Padasak Selected as IUP Environmental Health and Safety Director

Carly Padasak, a safety professional experienced in both the private and education sectors, has been selected to serve as Indiana University of Pennsylvania's environmental health and safety director.

Padasak, originally of Homer City, will begin work at IUP on January 21.

She comes to IUP from her position as an environmental health coordinator at Penn State University's Department of Environmental Health and Safety.

The environmental health and safety director, based in IUP's Office of Human Resources, is responsible for the development, coordination, evaluation, and execution of university policies and procedures designed to ensure the health and safety of faculty, staff, students, and visitors. The director will work in accordance with regulatory mandates in complex technical areas including hazard control and risk management, occupational safety and health, and radiation protection. This position is also charged with supporting daily operations by proactively implementing, managing, and enforcing policies and preventing unsafe environments across campus.

"The safety and security of our students, employees, and community is our first priority," IUP Vice President for Administration and Finance Debra Fitzsimons said. "This position is an important resource in our collective work, which includes our ongoing collaboration with our host community, to create the safest possible environment for all. We are very pleased and excited to have Carly join our team in this important role."

Padasak earned her bachelor's degree in safety, health, and environmental applied sciences from IUP in 2017 and her master of professional studies in human resources and employment relations from the Pennsylvania State University in 2023.

Following her graduation from IUP, Padasak worked in the construction industry prior to work at Penn State University.

In her work at Penn State University, Padasak was responsible for conducting comprehensive inspections and offering consulting services to several work units. She established a number of safety committees as part of her focus on creating a safety-first culture; these committees were pivotal in enhancing communication and engagement among staff and faculty.

"I am eager to build strong relationships with the IUP community, and I am sincerely committed to enhancing the university's overall safety culture and ensuring that safety is not just a priority, but a shared value that resonates with every member of the campus," Padasak said.