About Penny

Penny Githens grew up in Richmond, Indiana.  After graduating from Purdue University in 1972 with a degree in Chemistry and Math Education, Penny served in the Peace Corps in Kenya for 2 years. Upon her return she attended IU, earning a masters in Educational Psychology. Penny has held faculty research positions at the Yale School of Medicine and Vanderbilt University, been involved in program development at the Wharton School of Business, and served as a project manager at the IU School of Education. She is the co-author of two books and multiple professional journal articles. 

Penny has also been active in autism advocacy for decades, serving as a previous board member for the South Central Indiana Chapter of the Autism Society of America from 1999 - 2007, and for the Autism Society of Indiana from 2003-2005. She has also volunteered as an educational advocate with IN*SOURCE, and been an active member of several Democratic organizations in Monroe County. Penny is also an avid supporter of Hoosier Hills Food Bank and Pantry 279..

Penny and her husband, Ed Buffie, have two sons, Nathan and Nick.