Lieutenant-Colonel Kathleen Fabrizi, Pennsylvania Air National Guard
Kathleen Fabrizi, lecturer and Project and Supply Chain Management program coordinator at Penn State Schuylkill, enlisted in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard while in college as she sought adventure. Now, after serving 22 years, Fabrizi says joining the Guard was the start of an “adventure of a lifetime”.
“After two years in college, I wanted to see the world but keep moving in the right direction,” Fabrizi said. “With the Air Guard, I was able to pursue my academic goals and professional passions while serving my community, state and nation. I have visited almost 50 countries and my trip is not over.
Fabrizi received his applied science degrees in human resource management and aviation maintenance technology from the Community College of the Air Force – and has continued to pursue graduate studies ever since.
She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Gwynedd-Mercy College, a Master of Science in Leadership and Business Ethics from Duquesne University, and a Masters in Military Operational Art and Science from Air University.
Today, as a project management professional, Fabrizi is also a certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, a popular efficiency program methodology. Fabrizi uses his knowledge to educate his military colleagues as a partnership between Penn State Schuylkill and the Pennsylvania National Guard. Through this program, military personnel earn continuing education units.
With her experiences around the world and her various degrees, Fabrizi says the military ultimately teaches individuals the value of feedback and working with others, which they harness with their courses. Many students credit Fabrizi for nudging them academically and teaching them essential leadership, communication and professional skills.
“I think the military teaches people how to counsel, care and lead because servant leadership is instilled at all levels,” Fabrizi said. “Military service inspires us to make the most of what is given to us, and service members should do the same with their education. I encourage other soldiers to obtain an official diploma.
Fabrizi is currently an officer in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard and has been activated for the Pennsylvania National Guard’s COVID-19 response, several special national security events, winter storms, and flooding. Some of the highlights of his career included the post of C-130 crew, electronic warfare officer, inspector general and special operations squadron commander.
