MANSFIELD, PA—Sheri Beam, award-winning 
communication expert and educator, and a 1971 Mansfield graduate, will be the speaker at Mansfield University’s 151st Commencement on Saturday, May 7, at 10 a.m. at Karl Van Norman Field.
“Sheri Beam is an innovator, leader and a true Mansfield success story,” MU President Fran Hendricks said in making the announcement. “Her story of exploring new possibilities and blazing her own trail is one we want our newest graduates to hear. We are honored to welcome Sheri back to campus to speak at Commencement.”
Beam graduated from Mansfield with a degree in Spanish.
After graduating, she taught Spanish in Pennsylvania and New York before returning to school at West Chester University for a Master’s degree in media. She then taught at North Dakota State University (NDSU) and at Hampton University in Virginia.
While at NDSU, Beam received a state grant to write, direct, and produce an award-winning documentary that aired on PBS in the Midwest. During her years at Hampton, she received four annual NASA-American Society for Engineering Fellowships to work as a writer/producer at NASA Langley Research Center, focused on helping researchers communicate their work.
A position in strategic communications at NASA took Beam on a two decade hiatus from education. She created a variety of NASA communication “firsts,” including a series of award-winning technology videos called “Hallmarks of Success,” a public-private partnership event in New York City and branding and marketing collateral for various NASA organizations
Her work received numerous NASA, Telly, Communicator, and AVA awards. In 2008, Beam was recognized with the NASA Exceptional Public Service Medal for her work with the agency’s small technology business partners. The award is highest service honor that NASA awards to a non-government individual.
Throughout her career(s), Beam has always had an interest in teaching and mentoring. For more than 20 years, she has been the intern director for the National Association of Television Program Executives and mentored many other interns at NASA Langley. She has also taught conversational Spanish to adults at a nearby community college.
Today, Beam is teaching at an international school and is an idea generation and communication consultant. She has plans to launch a website related to her passion for travel. Especially to Spain, because Spanish is still never far from her heart.
In 2015, Beam received the Alumni Citation Award from the MU Alumni Association. The award recognizes contributions to society through professional, civic and philanthropic work and leadership activities.
In the event of inclement weather, Commencement will take place in Decker Gymnasium.