Meet PSU Board of Trustees Candidate Br. Mika '85

Biographical Sketch 

John Mika '85A native of Shenandoah, Pennsylvania and currently living in Tower City, Pennsylvania, John earned a BS in Secondary Education/Social Studies in 1985. As an undergraduate, John was a member of the Penn State Schuylkill Men’s Basketball Team and a Brother of Theta Chi Fraternity. He is currently a Lifetime Alumni Association Member and assists the local 4-H Penn State Equestrian Club.

Upon graduation John was employed by Eckerd Family and Youth as a Wilderness Counselor/Teacher and later as a Social Studies Teacher at Wyalusing Valley High School. In 1991 John began employment with the US Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons. Now in his twentieth year of government service, John is an English Second Language Teacher and Spanish GED Teacher with the BOP. He is also a staff training instructor and has received several commendations during his career.

John is an active member of his community; he is a member of the Williams Valley School Board and has coached men’s and women’s basketball at both the high school and junior high school level. He has been involved with the Boy Scouts, coached Little League Baseball and football. John has also taught religious education classes at his local church.

John resides with his wife Elaine (‘86 Nursing), his son Jake 17 and daughter Allison 14.

Position Statement

PENN STATE has always had a significant influence in my life. Attending campus activities as a young child and teen with my father John Mika (Pre-Med ‘55), meeting my wife Elaine (Nursing ‘86) and building the fundamentals to a successful career during my undergraduate days, PENN STATE has truly molded me into the person I am today. I firmly believe in the words “may no act of ours bring shame” and I have strived to uphold the positive principles and ideals that PENN STATE has nurtured within me.

Having worked in government for the past twenty years, I believe in a transparent and open democratic agenda. As a trustee, I would be a representative for the people and would bring to the board any viable idea that would enhance and improve the University. PENN STATE is the premier institution of higher learning but we cannot rest on past laurels. We must continue to improve and meet the challenges that face us. Academically, economically, athletically, politically and socially we must strive to improve our university.

If elected I promise to use the experiences of my professional career and bring to bear any resources necessary to keep PENN STATE in its rightful place as the most prestigious and influential institution of higher learning. I ask that you support me in my endeavor and together we can work to maintain PENN STATE’s rightful place as the leader in higher education.