Nalini Krishnankutty Announces Candidacy for State College Borough Council

State College Council member Nalini Krishnankutty will run for a new two-year term on the borough’s governing body in this year’s election, she announced on Tuesday.

Krishnankutty, a Democrat, was appointed to council in June 2022 to fill the unexpired term of Richard Biever, who stepped down seven months after he was elected when he took a job out of state. Council members typically serve four-year terms, but because the vacancy occurred less than 18 months from the start of Biever’s elected term, the borough’s charter required the position to be on the ballot in the 2023 election for the remaining two years.

“It has been so meaningful to serve our community, which has been my home for the last 35 years,” Krishnankutty said in a statement. “I have especially valued the ability to work with residents and local governments to increase equitable access to resources, and to strive towards a more inclusive community where everyone feels empowered to make a difference.”

Krishnankutty said she is committed to using proactive, accountable engagement with residents as she focuses on issues including “zoning that supports neighborhoods and affordable housing, ensuring a sustainable tax base, improving access to mental health services, environmental and social justice and facilitating unique models of regional and town-gown cooperation.”

As a council member, she said she valued supporting the Centre Region’s first Tenants’ Bill of Rights and creating a housing specialist position to assist renters, a Racial Equity Advisory Commission and a Regional Human Relations Commission. She also called her work with council member Deanna Behring on a resolution condemning the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade “a significant moment” for her.

Krishnankutty said she appreciated the thoughtfulness that went into council’s approval of a short-term rental ordinance last year based on residents’ input.

“Council often needs to engage with multiple viewpoints and find an effective solution that works for the community,” she said. “As we revise our zoning code, we are trying to center sustainability, preserve our strong neighborhoods and support affordable housing, amidst the realities of strong market demands for student housing in our university town.”

A first-generation immigrant American, Krishnankutty moved to State College in 1987 and earned a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Penn State. She is now Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Program manager in Penn State’s Office of Human Resources and a writer, speaker, educator and diversity, equity and inclusion advocate.

From 2019-22 she served on Gov. Tom Wolf’s Advisory Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs and is a founding member of the PanAPIDA Circle, a local group that works “to stop anti-Asian hate and elevate the voices of Asian Pacific Islander Desi Americans.”

Prior to her appointment to council, Krishnankutty served as inaugural chair of the Community Oversight Board for the State College Police Department after previously working on the ad hoc study committee that led to the board’s creation.

“Police oversight that increases transparency, accountability and community engagement has transformative potential, as law enforcement and residents come together to improve everyone’s safety and well-being,” she said.

Krishnankutty also has worked on her precinct’s election board, served on the board of Mid-State Literacy Council and participated in grassroots efforts to retain Corl Street Elementary School and keep State College Area High School in the borough.

As a member of council and the Centre Region Council of Governments Finance Committee, Krishnankutty said she has seen the work ahead to sustain and improve quality of life in the borough.

“My lived experiences as an international student, first-generation immigrant American, parent, long-time resident and community leader have given me deep knowledge of the diverse town and gown community and prepared me for being an effective Council Member,” she said.

Krishnankutty and her husband, Soundar, are residents of the Greentree neighborhood, where they raised their daughter.

She is the third candidate to announce plans to run for borough council this year, joining former council member Evan Myers and planning commission member Josh Portney, both of whom are seeking four year-terms.

Five State College Borough Council seats are up for election in 2023. Those seats are currently held by Krishnankutty, Jesse Barlow, Deanna Behring, Janet Engeman and Peter Marshall. Barlow, the current council president, and Engeman are both reaching the end of consecutive four-year terms and will not be eligible to run for council in 2023. Behring and Marshall have not yet announced if they intend to run.