About Us
Our Mission and Values – Harrisburg University
Secondary Schools Functional Unit: Mission & Vision
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Mission:
To support the unique goals of Harrisburg University of Science & Technology, by engaging secondary students in foundational learning, technologically advanced, and innovative STEM opportunities. Through college in the high school, enrichment, and workforce development opportunities in the high school, Secondary Schools team works to be a bridge for students to identify Harrisburg University as a cutting-edge university, building student’s potential for STEM learning.
Vision:
The outreach provided by the Secondary Schools team has three pillars, identifying Harrisburg University as a leading university for innovative STEM learning reaching all learners. The first pillar, college in the high school and dual enrollment, help high school students cultivate an understanding of what Harrisburg University has to offer, with learning experiences during their high school years. The second pillar, enrichment programs, offer students extra-curricular opportunities to build their STEM backgrounds and strengthen community ties to Harrisburg University. The third pillar, certification pathways, is a system built on bringing high demand industry certifications into high schools, to build up opportunities for workforce development and industry partnerships within the community.
With the three pillars all geared towards outreach to local education agencies, Secondary Schools also aims to build equitable and inclusive programs for all students who are interested in learning about STEM education. Removing barriers from STEM learning opportunities, which could discourage young minds from pursuing these pathways, is a process that the Secondary Schools team will continue to actively foster. Collaborating with community partners and partner districts to bring together funding, professional development, and curriculum development are ways that Harrisburg University can continue to be a leader in STEM learning.
Secondary Schools personnel
Alexander Gibson
Director of Secondary Services and Partnerships
I have a background in public education, as a former urban high school mathematics and computer science teacher. I also helped form our school’s video game club and esports teams during my last years teaching.
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Now I get to help develop programs that engage high school students in college level STEM learning and encourage youth to attend Harrisburg University for STEM pathways. At HU I help develop summer enrichment programs, build college in the high school courses at partner schools and collaborate with the local workforce development board to create high school to career opportunities in STEM fields. I thoroughly enjoy playing video games and designing curriculum to have students learn through gaming. I have two wonderful daughters at home, and a super supportive wife, who has encouraged me to be the person I am today!
Shani Schalles
Associate Director of CiHS Development
My role is to serve within the partnerships of secondary schools and the University to further provide STEM experiences for students currently in high school while providing access to college level courses.
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This role will also implement the development of STEM outreach within the community and strengthen the STEM presence throughout the region by providing Enrichment Programs to area youth.
The beginning years of my career were spent in cancer research at the Jake Gittlen Cancer Institute at Hershey Medical Center. She developed a love of teaching and pursued her Teaching Certificate. I was an instructor of Chemistry at Penn State University in Harrisburg as well as at Harrisburg Area Community College. Most recently my teaching experience was in Carlisle Area School District (CASD) as a Chemistry and Biology teacher.
I have Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Susquehanna University and a Masters in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey Campus. I also hold teaching certificates in Chemistry and Biology from Wilson College. Currently I am a Harrisburg City resident and love being a part of the Harrisburg University community within Harrisburg.
Brett Vance
Associate Director for Secondary School Services, Programs & Partnerships
As an Associate Director for Secondary Schools, I am responsible for building partnerships throughout local school systems to support and sustain a diverse community of learners through extracurricular academic programs that concentrate on student initiatives related to STEM education, leadership development and workforce development.
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I am passionate about the progression and expansion of HU programs and services that provide professional learning experiences for students in the Philadelphia region, connecting them to careers in high demand. Moreover, I take pleasure in meeting the challenge of serving high school students to gain practical knowledge required for college entrance, as well as acquire innovative skill sets geared towards higher learning. In my free time, I enjoy spending quality time with family, routing for my favorite Philadelphia sports team (E-A-G-L-E-S Eagles) and playing golf. My involvement with nonprofit organizations has allowed me to help youth obtain educational resources and conduct fundraisers in efforts to raise funds for scholarships.
Faith Michaels
CiHS and Enrichment Coordinator
I am a Harrisburg University graduate currently working towards my Masters of Social Work with a focus on Violence Against Women and Children at Rutgers University.
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I previously worked on a children’s psychiatric inpatient unit as lead technician, and in various research assistant positions. I also volunteer with both the National Sexual Assault Hotline and Crisis Textline. I also love reading, I read at least a hundred books a year, as well as photography, creative writing, yoga, and running. I am so grateful to be a part of such a caring and fantastic team.
Stephen Gayle
Lead Content Creator
I’m a class of 2020 graduate of Harrisburg University of Science and Technology where I majored in Interactive Media.
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My responsibilities are mainly focused on the handling of the HU Enrichment social media pages with my fellow team members to properly represent the various programs and other types of outreach we offer here at Harrisburg University. When I’m not working with HU I’m a freelance content creator who specializes in social media marketing/content creation and video production. In my free time I enjoy reading books, teaching myself new tricks when it comes to graphic design or video production, and cooking.
Melissa Michaels
Case Manager
Born and raised in Central PA, I have worked in government (FBI), as well as in private law and a medical company (as legal/medical secretaries).
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I reside in Schaefferstown with my husband, Flip, and we have three daughters. I enjoy taking walks with our bernedoodle Ollie, reading, making creative cakes, and playing games with family.
Madison Brame
Communications Coordinator
John Friend
VP for Admissions & Secondary Schools