Newsmaker: Charlene Newkirk

Noteworthy: Newkirk pursued and coordinated a grant proposal that secured $25,000 from the Jefferson Regional Foundation to fund a food pantry program for Community College of Allegheny County students and their families. The money will pay for renovations and equipment for the pantry. The grand opening is scheduled for Feb. 17.

Age: 64

Residence: Homestead

Family: Husband, Charles, 66; daughter, Caitlyn Hunter, 28

Occupation: President of CCAC's South Campus and Washington County Center

Education: Bachelor's degree in English from Oberlin College; law degree from the University of Pittsburgh

Background: Newkirk spent several years practicing law — mostly cases involving estates, wills and trusts — before turning to a career in college administration. Over three decades, she has worked at large public research institutions and small private and regional colleges. She has been on accreditation teams and reviewed grants for the federal Department of Education.

Quote: “I realized that food insecurity is really an issue among our students. Many of them have children, and so they're struggling to get them to school and get here. We really need to think about what we can do to help them.”

— Natasha Lindstrom