By: Frank Tarantella, Lion’s Eye Staff Writer, fmt5150@psu.edu 

Penn State Brandywine’s new Chief Academic Officer, Jennifer Nesbitt Ph.D., is not exactly a new face on campus. She joined Brandywine in June 2023 as the interim director of academic affairs. 

Nesbitt earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and literature from Harvard University and a doctorate in English from Emory University. She joined Penn State York as a professor of English in 2003 after teaching for three years at Wilkes University. While committed to maintaining a student-centric approach here at Penn State Brandywine, she acknowledges some challenges she could face.  

“We serve an important function in the Penn State system, which is we are where people are,” said Nesbitt. “It’s all about communicating to the university the idea that our campus is vital to the access mission, and it’s important to have robust support for those students.” 

Penn State Brandywine has a diverse population of students and faculty. Everyday life here on campus can be stressful sometimes, but there will always be support for students and faculty members. A big part of Nesbitt’s goal here is to maintain and improve the student-centric approach Brandywine has always had.  

“I hope that in rethinking how we offer services to students like advising, the register, career services, that we can maintain an in-person presence at our campus,” said Nesbitt.  “These are things I think about, but this is a much broader project then just this campus.” 

Nesbitt always works to make sure that students have what they need. This requires assessing and analyzing programs, working with faculty and staff to fully understand the campus, her previous work as a University Faculty Senator and as Chair of the Course-Sharing Committee in English for the Commonwealth Campuses has honed these skills and gives her an inside perspective to assist in this leadership role at Brandywine. 

“I hope that I take into my position, the need to consult authentically with people about how things move forward,” said Nesbitt.  “You can’t know everything, so it is always good to ask how they see things. I want to keep talking to people because I need to be out there, and I need to be talking to people about their campus experiences.” 

Stephanie Jones, director of student affairs at Brandywine has seen Nesbitt’s work ethic personally. 

“Nesbitt has student success at the forefront of the decisions that she makes, and I think ultimately, she is a worker. She is committed to creating pathways to student success.” 

Jones has a lot of respect for Nesbitt but recognizes that there can be some challenges that Nesbitt will face.  

“There are some challenges that are out of her control,” said Jones. “But I think Dr. Nesbitt will take that and use it to make the best decision going forward.” 

Collaborating with Nesbitt directly, Jones feels very pleased about the Fall opening events. She felt that highlighting the relevant information for students really drove success. Keeping student needs in the focus of the campus is very important.  

“There is an understanding of, ‘Ok, what is the need of this student,’” said Nesbitt. Being a chief academic officer is more than just overseeing faculty and making plans for students. When working with people every day, the goal is to see them succeed. Nesbitt is always so proud and fulfilled when the members she works with achieve a goal. 

“Every year I get to talk to them about what they do, and they just do the most amazing job. The way we combine different areas in the classroom is incredible,” Nesbitt said “I love it when faculty walk in and say, ‘My paper came out today!’ that is still a big thrill for me, when others do it, I am thrilled.”  

Here on campus Nesbitt knows we are all looking for the same thing, to strive for success and to continue the forward-thinking ways of Penn State in the world. Our campus continues to create alumni who are successful in the 21st-century, but students cannot be successful without a great support system and great faculty members.