The longtime higher education innovator and industry professional said she’s excited to expand access to EMU Lancaster’s transformative learning opportunities and continue building onto the site’s established presence as a trusted educational partner.

“I want people to recognize that we have a gem here,” Mak said. “I feel like we’re kind of hidden, so let’s shine a spotlight on it.”

EMU Lancaster continues to experience growth in its program enrollment and course offerings. Among its recent successful developments:

• The aviation program welcomed another large cohort of students for the fall 2025 semester. Sky-high demand for the program led to a waitlist for the 2025 cohort.
• The site launched an evening Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) cohort, expanding access for working adults and meeting critical needs of the regional health care workforce.
• The Trauma and Resilience in Educational Environments (TREE) program continues to see enrollment growth and is now a fully online asynchronous graduate certificate program.
• The school introduced a new drone certification course, demonstrating its responsiveness to emerging market demands and professional development opportunities. 

Mak said she looks forward to working with the rest of the EMU Lancaster team and the Lancaster community at large to explore new and meaningful partnerships and new ways of delivering innovative and quality educational programs that are relevant to the workforce and professional development needs of the region.

Prior to her expanded role leading EMU Lancaster, Mak helped strengthen the online programs at EMU, particularly at the graduate level. She collaborated with faculty across campus to implement online education best practices, partnered with the Graduate Recruitment Team to enhance prospective student experiences by streamlining website content and lead collection, and worked with the Advancement Team to establish the Online Education Advisory Committee of EMU Alumni, achieving early successes with industry partnerships. 

Before joining EMU in 2024, she served as managing director of the Global Innovation Partnership Program in the School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems at Drexel University. The program, which she launched, provides valuable remote and in-person educational experiences to students, professionals, and faculty across three continents. 

She holds a doctorate in education with a concentration in higher education leadership and management, a master of science in biomedical engineering, and a bachelor of science in electrical engineering. Each of those degrees is from Drexel University.

Mak has more than 30 years of business executive experience in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, including serving as vice president of commercialization at Helius Medical Technologies and head of strategy of operations for multiple functions at Bristol-Myers Squibb.

She brings a collaborative and student-centered approach to leadership, along with a deep commitment to EMU’s mission and values. “At the end of the day, I chose EMU because of its values,” she said. “I really like the values of peacebuilding, social justice, community service, and serving with compassion. Those values resonated with me.”

A 2010 graduate of EMU’s bachelor of science in nursing program and a lifelong advocate for high-quality health care, Deibert has held leadership and educational positions throughout central Pennsylvania, including director of nursing at Kadima Rehabilitation & Nursing in Lititz and adjunct faculty at Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences. Her clinical expertise spans long-term care, maternity, pediatrics, and neonatal intensive care (NICU), positioning her uniquely to lead and grow EMU’s high-performing nurse aide program.

EMU’s nurse aide program, known for its exceptional student outcomes—including a pass rate of 99% skills, 99% on the written portion of the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Competency Exam—continues to meet growing workforce needs in partnership with over a dozen local health care organizations.

As program coordinator, Deibert will oversee curriculum development, student advising, and clinical partnerships, while shaping the next generation of compassionate and skilled nurse aides. “I’m honored to return to EMU and lead a program that equips students with the knowledge, confidence, and heart to serve,” she said. “I look forward to working alongside our community partners to expand access to health care education and meet the needs of our region.”

For more information about EMU at Lancaster’s nurse aide program, visit:

EMU at Lancaster proudly celebrated the achievements of 45 graduates across its undergraduate and graduate programs at the ceremony, held at Forest Hills Mennonite Church in Leola, Pennsylvania, where it conferred 11 bachelor of science degrees (including six in the aviation program), seven master of arts degrees in education, and 27 graduate certificates.

The Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus, vice president for student affairs, equity, and belonging at EMU, delivered the Commencement address. Dycus, who has spent 15 years working in learning communities and ministry settings, including the past six years at EMU, will begin her role as interim president of the university on July 1. She shared words of celebration and encouragement with the graduates, and recognized how they adapted, stretched, and sacrificed to complete their studies.

“You completed assignments with children on your lap, took exams during night shifts, joined Zoom classes between caregiving and work,” she said. “You have balanced more than books. You have raised families, worked jobs, navigated change, and carried responsibility, all while pursuing a vision that wouldn’t let go. You returned to the classroom not because it was easy, but because it mattered.”

