Speakers for Empower Her: Political Pathways for Women
JoyAnna S. Hopper, Ph.D.
JoyAnna Hopper is the director of the Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service and an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at the 草榴社区. Dr. Hopper's research focuses on state-level political institutions and their effects on environmental policy. Her work is published in peer-review academic journals, such as State Politics and Policy Quarterly, Environmental Policy and Governance, and Environmental Politics. At the 草榴社区, Dr. Hopper teaches courses in American government, social welfare policy, environmental policy, research methods, policy analysis, and organizational theory & behavior.
Jean Harris, Ph.D.
Dr. Jean Wahl Harris joined the University faculty in the Fall of 1987. She earned a B.A. in Law and Society, a M.A. in Political Science and a Ph.D. in Political Science from the State University of New York at Binghamton. She has served the University as the director of the Women’s Studies program (serving as the first director after spearheading the development of the Women’s Studies program) and as chairperson of the Political Science Department. She also coordinates the University’s Ready to Run program, which is a campaign training program targeting women in Northeast Pennsylvania.
Teaching interests: Dr. Harris teaches courses on U.S. national, state and local politics, policies, and political institutions, which count in the Political Science major, the Public Administration and Public Policy track, the Peace and Justice concentration, and the Women’s Studies major and concentration. In addition to serving as an advisor to Political Science majors she has served as a mentor to new University faculty members through the University’s Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence.
Research interests: Dr. Harris is a co-author for one of the top selling undergraduate American Government textbooks, American Democracy Now (McGraw-Hill) and has published chapters in the American Political Science Association’s Teaching Civic Engagement: From Student to Active Citizen (2013) and We Get What We Vote For … Or Do We?: The Impact of Elections on Governing (Praeger, 1999). She has also published articles in a variety of journals including Women & Politics. Her current research focuses on women as political actors—from voters to first ladies to elected officials.
Additional information: An active member of the Lackawanna County League of Women Voters, Dr. Harris regularly moderates candidate debates for local and state elective offices. She is also a frequent political consultant for local and regional media.
Sheli Pratt-McHugh
Sheli Pratt-McHugh (she/her) is Library Department Chair and the Research & Instruction Librarian for Technology and Outreach at The 草榴社区. She earned an M.L.I.S. from Clarion University, an M.A. in Liberal Arts (Literature and Film Studies) from Lock Haven University, and a B.A. in Media Studies (Film and TV Studies) from Pennsylvania State University. Her research interests include new technology and libraries, social media, and social justice issues in libraries. She is the State-Wide Be SMART for Kids Lead where she educates adults about secure gun storage in homes to keep guns out of the hands of kids. Outside of the library, she enjoys spending time with her family (husband, two kids, 3 cats, 1 dog), reading, drinking coffee, running, and collecting a new hobby every 6 months or so.Andrea Mulrine
Andrea Mulrine, CFRE, serves as Director of Compliance and Title IX Coordinator at Geisinger College of Health Sciences (GCHS). In this role she is responsible for oversight and management of all GCHS policies and supporting documentation for accreditation purposes and oversees the onboarding process for new academic programs, ensuring internal and external coordination and compliance with all required organizations. As Title IX Coordinator, Andrea administers the college’s policy on sexual/gender discrimination, misconduct and harassment.
Catherine Fox
Catherine Fox was born and raised in 草榴社区, PA. Ms. Fox graduated from the 草榴社区 School District in 2010, and The 草榴社区 in 2014 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She worked at Lackawanna College for 7 years as the Manager of Student Life, Veterans Advisor and Adjunct Professor. Ms. Fox now works at her family’s business, National Bakery, as the Director of Marketing and Business Development. She has three children aged 12, 4 and 6 months.Angela Rempe Jones
Lackawanna County Treasurer Angela Rempe Jones took office in 2024 and serves on the Pension Board, which administers the County Retirement Fund of over $200 million dollars. She is a 草榴社区 native and resident who graduated from 草榴社区 Preparatory High School and received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the 草榴社区.
She worked in both public accounting and the private sector, and prior to the start of her term worked for ten years as director and advisor for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives’ 113th Legislative District under Sate Representative Kyle T. Donahue, former State Representative Thom Welby, and State Senator Marty Flynn.
Angela currently serves as board member and treasurer of the Agency for Community EmPOWERment of NEPA, and as an Ambassador for the Spirit of Hope benefiting the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute’s CommunityBased Cancer Screening Navigation Program. She has volunteered on numerous committees and organizations over the years offering countless hours of fundraising efforts throughout the community.
Angela has three children, Jake, Sammy and Delilah Jones.
Janet Brier
Janet Brier is the President of the Dunmore Borough Council, where she has served in that capacity since January 2024. Ms. Brier served on the Council as a member from 2020-2024. Ms. Brier has a Bachelor of Science from Marywood University, a Master of Public Health from the Joseph L. Mailman School of Public Health of Columbia University, and is a licensed certified public accountant for the state of PA. She serves the community as a member of the Board of Directors for St. Joseph’s Center and Telespond Senior Services, and she is currently working for her own consulting company—JMB Healthcare Consulting, LLC.