Staff
Shawn Sweeney, M.S.
Community Engagement Coordinator
As the Community Engagement Coordinator, Shawn Sweeney, M.S., manages the Bonner Leaders Program in the Center for Civic and Community Engagement. The Bonner Leaders program is a four-year service-based program for students who use their federal work-study to get real-life work experience in Pittsburgh nonprofit organizations and receive powerful leadership development training that helps students transition from volunteers to leaders in their community. Before working at Point Park, she held various roles and worked in organizations within higher education and the nonprofit sector. She specializes in youth and young adult community engagement and in working with community partners.
Sweeney holds an M.S. in Political Science with a concentration in applied community and economic development from Illinois State University and a B.A. in Human Resource Management and Psychology from Marietta College.
Sweeney enjoys reading, painting with watercolor and acrylic paint, listening to music and watching movies.
Courtney Stein
Director, Student Impact Alliance
Courtney Stein joins us as the Project Impact Student Impact Alliance Director with over 15 years of experience in youth & teen programming. Beginning her career traveling with Carnival Cruise Line, she created interactive and inclusive activities for the fleet and engaged with youth across countries and cultures. Stein has since worked in the nonprofit sector, where she continues her professional passion for service leadership, growing programs and building relationships with the community. Deeply passionate about supporting young people to make change through service learning, she has facilitated dozens of youth leadership conferences and academic events and is thrilled to bring her experience and passion for youth voice, advocacy and community building to Point Park University.
Kelly J. Wilding, Ph.D.
Youth Engagement & Community Partnerships Coordinator
Kelly J. Wilding, Ph.D., serves as the Youth Engagement & Community Partnerships Coordinator in Point Park University’s Center for Civic & Community Engagement. In this role, she oversees the development of an ecosystem map of Pittsburgh’s youth-serving organizations, programs, resources and partnerships. She works with youth-serving organizations, schools, community leaders, young people, funders and other stakeholders to understand the strengths, gaps and connections across the region and identify opportunities for greater collaboration and coordination.
Wilding brings more than a decade of experience building partnerships and promoting healthy lifestyles in schools and communities. Her work has included nonprofit communications, development and fundraising, grant writing, community engagement and consulting. She is also an assistant professor at Point Park University, where she teaches courses in media, communications, public relations and advertising. She is passionate about connecting young people with community organizations and helping them understand the role they can play in their communities.
Wilding earned a Ph.D. in Community Engagement from Point Park University, a master’s degree in Communications from Point Park, and a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Penn State University.
Krystal Gilliam, MPA
Community Engagement & Leadership Ph.D. student
Krystal Gilliam is a practitioner-scholar and Ph.D. student in Community Engagement and Leadership, specializing in the design and evaluation of intergenerational programs. She brings extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, healthcare programming, and strategic consulting for foundations and mission-driven organizations. As a Graduate Assistant, she leverages her expertise to strengthen partnerships, build capacity and drive community-focused impact.
Grace Smith
Work-study Student