Honoring Faculty Members Promoted in Academic Rank

Nancy Pipkin-Hutchinson

Music, Theatre, and Dance

I consider myself a lifelong learner, a human filled with curiosity, creativity, multiple interests, and joy. My parents gifted me from their experiences as first-generation students, they were encouraged and pushed by their parents who recognized educational opportunities available to their children that hadn't been open to them. I was exposed to a wide variety of experiences in living life. I as an audience member went to theatre, symphonies, ballet, opera, and museums. We traveled and I was exposed to different foods, people, and cultures. Education was emphasized as important, but the doing and living of life held equal weight. I am grateful to all my teachers, professors, and mentors who willingly taught, guided, shared, and inspired me along the way. As a costumer, I demonstrate daily that "no learning is ever wasted" since I incorporate history, chemistry, mathematics, physics, sociology, art, psychology, and, yes, sewing in my creation of the garments worn by characters on stage.  

In my time at IUP, I have gravitated towards taking workshops, developing programs, and serving on committees where the end goal is student success. The Difficult Dialogue Project, Green Dot, the Haven Project, IUP's Food Pantry, the Mediation Program, DEI work, serving on the Senate and subcommittees, and partnering with the Crimson Clothing Closet all help to look at the challenges our students face and give us tools to help them develop into whole human beings. In my teaching, I give students some of the individual puzzle pieces of knowledge and encourage them to synthesize, digest, and create their own picture. Education is an equal partnership between teacher and student, both sides need to show up and participate.  

My superpower springs from growing up as a duo culture kid. I remember Thanksgiving dinners my parents hosted, folding tables in the living room, visitors welcomed at our tables from all six continents. That care and kindness is their legacy. I work to follow in their footsteps.