Penn State Berks hosts conversation on diversity and inclusion

WYOMISSING, Pa. –– Penn State Berks will launch the first event in its Chancellor’s Distinguished Speaker Series from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28. “The Power of Everyone: A Conversation on Diversity and Inclusion” features Cheryl H. Johnson, chief human resources officer of Caterpillar Inc.; Barry L. Schlouch, founder and president of Schlouch Inc.; and George Grant Jr., chancellor, Penn State Berks. This event is free and open to the public, and attendees must register in advance. Registrants will receive an email with Zoom information.

Cheryl H. Johnson serves as chief human resources officer and member of the Executive Office for Caterpillar Inc. In this role, she is responsible for leading the company’s global human resources (HR) organization in support of Caterpillar’s approximately 97,000 employees. Prior to joining Caterpillar in 2017, she had a successful 20-year career with Textron, ultimately serving as a member of its executive leadership team. She was responsible for leading Textron’s worldwide human resources function as well as corporate communications, corporate real estate, community affairs and the company's aviation department. Her early career encompassed multi-functional experience in HR, marketing and sales, and finance disciplines within several industries and diverse business models including public education, technology and aerospace/defense. She is a board member of the HR Policy Association and the Caterpillar Foundation. She completed the Senior Executive Leadership Program in Corporate Education at Duke University, and holds a master of business administration and bachelor’s degree in operations management from Northern Illinois University.

Barry L. Schlouch is founder and president of Schlouch Incorporated, a 285-person site design and heavy civil construction firm headquartered in Blandon, Pennsylvania. The company provides total site preparation services throughout eastern Pennsylvania and surrounding states. It was ranked No. 1 among large companies by the Best Places to Work in Pennsylvania in 2000. Schlouch is a member of the Young Presidents Organization, and he has participated in their Executive Education Program designed by Harvard University for 13 years. He attended Penn State Berks and Lehigh County Community College and completed a two-year executive leadership program at the Wharton Business School. Schlouch is also the author of the book "Excellence in Construction" and is a popular speaker at corporation meetings, trade shows and conferences.

George Grant Jr. took the reins as chancellor of Penn State Berks in January 2021, following a national search. He is responsible for all aspects of college administration, including academic programs; research; outreach; enrollment and financial aid; student affairs; diversity and inclusion; strategic planning; budgeting; philanthropy; and community and alumni relations. He also brings a strong commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) to the role. One of his main priorities is creating an inclusive, supportive environment and bringing members of the college community together. Grant earned his bachelor’s degree in social work from Marygrove College, his master’s in social work from Grand Valley State University, and his doctorate in sociology from Western Michigan University.

The event is co-hosted by Penn State Berks and Schlouch, Inc. For more information, contact Lisa Baldi at LRW6@psu.edu or Erica Kunkel at ELS5014@psu.edu.