During Penn State Schuylkill’s March Faculty Research Series event, Jessica Saalfield, assistant professor of psychology, presented her research on “The Role of Geography in Substance Use and Misuse,” examining how location influences patterns of alcohol and substance use across different populations.
Mike Rhoades, Peter and Ann Tombros Endowed Men’s Basketball Head Coach, will deliver the commencement address at Penn State Schuylkill’s Saturday ceremony at 10 a.m. on May 9, in the campus gymnasium.
Gabriel Kamarousky, a healthcare executive with more than two decades of experience, will deliver the commencement address at Penn State Schuylkill’s Friday ceremony at 7 p.m. on May 8, in the campus gymnasium.
John Perkins, a fourth-year nursing student at Penn State Schuylkill, is graduating with a strong passion for helping others and a wide range of campus experiences. Actively involved in numerous student organizations, he developed valuable skills in leadership, time management and community building. Inspired by his own experience with Crohn’s disease, Perkins pursued nursing and gained hands-on clinical experience across multiple specialties, including intensive care. As he looks ahead to his career, he encourages students to take advantage of opportunities and “just go for it.”
Penn State Schuylkill students participated in the 53rd annual FBLA Pennsylvania State Leadership Conference, competing in a variety of business-related events. The chapter, led by state president AJ Serrano, engaged in workshops, networking opportunities and competitions. Several students earned top honors, including first-place finishes in Business Communication and Impromptu Speaking. Qualifying students will have the opportunity to compete at the National Leadership Conference in Las Vegas this June.
Penn State Schuylkill recently sponsored the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce’s first Business Executive Forum of 2026 on March 18, marking the 10th year the campus has hosted the event and brought together more than 100 business and community leaders, along with local and state legislators and several University leaders, for a discussion on leadership and the future of work.
Students in MGMT 345: Cultural Intelligence in Leadership and Management at Penn State Schuylkill recently expanded their learning beyond the classroom, traveling to Denmark and Sweden as part of the course’s international embedded travel component. The course brought together students from Penn State Schuylkill, University Park and World Campus for a weeklong experience focused on cultural exploration and global leadership.
Sierra Wishnefsky, a fourth-year psychology major from Ringtown, is graduating from Penn State Schuylkill with a bachelor’s degree, an associate degree in human development and family studies, and a certificate in behavioral health and counseling. Highly involved on campus, she held leadership roles, competed as a student-athlete and gained hands-on experience through research and internships focused on mental health and trauma-informed care.
The Muslim Student Association at Penn State Schuylkill welcomed students, faculty and community members to an Iftar gathering on March 5, offering an evening of reflection, dialogue and community during the holy month of Ramadan.
As graduation approaches, corporate communication major Maxwell Smith of Delaware County is preparing to leave Penn State Schuylkill with leadership experience, professional confidence and a strong sense of community. Smith said the relationships he built with friends, faculty and staff made his experience especially meaningful and will be what he misses most after graduation.
