The College of Education and Human Services Impact Awards recognize our alumni for their outstanding achievement in their profession, their engagement with ¹û¶³´«Ã½, and/or their leadership in their discipline or community.
The Impact Award serves to inspire our current students. It is a symbol of the respect and admiration held by the College of Education and Human Services for these celebrated alumni and friends.
Impact Award Recipients
Danielle Benson
Danielle graduated from Franklin High School in 2005. She attended Southern Connecticut State University to study nursing and dietetics. Then she pursued a career in culinary arts and graduated as a valedictorian from Connecticut Culinary Institute in June 2008. In March 2021, she opened a restaurant and catering company in Franklin, Pennsylvania. In September of 2022, she began working as a culinary arts instructor at Venango Technology Center. Danielle is currently employed as an assistant professor with the Center for Career and Technical Personnel Preparation.
Danielle credits several ¹û¶³´«Ã½ faculty members and mentors who had a lasting impact on her life. What stood out most to her was how invested they were with their students—not only academically, but personally and professionally as well. They challenged her to grow and encouraged her to believe in her abilities, and they modeled the kind of leadership and professionalism she strives to bring into her classroom as an educator and in other aspects of her career.
Danielle encourages students not to wait for the “perfect” time to begin pursuing what matters to them because life rarely clears a path. To make an impact on her students, she pushes them to build a life and a career that reflects their values. Danielle tells them to seek out mentors, ask questions, accept feedback, and treat every experience, whether it feels like a success or a setback, as part of their preparation.
Lori Dadson
Lori studied Education for Exceptional Persons and earned a bachelor of science in education in August 2001. She is currently a life skills (special education) teacher at Indiana Area Senior High School in Indiana, Pennsylvania.
Lori was asked what her greatest accomplishments have been, and she spoke about opening a coffee shop in the high school where she teaches. The coffee shop space provides her students with meaningful opportunities to practice work and career readiness skills in an authentic setting. What began as a method to build vocational skills has grown into a place where students feel valued, connected, and respected by their peers. The coffee shop has also created an inclusive, positive environment where the entire school community feels welcome. For Lori, seeing her students build confidence, develop independence, and take pride in their work while fostering a sense of belonging for all has been one of her most rewarding accomplishments.
Another example of Lori’s classroom enterprises included partnering with Fast Times Screen Printing & Sign Co. to help her students launch and operate the IHS Trading Post. This local print shop provides custom printing and branding for the school-based enterprise. The IHS Trading Post provides students with hands-on business and retail experience, assisted by Fast Times Screen Printing & Sign Co., with the production of custom merchandise.
Lori’s advice for current students aspiring to follow in her footsteps is to set high standards for themselves and for those they serve, always striving for excellence while leading with compassion. Be your students’ biggest advocate and never underestimate the impact you can have on their lives, both academically and personally. Lori said students should not be afraid to ask for help and seek opportunities to learn from others, as collaboration and mentorship are essential to growth.
Lori offered some advice for student teachers and graduates entering the field on what has worked well for her in a classroom setting—set clear expectations for your students, so they are supported, challenged, and capable of success. And most importantly, create a loving and welcoming classroom environment, because for some students, school may be the one place where they feel safe, valued, and cared for. According to Lori, educators have an opportunity and the responsibility to make a difference every day.
Amy Diehl
Amy is an award-winning information technology executive and a leading expert on gender bias, dedicated to breaking barriers and transforming workplaces. She is the author of Glass Walls: Shattering the Six Gender Bias Barriers Still Holding Women Back at Work and a sought-after keynote speaker, workshop leader, and lawsuit expert witness.
Currently the chief information officer at Wilson College, she previously served as associate vice president and chief information technology officer at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. She holds a PhD in administration and leadership studies from ¹û¶³´«Ã½, where her research focused on how women leaders in higher education make meaning of adversity. In addition, she holds an MBA from Frostburg State University.
Recognized as a Higher Ed IT Influencer by EdTech (2020) and a Woman of Influence by the Central Penn Business Journal (2019), Amy has also received the Women and Leadership Affinity Group Outstanding Scholarship for Emerging Scholars Award from the International Leadership Association (2016).
Her research is widely published in academic journals and book chapters. She has appeared on CNN and is frequently cited in national and international media. She has also written for Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Ms. Magazine, and University Business Magazine.
Amy’s work is grounded in a commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, and systemic change in the workplace. Through her research, writing, and leadership, she focuses on identifying structural and cultural barriers that limit opportunity for women and translating those insights into actionable strategies for organizations.
