Shirley Hendrick Award

2026 Recipient

Jon Emigh

Director of Marketing and Digital Education in the College of Agricultural Sciences

Jon Emigh brings more than 25 years of experience in integrated marketing, digital strategy, and business development to his role as Director of Marketing and Director of Non-Credit Digital Education in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State University. He is dedicated to strengthening the visibility and impact of the college’s programs, services, and innovations, while leveraging marketing and learning technologies to expand engagement and support the college’s mission.

Jon provides leadership across teams spanning marketing strategy and creative services, marketing technology—including CRM, web, and event management—non-credit digital education, and customer service. Together, these teams develop integrated solutions that advance the college’s core mission areas of teaching, research, and extension through innovation, collaboration, and strategic alignment.

Jon began his career at Digitas in New York City, supporting clients such as General Motors, Gillette, and FedEx. His professional background includes agency, client-side, start-up, and small business experience across a wide range of initiatives.

Originally from State College, Pennsylvania, Jon earned a Bachelor of Science in Business (Marketing) from Miami of Ohio University. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys spending time with his young children, music, and an occasional microbrew.

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Shirley Hendrick Award

The Shirley Hendrick Award recognizes a University employee  whose visionary accomplishments have contributed significantly to foster and to  increase Penn State’s efforts to serve the adult learner. The award is open to any University employees who

  • Demonstrates leadership, support, and advocacy for adult  learners throughout the University community.
  • Champions strategic initiatives to integrate best practices for adult learners into the overall landscape of the University.
  • Encourages innovative activities to foster and inspire a culture of collaboration while improving access to adult learner programs and services.
  • Exemplifies the spirit of entrepreneurial and visionary leadership in creating new opportunities for adult learners to access Penn State programs.

2026 Nomination Information and Deadline

Nomination Instructions

  • Complete the online nomination form and two short letters of support to nominate a colleague for the Shirley Hendrick Award.
  • Nominations for the 2026 award will close on December 5, 2025.

 

Information

Typically, an individual will receive the award only once, unless the subsequent nomination demonstrates that  the current work being recognized is new and distinct from the body of work previously recognized.

An individual who has received the award is not eligible to receive it again for five years.

The selection committee may, after reviewing the nominations, elect not to select a  recipient for a given year.

Award selection committee contact:  JoAnn Kelly, jek2@psu.edu

 

Past Award Recipients

Click here to view past recipients of the Shirley Hendrick Award.

Note: All award nominees should be prepared to present at the 2024 Hendrick conference as part of the recognition for the award recipient. Further information will be shared with those individuals by the Hendrick Award and Conference planning committee following award winner selection.