Guiding greatness: How Gettysburg faculty, staff support student dreams

Our supportive faculty and staff believe in our students’ potential to Do Great Work and lead lives of meaning and consequence after graduation.

From the moment students step foot onto Gettysburg College’s campus, they are supported by dedicated faculty and staff who believe in their potential to be difference makers and leaders in their communities. That belief sparks creativity and passion in our students that carries through their years in college and emboldens them to pursue their goals beyond graduation.

Conversations with faculty can inspire our students to make academic discoveries and embark on groundbreaking research. Students meet with staff members across campus who foster professional and personal development and create opportunities to do great work in the community. Our athletic coaches provide mentorship and guidance as student-athletes build leadership and teamwork skills for the professional world after graduation.

All of these experiences are born out of a belief in the integrity and ability of our students and gives them the confidence they need to effectively navigate our complex, challenging, and ever-changing world.

Read on to learn more about how our faculty and staff directly impact the lives or our students from the moment they arrive on campus until they step across the stage on graduation day.

Prof. Kathleen Cain

Professor of Psychology

“I’m drawn to the students who are curious and enthusiastic, and a lot of them are, which is really fun for me. I often teach in our First-Year Seminar program, and I get to see a lot of that in there. When I see that curiosity and that excitement about learning, these immediately make me want to know the student more and work with them more closely.

“I try to make time to talk and meet with my advisees regularly, ask them what they're doing, and listen to them. Over the years, I have had students say that I encouraged them and helped them do things they didn’t think were possible for them. That has meant a lot to me to hear that, but not because I’m seeking praise. You just never know when an idea or a little bit of listening or an encouraging word can mean something and make a difference in the lives of a younger person.

“One of the things I do over time with students is discuss options such as off campus study, internships, and summer research with students. As students try these experiences, they grow in interesting ways and come back with new interests and questions. Student growth often happens because many people contribute. Part of my work as a faculty member and academic advisor is to encourage students to try these kinds of high-impact experiences and help them find the ones that would work best for them. The liberal arts and sciences approach not only challenges students and gives them more breadth academically and professionally, but it also helps them develop into richer human beings.”

Prof. Scott Hancock

Professor of History and Africana Studies

“To me, the first-year students who are intellectually curious about a wide range of subjects stand out. While it is completely understandable that first-year students use faculty as a resource for planning their academic careers or for guidance on improving their work—and they definitely should use faculty for these and other things important to them—the first-year students who do that and demonstrate an interest in faculty as just ordinary fellow human beings to have a conversation with, are the ones who stand out.

“I help students in seeing the big picture of their academic career as well as taking care of the ‘nuts and bolts,’ like making sure they have the necessary courses to satisfy the general curricular requirements. By ‘big picture,’ I mean seeing that their entire future does not rest on one single decision about which class to take, and maybe not even what to major or minor in. For example, while obviously choosing a major is important, it’s not as important as simply being a diligent and committed student and learning to think in an interdisciplinary way.”

“When I see some of the students I advised and taught in class walk across the stage at graduation, it always hits me that this is why we (faculty) do this!”

Brad Lancaster

Director of International Student Services

“Over the course of my 12 years here at Gettysburg College, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting hundreds of international students on their first day on campus and watching them grow over their four years here. Our office prides itself on getting to know our international students personally, and walking alongside our budding first-year students as they navigate the transition to the U.S. We take immense joy in helping them find their footing and flourish through mentoring from caring and dedicated professors, talking leadership roles in signature programs, and doing summer research and internships.

“For an international student to find their passion and flourish in college, they often experience ups and downs along the way. Sometimes, international students can feel overwhelmed by cultural differences, U.S. academics, and making decisions without the direct support of their families. That’s where our office comes in—we are proud to be a home away from home for international students that supports them through challenging times and is there to celebrate their successes.

“All of us here in the Office of International Student Services love attending graduation to witness the culmination of a transformational four years and celebrate the journey that international students have taken at Gettysburg. We feel great pride knowing that they are going on to prestigious Ph.D. programs or to great jobs in the U.S. and look forward to keeping in touch with them as alumni.”

Mary Smith ’00

Acting Director of Admissions for Recruitment and Selection

“One of my greatest privileges in my daily work in Admissions is getting to know students as they begin their college search process, learning about their hopes and dreams, and then following their journey through graduation at Gettysburg, sometimes even beyond. It is exciting to see their energy and passion as they think about what’s next and what their future might hold. We have the good fortune to hear their stories, recognize their incredible potential, and then see them grow even more through their four years with us.

“One quick story comes to mind about a student—Kelli Eisenberg ’11—I met many years ago while I was recruiting in the Philadelphia area. While visiting Kelli’s high school, she spoke with me about her desire to be a music teacher and how involved she was in music activities at school, on top of her rigorous classes. She enrolled at Gettysburg later that year and definitely made her mark in the Sunderman Conservatory of Music. Ironically, she took a position at a local elementary school, and I am now very pleased to say that ‘Mrs. Eisenberg’ has taught all three of my own children. I have been able to see firsthand how well Gettysburg prepares its graduates and their enduring skills—strong communication skills, creativity, the appreciation for diverse cultures and ideas, and so on—because now my children are learning those same things with her as a teacher.

“I could share many more stories of the incredible students I have met and worked with over the years, and I know my colleagues could add many of their own too. Suffice it to say, I continue to be inspired every day by our students and I feel very blessed to do this important work. They are making a difference and our graduates will change the world.”

Peter Toner

Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach

“When I think of our 10 seniors, I have a ton of admiration and respect for each and every one of them. Their process to end up in the orange and blue was not your typical one, and they certainly were walking into a bit of the unknown. They were recruited during the COVID-19 pandemic, mainly through text, call and email, with no in-person interaction or campus visits. Most evaluation was also through either word of mouth or on video, yet they still chose Gettysburg.

“They’ve been through so many ups and downs between a new coaching staff, changes in team culture and processes, injuries, great wins, and tough losses. These student-athletes and their families have stayed the course, been extremely loyal, and I do believe will leave a lasting legacy for us to reference for many years to come. They are selfless, they’ve been great followers in their younger years, and have matured into great leaders as seniors.

“While their path to Gettysburg was not ‘normal,’ collectively through all the change and challenges, they’ve stayed incredibly committed to our mission, goals, and standards and have also made a lasting impact on the Gettysburg community at large, and most importantly their teammates and coaches. I am very excited to watch them lead our team this spring as it certainly looks a lot different than when they stepped foot on campus in the fall of 2021. I am very confident they will leave Gettysburg College and Gettysburg men’s lacrosse better than they found it.”

Gettysburg College faculty and staff are here to support you through your journey. Apply today!