As you see below, the Executive Council of the Pennsylvania State Modern Language Association has many committees. We are always looking for more people to assist. If you feel you are able to volunteer your services in any of the following areas, please contact us by sending an email to a committee chair or click below.
Advocacy
Develops and supports initiatives that advocate for language teaching and learning and keeps members informed about programs or legislation impacting the profession.
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- Chair: Cherie Garrett
- Officer Liaison: Cherie Garrett
- Members: Raquel Lodeiro, Shan Callaghan, Mariana Makoon-Singh, Charlene Bigelow, Jennifer Gipe
Awards
Promotes awards, coordinates the selection process, and recognizes recipients.
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- Chair: Mike Bogdan
- Officer Liaison: Mike Bogdan
- Members: Katy Geare, Lucía Osa-Melero, Mariana Makoon-Singh, Richard Huy
Communications
Ensures that members are informed of PSMLA’s initiatives through various communication channels and collaborates with other committees to enhance this outreach.
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- Chair: Katy Geare
- Officer Liaison: Cindy Bailey
- Members: Nate Campbell, Christina Huhn, Susanne Nimmrichter, Kaytlyn Byers, Richard Huy
Conference
Plans and executes the annual conference and provides guidance to future conference committees.
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- 2026 Co-Chairs: Mike Bogdan & Megan Flinchbaugh
- Conference Coordinator: Ashley Hertzog
Finance
Oversees the financial operations and health of the organization and reviews matters with budgetary implications.
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- Co-chairs: Traci DeGarmo & Cherie Garrett
- Members: Mike Bogdan, Megan Flinchbaugh, Cindy Bailey, Ashley Hertzog
Membership
Develops and implements strategies to increase and retain PSMLA membership across all constituent groups.
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- Chair: Kaytlyn Byers
- Officer Liaison: Traci DeGarmo
- Committee: Raquel Lodeiro, Shan Callaghan, Cindy Bailey, Melissa Toncini, Jennifer Gipe
Nominations
Solicits nominations for vacant Executive Council positions and oversees the election process, onboarding, and mentoring of new council members.
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- Chair: Megan Flinchbaugh
- Consultant: Isabel Espino de Valdivia
- Members: Cherie Garrett, Charlene Bigelow
Professional Development
Organizes professional development opportunities for PSMLA members and supports the efforts of other world language organizations.
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- Chair: Jen Campbell
- Officer Liaison: Megan Flinchbaugh
- Members: Lucía Osa-Melero, Traci DeGarmo, Melissa Toncini
In addition to serving on committees, dedicated members also coordinate key PSMLA initiatives and represent PSMLA in partner organizations.
Coordinators
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- Act 48: Mary Wells
- Global Scholars: Rochele Reitlinger
- Historian: Gabriela Appel
- News Updates: Nate Campbell
- PA Language Forum Editors: Nate Campbell & Christina Huhn
- Peer Mentoring Program: Heather Dravk
- PEP: Mina Levenson & Isabel Espino de Valdivia
- Seal of Biliteracy: Cherie Garrett
- Webmaster: Susanne Nimmrichter
Representatives to Partner Organizations
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- ACTFL: Mike Bogdan
- JNCL-NCLIS: Cherie Garrett
- NCSSFL: Cherie Garrett
- NECTFL: Jennifer Campbell
Early Career Representative: Mariana Makoon-Singh
