HAZLETON, Pa. — Kellina Yarrish has joined Penn State Hazleton as associate director of student services and engagement.
Yarrish will support the University’s commitment to student growth and development by providing oversight and direction for student engagement, including clubs and organizations, and co-curricular activities and events.
She will also oversee international student support, multicultural affairs and programming, and the residence life program, including the residence hall staff and resident assistants, while managing the student conduct process and directing the campus’ student diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
“Ensuring a positive, impactful experience for our students is a top priority at Penn State Hazleton,” Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer Elizabeth J. Wright said. “We look forward to the role Kellina will play in those experiences as a valued member of the campus community.”
Director of Student Services and Engagement Tracy Garnick noted the importance of seeing Penn State Hazleton students become connected and involved not only with one another, but also within the campus and surrounding Hazleton community.
“Kellina’s experience working with students and her commitment to developing future leaders will greatly benefit our students, our campus and our community,” Garnick said. “Her focus and commitment to diversity and inclusion initiatives will help to provide a framework as we develop the programming for our new Center for Multicultural Engagement.”
Yarrish said she was excited for the opportunity to continue to learn and grow in higher education.
“I am excited to continue efforts to create a culture of engagement, a sense of belonging, and inclusivity within the Penn State Hazleton campus community, in addition to working with students to instill values that provide leadership, experience personal growth, and achieve academic success throughout their college development experience,” Yarrish said. “I have the opportunity to work with students in many facets, but also continue to learn under positive leadership.”
Yarrish brings a wealth of experience in higher education to her role at Penn State Hazleton. She previously served as director of student activities and multicultural affairs at Keystone College, a position where she oversaw student activities, managed clubs and organizations, implemented civic engagement and community-engaged programming, promoted leadership and worked with student staff. At the same time, Yarrish managed Keystone’s Center for Action and Empowerment and its diversity, equity and inclusion programming.
Prior to that, she served as assistant director of fitness in the campus recreation department at Temple University and in several roles at Cedar Crest College, including assistant director of student activities and campus recreation and assistant director of athletics for recreation and wellness.
Yarrish also held numerous roles in field hockey coaching and recruiting. She was head coach at Cedar Crest College, recruiting coordinator at High Styx Field Hockey Club, head coach at McDaniel College and an assistant coach at Dickinson College, Keystone College and Marywood University. Additionally, she was the director and founder of Lehigh Valley Sparx Field Hockey Club.
Active in numerous campus committees, she served with groups focused on student wellness, commencement, orientation and diversity, equity and inclusion.
Yarrish received a master’s degree in kinesiology from McDaniel College, a master’s degree in education from Cedar Crest College and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a minor in psychology from Keystone College. She is due to complete her doctorate in educational leadership in higher education in December from Gwynedd Mercy University.