After 25 years of service to Penn State Wilkes-Barre, Ina Lubin, continuing education director, has retired from the University. "It has been an honor for me to work for Penn State. I have always taken my role very seriously and as a representative of an internationally known university, I've always tried to put forth my best efforts to represent it well," said Lubin. "From the time I was a young girl, I wanted to teach, to help others experience the excitement of learning. As a school teacher in Philadelphia, my dream of educating young children to read, write, calculate, and think came to life."
Lubin began her career with Penn State in 1983, and through 2008 handled various leadership roles and administrative responsibilities related to continuing education. She has served in her current role as the regional director for continuing education since 1992; leading a department responsible for the recruitment and retention of adult students, the development of educational programs for organizations, and educational activities for professional groups. A career highlight came in 1991, when she developed a successful off-campus computer training curriculum for nearly 3,000 Proctor and Gamble employees. Lubin says, "My job in continuing education has given me the opportunity to use the power of education to transform lives. Helping others to grow and develop has given my professional life great meaning. Even as I move on, I suspect whatever new opportunities come my way, I'll be attracted to those that allow me to engage in the education of others."
As a former president of the Visiting Nurses Association, Lubin has served on many boards of directors including: The United Way, Leadership Wilkes-Barre and the Jewish Family Service organization. She has also been recognized for her commitment to community service. In 1995, she received the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Hayfield Award for Outstanding Community Service and then two-years later, she was honored by the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce with the prestigious Athena Award. "All of the awards could not surpass my biggest achievement of raising three children and balancing life and work," said Lubin.
Lubin, who is a long time resident of Kingston, earned a bachelor of arts degree in education from Michigan State and a master's degree in public administration from Marywood University. Post-retirement plans include education-related consulting, human service agency volunteer work, and spending more time with her four grandchildren.