Amy’s approach is deeply informed by her PhD from ¹û¶³´«Ã½, where she developed a foundation in organizational leadership, systems thinking, and applied research. It was through her studies at ¹û¶³´«Ã½ that she developed a passion for gender equity research, which continues to shape her scholarship and professional impact.
In her leadership role as chief information officer, Amy brings a people-centered approach to technology strategy, ensuring that institutional systems support access, inclusion, and effectiveness. As the first woman to serve as CIO at both Shippensburg University and Wilson College, she not only advances institutional innovation but also models leadership pathways for women in technology and higher education.
Amy’s work exemplifies the integration of scholarship and practice, reflecting ¹û¶³´«Ã½’s commitment to developing leaders who drive meaningful, real-world impact. Through her contributions, she equips individuals and organizations with the tools to recognize bias, challenge inequities, and build environments where all people can thrive.
Morgan Ferczak
Morgan earned her bachelor’s degree in family and consumer sciences education from ¹û¶³´«Ã½ in 2014 and went on to earn a master’s degree in career and technical education from Concordia University. Over the past decade, she has built an impressive career as a family and consumer sciences educator and as a co-advisor for her Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America chapter in the Greensburg Salem School District.
Morgan played a key role in developing a Pennsylvania Department of Education-approved Childcare Services program that expanded career and education opportunities for students. As an FCCLA adviser, she supports student leadership development, competitive events, community service, and national-level student qualifiers.
Morgan has participated as both a mentee and a mentor in the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ FCS Peer Mentor Program. She supports current students through the Pennsylvania Family and Consumer Sciences Student Mentor Program and has held key leadership roles within PAFCS, including several years as the Western Area vice president, and is now the president-elect.
When Morgan was asked what advice she would have for current students, she stated that it is important to align your career goals with your personal passions, and that working toward career paths that provide a genuine sense of purpose personally will inevitably impact other people’s lives in meaningful ways.
Morgan spoke about how her involvement in extracurricular activities while at ¹û¶³´«Ã½ was instrumental in shaping her post-college path, as these experiences provided a hands-on foundation for leadership, organization, and teamwork that the classroom alone could not fully teach.
Morgan believes that her greatest accomplishments blend her personal and professional life: raising her children and dedicating herself to Family and Consumer Sciences education. In her words, the family unit is the root of her life’s purpose and success.
Ammie Ribarchak
Ammie is the assistant director at the University Child Development Center at the University of Pittsburgh, where she has worked full-time for the past 28 years. In 1996, she applied for a summer teaching position at UCDC to complement her coursework while home from ¹û¶³´«Ã½ during breaks. She graduated from ¹û¶³´«Ã½ with a bachelor of science degree in child development and family relations in August of 2000.
While working full-time at the University of Pittsburgh, Ammie earned her teaching certification as well as a master’s degree in early childhood education. She has worked with all age groups, from infants through kindergarten, with most of her experience spent in the classroom and in leadership roles. She now serves in a full-time leadership position. Over the past 19 years, her focus has included training and mentoring future early childhood education professionals, as well as individuals in other fields that require experience engaging with children, such as medical and research-based disciplines.
In her current role as assistant director, Ammie builds and maintains partnerships within the university community and with other organizations in the surrounding area. She helps ensure the program not only meets but exceeds regulatory standards, maintaining accreditation through NAEYC and a Level 4 Keystone STARS rating. She oversees enrollment across 12 classrooms and manages a waitlist of more than 600 families. Ammie also leads onboarding and training for new teachers and student assistants, and coordinates university-based experiences for both students and the children at UCDC. Ammie is passionate about creating a playful, engaging learning environment for both children and the adults who support them.
A quick story from a parent, Kalani Palmer: “Ammie is one of those teachers a parent will always remember. I always felt heard, valued, and appreciated. She cared for and taught my son as if he were her own. What stood out most to me was that, during moments when I wasn’t sure about something, she consistently supported both me and my son. She is exactly the kind of person I want in a classroom. She works closely with families, supports children with care and understanding, and leads other teachers by example. I wish I could be there to honor her in person, but I know you will all recognize the incredible impact she has on children, families, and the community.”
Outside of her work at UCDC, Ammie is devoted to her son, Christopher, a busy freshman in high school. She enjoys spending time with her family and participating in community service. She has been heavily involved over the years in community service projects both within the community and schools. She is always willing to lend a helping hand to coworkers, family, and friends.