Since April 2021, Kukta has been performing an additional engagement and activity for employees of the Finance and Business Units serving in the Finance and Business Units/Office of the Senior Vice President of Finance.
Kukta has been with Penn State for over 20 years and has worked on several Eastern Regional campuses. When he began his tenure at the university in 2002, Kukta worked as a housing and food service manager at Penn State Berks, then as assistant director of housing and food services at Penn State Berks and Penn State Schuylkill. In 2007, Kukta became director of housing and food services at Penn State Hazleton, Penn State Schuylkill, Penn State Wilkes-Barre and Penn State Scranton. In 2017, he served as Director of Housing and Food Services at Penn State Berks, Penn State Schuylkill and Penn State Lehigh Valley.
In 2021, Kukta was named director of business services at Penn State Schuylkill, responsible for facilities, operations, information technology, risk management, real estate, sustainability, emergency management, conference services, community outreach, and served as the university liaison for police and Public Safety (UPPS), Housing and Food Services (HFS), and Barnes and Noble.
“Jonathan is a trusted partner to Penn State Schuylkill and I am sure he will bring strategic thinking, innovative ideas and valuable institutional knowledge to his special appointment in finance and business,” said Penn State Schuylkill President Patrick M. Jones. “Through his many years of service to the University, Jonathan has proven himself to be a dedicated and exemplary employee, and I look forward to seeing how he uses this new opportunity to make a difference across the University.”
Since 2008, Kukta has also served as an adjunct faculty member teaching courses in Human Resources, Marketing, and Hospitality Facility Operations and Design.
Jonathan has worked for the National Association of Collegiate Auxiliary Services (NACAS) for 20 years and currently serves on the Eastern Region Board of Directors. In 2020, he was awarded the Society’s Rising Star Award.
Kukta holds an MBA from Alvernia University and a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from Pennsylvania State University.