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New Vice President for Student Affairs Committed to Penn State Pride

By Karen Trimbath, Student Affairs Writer

Vicky L. Triponey Vice President for Student Affairs

Penn State pride. That’s a big reason why Dr. Vicky L. Triponey wanted to be Penn State’s vice president for Student Affairs.

She saw a remarkable sense of community and Penn State pride when, during a job interview at the University Park campus, President Graham Spanier gave Vicky and her husband, Mike Meacham, a grand tour of the 2003 Dance Marathon at Rec Hall. Watching the enthusiastic participation of the students – and their efforts to raise money for children with cancer – convinced Vicky that Penn State is a very special place committed to making everyone feel part of a larger community.

This discovery was a welcome surprise for Vicky, a Curwensville native who grew up perceiving Penn State as a large, bureaucratic, and impersonal school.
“It was incredible to see Thon unfold and to feel the students’ genuine enthusiasm for helping others,” she remembers. “Penn State isn’t just about athletics, but also about fostering a sense of belonging in a very special learning community.”

Vicky wants to continue to strengthen the Penn State community through the programs and services offered by the talented staff within the division of Student Affairs. She says her bottom line is to help students enter the world prepared to be active citizens and effective leaders who can make a positive difference in the world.

“The work that we do in Student Affairs can have a powerful impact on the lives of our students,” adds Vicky. “By providing a caring and supportive learning environment for our students, we also make a difference in this world.”
Strong teamwork is needed to successfully meet the needs of students at all 24 Penn State campuses, and Vicky intends to build a collaborative and team-oriented environment in Student Affairs where everyone feels appreciated for their efforts. Such an environment can be fostered through mentoring and developing supportive relationships with students, faculty, and staff, according to Vicky.

Mentors have played an important role in Vicky’s own career, starting with her undergraduate education at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. Administrators there saw her potential and encouraged her to consider a career in student affairs administration. Thanks to their coaching, she discovered that “it was a perfect fit. I had a wonderful experience as a student and want others to have the same positive growth experience.” Now it’s her turn to encourage others in the Penn State community to stretch themselves, to refocus on their shared purpose.

Vicky’s return to central Pennsylvania couldn’t come at a better time. “I’m excited to be so close to home and be part of a nationally respected leadership team at Penn State,” she says. “I can see that Penn State has done something special by creating a sense of belonging that lasts a lifetime for our students. We’ve done this through our talented staff. But we’re not done. If one student feels lost or disconnected, we have more work to do.”

Vicky has spent much time listening to student leaders’ concerns and perspectives. A few weeks into the job, she took a grand tour of the University Park campus accompanied by several student leaders. After the students talked their way into Beaver Stadium, the group stood on the football field and relived past victories. That was an experience that Vicky will never forget.

“Meeting with students provides great insights,” she says. “There is not one student voice, but many voices. That’s why the work we do in Student Affairs is so important. We help make the student experience memorable and meaningful.”

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