By Greg Woodman and the Connect Crew | May 27, 2026
Connect Happy Valley is a local project that highlights people, places, and events across the region. It focuses on real experiences and practical recommendations for residents, visitors, students, and alumni.
We are forming the Connect Crew. This is a group of people who enjoy getting out in Happy Valley and sharing what they find in a clear and honest way.
What the Connect Crew does
Connect Crew members help:
- Visit and cover local gathering spots such as coffee shops, restaurants, music venues, and community spaces.
- Share what is happening in neighborhoods, on campus, and around town, with an emphasis on events that are open to the public.
- Highlight local nonprofits, fundraisers, and community efforts that bring people together.
- Capture and share short videos, photos, or posts that show what it feels like to be there.
- Suggest events and places for our calendar and category guides.
- Offer feedback on how Connect Happy Valley can better serve people who live in or visit the area.
Some people may focus on one category, such as Gather, Explore, Live Here, Penn State, Calendar, Livestream, or Insider Experiences. Others may move between categories as their interests change.
Who this is for
This opportunity is a fit for people who:
- Spend time in Happy Valley and pay attention to where people are gathering.
- Enjoy trying local spots such as coffee shops, live music venues, parks, or community events.
- Care about helping others find useful, honest information about what to do and where to go.
- Feel comfortable talking with people, asking questions, and sharing what they learn.
- Are willing to create simple content such as short clips, photos, or write-ups based on real experiences.
This work does not sit at a desk most of the time. It suits people who like being out in the community and are willing to show what they see.
What you can expect
Right now, many roles on the Connect Crew are volunteer or pilot roles. The focus is on testing ideas, building a reliable signal, and learning what is most useful for the community.
As Connect Happy Valley grows, some roles may turn into paid projects, category leads, event support, or media responsibilities. If a role includes pay, clear details will be shared in advance.
Connect Happy Valley will provide:
- Guidance on what kinds of coverage are most helpful.
- Shared tools or templates for posts, clips, and event notes.
- A simple process for contributing to categories like Gather, Explore, Live Here, Penn State, Calendar, Livestream, and Insider Experiences.
Why we are doing this
Happy Valley has many people, places, organizations, and events across the year. It can still be hard to see what is happening or which experiences might fit a person’s time and interests.
Connect Happy Valley aims to improve that signal by lifting up real examples from people who live here or spend significant time here. The goal is to help more people feel connected to the region and to each other.
How to express interest
If this sounds like a good fit for you, we invite you to tell us more about yourself.
Please share:
- Why you want to be part of Connect Happy Valley.
- Which category or part of Happy Valley you are most interested in (Gather, Explore, Live Here, Penn State, Calendar, Livestream, Insider Experiences).
- A few gathering places, events, or experiences in the region that you already enjoy.
- How you tend to connect people or spread the word about things you care about.
- Any experience you have with storytelling, social media, event organizing, or community involvement.
We expect many of the people who can help shape this signal are already here in Happy Valley. If you see yourself in this description, we would like to hear from you.
Real Life, Curated.
