Towson Reception

History of SpartaNation

SpartaNation had it’s first journey in 2009 with the intent of being a one-time journey to 16 cities in 21 days. But in 2013, SpartaNation made an amazing comeback with “The Presidential Tour” to celebrate York College’s new president Dr. Pamela Gunter-Smith.

Since 2013, SpartaNation has been an annual event connecting alumni, students, parents, and friends in our seven regional networks:

• Long Island, NY
• New York City
• Central New Jersey
• Valley Forge, PA
• Washington, D.C.
• Towson, MD
• Downtown York, PA

About the Featured Speaker

Joseph Merkle
Vice President, Student Affairs

Vice President Merkle has been part of the York College community for 31 years, joining our campus as the Dean of Student Affairs in 1986. As the head of the Division of Student Affairs, he is responsible for building, leading, and supervising all facets of Student Activities, Orientation, Residence Life, Counseling and Health Services, Athletics, and Intercultural Student Life. Over the course of his more than 30 years as vice president, Mekle has spearheaded and led the Division of Student Affairs through an incredible period of tremendous growth and development to increase the quality of student life at York College.

Prior to joining York College, Merkle’s career in higher education incudes experience at the University of South Florida, University of Tennessee, and Shippensburg University.

Merkle is a native of New Jersey and is a former college athlete and swim coach.

Follow Us on Social Media

Use #YCPRoadCrew and #SpartaNation to follow us on our journey! Throughout January, our students on the #YCPRoadCrew will be taking to social media to share exciting moments from the tour.

From behind-the-scene looks and live tweeting advice from our alumni during site visits to sharing stories of inspiring York College Spartans they meet at receptions, the #YCPRoadCrew will be keeping you updated on everything SpartaNation during January.

Make sure to click below to follow and like the York College Alumni Association pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay informed!

Alumni Site Visits

Between the networking receptions, the #YCPRoadCrew makes several pit stops to visit our alumni at their places of work. These site visits are designed to allow our students to see the York College education in action.

Alumni who host site visits accomplish four things when hosting the #YCPRoadCrew:

1. Discuss an overview of their company and the day-to-day responsibilities of their position (which may include a tour of the company)
2. Share their York College experience and how it contributed to their success in the real world
3. Give advice to our students on topics like preparing for graduation, finding the right internship or job, and networking successfully
4. Embody and portray the Spartan for Life motto

Site visits also allow us to discover new internship, mentorship, and job placement opportunities for students and the Career Development Center.

This year, the #YCPRoadCrew will be visiting the following companies:

• NBC Universal Media, LLC (Englewood Cliffs, NJ)
• Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts (New York City)
• The TODAY Show (New York City)
• Bronx Zoo (Bronx, NY)
• PeopleDoc (New York City)
• Wyndham Worldwide Hotel Group (Parsippany, NJ)
• Philadelphia 76ers (Philadelphia, PA)
• QVC Studio Park (West Chester, PA)
• Office of Civil Rights, US Department of Education (Washington, D.C.)
• The York Water Company (York, PA)

Campus Partners

The SpartaNation tour couldn't be possible without the contributions and support of our partners across campus. Throughout January's tour, we are able to connect alumni, current students, prospective students, parents, and friends to acknowledge and celebrate each person's connection to York College.

Thank you to our colleagues in: