Staff

Lawrence J. Wess

Executive Director

Dr. Lawrence Wess begins the honor of appointment as Executive Director of the Pennsylvania School Study Council for 2011 to 2014. A new resident of Centre County, Dr. Wess has been a life-long educator in PA spending 22 years as the middle school principal, curriculum director and superintendent for schools in Cambria County. A product of Penn State’s second Wednesday Program, leading to an Ed.D degree, Larry also holds a B.S. from St, Francis University.

Dr. Wess is married to his wife, Carol, for 33 years and they have two sons that are also proud graduates of Penn State.

Since his retirement from public education, Larry has remained connected to education with adjunct work for Penn State and St. Francis, with facilitating Inspired Leadership professional development through PDE, with mentoring new administrators through the Pennsylvania Principal Mentoring Network, and with consulting work for intermediate units. Dr. Wess remains connected to Penn State as President for the College of Education Alumni Council and holds a two year appointment to the Penn State Alumni Association Council .

The Pennsylvania School Study Council is in its 64th year at Penn State and will continue to serve members in current and future challenges through providing research information, professional development and technical assistance. You are invited to contact Larry Wess at 814-865-2239 or ljw11@psu.edu.

Sue Tighe

Assistant to the Executive Director

Sue joined the PSSC in July of 2010. She has been involved with child development research and elementary education for 20 years.   Sue manages the daily operations of the PSSC.  If you have questions/concerns/suggestions please feel free contact her at sjt11@psu.edu

Jing Liu

Project Director

Jing Liu joined the PSSC in the fall of 2012.  Jing serves as the Editor of our peer-reviewed journal, the Beacon and the Perspectives newsletter. Jing completed her Masters work at the Beijing Normal University in China with a M.A. in Educational Administration. Jing is a Ph. D candidate in Penn State’s Educational Leadership and Comparative & International Education programs. She is also a member in the Student Board of American Journal of Education (AJE). Her research interests are evaluation, teacher/principal professional development and education equity.  Jing can be contacted at jol5357@psu.edu.