Office of the University Secretary Staff

Leslie Laird Kruhly
Secretary of the University
kruhly@upenn.edu

Ensures the continuity of strong volunteer leadership of the University. Manages Trustee Affairs, Overseer Affairs and University Council. Directs key institutional and ceremonial programs including Commencement, Convocation and Inauguration. Manages the selection of honorary degree recipients and issues diplomas. Maintains custody of the University seal and regulates the use of Penn's name, trademarks and insignia.

Eric Kaplan
Associate Secretary
ejk@upenn.edu

Is the principal deputy of the University Secretary.  Responsible to the Secretary for programs and activities relative to the Trustees, Overseers, Commencement, Convocation, and other academic ceremonies and events coordinated by the Office. Is the main liaison for the Office of the Secretary to Penn Medicine and its Boards, as well as to University Council.

Brenda Brand
Associate Director for University Council and Ceremony
nbrand@upenn.edu

Handles all aspects of University Council and serves as a point person for University ceremonies, such as Commencement and Convocation. Works with various University and Trustee Committees, including the Proxy Subcommittee of the Trustees and the Social Responsibility Advisory Committee.

 

Sydney de Lapeyrouse
Administrative Coordinator for Recruitment and External Relations
ldelap@upenn.edu

Provides support for Trustee and various University and Trustee Committee meetings. Serves as a contact point for Trustee communications and coordinates meeting attendance.

 

Joseph Gasiewski
Administrative Coordinator for Operations and Technology
fgi@upenn.edu

Provides technical and logistical support for the office; including maintaining the office website, updating office and University records, and staffing for Trustee and University functions.

 

Alison McGhie
Director of Operations and Technology
amcghie@upenn.edu

Oversees Trustee communications and meetings, daily operations of the office, Commencement related activities, diploma production and Use of Name requests.

 

Scott Reynolds
Director of Boards for Recruitment and External Relations
scottrey@upenn.edu

Responsible for identification, cultivation, and placement of volunteer leadership at Penn. Works closely with Penn's Development and Alumni Relations Department to identify potential leaders who might serve on School and Center advisory boards.

 

Lynne Sniffen
Executive Assistant
sniffen@upenn.edu

Supports the work of the Secretary of the University. Maintains the Secretary’s calendar, travel, and correspondence. Supports the Honorary Degrees Committee. Serves as a contact point for inquiries and requests from Penn administrators, Trustees, Overseers and others.

 

Kimberly Wing
Administrative Coordinator
kwing@upenn.edu

Responds to inquiries, supervises student workers, coordinates Penn’s delegates to inaugurations and handles incoming mail to ensure the proper response.

 

Diploma Coordinator
seccoor@exchange.upenn.edu

Orders and distributes all diplomas for all schools for the 3 yearly graduation cycles -- August, December and May. Provides Letters of Certification, Certified Translations and Apostille Information. Holds all diplomas that are on a Financial or other Graduation Hold until the obligations for release are met.