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The three award winners stand in a stairwell holding glass awards.

Recognizing success

Penn State Beaver’s Student Success Committee — led by Registrar Rachel Zughaib, Admissions Counselor Debra Seidenstricker and Programs Manager Gretchen Samchuck — was awarded the Student Success Team Building Award by Academic Services in the Office of the Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses.
Student Success Committee has become 'most wholistic endeavor on campus'

MONACA — Penn State Beaver’s Student Success Committee — led by Registrar Rachel Zughaib, Admissions Counselor Debra Seidenstricker and Programs Manager Gretchen Samchuck — was awarded the Student Success Team Building Award by Academic Services in the Office of the Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses.
 
Carey McDougall, director of academic affairs, said the Student Success Committee has become “the most wholistic endeavor on campus, drawing employees from many units, to implement numerous retention efforts that specifically pay attention to each student’s individualized needs and accomplishments.”
 
Seidenstricker said the committee has evolved into a group of staff and faculty who are committed to connecting with students. 
 
“Clearly aware that it takes a village, they have intentionally created effective relationships with all units, resulting in an incredibly healthy ecosystem to draw upon for their work,” McDougall said.
 
An example of the committee’s work, McDougall said, was in the 2021-22 academic year when the committee members reached out to every student who received early progress and mid-semester progress flags in Starfish. “The outreach entailed ensuring the students were aware of resources and had a next step plan to improve their situation,” McDougall said.
 
“Everyone at the campus wants to see our students succeed,” Samchuck said. “Those on the Student Success Committee are an integral part a of the greater work that is done every single day. This reward is an acknowledgement of all the tireless efforts made by the faculty and staff on behalf of our students.”
 
“We want our students to know they belong at Penn State Beaver,” Seidenstricker said. “From day one on campus, we have created programs to provide that sense of belonging. The end of year appreciation event, our carnival, gets everyone on campus involved and it has been a huge success. We're looking forward to showing our students we appreciate and care about them.”
 
The committee hosts a variety of activities throughout the school year to celebrate student success in addition to outreach for students who need support.
 
“Rachel, Debra and Gretchen’s strong leadership is what makes the committee effective, focused, and agile,” McDougall said. “They are highly deserving of this award as campus leadership is so grateful for their work.”