Neumann, Petko earn Rosemary Schraer Mentoring Award

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Beth Neumann, administrative assistant for Penn State's Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC), and Jessica Petko, associate professor of biology and science at Penn State York, are the recipients of the 2026 Rosemary Schraer Mentoring Award.

The award, established in 1994 by family, friends and colleagues of Rosemary Schraer, a former associate provost of Penn State, is presented each year to a University employee who exemplifies Schraer's giving of herself as a mentor and who has voluntarily, over a period of time, helped others recognize and achieve their potential. Consideration is given to employees who have a record of outstanding mentoring service that goes beyond the requirements of their employment duties and responsibilities.

Beth Neumann

Nominators said Neumann plays a pivotal role in shaping the success of cadets within her 150-member wing. They said her influence goes beyond her administrative duties.

"She is a trusted adviser, an advocate, and a mentor who consistently empowers others, fosters collaboration, and guides cadets toward achieving their fullest potential," a nominator said.

Neumann is responsible for Detachment 720 and is the primary point person between members of the detachment and Penn State. Her duties include resolving academic conflicts, managing billing and scholarships and guiding students through registration. Nominators said her mentorship has helped develop future leaders by creating an environment where people are supported in their path to success.

Nominators said she's able to counsel students through complex challenges. She's also always looking for ways to streamline things for her students. In one example, Neumann created an innovative checkout system for guiding cadets through the uniforming process. The approach resulted in three quarters of cadets being outfitted weeks faster.

Nominators said she's also raised awareness of the program at Penn State. She organizes distinguished visitor events and connects alumni with current cadets. To date, more than 30 alumni have visited the program. Nominators said this creates a network of support and professional opportunity.

Nominators said that the program is run by military members with extensive knowledge of the armed forces but often little knowledge of higher education, and Neumann is the bridge.

"As AFROTC cadre members, we enter this role with decades of military experience but little familiarity with the complexities of a public university system. Neumann bridges that gap with grace and expertise," a nominator said. "She serves as our mentor in navigating University processes, offering guidance and clarity whenever challenges arise. Her deep institutional knowledge - often reaching back years - provides invaluable context for decision-making, and we frequently turn to her as a trusted sounding board."

Students said Neumann is an exceptional resource from everything from Penn State policy to grappling with the challenges of being an ROTC student with added responsibilities.

"She is the glue that holds our detachment together. She has an exceptional ability to articulate expectations in a way that is both clear and approachable, and her calm, steady manner makes it easy for cadets to come to her with questions or concerns," a nominator said. "Whether she is helping us navigate administrative challenges or guiding us through long-term plans, she communicates with a level of understanding that builds trust and confidence."

Jessica Petko

Nominators highlighted that Petko's mentorship reaches beyond the classroom, and into the broader scientific community through her research program and collaborative network.

Petko has mentored dozens of undergraduate students in her laboratory, where they conduct original research on circadian rhythms in spiders. Through this work, students gain experience in molecular biology, experimental design and data analysis while contributing to ongoing, externally funded research. She helps students tailor their experience to their own specific interests, secure their own funding, strengthen their research writing and chart a course to achieving their career goals.

Petko's mentorship is closely tied to her externally funded research program, including support from the National Science Foundation, which enables sustained undergraduate participation in discovery-driven science. She leads a grant-writing workshop that has received strong positive feedback from students and has helped them successfully secure over $50,000 in research funding in the past decade.

"Pushing students to pursue research, invest in their scientific training, and to pursue funding opportunities allows Petko to mentor students from start to finish," a nominator said. "Many of these students go on to present their research both regionally and at the national scale. A major theme that has resulted from Petko's student mentoring is her advocacy for their potential; she knows they can do so much more than what their 'inner voice' tells them, and she guides them to discover their strengths."

Petko is an advocate for women in STEAM fields, developing workshops and outreach opportunities that give students and community members hands-on learning experiences. She was instrumental in bringing the Penn State Eastern Regional Research Symposium to the York campus in 2023, and now co-chairs the event.

Nominators described how Petko continues to mentor students beyond graduation, serving as a resource for career guidance and encouraging alumni to remain connected with the Penn State York community and current students.

She's also a resource for her peers.

"Faculty and colleagues have also benefited from Petko's guided mentoring," a nominator said. "Through regional and Universitywide meetings, Petko has had the opportunity to meet and mentor new science faculty, often creating connections that transcend the disciplines. She is quick to offer advice for new teaching professionals and to assist in the incorporation of engaging curriculum components."

Students praised Petko's commitment to guiding their career path while at Penn State and beyond. They describe her as a generous and knowledgeable educator who excels at teaching, mentoring, advising, career development and personal support.

"Without Dr. Petko's invaluable and persistent mentorship in my life, I would not have made it through my undergraduate degree or had the opportunity and confidence to pursue my doctorate," a former student said. "Dr. Petko has been instrumental during my education and life. I will forever be grateful for her support, encouragement and mentorship as it continues to help me through my current path."