UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — While the Student Engagement Network (SEN) — a student-support unit administered by Undergraduate Education, Student Affairs and Penn State Outreach — will close as of June 30, student engagement initiatives will continue across Penn State. Effective July 1, Michael Zeman, director of the SEN, will join the Penn State Outreach staff as a new director of experiential learning. Through this transition, Outreach plans to leverage the expertise of the SEN and apply best practices to existing experiential learning offerings across its current portfolio.
“We are excited to have Michael Zeman join Penn State Outreach to continue to build upon the success of the SEN through connecting students to meaningful experiential learning opportunities and growing partnerships with colleges, campuses and units that support student success, as well as leveraging Mike’s expertise to help us refine and unify our existing student engagement efforts across Outreach,” said Larry Terry, vice president for Outreach.
In his new role, Zeman will be working to unify engagement efforts across Penn State Outreach and beyond in ways that enhance community impact and broaden student experiences. He will continue to champion engaged learning while also fostering community engagement and outreach partnerships that amplify Penn State’s land-grant mission. Zeman has already started the transition process.
“I am incredibly proud of the work we have done through the Student Engagement Network to connect students with meaningful experiential learning opportunities that prepare them for success,” said Michael Zeman, director of the Student Engagement Network. “I am deeply grateful to my colleagues across Penn State who have partnered with SEN to create a culture of engaged learning. As I step into my new role, I look forward to continuing these collaborations and exploring new opportunities to expand engagement efforts that enhance student growth and community impact.”
The decision to restructure SEN’s student engagement activities and sunset SEN as it currently exists was made after careful strategic and budget analysis by Undergraduate Education, Student Affairs and Penn State Outreach that took place in 2024. The new structure will allocate resources in a way that better aligns with current student success strategic priorities outlined by Penn State President Bendapudi. Penn State Outreach will offer new opportunities to repurpose some services and expertise of the SEN. This planning process is underway, and more information will be announced in fall 2025. In addition to Penn State Outreach, Penn State offers more than 400 student engagement programs and services University-wide, including in Student Affairs, at colleges and campuses and at multi-disciplinary centers and institutes. For more information on student engagement activities across the commonwealth, visit the Penn State Community Impact Map.
“I’d like to thank Michael for his leadership of the SEN,” said Senior Vice Provost Kathleen Bieschke. “He has been a tireless advocate for student engagement, and his work connected thousands of students to experiences and opportunities that helped prepare them for success beyond the classroom. As Michael transitions to his new role in Penn State Outreach, I know he will continue to champion experiential learning and develop new opportunities to broaden student experiences and foster community engagement.”
More information will be shared when available. FAQs are available on the SEN website and questions can be directed to Michael Zeman at engage@psu.edu.