Aboud honored with 2019 Hendrick Award for service to adult learners

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Antone Aboud, professor of practice in the College of the Liberal Arts, has been honored with Penn State's 2019 Shirley Hendrick Award, presented by the Penn State Commission for Adult Learners for service to adult learners.

The Shirley Hendrick Award recognizes an administrator University-wide who has contributed to the success of Penn State’s efforts to serve adult learners. The award is named in memory of Shirley Hendrick (1936–2000), the first recipient, dean for continuing education in the Smeal College of Business and inaugural chair of the Commission for Adult Learners, who advocated for continuing education.

As director of online programs for the School of Labor and Employment Relations, Aboud oversees three of the largest online programs at the University.

Colleagues say Aboud’s strength lies in his dedication to students. They say he’s always thinking of ways to strengthen their Penn State experience.
For example, he has created and taught embedded study-abroad courses catered to adult learners. He organized on-site visits for online students to meet leaders in their respective field. He created a virtual chapter of the student-group Labor and Employment Relations Association and Society for Human Resources Management.

Aboud also created opportunities for faculty members to strengthen their education of adult-learners. He routinely meets with leadership teams to address challenges. He also offers training for faculty members.

“Aboud’s energy and enthusiasm are unmatched in serving students both as a direct educator, but also in his duties supervising faculty and staff,” a nominator said. “In these roles, he has shaped strategic efforts to improve programs and provide the best overall experience for our more than 1,500 students, almost all of whom are adult learners.”