UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — There are more than 1,000 recognized student organizations at Penn State for which the Code of Conduct applies. Kathleen Shupenko, associate director of the Office of Student Conduct, has been integral in the University’s efforts in the management of organizational conduct.
Recently, Shupenko was selected as an Association for Student Conduct Administrators (ASCA) Donald. D. Gehring Academy Faculty for the student organizational misconduct track.
Shupenko manages the organization conduct cases for Penn State University Park. She also has a liaison relationship with each one of the conduct officers at the Commonwealth campuses.
According to its website, the ASCA program teaches participants skills through a “competency-based model,” with a mission to advance the student conduct profession.
The academy is a national organization for any employee who works in the conduct profession across the country, and offers different tracks based on specific training needs for the institutions participating. The ASCA hosts a national conference every year along with webinars. The association also conducts the Gehring Academy.
Shupenko said Penn State is benefiting from her involvement in the academy in two ways. Shupenko will be able to participate in dialogue about national best practices; and the academy will give her the opportunity to bring knowledge from her colleagues and from across the country to Penn State discussions of the management of organizational conduct.
“Participating in the academy gives Penn State the opportunity to take an in-depth look at our own practices, engage in dialogue with colleagues across the country, and test the boundaries of our system as the University strives to maintain a safe and balanced conduct system for student organizations,” Shupenko said.
The Office of Student Conduct is a department of Penn State Student Affairs. The office oversees the Code of Conduct and promotes a safe living and learning environment for all University students and organizations.