Publications Manager, Office of Strategic Communications, Penn State Behrend.
About her job: I write and manage the production of all of our magazines/school news publications, including Behrend Magazine. I also write for Behrend Blog, Behrend’s website/newswire, take photos, oversee the college Facebook page, and pitch in on a variety of other projects when needed.
On roots: I grew up on Station Road, just a few miles away from Behrend. I remember swimming in the Glenhill pool as a child, and I spent a good portion of every summer in Fourmile creek in the Wintergreen Gorge.
Family: Husband, Dan, and two daughters – Kelly and Lauren – who are both students at Behrend.
What she enjoys about her job: Learning new things and sharing it with others. I have a lot of curiosity about things and people. Give me anything – a person, a tree, an insect, a road – and I’ll give you a good story. My favorite thing is interviewing people who are passionate about what they do, regardless of what it is.
Biggest challenges at work: Holding other people to the deadlines I’ve set.
What she wishes every woman understood: We are stronger together. The world conspires to pit women against one another, working moms versus stay-at-home moms, democrats versus republicans, vegans versus meat-lovers, but we don’t need to play that game and compete with one another. If we stuck together and supported each woman doing what is best for her, we’d get the things that are important to all women, such as flexible work schedules, quality daycare, equal pay, etc.
What she’s learned the hard way: Pick your battles. When I find myself getting upset about something, I think: Is this a hill you want to die on? Sometimes the answer is yes; usually, it’s no.
How she relaxes: Reading, running, and swimming laps. I swim about three miles a week. I’m slow, but I don’t care. For me, it’s meditative.
What you’d be surprised to know about her: I love insects, spiders, reptiles, and many other things most people do not. In general, I love nature and being outdoors.
Most interesting place she’s visited: Bryce Canyon, Utah. It’s just breathtakingly beautiful.
Her perfect free day: One of my favorite things to do in the summer is tp spend an entire day at Presque Isle. I pack the truck with a cooler, my bike, running gear, kayak/paddleboard, and beach stuff, and I don’t leave the park until the sun sets.
Heather is happy to connect with you. How to reach her:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 814-898-6419
- Office: 215 Glenhill Farmhouse, Penn State Behrend