Jonathan C. O'Harrow

Jonathan O'Harrow joined the Penn State Altoona staff in 2000 as the college's first webmaster. In January 2020, he assumed the role of Director of Strategic Communications. O'Harrow has worked for more than twenty years as a marketing and communications professional, web and graphic designer, and systems programmer. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science from Susquehanna University and a Master of Professional Studies in Strategic Communications from Penn State's Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications.

At Penn State Altoona, O'Harrow oversees the college’s public relations, media relations, community relations, crisis communication, digital media, advertising, and marketing efforts. As the director, he is the brand steward for the college, ensuring that the University brand is maintained throughout campus communications and marketing initiatives.

O'Harrow is a 2007 graduate of the Blair County Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Blair County program, a 2008 recipient of the Altoona Mirror's 20 Under 40 recognition, a 2009 recipient of Penn State Altoona's Ted J. Long Staff Excellence Award, a 2011 inductee into the Cresson Lake Playhouse Hall of Fame, and a 2018 recipient of the Blair County Arts Foundation's Angel of the Arts award.

In 2003, O'Harrow directed a production of Smokey Joe's Café for Altoona Community Theatre that was named best production by the Pennsylvania Association of Community Theatres. In 2007, he was recognized by the Eastern States Theatre Association with an "Outstanding Achievement in Acting" award for his role in Altoona Community Theatre's production of Beyond Therapy.

O'Harrow is active in numerous community service and arts organizations and serves on United Way of the Southern Alleghenies and Altoona Community Theatre boards. He lives in Altoona with his husband, William, and their cat, Bedelia.