That theme of persistence and perseverance was also expressed by EMU President Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman in her welcome remarks, reflecting on how many graduates—immersed in their coursework during the COVID-19 pandemic—demonstrated remarkable fortitude and resilience, while testing the bonds of what it means to be a supportive community of learners. Huxman, EMU’s first woman president and its first academic president, is retiring this year after nine years at the helm.

Four members of the graduating class provided perspectives from their time at EMU at Lancaster.

Jill Jones, who earned a graduate certificate in trauma and resilience in educational environments, shared how a breast cancer diagnosis and a decision to transition from teaching kindergartners to preschoolers in a Head Start program led her to EMU at Lancaster. She first scrolled past an ad for the graduate program on her Facebook feed, but when it kept appearing—and a friend texted her suggesting she apply—she decided to take a chance.

“What I found was the most amazing learning experience I have ever encountered: classes with students and professors who were as passionate about teaching others about trauma as I was, connections and relationships with people not only from all over the country but also in different countries, and courses that were so interesting I couldn’t wait to learn more and share what I had learned,” she said. “This program not only made me a better teacher but also a better person, and I use what I learned in this program daily in my classroom and life. It breathed back into me my love of teaching, with my only regret being that I didn’t do it sooner.”

A pair of graduates from the aviation program, Griffin Snyder and Ella Hickey, spoke about their commitment as a class to see everyone succeed. Snyder said they’ve not only learned how to operate aircraft but also how to manage pressure, assess risk, and lead with professionalism. He credited the program with cultivating essential skills in discipline, communication, and perseverance. “At EMU Lancaster, it’s not just about earning our certificates and ratings,” he said. “It’s about the community we built along the way. Together, we have celebrated milestones, supported each other through challenges, and pushed one another to be our best.”

Behind every successful pilot is a team, Hickey said, whether it’s instructors, classmates, or the aviation community. “There was never any hesitation if someone needed help, we were there,” she said, describing late-night study sessions and endless phone calls with classmates. “We showed up for each other in a selfless way, balancing our own goals with a genuine commitment to seeing everyone succeed.”

Wesley Morgan, who earned a BS in Leadership and Organizational Management, spoke about the challenge of balancing coursework with other responsibilities. “All of us have full-time jobs, families, and homes to take care of, and chose to add ‘student’ to the many hats we have been wearing over the past two years,” he said, recalling a time writing a paper at the hospital while his wife and newborn were asleep.

He found support through his cohort in the LOM degree completion program. “We all met together weekly, all had the same assignments, and this meant we were all a part of each other’s lives for the two years we were together,” Morgan said. “We were not just classmates, we became friends as we worked together, struggled together, and learned together. It was a privilege to be a part of this program with the cohort we had.”

EMU at Lancaster offers undergraduate and graduate academic programs and professional development programs to help students excel in today’s workforce.

Meghan Shober performed the prelude for the ceremony. Janet Lind, member of the EMU Board of Trustees, led the opening prayer of invocation. Dr. Tynisha Willingham, provost and vice president of academic affairs at EMU, presented and commissioned the graduates. Dr. David Martin, director of graduate teacher education, and Derek Kline, director of the aviation program, distributed diploma covers to the graduates. EMU President Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman conferred the degrees and provided the Commencement blessing. 

Kline’s distinguished career spans over two decades, including service as captain and first officer at both American Airlines and Piedmont Airlines where he operated domestic and international flights under Part 121 Air Carrier operations. His experience encompasses multi-engine, turbine, and jet aircraft, with DHC-8, B-757, B-767, ERJ-170 and ERJ-190 type ratings.

In addition to his extensive flight experience, Kline has served as a flight instructor, chief pilot and ground instructor, ensuring the highest standards in pilot training and safety through curriculum development and pilot performance evaluations. A Central Missouri State University graduate, Kline holds a bachelor of science degree in aviation management.

“We are thrilled to welcome Derek to EMU,” said Dr. Tynisha Willingham, provost and vice president of academic affairs at EMU. “His extensive experience in commercial aviation and his passion for mentoring future pilots aligns perfectly with our mission to prepare students for successful careers in aviation. Under his leadership, EMU’s aviation program will continue to grow and provide top-tier education for aspiring pilots.”

