News

University Park, Pa. – Antone Aboud, director of online programs and professor of practice at the School of Labor and Employment Relations, has been named as the winner of the 2019 Shirley Hendrick Award, presented by the Penn State Commission for Adult Learners for service to adult learners at the Faculty/Staff Awards reception on Tuesday, April 2. 

The Shirley Hendrick Award recognizes an administrator University-wide whose visionary accomplishments have contributed significantly to foster and increase Penn State’s efforts to serve the adult learner. The award is named in memory of Shirley Hendrick (1936-2000), the first recipient, dean for continuing education in the Smeal College of Business, and inaugural chair of the Commission for Adult Learners, who advocated for continuing education. 

Aboud, who has served in his role at Penn State since 2013 and oversees three of the largest online programs at the University, has created embedded travel courses which were not previously available to online students as well as organized onsite visits so students have the ability to learn from directly from leaders in the field. Both are rare opportunities for many adult learners.  

Colleagues say Aboud’s strength lies in his dedication to students. They say he’s always thinking of ways to strengthen their Penn State experience. 

He’s also created opportunities for faculty members to strengthen their education of adult-learners and he routinely meets with leadership teams to address challenges and offers training for faculty members.

Brian Redmond, online senior lecturer and lead faculty for the Organizational Leadership (OLEAD) program at LER, submitted the nomination for Aboud. “In [his] roles he has shaped strategic efforts to improve to programs and provide the best overall experience for our over 1,500 students, almost all of whom are adult learners.” Redmond stated. “He aided students in the creation of the first virtual chapter of the Labor and Employment Relations Association as well as a chapter of Society of Human Resources Management. But most impressively of all is his ability to accomplish these efforts in a personable way that help our often isolated students.”