We recently chatted with WPSU’s community engagement manager, Brooke Greybush, about her role at the station and her interactions with the many communities throughout the Commonwealth. Here’s our conversation.
Tell us about your role at WPSU.
My role as community engagement manager is to direct the development and execution of outreach activities at the station; lead the Advisory Board; and guide our communication with local, state, and national legislators about the impact of public media on the communities we serve. Overall, my goal is to garner support and engagement with the community in relation to WPSU, Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), and National Public Radio (NPR) content.
From day to day, my job looks very different. My days might include speaking engagements in the community with clubs (like Rotary and Kiwanis), station tours, Executive Committee meetings, community screenings, or meetings with local representatives and more. The diversity in the role keeps me on my toes!
I enjoy meeting community members who support and value our programming. I find it rewarding when I introduce individuals to WPSU programs or educational opportunities that they did not previously know existed. Communities in the WPSU footprint delight in WPSU’s balanced news reporting, free educational programs, and local programs.
Tell us about your background.
My background helped prepare me for my role as community engagement manager. After I graduated from Temple University with my master’s degree, I took an internship with The Philadelphia Orchestra in education and community partnerships. This was the first time I gained hands-on experience in community engagement, and I decided this was a career path that I wanted to take.
I was fortunate to obtain work in development and community engagement at orchestras and nonprofits. Prior to my current role at WPSU, I held the position of division director for nine years at the American Heart Association and helped grow fundraising events and community engagement programs.
I knew about Penn State Outreach because I worked briefly at Penn State World Campus and volunteered at WPSU, so when I saw the community engagement manager job opening at WPSU, I thought “wow, a position at Penn State Outreach that combines my interest in public media and community engagement, I need to look at this more closely.” I am truly grateful to be here.
How does your work directly impact communities throughout Pennsylvania?
I believe public media makes a difference in our world one person at a time. Its roots start small and then grow exponentially to make an impact on neighborhoods, communities, and schools. I like to think of myself as a community connector to our programs and events.
Our programs are top notch. In fact, our producers and journalists have won numerous awards for their local and national programs and reporting. Our local programs include Our Town, Local Groove, Culinary Connections, and Keystone Stories. For the Our Town series, I reach out to community groups and encourage them to tell their stories. Most recently, we featured Chestnut Ridge and Big Valley, which won a Mid-Atlantic Emmy Award. When I speak with people from these communities, they beam with pride.
Some films that have made a national impact include Making the Blue Band and Speaking Grief. After watching these films, we hosted screenings and chose panelists. For example, we worked with the Jana Marie Foundation, TIDES, and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at Penn State for our discussion after the screening of Speaking Grief. These panel discussions offer a safe space for discussion. WPSU has even put together a program called Learning Grief that supports children and teens during seasons of loss. Our education team is always looking for ways to share resources with local families.
Besides screenings at our studio and in retirement homes, I also organize community tours and events. I am constantly learning and looking for ways to connect our community. If you have ideas, I’d like to hear from you!
During your time at WPSU, how have you seen your position grow?
Opportunities to engage with the community continually grow! We have such a creative team here at WPSU, so there are no shortage of ideas. Capacity to implement new ideas is a challenge, but fortunately, our volunteers lend us an extra set of hands when needed!
I think to answer your question in a broad sense, the number of community partners we work with has grown over the past year and a half. WPSU has such a stellar reputation, which is apparent when I reach out to organizations and businesses. They always want to work with us!
Our team tracks all of the community organizations we work with and the number of people that we engage with each year. Our education team engaged with over 15,000 people in the WPSU footprint during our Fiscal Year 2024.
What’s been a time when you’ve been engaging with the community when you thought you were really making a difference in someone’s life?
I like this question, because I do believe in the impact of storytelling and public media. I remember watching Keystone Stories: Polka a collaboration with OLLI at Penn State and Mount Nittany Residences. Following the screenings, we played polka music and provided dance lessons. I remember thinking how joyful the residents were. There was a real sense of belonging, camaraderie, and learning. In that moment, I remembered that this is what it means to grow our mission — to spark discovery, enrich learning, and strengthen community through vibrant public media.
What about your work makes you the proudest?
It means a lot to be part of something I believe strongly in. The vision of the organization is a world of wonder and opportunity, with healthy, educated, and compassionate people empowered to understand and improve their lives and the lives of others. I am proud to be a part of a compassionate team that works day in and day out to provide educational and engaging programming to the community. I’m just proud to contribute a small part to our mission.
What’s your favorite community event organized by WPSU and why?
This is a hard one to answer! If I had to pick, I would say, the Connoisseur’s Dinner. It is executed so beautifully by a group of volunteers and staff who dedicate their time and energy to make this the best fundraiser and auction in town! Years ago, when I was working at World Campus, I volunteered to help with the auction, and I just couldn’t stop raving about it.
WPSU features the best chefs, excellent wine pairings, and enjoyable entertainment. The community enjoys a menu specifically prepared with a theme in mind. There is also a VIP cooking class the night before, which is also a lot of fun! This year was our 33rd Connoisseur’s Dinner at the Nittany Lion Inn and the theme was We Are Back!
How can someone find out about the community events at WPSU?
The easiest way to learn about community events is to visit our website. There is no shortage of ways the community can be involved. And, if you are interested in visiting the station for a tour or inviting WPSU to speak to your club or organization, just reach out to me at bsw132@psu.edu.
What would you like someone to know about WPSU if they have never experienced the many facets of this organization?
I would encourage the community to check out our program guide and website, or even join Passport, which allows you to watch your favorite PBS shows whenever and wherever you want. It’s a great way to binge watch your favorite show by simply making a once-a-year donation to WPSU.
I am a big fan of Masterpiece, so Passport makes programs like All Creatures Great and Small (one of my favorites!) easy to enjoy, if I miss an episode. You can also find great shows like NOVA, Finding Your Roots, Miss Scarlet and the Duke, and Weather World. If you like travel and cooking, we have the WPSU Create Channel or local programs like Culinary Connections. I enjoy classical music, so I will often listen to WPSU FM on my morning commute. There is just so much to experience at WPSU. If you have children at home, check out PBS Kids or Your Learning Neighborhood.
If you are not sure how to connect to the organization, I’d like to talk to you and see how I can help! After all, my goal is to be your community connector to the station!