Jeffrey Chiampi: Lecturer of Computer Science at Penn State Wilkes-Barre 
Jeffrey Chiampi is a Lecturer of Computer Science and Mathematics at The Pennsylvania State University Wilkes-Barre campus. He holds master degrees in Business Administration and Software Engineering. He teaches courses in computer science, game development, and information sciences and technology. Before coming to Penn State, Mr. Chiampi worked in the information technology industry for over 10 years. At Penn State he coordinates the Game Development Minor, advises students, is a member of the engineering faculty council, and is a founding member of the University’s board that oversees unmanned aerial vehicles. His primary research interest is the application of virtual reality on engineering education. He recently received grant funding to create a virtual reality lab and is investigating the extent this technology can be used to augment surveying education. He regularly involves undergraduate students in his research and often collaborates with faculty from other locations and disciplines.


Melissa Myers: Principal at Wilkes Barre Area School District
Mrs. Melissa M. Myers is the Principal at Heights-Murray Elementary School in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District. Teamwork is paramount to assure her students' success; therefore, Mrs. Myers maintains strong involvement from families, teachers, administrators, community agencies, local universities, volunteers, and all staff members to promote a positive learning experience for students. Mrs. Myers and her team focus on successful implementation of a Positive School-Wide Behavior Program, community outreach and parent engagement efforts such as 'Pasta with the Principals,' 'Popsicles in the Parks with the Principals' (summer), 'RAISE' (Reinforcing Academic Instruction through Student Excellence) program for students, Career Academy, and other evening or weekend activities to maintain a strong partnership with families and to promote student excellence. Through her educational tenure, Mrs. Myers has done extensive work and offered professional development in the area of English Language Development, Positive Behavior Support, Student Wellness, SAP (Student Assistance Program), and maintains close cooperation with the Wilkes University Professional Development School for undergraduate students and the SHINE program on-site at Heights- Murray. While maintaining a positive attitude and instilling inspiration in both students and staff, Mrs. Myers seeks for all students to be future leaders, positive role models, and respectful citizens.

Dr. Michael Floren: Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Misericordia University
Michael Floren, Ph.D., assistant professor of mathematics, joined the Misericordia  University faculty in 2018 and currently serves as program chair of the newly launched Bachelor of Science Program in Statistics. He holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in mathematics and math education from Bethel University and his doctorate in applied statistics and research methods from the University of Northern Colorado. In conjunction with the Misericordia Office of Service-Learning, Dr. Floren led a class of statistics students to provide statistical analysis of Wilkes-Barre YMCA’s membership demographics that culminated with his students presenting their research findings to members of the YMCA’s administration in late April. Their work was prominently featured in the Times Leader newspaper and Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal. He has recently consulted on multiple projects helping to improve education for counselors, graduate students and teachers, including a project to improve teacher preparation in accordance with standard practices of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. Considering it a highlight among his recent projects, he filmed a series of videos providing step-by-step instructions on the use of the R statistical program, which will be released with the popular textbook, “Statistics for People Who (Think They) Hate Statistics Using R.”

Make sure to join us on September 10th at 5:30 PM at the Room at 900 in Kingston to celebrate these finalists and to hear the category winners announced live on stage! Click here to register today!