Dr. Radha Pyati’s passion for education, diversity and environmental sustainability has taken her across the United States and abroad. Her academic, personal and professional journey ultimately led her to Berks County where she continues to pursue those passions in and outside of her role as chancellor.
Photo By John A. Secoges, Secoges Photographics
Q: After studying and working across the United States and even in Vietnam, what brings you to Berks County?
I'm here because of Penn State Berks. It has been a real joy for me to learn the history of this educational institution, certainly, but also how it's been woven in with the rest of the community. I'm really pleased to be in Berks County and enjoy getting to know the people, places and history of the county.
Q: How do you channel your passion for fostering diversity as a leader?
We’re a public institution grounded in this county, and we really want to serve the population that's growing here. My leadership team and I are taking Spanish together, and we are really enjoying that. We want to grow the diverse and equitable populations that we serve and that really reflect the growth in Berks County.
“I'm really pleased to be in Berks County and enjoy getting to know the people, places and history of the county.”
Q: What has kept you tapped into environmental research for the last two decades?
We're all sharing this planet and our water bodies, whether that's Tulpehocken Creek, which is right outside my office window, or the Schuylkill River and beyond. They have important ecosystem functions, and so we need to keep them, and our planet, healthy. Climate change is one of the most, if not the most, important scientific challenges of our age. That continues to motivate and excite me about participating in environmental science myself and being in higher education to help young people find careers in these areas.
Q: What do you do to fill your own cup outside of work and research?
I like to ride bikes with my husband and to take my two daughters, who are 18 and 12, to musical theater shows. I also read and play tennis. Self-care and self-nourishing really are important in roles like this one because it kind of reminds me that not everything I do is in the limelight. Sometimes it's just me, and those cup-filling activities make me feel like me again. These activities are what I did before I was ever a chancellor and what I continue to do.
Q: What can Berks County expect from Penn State Berks next?
Penn State Berks has been doing major renovations of the Student Center, admissions area and public-facing area. We want our Student Center to be working hard for students 24/7/365. It will become a really active social space with a larger commuter lounge, a game room and more room for clubs. Our Office of Community Engagement will also be moving to a very easily accessible space in our Franco building, where outside organizations who want to host events on our beautiful campus right off [Route] 222 can just come right in and talk about it. I'm really excited for when that is ready and we can unveil it to the world.
Learn More
Scientist at Heart.
Dr. Pyati has served on a scientific team that writes reports on the health of St. Johns River in North Florida for more than 15 years.
Hispanic Heritage Month.
A series of annual events hosted by Penn State Berks for the campus community and the public is being held from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 and will include Unity Day, the Latino Forum and more.
