DUNMORE, Pa. — Elizabeth J. Wright, regional chancellor for Penn State Scranton, Penn State Hazleton and Penn State Wilkes-Barre, has announced the hiring of two new full-time faculty members at the Scranton campus.
Jennifer Durham Gresham, assistant professor of biology
Durham Gresham joins the campus' biology department, bringing over 20 years of teaching experience to students at Penn State Scranton.
Recently relocated from the southeastern United States, she said she was drawn to Penn State Scranton for its emphasis on teaching and research in a smaller school environment.
“I specifically was looking to work in a smaller school that balanced teaching and research,” she said. “I’ve always enjoyed teaching and guiding students. ... My experience so far has been absolutely wonderful. Everyone has been so exceptionally nice, helpful and welcoming.”
One of her key focuses at Penn State Scranton is course creation, which she said she finds rewarding.
“Right now, I am most enjoying the teaching and course creation,” Gresham said. “My students are very motivated and nice, and that motivates me to create meaningful classes for them.”
Durham Gresham’s research interests lie in the ecology and population dynamics of the mangrove rivulus fish, one of only two known self-fertilizing vertebrates.
“I am most excited about getting back to doing field work on the mangrove rivulus fish,” she said. “Its ecology and population dynamics are not systematically studied as of yet, and that is what I aim to do.”
In addition to her academic pursuits, she said she is a passionate sports fan and enjoys outdoor activities such as running and hiking.
“I love being outside,” she said. “Running and hiking are my two favorite outdoor activities, and I am so excited to live here where there are so many parks and wild spaces close by. I can’t wait to see all the trees.”
She also has experience coaching middle and high school sports, noting that her 10 years in that role were among the most exhausting of her career.
Durham Gresham received her doctorate in biology, with a focus on evolutionary ecology, from the University of Alabama in 2020. Her educational journey also includes a master's degree in biology and a teaching certification from the University of Alabama, Huntsville.
Currently residing in Scranton, Gresham said she is excited to immerse herself in the local community. While her two children have moved on to their own lives in Tennessee and Texas, she said she looks forward to contributing to the vibrant academic environment at Penn State Scranton.
Stephanie Longo, assistant professor of corporate communication
Longo brings a wealth of experience and passion for teaching to her position as assistant professor of corporate communication.
She previously served as an adjunct lecturer at Penn State Scranton during the fall 2023 and spring 2024 semesters, and said her journey to this position was fueled by a lifelong aspiration to become a college professor.
“I have always wanted to be a college professor since I was an undergraduate," she said. "When the full-time position opened up in the Corporate Communication program, I immediately jumped at the opportunity.”
Her background includes over a decade of experience in communications roles and teaching at Lackawanna College in Scranton. She earned her doctorate of strategic communication from Regent University in 2024, where she also earned a master of arts degree in journalism. She also holds a master of arts degree in history from the University of Scranton.
Reflecting on her new role, Longo praised the community at Penn State Scranton.
“Every single person I have met here has been friendly and welcoming," she said.
She expressed gratitude towards her colleagues in the campus’ Corporate Communications Department, Program Coordinator Kelly Conlon-Mazzucca and Assistant Teaching Professor Jim Hart, for their support as she transitions into her new position.
“Working with them has been, and continues to be, fun and enjoyable,” she said.
Longo’s dedication to her students is evident.
“I genuinely care about my students and am here for them no matter what,” she said. “I am dedicated to their success and will do whatever I can to help them achieve their educational goals.”
In addition to her teaching, Longo said she is eager to continue her research on ancestral homeland marketing, a subfield she established during her doctoral studies.
“I am very passionate about the field of communication, so I am excited about teaching our students about the new developments in our field and how they can use them in their future careers,” she said.
Longo will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming International Conference on Social Sciences in Athens, Greece, this November, where she will discuss crisis communication.
Outside the classroom, Longo is active in her community, serving as a lector and eucharistic minister at Our Lady of the Snows Church in Clarks Summit. She is also involved with the Italian Sons and Daughters of America and contributes to their publication, "La Nostra Voce."
Longo resides in Dunmore with her husband, Sean Brennan, a history professor at the University of Scranton, and their rescue dog, Duke. She said she looks forward to making a lasting impact at Penn State Scranton.
“I am extremely proud to be a part of the Penn State Scranton family," she said.