What is it?
The APIA-LSS comprises of a series of video clips that will be featured on the blog. In each video clip a different skill set is highlighted by Penny Semaia the Director of Life Skills in the Athletics Department at the University of Pittsburgh. The content of the video centers on leadership skill development, particularly defining what the skill is and how to cultivate and enhance that skill. The great thing about the short video clips is that they provide key points which are easy to remember. Check it out!
Why did we choose to highlight these particular leadership skills?
The chosen leadership skills are skills that over 700 APIASF and GMS Scholars have self-identified as needing additional training on.
Click on the following links to view each APIA-LSS video clip:
More about the APIA-LSS featured professional: Penny Semaia
Director of Life Skills, University of Pittsburgh
Penny is the son of Toaiva (Toy-Eva) Semaia and was raised with his five brothers and sisters in Utica, NY. Semaia attended High School at Thomas R. Proctor High, where he was a standout linemen. Under Head Coach Guy Puleo, Penny helped the Raiders to the 1998 Playoffs. Penny was an All State selection his senior year. Following a successful high school career, Semaia attended the University of Pittsburgh on a full athletic scholarship. On the gridiron, Semaia helped lead the Panthers to bowl games in each of his four active seasons, including the Insight.com Bowl in 2000, the Visit Florida Tangerine Bowl in 2001, the Insight Bowl in 2002 and the Continental Tire Bowl in 2003. It was the Panthers' best postseason stretch since going to nine straight bowls from 1975-83.
Semaia graduated from Pitt in 2003 with a degree in anthropology, with related areas in sociology and performance. During his undergraduate years, he was a leader throughout many campus activities. Semaia was on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for three years, serving as secretary, vice-president and president during his tenure. He also served as the secretary of the Asian Student Association, and was a member of the Black Action Society. A Freshman Peer Counselor for three years, Semaia was even elected Homecoming King.
Currently, Penny Semaia is in his fifth year in Athletics, serving in Life Skills. As Director of Life Skills, Semaia oversees the daily operations of the Panther Game Plan (PGP) life skills program for student-athletes. The PGP life skills program provides programs, workshops and resources to assist student-athletes with preparation for success in college and success for life after college.
In his time at Pitt, Penny has helped Pitt Athletics gain a national reputation for having one of the best life skills programs in the country. Penny has served as a team facilitator for numerous NCAA CHAMPS Life Skills conferences and was also selected to serve on the NCAA CHAMPS Advisory Team. One of Penny’s career highlights was being selected twice to serve as a National Facilitator for the NCAA National Leadership Conference. Labeled as the world’s largest gathering of student-athletes at a non-competitive site, Semaia worked with over 700 student-athletes from around the world in developing their leadership skills.
In addition to Penny’s career, he has served as the sideline reporter for the Pitt football team working with Pittsburgh sports legend, Bill Hillgrove and Panther great Bill Fralic.
Penny's Career Highlights/Achievements
- Selected to facilitate NCAA National Leadership Conference in 2007, 2008
- NCAA CHAMPS Conference Facilitator in 2007, 2008, 2010
- Nominated for the Mentors in Violence Prevention National Program in 2010
- Created and administered an Empowerment Retreat – University of Pittsburgh Asian Student Alliance
- Selected as an Honorary Omega for support and assistance with Greek Life
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