Short Courses
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and a certificate of completion will be awarded for 100 percent attendance and participation. All courses will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Lunch will be provided on all three days.
Central Plant Short Course — Hot Water Heating Systems and Equipment
March 3–5, 2026 at Penn State Harrisburg
This two and one-half day course is designed for facilities professionals responsible for operating, maintaining, and managing central plant heating systems. Participants will build a strong foundation in boiler plant operations, hot water heating systems, and hydronic distribution, while gaining practical insight into system efficiency, equipment selection, and real-world campus applications. Through a blend of interactive learning, case studies, virtual plant simulations, and on-site tours, attendees will deepen their understanding of pumps, valves, water treatment, balancing, safety, and inspection requirements. The course emphasizes active learning, operational decision-making, and best practices to help participants confidently support safe, reliable, and efficient institutional heating systems.
Instructors
- Paul Moser, PSFEI Mechanical Engineer
- Dan Barlup, Penn State Harrisburg—Campus Facilities Manager
- Tom Folino, PSFEI Facility Condition Assessment Specialist
- Brice Ohl, PSFEI Lead Mechanical Engineer
Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation arrangements and payment. The nearest accommodations are the Comfort Inn & Suites - Harrisburg Airport - Hershey South.
HVAC Short Course — HVAC System Equipment, Purpose, and Performance
May 5–7, 2026 at The Bryce Jordan Center
Operations and maintenance personnel, facility managers, engineers who support facilities, and anyone who wants to increase their knowledge of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems should attend this year's HVAC multi-day course. Learn how to:
- Understand the fundamentals of air handling units—their common features, construction, and design
- Determine the impacts of building pressurization and how it affects comfort, controls, equipment sizing, humidity, and temperature
- Identify the weak points and strengths of system choices to ensure the best application
- Navigate construction documents to identify purpose, schedules, sequence of operations, and system type
- Recognize common deficiencies, control methods, and ventilation requirements
- Understand the fundamentals of building automation systems and HVAC controls
- Troubleshoot HVAC systems
- Understand the fundamentals of psychrometrics
Instructors
- Mike Conchilla, PSFEI Energy Engineer
- Kevin Lynch, PSFEI Facilities Controls Engineer
- Antonette Mitterando, PSFEI Engineering Manager
- Israel Monroy, PSFEI Mechanical Engineer
- Brice Ohl, PSFEI Lead Mechanical Engineer
Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation arrangements and payment. The Hampton Inn State College is the closest hotel to the course location and is recommended for convenience.
Effective Facility Management Year 3 — Process: The Strategic Mindset
May 19–21, 2026 at The Bryce Jordan Center
Effective Facility Management (EFM) is a three-year rotating series that explores facilities management through three connected lenses: product, people, and process. Each year stands alone, allowing participants to enter the rotation at any point, while together the series offers a well-rounded view of what it takes to manage facilities successfully. Whether you are a newer supervisor, an experienced professional, or someone aspiring to lead, EFM is designed to strengthen both your practical knowledge and your leadership perspective.
Year 3: Process – The Strategic Mindset focuses on the thinking behind the work. Participants will explore critical thinking, decision-making frameworks, data-informed strategies, facility condition assessment, deferred maintenance, and capital planning. Through hands-on activities and a culminating case study, we will connect assessment data, financial realities, and organizational priorities into clear, actionable plans. This course is designed to help facilities professionals move from reacting to issues to managing with intention and strategy.
Instructors
- Mark Bodenschatz, PSFEI Director
- Beth Clark, PSFEI Education & IT Manager
- Heather Hott, PSFEI Administrative Support Coordinator
- Meridyth Lanza, PSFEI Education Program Coordinator
- Adam Reed, PSFEI Facilities Planning & Assessment Manager (and team)
Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation arrangements and payment. The Hampton Inn State College is the closest hotel to the course location and is recommended for convenience.
Electrical Short Course — Fundamentals of Electrical Drawings and Schematics
June 9–11, 2026 at The Bryce Jordan Center
Do you want to become more familiar with the different types of electrical drawings that relate to your facility? Do you want to improve your ability to interpret these drawings? The Electrical Short Course may be just what you need.
Electrical drawings are critical for maintaining, operating, troubleshooting, and retrofitting your power systems. Designed to benefit electricians, supervisors, physical plant engineers, technicians, and other facility maintenance or management personnel, this course will explore the fundamentals required to interpret and use the most popular types of electrical construction drawings and circuit schematics.
Instructors
- Brandon Albright, PSFEI Electrical Field Engineer
- Christopher Gabany, PSFEI Electrical Field Engineer
- Brian Johnson, PSFEI Lead Electrical Engineer
- Shane Moison, PSFEI Electrical Field Engineer
- Dakota Sinclair, PSFEI Electrical Field Engineer
Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation arrangements and payment. The Hampton Inn State College is the closest hotel to the course location and is recommended for convenience.
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All questions related to PSFEI's educational programs should be directed to Meridyth Lanza at mbl24@psu.edu.
