Jonathan A. Kukta

Jonathan Kukta serves in a dual role as the Director of Strategic Initiatives in the Office of the Senior Vice President for Finance and Business/Treasurer. In this capacity, he coordinates training, development, engagement events, DEIB programs, special projects, strategic planning, and communication for the 7,300 employees in Finance and Business. In addition, he also serves as the Senior Director of Regional Campus Relations in the Office of the Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses, providing operational support to Penn State Berks, DuBois, Hazleton, Schuylkill, Scranton, and Wilkes-Barre. In this role, he collaborates with the chancellors on strategic and master campus planning, administration, space management, facility planning, and government and community relations.

Before this role, Jonathan served as the Director of Business Services and Operations at Penn State Schuylkill, where he was responsible for facilities, operations, information technology, telecommunications, risk management, sustainability, emergency management, conference services, real estate, events, community outreach, local government relations, and acted as the liaison to University Police and Public Safety (UPPS), Housing and Food Services (HFS), and Barnes & Noble.

Jonathan joined Penn State in 2002 as Assistant Director at Penn State Berks. In 2007, he became the Director of Housing and Food Services for Penn State Hazleton, Schuylkill, Wilkes-Barre, and Scranton. In 2017, he assumed the Director of Housing and Food Services position at Penn State Berks, Schuylkill, and Lehigh Valley. In 2021, he was appointed Director of Business Services and Operations at Penn State Schuylkill.

Jonathan has also served as an adjunct faculty member since 2008, teaching courses in Human Resources, Marketing, and Hospitality Facility Operations and Design. He has also served as a guest writer for On-Campus Hospitality Magazine.

Kukta holds a Master of Business Administration from Alvernia University and a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from Penn State University. He is also a Certified Auxiliary Service Professional (CASP).

Jonathan has been involved with the National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS) for twenty years and currently serves as the President of the East Region on the Board of Directors. In 2020, he was awarded the association's Rising Star Award, which represents 250 colleges and universities across thirteen U.S. states and Canada. At Penn State, Kukta has received several accolades, including the 2011 Finance and Business Quality Service/Quality People Leadership Award, the 2013 Finance and Business Quality Service/Quality People Coaching and Mentoring Award, the 2015 Penn State Hazleton Student Government Association Service to Student Award, the 2017 HFS William H. Reiber Outstanding Management Award, and the 2017 Penn State Schuylkill Outstanding Alum Award.

In his community, Kukta serves on the Orwigsburg Planning and Zoning Board, the Greater Schuylkill Haven Area Business Association, Schuylkill Haven Unified, and volunteers at the Orwigsburg Public Library.