Heather Arbuckle Named KU Employee of the Month for January 2026

Heather Arbuckle Named KU Employee of the Month for January 2026

KUTZTOWN, Pa. - Congratulations to Heather Arbuckle, clerical assistant, Grants and Sponsored Projects, on being named Kutztown University Employee of the Month for January 2026.

Arbuckle's nomination came from two individuals, which can be read below.

Joanne Cohen, Counselor Education and Student Affairs

"Many faculty members seeking support for scholarly research and professional development at Kutztown University and PASSHE receive assistance from two individuals who stand out as crucial facilitators of faculty professional development achievements, one of whom is Heather. Heather provides ongoing, expert, behind-the-scenes instruction and guidance to faculty to enable faculty to navigate scholarly research application and reimbursement processes. These processes are extensive and consist of multiple components including uploading documents and evidence files such as programs and acceptance letters, summaries and photos of work, current certifications, other needed documentation, proper formatting, uploading, obtaining signatures, calculating a budget, etc. These processes sometimes feel cumbersome to faculty. Due to Heather's help, the red tape does not have to impede the professional development enterprise. Heather makes the grind smooth, manageable and bearable. She is consistently and immediately available. She promptly responds to questions and without exception shows support, sensitivity and responsiveness to needs of faculty. She can be available to help faculty identify sources of funding and required documents to achieve professional development ends."

Patricia Brenner, Counselor Education and Student Affairs

"Heather is truly an asset to her department and to the institution as a whole. She consistently goes above and beyond to assist others, offering support with a level of dedication that is both admirable and inspiring. Her email communication and professional correspondence are always clear, thoughtful and timely, making collaboration with her seamless and efficient.

After several years of email communications, I finally had the opportunity to meet Heather in person this past summer. She went out of her way to come to my office to personally assist with grant submission materials - an act that exemplifies her commitment to teamwork and her genuine desire to help colleagues succeed. Her caring, patient and proactive approach left me feeling supported and relieved.

Heather embodies our mission by valuing the life experiences of students, faculty and staff and helping create a truly caring community. Her professionalism, kindness and unwavering reliability make her a standout member of our campus."

Nominations are collected from students, faculty and staff, and the Employee of the Month is selected by the Human Resources Advisory Council. A winner will be selected each month, and out of the 12 monthly winners one will be selected as Employee of the Year. The Employee of the Month will receive a plaque, reserved parking and a monetary gift.

For more information on the award or to nominate someone, please visit the KU human resources website.