Reserve Blocks - Go Reentry Specialists

Blocks Reserved until Needed Again

Staff

Karen Brewster

Karen works at Penn State as the Director of Business Operations in the College of Education. Her gifts and experience in administration, advisory support and project execution show just some of her professional acumen. Karen’s background make her an invaluable contribution to the Go ReEntry board of directors.

She has worked at Penn State University, served as an administrative assistant in the office of the president at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and is continuing her education in leadership and various trainings.

Education

Undergraduate certificate in Labor Studies and Employment Relations, College of the Liberal Arts, School of Labor and Employment Relations (12 credits), August 2016.

Pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Labor Studies and Employee Relations part-time via Penn State World Campus, 3.75 GPA.

Associates Degree, Business Administration, DuBois Business College, 3.98 GPA.

Graduated – The Allegheny Clarion Valley High School, Graduated with Distinction, 3.95 GPA.

Krista Henry

Krista is a single mother of 4 who grew up in State College, Pa. She began working as a waitress in her teens and eventually went into restaurant management in her early twenties. She struggled with addiction throughout her teens and into her twenties and was arrested in 2013. She then spent a total of 51 months incarcerated over a period of 7 years. She has now found a new way of life and has a passion for being active in the community and helping others who have faced the same struggles she has faced. She attributes her success to finding God and having support like that which we offer through Go Reentry.

Jamie Campbell

Jamie Campbell is the 2013 Dr. James Robinson Equal Opportunity Award winner. This award is given to recognize a Penn State faculty or staff member who has contributed to the University by improving cross-cultural understanding. He has served as a panelist on topics ranging from social justice to students’ issues and has served as a speaker for several leadership programs.

Jamie also serves as an advisor to several student organizations within the Smeal College of Business such as The Black Male Leadership Symposium. Currently, Jamie is the Assistant Dean for Diversity Enhancement Programs at the Smeal College of Business.

In addition to this Jamie currently, teacher management, ethics, and diversity courses in Smeal and has taught Civil Right Courses within the department of African-American studies for the College of The Liberal Arts. He is a 1995 graduate of Morehouse College where he obtained his BA in Sociology. He obtained his M.Ed. with concentrations in Adult Education and Instructional Education from Central Michigan University in 2003.

Jamie currently is a Ph.D. student in the Workforce Education Program with concentrations in Organization Design and Human Resource Development at The Pennsylvania State University. His research focuses on Succession Planning as a form of Crisis Management.

Arielle Girouard

Board Member

Arielle Girouard is a Christian, mother, and soon to be wife. She is a State College resident, member of Access Church, and Penn State alumni and employee. Arielle is a Go Reentry board member and co-leads the reentry support group with her Fiancé, Frank Eyerman. She has helped to bring the Reentry Strategies class to

Reentry Strategies class to women in both Centre and Clearfield County Corrections Facilities, advised on program development, and co-authored the Women’s Hope Restoration Project Grant application.

Arielle discovered her passion for helping others during her own journey of healing from trauma and addiction. While her own experience and educational background and training help to inform her understanding and approach to helping others she recognizes that a relationship with Jesus Christ is the only solution to all of life’s probl,ems. Arielle recognizes and values Go Reentry’s Christ-centered foundation and maintains a commitment to advising and serving in a way that best glorifies God.

“Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous; but sinners.” (Matt. 9:13)

Maria Montero

Board Secretary

Graduated Saint Joseph’s University with BA in Political Science.

Earned her law degree from Widener University.

Past Executive Director of the Pa Commission for Women. Currently an executive with the Pennsylvania Convention Center

Dr. Kristin Grime

Board Member

Native of Centre County—Bellefonte High School Graduate

Juniata College graduate—experience with forensic science

Philadelphia College of Medicine graduate—Family doctor

Penn State Health Medical Director for Family Medicine

Lisa Kessler-peters

Board President

Lisa Kessler-Peters- is a wife, mother of 3, and spiritual mother to many. Lisa is an ordained minister, advocate, speaker, and author of “Why I Tried to Die, a story of Trauma, Resilience, and Restoration”. She has her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and her Master of Science in Applied Behavioral Analysis.

She also is a certified recovery specialist, trained as a mentor and in trauma informed practices. Her work includes homeless assistance, re-entry, recovery, restorative justice and educating on and healing trauma. Lisa is not impressed by her degrees or accomplishments and believes her greatest asset is her experience. Her entire mission is to empower others to know that they can have the same freedom she has received. She is bold and courageous, and never wants to forget where she came from and what she has been through. She believes that nothing happens in vain, and that all things can be used for our good and the good of others..not