Christine Brown has been named interim Rosenberg Director of Penn State Brandywine's Center for Social Impact.
MEDIA, Pa. — Christine Brown has been appointed the interim Rosenberg Director of Penn State Brandywine’s Center for Social Impact as of Nov. 1. She succeeds Vippy Yee, the inaugural director of the Center, which was formerly known as the Center for Ethics and Civic Engagement.
The Center manages a variety of campus and community engagement programs, including the annual MLK Day observance and social justice fair, the student engagement expo, the campus garden and community service opportunities for students, faculty and staff.
“I am both honored and delighted to become the interim director of the Center for Social Impact,” Brown said. “The work that Vippy has led to support, educate and engage our campus and local community has been so inspiring to me, and I am thrilled to be able to guide the next phase of the Center. The opportunity to join such a talented team and support the work that they have been doing as part of the Center is a wonderful opportunity, and I can’t wait to get started.”
“The opportunity to join such a talented team and support the work that they have been doing as part of the Center (for Social Impact) is a wonderful opportunity, and I can’t wait to get started.”—Christine Brown , Interim Rosenberg Director of the Center for Social Impact
Brandywine Chancellor Marilyn J. Wells noted Brown and Yee often worked together on programs to support the campus and its students.
“I’m personally looking forward to Chris continuing the transformational leadership of our Center for Social Impact,” Wells said. “The Center is a signature program at Penn State Brandywine and integral to achieving our campus’ Strategic Plan 2020-2025. It is intertwined with each of our three goals: Grow Our Student Population, Foster an Equitable Environment, and Increase Our Visibility.”
Brown joined Brandywine in 2009 and most recently has served as coordinator of the Brandywine Learning Center and associate teaching professor of language and literacy education and American studies. She also has helped shape and holds leadership positions with Brandywine’s first- and second-year experience programs, peer mentoring program and multilingual students course cluster program. Her dedication to Brandywine has also included service on many committees as well as advising several student clubs.
Brown earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Penn State, a master’s in education from Cabrini University and a doctorate in higher education from Immaculata University. Her interim appointment will continue through June 30, 2024.
Wells commended Yee for her work to develop and grow the Center over the past four and a half years.
“Vippy has left an indelible mark on our campus,” Wells said. “Her experience in civic engagement at Bryn Mawr College, her familiarity with Brandywine as an adjunct instructor for nine years, her extensive knowledge of our local community, and her tireless commitment to student success were all strengths that she brought to her role.”
Yee has accepted an appointment as assistant dean of community-based programs at MIT’s Priscilla King Gray Center for Public Service. She will continue to serve as an adviser for Brandywine’s Center for Social Impact.
