Pandemic Planning Task Force
Albright’s college-wide Pandemic Planning Task Force (PPTF), which originally formed during the avian flu in 2008, began meeting regularly in January 2020. The PPTF meets twice weekly while continually monitoring and carefully reviewing the guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and from Pennsylvania State health officials. Several teams consisting of faculty, staff and students have been tasked with thinking through plans for the fall, including the logistics of reopening campus. These teams, which are listed below, are also meeting twice weekly to consider various options and scenarios based on the state’s plans for reopening. All decisions are being made using the best data available and are guided by Albright’s priority to protect the health, safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff.
Pandemic Task Force Members:
Samantha Wesner (chair), senior vice president of student & campus life and chief health officer
Pam Artz, professor of chemistry and biochemistry (beginning summer 2021)
Karen Ashcroft, medical assistant
Karen Campbell, provost and senior vice president of academic affairs
Justin Couchman, associate professor of psychology (beginning summer 2021)
Lisa Glenn, assistant to the senior vice president of student & campus life
Michael Gross, director of public safety
Adam Hersperger, associate professor of biology (spring 2020-spring 2021)
Amanda Higginbotham, director of residential life
Jason Hoerr, vice president of digital strategy and infrastructure
Kimberly Justeson, director of experiential learning & study abroad
Brad King, facilities project manager
Richard Koller, custodial manager
Lois Kubinak, director of college events, conferences and camps
Irene Langran, associate professor of political science (spring 2020-spring 2021)
Carey Manzolillo, director of communications
Heath McCormick, director of food services
Rick O’Leary, assistant director of facilities and grounds manager
Rick Partsch, head athletic trainer
Samantha Seador ’23, biology/public health major
Amanda Stahl, controller
Jennifer Stoudt, vice president for communications
Jeffrey Strader, vice president for finance and strategic partnerships
Ann Thompson, Director of Human Resources
Dwayne Walker, vice president for enrollment management
Kera Wierzbicki, environmental health and safety officer
Joshua Williamson, college physician
Task: To plan for the safe return of faculty, staff and students to the Albright College campus.
Ann Thompson (chair), director of human resources
Alison Burke, director of the Schumo Center for Fitness & Well-Being
Denise Greenwood, senior instructor of English
Michael Gross, director of public safety
Richard Koller, custodial manager
Irene Langran, associate professor of political science
Rick O’Leary, assistant director of facilities and grounds manager
Wendy Parsons, vice president for advancement
Rick Partsch, head athletic trainer
Emily Santos, assistant director of human resources
Leonette Stocker, business and data analyst
Jennifer Stoudt, vice president for communications
Kera Wierzbecki, environmental health and safety officer
Joshua Williamson, college physician
Task: To plan for and create an academic schedule, course offerings, and academic support systems that afford the highest potential for student success.
Karen Campbell (chair), provost and senior vice president for academic affairs
Lesley Goodman, assistant professor of English
Lisa Hain, assistant professor of psychology, School of Professional Studies
Jeff Lentz, senior artist in residence (theatre/music)
Steve Mech, professor of biology
Julia Matthews, associate professor of theatre and associate dean for student academic success
Gabe Olszewski, interim registrar
Rob Seesengood, professor of religious studies and associate dean of first-year and general education
Michael Verno, director, Office of Student Success
Nick Wernicki, dean, School of Professional Studies
Task: To think through, gather and disseminate information critical to ensuring the successful onboarding of Albright’s newest students.
Dwayne Walker (chair), vice president for enrollment management
Amanda Higginbotham, director of residential life
Richard Koller, custodial manager
Deborah McIntyre, academic coach, School of Professional Studies
Emily Santos, assistant director of human resources
Jennifer Stoudt, vice president for communications
Joshua Williamson, college physician
Jennifer Williamson, director of admission
Task: To facilitate a proactive, positive, educational support system for the Albright community to help minimize the risks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lisa Glenn (chair), assistant to the senior vice president of student & campus life
Becki Achey, acting dean of students, Title IX coordinator
Kaitlyn Corkell ’21, health psychology and public health major
Michael Gross, director of public safety
Amanda Higginbotham, director of residential life
Alison Mih ’21, biology major
Student Advisory Pandemic Board
Task: To mentor and advocate for the health of Albright students through peer-to-peer programming and outreach.
Lisa Glenn (staff advisor), assistant to the senior vice president of student & campus life
Samantha Seador (chair)
Abigail Ensslen
Dylan Cope
John Weik
Jamie Mullen
Nicole Blair
Stephanie Zolynski
Ronald Andanje
Task: To evaluate feasibility of holding in-person summer camps and conferences following the guidelines of the PA Department of Health while we were in the red and yellow phases.
Lois Kubinak (chair), director of college events, conferences and camps
Michael Gross, director of public safety
Amanda Higginbotham, director of residential life
Rich Koller, custodial manager
Ricky O’Leary, assistant director of facilities and grounds manager
Rick Partsch, head athletic trainer
Task: To discuss events on campus following the guidelines of the PA Department of Health that apply to the green phase.
Lois Kubinak (chair), director of college events, conferences and camps
Billy Balmer, interim assistant technical director
Elaine Bowman, event supervisor, Office of The President
Mike Bowman, event set-up crew
Sheila DaDamio, director of advancement administration
Jeff Feiler, head baseball coach and assistant director of athletics
Keri Fetter, secretary, Registrar
Heather Hoff, events and travel coordinator, Admission Office
Rich Koller, custodial manager
Oladele Olaewe, facilities services worker, event setup crew
Derek Picone, applications developer, Digital Strategy and Infrastructure (DSI)
Kelly Tanger, secretary/Experience Event assistant
David Tanner, director, Center for the Arts
Keith Walls, coordinator of Greek life
Kera Wierzbicki, environmental health and safety officer
Lauren Rampolla, corporal, Public Safety
Rick Ferry, head men’s basketball coach / co-director of athletics
Angela Fonte, manager of academic affairs administrative services
Kim Justeson, director of experiential learning
Dwayne Walker, vice president for enrollment management
Keith Walls, coordinator of Greek life