UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Charima Young, an accomplished community outreach leader, has been named the new director of local government and community relations in Penn State’s Office of Government and Community Relations, where she will support and expand the University’s outreach efforts and regional partnerships, effective May 22.
Young, who has extensive experience working with nonprofits, government agencies and corporations at the local, state and national levels, has most recently served as the associate state director of community outreach in Georgia for AARP, formerly the American Association of Retired Persons.
Young succeeds Margaret Gray, who left the University in January 2017 to take a position with Centre County.
As a member of Penn State’s Government and Community Relations office, Young will help expand efforts to connect with a wide range of groups, including local government agencies and officials, community-based organizations and constituencies, and local businesses and associations both in the Centre Region and across the state. Young also will collaborate with other University offices to help coordinate and support ongoing initiatives, including serving as a resource to the Commonwealth Campuses.
“Throughout her career, Charima has fostered positive relationships with a variety of nonprofit, government and private sector organizations that have benefited communities around the world,” said Zack Moore, vice president for Government and Community Relations. “Charima’s knowledge for how local institutions can work together will enable Penn State to continue to build strategic partnerships in the communities in which our students, faculty and staff live and work.”
Throughout her career, Young has directed community relations programs, partnership development, employee engagement and communications outreach efforts in the public and private sectors.
During her tenure with AARP, Young managed core programs and supported advocacy efforts through education and engagement with Atlanta businesses, elected officials and community leaders on workforce development and community development issues. She also collaborated with the Atlanta City Council and mayor’s office to implement an initiative recognized nationally by the World Health Organization.
While working for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Neighborhood Networks initiative, Young led a team in the development of national partnerships to service more than 1,400 community technology centers nationwide. As a corporate responsibility manager for InterContinental Hotels Group, Young worked with partners such as CARE, Goodwill Industries and the American Red Cross to implement workforce development and disaster relief programs.
“I am thrilled to join Penn State because of its history of fostering innovation, excellence and service. I share these values and intend to build upon the institution’s service to the community by creating systems that cultivate mutually beneficial relationships among the University and community stakeholders,” Young said. “I look forward to being a conduit and a resource for the Penn State community to connect with local government and community leaders to ensure that we continue to leave an impactful legacy on the surrounding areas.”
A native of Hillside, New Jersey, Young earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Spelman College and a master’s degree in public policy from the Georgia Institute of Technology. She also has certificates in nonprofit management from Duke University and project management from Georgia State University.