York College of PA President Pamela Gunter-Smith, YCEA President and alumnus Kevin Schreiber to offer remarks at May 13 commencement exercises

York College of Pennsylvania President Pamela Gunter-Smith will deliver her final commencement remarks during this year’s exercises, which will begin at 10:15 a.m., May 13, under the tent on Main Campus. 

President and CEO of the York County Economic Alliance Kevin Schreiber, a 2002 graduate of the College, will join her at the podium to offer the keynote address and receive the John Andrews Award. The award is presented by the Board of Trustees to individuals who have conducted distinguished careers, made meaningful contributions to the community, and have manifested strong support for the purposes and progress of York College.

Senior class president Jalil Dixon of Philadelphia will speak as well.

The event will be livestreamed. Additional information is available at www.ycp.edu/commencement.

Dr. Pamela Gunter-Smith began serving as president of York College on July 1, 2013. She will retire on July 1. During her 10-year tenure, she enhanced the academic program and the College’s relationship with the local community.

Academic programs were strengthened through the creation of the College’s current five-school structure and online offerings, as well as the infusion of the curriculum with high-impact practices such as project- and community-based learning courses. Gunter-Smith’s focus on academic entrepreneurship and innovation culminated in the creation of the Graham Center for Collaborative Innovation and the soon-to-be-completed York College Knowledge Park, a learning laboratory that will enhance opportunities for students and faculty to interact with local businesses and organizations.

With the opening of the Center for Community Engagement and Marketview Arts in downtown York, Gunter-Smith created a strong connection to York City. Through these downtown facilities, she planted the College’s flag in the community and made a commitment to enhance it through strong ties and mutually beneficial initiatives. Students enjoy many experiential learning opportunities through partnerships within the York community that benefit both the College and local residents and businesses.

Gunter-Smith launched the College’s first comprehensive campaign, EVOLVE: A Campaign for York College, to fund strategic initiatives including support for scholarships that ensure a high-quality education remains accessible. EVOLVE closed in December 2022, having surpassed two goals to raise nearly $92 million.

Unlike any of her predecessors, Gunter-Smith led York College through COVID-19. At the start, she led the transition from in-person learning to virtual learning. Then, in Fall 2020, she welcomed students back to campus with a continued focus on the student experience and institutional sustainability. York College’s campus and facilities remained open and learning continued throughout the pandemic.

Prior to joining the YCEA, Kevin Schreiber served two terms as state representative for the 95th Legislative District in York City. He earned a bachelor's degree in public relations from York College and a master's degree in public administration from Penn State University. Upon graduating from York College, Schreiber secured a position as the City of York’s Community and Economic Development Director, where he was instrumental in working with York College officials to secure state funding to repurpose a former Schmidt Ault warehouse to create Kings Mill Depot, home of the J.D. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship.

In his five years at the YCEA, he has led the launch of the BLOOM Business Empowerment Center to provide small businesses education, resources and capital; worked with partners to develop the 10-year York County Economic Action Plan focused on economic equity in our City and County; advanced projects such as the redevelopment of the Yorktowne Hotel and Ballpark Commons; and ushered a successful strategic affiliation with Downtown Inc to strengthen both the city and county. His leadership of the Codorus Greenway has paved the way for York College’s Knowledge Park, a catalyst for city-wide transformation over the next 10 years.

In addition to his leadership of the YCEA, Schreiber is passionate about early childhood education, serving on the board of directors for York Day Nursery, and previously on the Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission. He is an active board member of Traditions Bank, United Way Board (served as Campaign Cabinet Co-chair for the 100^th year), and MANTEC.

In his time serving in the House, Schreiber created a college advisory council and utilized input from York College students as a sounding board for higher education-related policy issues. He is a member of the YCP Spartan Caucus, whose members are York College alumni and friends working in and around Pennsylvania government, including legislators, lobbyists, staff, and advisors who meet with York College experts on timely, relevant public policy subjects during the legislative session.

Schreiber served as the alumni keynote speaker during Convocation, a 2019 #SpartaNation site visit location, York College Community Opportunity Scholarship Program (YCCOSP) Board Member, Developing Leaders Seminar speaker, and YCP Day of Giving Social Media Ambassador.

Jalil Dixon of Philadelphia will earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Professional Writing, with minors in Creative Writing and French.

He has served as a Resident Assistant and Writing Center Peer Tutor, as well as president of the YCP Ski and Outdoor Club. He is also a member of the Alpha Zeta Chapter of the Phi Sigma Pi National Honors Fraternity and the Student Alumni Council.

Dixon served as an editorial intern with the York College-produced publication “Young Scholars in Writing” and as a Project Manager Intern at Four Squares Development. He is a four-time prize winner in the Bob Hoffman Creative Writing Contest.