Two Penn State faculty members who teach online for Penn State World Campus were recipients of University awards that recognize their work.
Brandi Robinson, associate teaching professor in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, received the 2025 Penn State Award for Community Engagement and Scholarship for her work on the Local Climate Action Program. The program gives Penn State students a chance to help Pennsylvania communities make an impact on climate change.
William Diehl, associate teaching professor of education in the College of Education, received the 2025 Shirley Hendrick Award, which is presented by the Penn State Commission for Adult Learners for service to adult learners. He was recognized for the success of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy Fellowship program that is offered online through Penn State World Campus.
Each spring semester, Penn State recognizes outstanding faculty with a variety of awards for their teaching, research, and service. Numerous faculty members who teach online through Penn State World Campus have received these in the past.
Brandi Robinson
The Community Engagement and Scholarship Award recognizes a project that best exemplifies Penn State as an "engaged institution." The Local Climate Action Program pairs students each year with municipalities across Pennsylvania to create an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions and help government officials identify the next steps to reduce the area's carbon footprint.
Robinson co-leads the Local Climate Action Program (LCAP) with Peter Buck from Penn State Sustainability. The 2024–25 academic year marks the third year of the program under their leadership. LCAP has now supported climate action across almost 30 local governments around the Commonwealth while providing engaged scholarship experiences for almost 60 students from University Park, Penn State World Campus, and Penn State Berks.
Penn State World Campus students in sustainability-related degree programs have participated. A participant from the first LCAP cohort was honored in 2024 for the work he did to advance climate action in California.
“While her students are literally all over the map through the World Campus programs in Energy and Sustainability Policy and Renewable Energy and Sustainability Systems, she asks them to think about how the global questions they are studying in class might play out locally,” a nominator said. “For capstone projects, she encourages them to work where they live and love: find a local project and work with the community to address the issues of concern.”
Recognizing that many of her returning adult students studying through World Campus do not have the luxury of relocating for new career opportunities, she has employed a “bloom where you’re planted” approach to the course work, challenging them to build professional networking connections in their current communities.
While thinking locally, nominators said, she’s always asking her students to see the broader impact of their local actions.
“For example, she asks students at the end of each term to envision the climate and world 50 years from now based on their understanding of the technological, political, and social dimensions of the challenge; she has done this assignment long enough to be able to see real change over time,” a nominator said. “Her passion for how to help them understand complex material, and make a positive difference locally, is evident.”
William Diehl
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.
Nominators said Diehl has been instrumental to the success of the fellowship program that each year helps 10–20 Army sergeants major earn a Master of Education in Lifelong Learning and Adult Education. The sergeants major go on to become staff instructors in the academy.
Nominators said these nontraditional students are often not able to attend college because of their military commitments overseas, often in combat zones.
“They are nontraditional in that they might not have access to broadband, quiet spaces, and a mindset to conduct research and discovery. When they do return home, they are conflicted both mentally and physically with the harsh realities and consequences of warfare,” a nominator said. “It takes an extraordinary professor to be able to connect with these men and women, encourage them to continue with their studies, and eventually graduate from Penn State. Dr. Diehl is the primary reason the fellowship program has been a success.”
Nominators said Diehl demonstrates leadership, support, and advocacy for these students throughout the Penn State community. He’s also a champion for strategic initiatives for integrating effective teaching practices for these students. He is the primary instructor in the program and the thesis mentor for the graduates. During and after enrollment, nominators said, many of the students seek him out for formal and informal mentoring.
“Diehl incorporates the strengths of Penn State and builds a bridge to the Sergeants major as they complete their degrees,” a nominator said. “His Army cohorts are purposely integrated with the civilian adult learners to add texture and diversity to the courses.”
Nominators said Diehl works with leaders at Penn State and the Army to ensure the program’s success. He travels to Fort Bliss three times a year for student orientation, adding a personal touch for soldiers beginning their academic careers.
Many students have continued their academic journeys after the program, nominators said, earning doctoral degrees at schools such as Vanderbilt, Kansas State, and the University of South Carolina. Two have been accepted into the College of Education’s new Doctor of Education, offered through World Campus. Others have gone on to be leaders in the education sector.
“Dr. Diehl has inspired an audience of unique nontraditional students to use their education for the greater good, albeit the soldiers have given so much of themselves already,” a nominator said. “Because of their Penn State degree and Dr. Diehl’s incredible connection, they continue to give back to our country and communities.”
