Forbes Adds Penn State Shenango Athletic Director to Prestigious List

SHARON, Pa. – Penn State Shenango Athletic Director Amanda Howett was named to Forbes’ 2022 “30 Under 30” list.

She has expanded the athletic department from two teams to a bigger swath of opportunities for student-athletes at this western Pennsylvania institution.

Prior to Penn State Shenango, Howett served at Slippery Rock University, Allegheny College and West Virginia University – coordinating athletic recreational programming, managing team travel and practice, overseeing gameday workers, serving as a career coach, and coordinating special events for prospective students, alumni and donors. 

“Finding this position was a dream,” said Howett, who joined the school earlier this year. “There was amazing support from the campus, alumni society, and the community that have made our rapid expansion possible.”

After the launch of the men’s basketball and women’s basketball a few years ago, women’s basketball was introduced this season thanks to a kickstart of $20,000 from the Shenango Alumni Society as the athletic program was emerging from the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We were so fortunate to have dedicated staff step up during that difficult period,” says campus director Jo Anne Carrick. “Hiring Amanda brought renewed stability and structure to the department. She joined us at just the right time.” 

Thanks to community donations matched by the Community Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio of $12,778, a co-ed golf team starts in the fall of 2022. 

Shenango is a member of the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference with the other 13 branch campuses – sponsoring baseball, softball, women’s volleyball, men’s golf, men’s and women’s cross country, basketball and soccer.

“These leaders and community pillars are now researching additional programming opportunities,” Howett says. “There’s a lot to consider, but the partnerships and Penn State pride are strong. We’re hoping to add a turf sport in the coming years to give students a variety of experiences to participate in.”

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.