EMU’s aviation program has seen significant growth since it launched in 2018 with five students. The program added 24 new students in fall 2024, bringing total enrollment to 46. A total of twenty students have graduated from the program, and six more are set to graduate in May. Demand for the program remains high, with a waitlist for the 2025 cohort.

“I am truly honored to be the new director of aviation at ��ݮ����,” Kline said. “I was drawn to the incredible growth of the program and the unwavering commitment to providing students with the knowledge to excel in aviation.”

About ��ݮ����’s Aviation Program

��ݮ���� (EMU) established its aviation program in 2018, offering a bachelor’s degree in Leadership and Organizational Management (LOM) with a concentration in aviation focusing on professional flight training. In partnership with Aero-Tech Services, Inc., EMU provides a comprehensive pathway for pilot education that equips students with exceptional training and career opportunities in commercial aviation and private charter operations.

As a Part 141 collegiate aviation program, EMU has a reduced requirement for the Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, allowing graduates to qualify for the ATP with just 1,000 flight hours. Students earn their Private, Instrument, and Commercial Certificates, including a multi-engine rating and their Flight Instructor Certificates.

EMU at Lancaster celebrated the accomplishments of its graduates at a Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 10, 2024, at Forest Hills Mennonite Church in Leola, Pennsylvania. Walking in the ceremony were 21 undergraduates and 7 graduate students.

Commencement address

EMU Provost Dr. Tynisha Willingham delivered the Commencement address.

During one particularly challenging semester in her sophomore year at Pennsylvania State University, Willingham felt like giving up. The first-generation college grad struggled to balance two jobs, her responsibilities as a Resident Assistant and an 18-credit course load. She called home to tell her family how difficult things were and that she felt like returning home.

Her grandfather picked up the phone and told her, “I want you to remember, we’re so proud of you. Keep working hard,” Willingham recounted in her address. And, in that moment, she said, she could not find the words to tell him how overwhelmed she was or how she wanted to give up.

“For some of you, you’ve had those moments where you wanted to call it quits, where you wanted to send that text or make that call because it was hard, but you persevered nonetheless,” Willingham told the graduates. “I want you to know that, whether it was two years or four years, those long nights and early mornings were well worth it.”

Graduate speakers

Three graduates shared experiences from their journeys at EMU at Lancaster.

Erica Gordon, a graduate of the Leadership and Organizational Management (LOM) program, described a group activity during the final night of her Team Dynamics course. Tasked with finding an object and telling the rest of the group why it was important to her, Gordon shared a photo from her daughter’s wedding. She held back tears as she recounted telling the group that “completing this degree wasn’t just for me, but it was to show my daughters they could do it, too.”

“For far too long, I believed I wasn’t smart enough to be where I am tonight,” she told her fellow graduates. “After class that night, I received many encouraging texts that helped carry me through that program. It meant the world to me that they believed in me.”

Julie Landis, an MA in education graduate, said that when first starting out on their journeys, the path ahead seemed exciting and daunting. Together, they faced challenges and triumphs, moments of doubt and confidence-boosting successes. She left her fellow education graduates with words of encouragement.

“Remember why you chose this path,” she said. “Whether it was a deep-seated passion for shaping young minds, a desire to make a positive impact on society, or a commitment to lifelong learning, hold on to that purpose. Let it be your guide on the challenging days and a source of inspiration on the victorious ones.”

Samr Morcos, a graduate of the aviation program, reflected on the bonds formed with his classmates and expressed gratitude for the flight instructors who guided them and inspired them to reach new heights. He encouraged the graduates to carry forward the lessons of adaptability, resilience and effective communication they’ve learned at EMU. He said the aviation program has not only equipped them with knowledge, but also with the practical skills needed to lead and thrive in a dynamic environment.

“As we spread our wings on our individual journeys, let us remember that the sky is not the limit, it’s just the beginning,” he said.

Tribute to Capt. Clemmensen

The ceremony featured a tribute to Capt. Karl Clemmensen, an EMU aviation instructor who passed away suddenly on April 11, 2024. Clemmensen began serving as an aviation instructor at EMU at Lancaster in 2021. You can read his obituary . Aviation student Will Stover read the tribute.

