Denise Potosky, professor of management and organization, and John J. Sosik, distinguished professor of management and organization, are celebrating 25 years at Penn State Great Valley, writes Christy Selagy for the university.

Sosik joined Penn State Great Valley on the tenure track in 1995 after earning his doctorate from the State University of New York at Binghamton. Potosky began as an adjunct faculty member while finishing her dissertation at Rutgers University and joined the tenure track the following year. The two share more than a work anniversary, however.

Both Potosky and Sosik grew up in northeastern Pennsylvania and had an immediate connection when they met. Since then, they’ve collaborated on research, mentored students, worked on the creation of the Master of Leadership Development (MLD) degree program that Sosik spearheaded, and seen Penn State Great Valley change and grow.

“We’re like brother and sister,” Sosik said. “We look at each other for cues during our faculty meetings. We do challenge each other sometimes. We’ve got lots of grit. And lots of mutual admiration for what we’ve each accomplished.”

Potosky has met numerous colleagues across the United States and around the world who know Sosik. In fact, if she encounters someone who is unfamiliar with Penn State Great Valley, she often only needs to mention Sosik’s work to spark their recognition.

“I’m really proud to know him,” Potosky said. “It’s always been great to have a colleague like John to bounce ideas off and collaborate with. … We try to support each other in advancing ideas and initiatives. There are only a handful of faculty in the social sciences at Great Valley, so it’s been great to have my career path coincide with John’s.”

Click here to read more about management professors Denise Potosky and John J. Sosik from Penn State Great Valley.

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