New Principals Named at Park Forest, Radio Park Elementary Schools

The State College Area School Board on Monday approved the appointments of two new elementary school principals.

Jessica Quinter will be the new principal at Park Forest Elementary School and Alex Raup will become principal at Radio Park Elementary. Both start in their positions effective July 1.

Quinter is currently the principal at Juniata Valley Elementary School in Huntingdon County and has worked in the Juniata Valley School District since 2001. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Juniata College, a master’s from Saint Francis University and a doctorate in education from Drexel University.

“I am thrilled to be joining the PFE team,” Quinter said in a statement provided by SCASD. “I have already heard many positive comments about the faculty, staff, students, and families, and am looking forward to becoming a part of the PFE school community. My goal is to get to know each of these school community members as individuals and to support them while fostering growth. I am also excited about collaborating with the SCASD administrative team and using my experiences and education to help promote continuous progress in an already successful district.”

She succeeds Thomas Weed, who left Park Forest in 2020 for another job. Jonathan Klingeman was interim principal in 2020-21.

Raup is a State College Area High School graduate and former Radio Park student who has spent his entire 12-year career with SCASD. He started with the district as a secondary English teacher and for the past five years has been assistant principal at Mount Nittany Middle School.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Franklin & Marshall College, a teaching certificate from Millersville University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Saint Francis University.

“I am beyond excited to be returning to my elementary alma mater to serve the students, families, and teachers at Radio Park Elementary School and to give back to a school that meant so much to me and my early growth and development,” Raup said in a statement. “I know that a student’s elementary years help set the tone for their success in middle school, high school, and beyond, and I am committed to fostering a positive school experience for every Mini Lion at Radio Park.”

Raup replaces Zachary Wynkoop, who left for another job in 2020. Deirdre Bauer was interim principal in 2020-1.