Clemmensen was a driving force behind the excellence of the aviation program, nurturing its growth and maturity, Stover said. As a dedicated faculty member, he imparted his expertise in meteorology, aviation safety and air transport advanced subjects while also serving as an aviation industry liaison.

“Capt. Karl leaves behind a legacy of passion, dedication, and a lasting impact on our aviation community,” Stover said. “Though he may be gone, his spirit will forever soar among us.”

Other highlights

EMU President Dr. Susan Schultz Huxman presented welcoming remarks and the conferring of degrees. Shannon Dycus, vice president of student affairs and dean of students at EMU, presented the graduates and provided the Commencement blessing. Dr. Christine Sharp, Dr. Daniel Lebo, David Martin and John Sibole assisted with the presentation of graduates. EMU Board of Trustees members Janet Lind and James Rosenberger were in attendance.

EMU at Lancaster offers undergraduate and graduate academic programs tailored to the needs of its nonresidential and post-traditional learners. The school collaborates closely with local civic and business organizations to ensure that its curriculum aligns with the evolving educational and workforce landscape.

It will relocate to a state-of-the-art facility at the Listrak building in Lititz, Pennsylvania, in July. Read more about that move here.

The university will occupy a 15,000-square-foot space on the second floor of 100 West Millport Road in Warwick Township, which is owned and occupied by eCommerce tech company . EMU at Lancaster executed a multi-year lease and plans to perform some minor upgrades to property infrastructure, IT and communications capabilities. Deepa M. Balepur, co-founding principal for Compass Real Estate, LLC. brokered the transaction.

The new location will provide state-of-the-art facilities for learning with classrooms, a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training laboratory, designated student advisory areas, a cafeteria and coffee bar, ample parking, and outdoor space. In addition to Listrak, EMU will join current building tenants , an event venue, and pediatric physical therapy facility .

According to Listrak CEO Ross Kramer, the company now has employees in more than 40 states and has embraced a hybrid work model, prompting the decision to bring in outside tenants.

“Like many commercial landlords, we have reevaluated our physical properties and have determined that we do not need the entire 93,000 square feet of our headquarters building,” said Kramer. “As strong supporters of STEM education, we felt that EMU at Lancaster would be a great fit and believe the new space will provide a learning environment conducive to students’ academic and professional growth.”

EMU at Lancaster has been located at its present location for almost 28 years. The new location offers convenient access to Lancaster Airport, flight training partner , and a growing network of partnerships with long-term care facilities in the region. The school offers a CNA program and a Bachelor of Science in Leadership and Organizational Management (LOM) with an aviation concentration. Drone technology education will be added to the program in 2024.

EMU at Lancaster provides a range of online degree and certificate programs, including a Master of Arts in Education degree with a nationally-recognized certificate in trauma and resilience and several other areas of specialization. Additionally, students who have taken courses from a technical, community, or four-year college can transfer those credits into the LOM Bachelor of Science degree completion program.

“The needs of today’s workforce are constantly changing,” said Dr. Christine A. Sharp, executive director at EMU at Lancaster. “EMU is committed to providing post-secondary education and professional development training that offers students a competitive advantage. Our mission is to ensure that those who complete our programs are well-prepared to make valuable contributions to the workforce and communities.”

About ��ݮ����

EMU at Lancaster offers undergraduate and graduate academic programs that serve the needs of non-residential students, including post-traditional adult learners. EMU at Lancaster works closely with local civic and business organizations to ensure that our programs of study meet educational and workforce development needs in our communities. EMU at Lancaster encourages students, faculty, and staff to live their faith and values through service to others, peacemaking, cross-cultural engagement, and sustainability. The EMU main campus, offering undergraduate, graduate, and seminary degrees, is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

About Listrak Inc.

Listrak delivers results for over 1,000 retailers and brands by providing best-in-class email, text message marketing, identity resolution marketing, and push notifications through seamless cross-channel orchestration. Listrak’s data-first approach delivers 1:1 personalization at scale so messages can be sent at precisely the right time across the right combination of channels and devices to maximize customer engagement, revenue, and lifetime value.

Learn more about the STEP program and EMS at: www.emu.edu/lancaster/seminary/step