Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania (GSEP) recently announced that Penn State Berks chancellor and dean Radha Pyati will receive the group's Take the Lead Berks Award during a ceremony on Tuesday, April 14, at Redner's Event Center in Reading. Honorees for the award are leaders in both their professional industries and communities, serving as positive role models for Girl Scouts in Berks County through their careers and dedication to local causes they support.

In her role as chancellor and dean at Penn State Berks, Pyati is responsible for supervising all aspects of college administration, including academic programs; student affairs; diversity, equity and inclusion; and more. As the first female chancellor of Penn State Berks since 2011, she is focused on creating equal opportunities for female students and faculty, frequently participating in the Penn State Emerging Leadership program to build strong academic pathways and champion professional development for women in the community.

In the community, Pyati is a member of the board of directors of the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance, where she holds the role of treasurer, and serves on the board of its affiliate, the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry. She serves on the board of the Berks County Workforce Development and Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center, and she recently joined the board of the United Way of Berks County.

Beyond acknowledging women leaders in the region, Take the Lead is a leadership opportunity for Girl Scouts. As part of the program, high school-age Girl Scouts are paired with each honoree to shadow them for a day at their professional work setting to gain impactful career and leadership insights, as well as receive guidance on building their own professional networks. The girls, who are selected through a competitive application and interview process, then creatively reflect on the experience and deliver presentations at the Take the Lead event. Girl Scouts will also serve in a variety of roles at the April 14 award ceremony.

Girl Scout Kayla K., a Tulpehocken Area High School junior, spent Feb. 10 shadowing Pyati to learn about a day in the life of a chancellor.

For more information visit http://www.gsep.org/ttlberks.