Onward State has learned that Allie Goldstein, a second-year Ph.D student, will replace Peter Khoury as the student trustee after an appointment by Governor Tom Corbett. Pending State Senate approval, Goldstein will be sworn in at the July Board of Trustees meeting at Penn State Schuylkill. Corbett confirmed his nomination through a press release this afternoon.

“Allie is a dedicated student and civic minded leader who will proudly represent the interests of her fellow students on the Board of Trustees,” Corbett said. “She brings a student-centered focus that is essential in her new role.”

Goldstein is studying higher education at Penn State. For the past two years, she’s worked as a graduate assistant in the field of education policy studies. She received her master’s degree in post-secondary educational leadership from San Diego State University in 2012 and bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Buffalo in 2010.

While at San Diego State, Goldstein was a graduate assistant for student life and leadership. She served as the chairperson to the National Association of College and University Residence Halls Incorporated Inc., an organization composed of more than 400 colleges and universities across the country.

She was the regional director of the North East Affiliate of NACURH Inc. as an undergraduate. She was also a member of Mortar Board national honor society.

Goldstein replaces Khoury, whose term will officially end this November (he may step down early to make room for Goldstein). Although the position of student trustee is not required under the Penn State Charter, which outlines the Board’s duties, or the Board’s bylaws, a student has been appointed by Pennsylvania’s governor as a tradition since the 1970s.

Penn State’s three student governments formed a partnership this year to codify a permanent student-selected trustee. The student government representatives pushed for a stipulation that would take the student trustee selection process out of the hands of the governor and put it into the hands of students, although that resolution was tabled at the May meeting. A committee of student representatives interviewed candidates during the spring semester and submitted their recommendations for appointment to the governor. In the press release, CCSG President John Shaffer and GSA President Danielle Rhubart confirmed Goldstein was the student selection committee’s choice for student trustee.

“I am glad to hear that the candidate chosen by the student selection committee will be nominated by Governor Corbett,” Rhubart said. “This is an exciting day for Penn State students. We look forward to working ahead to codify the student selection process for future student trustees.”

Congratulations to Goldstein on her appointment. We look forward to seeing all she accomplishes as the student trustee.