Alumnus, new PSNA president credits Penn State for leadership experience

Mark Crider, a 1988 graduate of the bachelor of science degree program in nursing, was elected to a two-year term as president of the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association on Dec. 9, 2016. Credit: Josh Calvetti. All Rights Reserved.

Although Mark Crider became a nurse, public service has always been in his blood. As a senior at Hollidaysburg (Pennsylvania) Area Senior High School, where he was student council president, he had to indicate his career choice for the 1984 yearbook. “I said ‘public official,’” he recalled, with just a trace of irony in his chuckle.

“Actually, I wanted to say ‘governor of Pennsylvania,’ but I thought that might be a little presumptuous,” he added, his laugh more animated this time.

Crider’s professional path, it turned out, took a different turn; he transferred to Penn State after a semester as a prelaw student at Duquesne University, then enrolled in the nursing major the following year. But his interest in public policy never wavered, and he found ways to engage in advocacy throughout college and a 30-year nursing career. On Dec. 9, Crider was elected to a two-year term as president of the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association, which represents the values and interests of nursing professionals and their patients throughout the Commonwealth.

“The Penn State nursing program provided me with not only an education but also engagement with the nursing profession, both of which form the foundation for my service to Pennsylvania nurses and the patients we serve,” said Crider, assistant dean for administration and special projects at Duquesne’s School of Nursing.

While completing clinical experience at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center his sophomore year, Crider learned of a state convention taking place at a conference center across the street. He was astonished to discover the existence of the Student Nurses’ Association of Pennsylvania (SNAP)—mainly because no Penn State chapter existed at the time.

“I found out that they needed a regional coordinator and volunteered on the spot,” he said. With the support of Marion Gooding, head of the Department of Nursing (then part of the College of Health and Human Development), Crider worked to start a SNAP chapter for nursing students at University Park and Hershey. He was elected state president during his senior year and had the chance to host the convention of the national organization, the National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA), the first year it was held in Pittsburgh.

“As an alumnus, I really support and encourage nursing students to become involved with both SNAP and NSNA,” he said. “I would not be where I am without my own involvement, which was both an outlet and a source of activism.”

Crider was also active with the College of Health and Human Development, serving as vice president of the college’s student council his junior year. The following year, he received the college’s Student Service Award. He continued his involvement after graduation, serving as board member and secretary of the college’s Alumni Society.

Crider’s diverse nursing background includes extensive experience in lobbying and professional organizational leadership. After graduating from Penn State, he earned a master’s degree in nursing education from Villanova University and doctorate in nursing with a health policy focus from the University of California, San Francisco. While in California, he held state leadership roles with the American Nurses Association, the California League for Nursing and the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. Currently, he is board president of the Allegheny County Peer Support and Advocacy Network, a nonprofit organization that offers peer support to individuals in recovery from mental health challenges.

“Mark is an exceptional professional, mentor, leader and colleague,” said Betsy M. Snook, chief executive officer of the PSNA. “He is dedicated to inspiring our nursing students, and his election as PSNA president demonstrates the respect he has earned in the nursing profession.”

During his tenure as PSNA president, Crider plans to build on the accomplishments of previous boards and staff while moving the association forward. This includes creating bridges to connect members who represent several generations of professional nurses—a challenge Crider views as an opportunity for creativity and expansion.

“I am truly honored and privileged to serve in this capacity,” he said. “I feel I have the experience to provide the necessary leadership to bring the Pennsylvania nursing community together. My leadership experiences at Penn State undoubtedly prepared me for this opportunity.”

Last Updated December 19, 2016