Alexa Menjivar, a fourth-year nursing student in the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing at Penn State Schuylkill, turned her lifelong passion for caregiving into a path toward a career in critical care. She balanced rigorous coursework with hands-on experience, including working as a caregiver and completing a competitive externship at Geisinger Medical Center — an opportunity that led Menjivar to receive a highly selective full-time position with Geisinger following graduation.
Thirty-three non-tenure-line faculty will use Opportunity Grants to fund a project of their choosing during the 2026-27 academic year. Opportunity Grants are designed for clinical, teaching, research and professors of practice faculty to receive funding for professional development through a self-proposed project.
Penn State Schuylkill celebrated student achievement during its annual Academic Program Awards Ceremony on April 27. The event recognized 57 students for outstanding academic performance across a range of degree programs and academic disciplines.
Penn State Schuylkill recognized the achievements of its Honors Program students during a ceremony held April 27. The annual event celebrates the exemplary academic effort and dedication required of students in the campus’ Honors Program.
Eight Penn State Schuylkill students and one University Park student presented original research at the Eastern Communication Association convention in Pittsburgh. In total, the students presented seven papers, three posters and three panel presentations. One Schuylkill corporate communication major, Anastasia Rakowsky, had a Top Paper with the Undergraduate Scholars Conference and received an award for her work at the conference.
Ethan Raho, a fourth-year project and supply chain management major at Penn State Schuylkill, built his college experience around professional growth, independence and connection. As he prepares to graduate, Raho encourages students to make the most of their time by getting involved and building their professional experience.
Penn State Schuylkill’s Alumni Society recognized distinguished graduates during its annual Alumni Awards Reception and Ceremony held April 14, celebrating alumni achievements, leadership and impact.
During finals week, Penn State University Libraries offers the De-stress Fest, which takes place at all five branch libraries across the University Park campus and at five campuses across the commonwealth, offering free snacks, games, activities, art therapy and other stress-management options that vary at each location.
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.
