Mid-State Literacy Council’s new director brings international experience, passion to nonprofit

The new director of Mid-State Literacy Council describes her story as a “winding path,” with a desire to give back to the community ultimately leading her to her current role.

Bridget Schell started volunteering with the local nonprofit as a tutor and teacher during the COVID-19 pandemic, after moving to State College from Gettysburg.

“I taught their citizenship class and then also tutored a woman from Peru, a true beginner student, so I was excited to use my Spanish to tutor her,” Schell said.

From there, she was hired as the English Language Learning Coordinator, a role she served for about two years. She was promoted to the nonprofit’s executive director in August after longtime leader Amy Wilson retired. Wilson guided the development and expansion of the literacy programs, and helped to create a supportive, inclusive environment.

“I have big, big shoes to fill,” Schell said.

Mid-State Literacy Council has been part of the local community for more than 50 years, formed to bring literacy in all forms to adults in Centre and Clearfield counties. The organization helps 200 students each year and has English as a Second Language and Adult Basic Education programs.

Despite the big shoes she has to fill, Schell didn’t hesitate to embrace the opportunity of leading the nonprofit.

“I am someone who, when an opportunity comes to me, I jump on it. ... That’s how a lot of the decisions in my life have been, whether it was going to Guatemala when I was 18 years old, or the grad school that I went to,” she said. “It’s all just been a matter of what made the most sense in that moment. None of this has been planned.”

By following her interests, she acquired skills and experience that would help in her role as director. She developed Spanish fluency and cultural awareness by living Guatemala for four months after high school and two additional summers, to volunteer as a preschool teacher assistant for Camino Seguro (Safe Passage), working with children who sorted recyclables at the Guatemala City dump.

“That totally pivoted everything. ... That was really the spark that sent me toward studying Spanish and Latin American Studies,” she said.

Schell obtained her bachelor’s degree in Latin American and Caribbean Studies from Gettysburg College, and was awarded a full scholarship for her master’s degree in Latin American Studies at the University of Texas at Austin.

She studied abroad for a semester in Bolivia and returned there for undergraduate and graduate field research projects. During a student trip to Nicaragua, she met her husband, who now serves as the assistant operations manager at the State College Food Bank.

“I decided I wanted to have my boots on the ground and work with community organizations,” she said.

Schell previously served as the coordinator of The Gleaning Project of South Central PA, a food recovery organization based in Gettysburg, where volunteers harvest and package food left in the fields to share with those in need. She gave it 200%, burned out, and had to take a breather.

“It’s been a winding path but somehow it feels like it brought me back here,” she said. “I come to the office every day and yes, I have big things I need to work on, and grants I need to write, and events I need to plan. But I come here every day and I’m just filled up by the students and their stories. They’re just so inspirational. I love every chance I have to substitute teach the classes. One of my favorite parts of being here is just spending time with students and volunteers.

“The part that comes most naturally to me, that I’m loving, is leading the team and taking care of the staff.”

Schell manages three paid staff members and with them, oversees approximately 200 volunteers. She collaborates with other nonprofits to help students in need.

“When I was in those countries, I felt welcomed,” she said. “So I want people to be welcome here. ... We create a safe space for them to make mistakes and learn.”

Mid-State Literacy Council sees “literacy” as a broad term, Schell said, and teaches health literacy, digital literacy, and mental health literacy, in addition to reading, math, GED preparation and English as a second language. According to Mid-State, 11% of Centre County’s population is functionally illiterate.

With so much student demand, the organization is continuing to grow and find ways to make that sustainable, Schell said.

The organization relies on grants and community support, including volunteers to teach or help with the website, curriculum development, and keeping the office running.

“Sometimes people say, ‘I don’t speak a second language. I don’t know if I could help.’ But you don’t need to speak a second language to teach English. Everyone has a strength that they can offer,” Schell said.

For more information, visit mid-stateliteracycouncil.org, call 814-238-1809 or email mslc@mid-stateliteracycouncil.org.