An Erie-based community think tank will host three educational presentations at PennWest Edinboro as part of its ongoing satellite lecture series.

Jefferson Educational Society, a nonprofit civic engagement institution founded in 2008 to promote civic enlightenment and drive community progress in the Erie region, has sponsored satellite programing at Edinboro since 2019.

“PennWest and the Jefferson Educational Society share a commitment to robust public discussion of big ideas and concrete issues that impact our communities and commonwealth,” said Dr. James Fisher, senior associate provost for academic administration. “We are excited to have the JES's scholars and thought leaders back on the Edinboro campus to interact with our civic-minded and engaged students.”

PennWest physics professor Dr. Karim Hossain, Pennsylvania Center for Women in Politics executive director Dr. Dana Brown and PennWest Edinboro Beehive director Christopher Lantinen will present their topics at the Dr. William P. Alexander Music Center – Recital Hall, 110 Kiltie Road, on Edinboro’s campus.

All lectures will begin at 6 p.m. Admission and parking are free for all attendees.

Hossain, who has taught physics and technology at the Edinboro campus since 1987, will kick off the lectures on Wednesday, Sept. 6. His presentation, “Far from Boring! – Making Physics Exciting and Fun,” will involve a visual and interactive display of the wonders of physics.

The Bangladesh native holds a Master of Science in physics from Southern Illinois University and a Ph.D. in physics education from The State University of New York – Buffalo. Guided by his passion for making physics enjoyable, Hossain researches the global comparison of students’ performance in STEM courses.

Brown will present “Women in Politics: Moving Toward an Equitable Future” on Wednesday, Sept. 20.  She began her tenure as the executive director of the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics and assistant professor of political science at Chatham University in July of 2010.

An active member of multiple community organizations, Brown earned a Ph.D. in American politics and women and politics at Rutgers University. She has presented research on women in politics and political participation by women of color.

Lantinen is set to discuss “The Power of Branding and Marketing: NWPA Innovation Beehive Network at PennWest Edinboro” on Wednesday, Oct. 4. A faculty member at the Edinboro campus since 2014 and director of PennWest Edinboro’s Center for Branding and Strategic Communication since July 2022, his specialties include social media, podcasting and SEO.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in print journalism and a Master of Arts in communication studies from then-Edinboro University. Lantinen previously served as a podcast producer at Atlantic Records and a journalist at The Titusville Herald, and he founded Modern Vinyl, a music blog that was cited in national publications such as Rolling Stone and Entertainment Weekly.