WYOMISSING, Pa. — Penn State Berks is continuing to reach out to the local community in a new way — through "LionSide Chats," a modern interpretation of former U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Depression-era “Fireside Chats.” These webinars provide current and timely talks from college faculty and staff experts on a variety of topics and disciplines.
The one-hour webinars are free and open to the public. All LionSide Chats will be delivered via Zoom webinars. A complete schedule of talks and recordings of past LionSide Chats are available on the LionSide Chats website.
“The LionSide Chat series is a classic example of great ideas blossoming through communication and collaboration,” stated Dawn Pfeifer Reitz, assistant teaching professor of communication arts and sciences and one of the co-founders of the program.
Schedule
Feb. 17, 12:15–1:15 p.m. — Keepin' It Real 2.0
Presented by Autumn Fritz, assistant director of community development, Penn State Berks. During this presentation, a panel of Penn State Berks students will “Keep It Real” with attendees about their experiences transitioning to Penn State Berks, specifically talking about struggles with academic success.
Feb. 22, 12:15–1:15 p.m. — Berks Resourceful Roundtable: Campus Life, Residence Life and Housing and Food Services
Presented by Penn State Berks Campus Life, Residence Life and Housing and Food Services. The Berks Resourceful Roundtable Discussions is a new series for Spring 2021. It is a LionSide Chat Collaboration with the Quality of Life (QOL) committee at Penn State Berks. This series will highlight Berks campus resources outside academic programs. Staff and faculty panelists will be given questions to answer, and students will have the opportunity to ask questions towards the end of the discussion.
In addition to these LionSide Chats, there is a new series for current and prospective students titled “Majorly prepared: Penn State Berks degrees and opportunities.”
Majorly Prepared Schedule
Feb. 5, 12:15 p.m. — Learn how science can change the world: A chat about biology, biochemistry and science degrees
This chat with program chairs about degrees in the division of science will inform students what they need to do to be successful and what opportunities they will have after graduation. Degree programs at Penn State Berks include biology, biochemistry and molecular biology, science (with options in life science and general science).
Feb. 10, 12:15 — Hospitality Management at Penn State Berks
This engaging session will explore the college’s degree programs, student research, internships and career opportunities in hospitality management.
Feb. 15, 12:15 p.m. — Careers in the humanities: How to be a critical thinker, problem-solver and developer of new ideas
This webinar is for students who enjoy reading, writing, and thinking about the world’s problems. Students of the humanities investigate human society and culture. This presentation will discuss degrees and career opportunities in the humanities. Degrees at Penn State Berks include communication arts and sciences and writing and digital media. The webinar will also cover the college’s composition courses.
Feb. 22, 7 p.m. — Discovering Engineering at Berks
Students will learn what engineering is, what engineers do, and how they can become engineers. The webinar will also cover the college’s events for National Engineers Week. Students are invited to email questions in advance. The college offers degrees in electro-mechanical engineering technology and mechanical engineering. The webinar will also cover engineering majors offered by Penn State.
Feb. 24, 12:15 p.m. — Entrepreneurship at Penn State Berks
Participants will learn about the college’s entrepreneurship and innovation minor, the Flemming Creativity, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development Center, and the entrepreneurship student club. Faculty and students will discuss how the college promotes creativity and innovation and all the opportunities available for prospective entrepreneurs.
For more information and to view the LionSide Chats schedule, visit the website or email BerksLSChats@psu.edu.