purview — numbering about 1,900 students — the Office of Scholars Programs aims to help these students make the transition to college and give them the tools to be successful.

“Every student can use this kind of support, but particularly first-generation students and students of color,” said Appel. “Our goal is to create a springboard for higher achievement, to help fill in the potential gaps that previous educational experiences may not have covered. Because of their first-generation status, we provide an extra layer of support beyond the support of students’ individual colleges.”

Cross, along with Appel, was responsible for carrying out the office’s programs for the scholars, teaching the seminar, and hosting gatherings and meeting with students daily to make sure they stayed on track. It was extremely important to Cross to provide a “judgement-free zone” to help students navigate their time at Penn State, said Appel.

“LaShelle had a real passion for this work, giving first-generation and students of color the tools to help lead them toward success, tools like time management and self-discipline that they may not have received before,” said Appel. “She gave her time selflessly, holding individual meetings with them throughout the first year; but she also always had a door open for the older students, as well, and she kept in touch with many through graduation and after as a mentor and a cheerleader.

“She had an overwhelming concern for others,” he added. “She was always asking her students how they were doing, and she sincerely wanted to know.”

Cross was born Nov. 21, 1986, in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. She received her bachelor of arts degree in communication from Rutgers University in 2008 and her master’s degree in higher education/higher education administration from Syracuse University in 2010.

Prior to coming to Penn State, Cross worked for more than a decade at Rutgers in student-support initiatives, including the recruitment and retention of underrepresented and underserved students. She joined Rutgers in 2011 as an area director in Housing and Residence Life; after four years became program coordinator and then a senior counselor for the School of Arts & Sciences’ Educational Opportunity Fund Program. In 2018 she became the senior program coordinator for Student Support Services, overseeing program recruitment, enrollment and retention efforts to meet the needs of 400 participants annually. For three and half years she also taught part time as an adjunct instructor at Douglass Residential College, part of Rutgers University – New Brunswick. She taught a credited course titled “Knowledge and Power: Issues in Women’s Leadership” and was recognized for her teaching excellence.

Chatters said that Cross was an amazing individual and cared deeply for students and her colleagues.

“I believe LaShelle was the epitome of a servant leader, as she placed emphasis on the well-being of those around her,” said Chatters. “She started every meeting with a check-in, and she really wanted to know how each of us was doing and how she could be of help.”

Being able to make a positive impact on students’ lives brought Cross immense satisfaction, said Appel.

“LaShelle was uniquely suited for her position, and it gave her such obvious joy,” he said. “I remember one time, just after I had joined her team, we called a student on the phone to offer her a scholarship. The student was over-the-top excited, laughing and crying on the phone, she could barely talk. After the call, LaShelle turned to me and said, ‘Joe, we are changing lives in this job.’

“That’s who she was.”

A visitation and service were held to celebrate Cross’ life on May 16 at Smith Funeral Home in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Condolences may be left at the Legacy website.

Students who are grieving and may be in need of support during this difficult time are encouraged to call Penn State Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at 814-863-0395 or visit CAPS online. Faculty and staff in need of counseling support should contact the Penn State Employee Assistance Program.