One of the primary reasons Penn State is recognized around the globe as a distinguished university is the sterling caliber of its faculty. As a World Campus student, you will enjoy the opportunity to learn from the same instructors who teach traditional face-to-face classes on Penn State's twenty-four campuses across Pennsylvania.

Deirdre Folkers, MS

Deirdre Folkers is the assistant director of academic affairs at Penn State York and a senior instructor in IST. With more than twenty-five years of experience in the field, Folkers began her teaching career working with undergraduate students in computer science before moving into IST. She has served in her administrative role since 2006.

In addition to her work as an administrator, faculty member, and adviser, Folkers has conducted hundreds of workforce development sessions for both large and small companies. She continues to present at national conferences and has published numerous journal articles, including the recent publication of a book chapter in the text Emerging Information Resources Management and Technologies. She has a strong interest in pedagogical research and educational technologies.

Folkers was the 2004 recipient of the James H. Burness Award for Excellence in Teaching, as well as the York Campus Advising Award, with the distinction of earning both awards in the same academic year. Her educational background includes degrees in computer science, man-environment relations, and information systems.

Larry Newcomer, MS

Larry Newcomer is associate professor of IST at Penn State and has taught a wide array of courses in computer science, CSE, IST, management information systems, and math. He is the author of four textbooks in the IT field that have been translated variously into French, German, Hindi, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. He has published numerous papers in scholarly journals and proceedings and has presented his papers at IT conferences. Newcomer is also a published and anthologized poet.

Lisa Reeves-Bertin, MBA

Lisa Reeves-Bertin has been an instructor at Penn State Shenango since 2001, where she not only teaches computer and business courses, but also collaborates with both the business faculty and community businesses in the development of strategic internships of lasting benefit to both the students and area employers.

While at Shenango, she has been an IST Champion and an IST adviser, and a member of the Student Activity Fee Committee, the Computer Fee Committee, several hiring committees, and the Association of Information and Leading Professionals. She is coordinator of the delivery of four-year Penn State Beaver courses to the Shenango campus, presenter at Freshmen Orientation, and a volunteer for the Annual Business Networking event, as well as a representative to the University College Council and the IST department representative for admissions events.

Reeves-Bertin has an associate's degree in computer science and a bachelor's in business administration. She earned her MBA from Kent State University. Professionally, her business experience includes positions at almost every level of responsibility, including administrative assistant, office controller, inside sales consultant, accounting manager and MIS/office manager. In the latter position, she was responsible for design, implementation and oversight of the company's IT systems.

As a community volunteer, Reeves-Bertin assists the United Way of Mercer County with content management of its Web site, while serving on various committees, including the Women's Leadership Initiative. As a volunteer with the ATHENA PowerLink, she has helped woman-owned businesses develop and implement effective IT strategies that include both management systems and marketing initiatives. She also serves as both a member and Webmaster for the Mercer Relay for Life.