Kyla Valerie Guillermo received the Top Graduate Student Paper award and Karandhir Singh Flora received the second runner-up in the Undergraduate Writing Competition.
On Sept. 27-28, Penn State Schuylkill hosted the 84th annual Pennsylvania Communication Association (PCA) conference for the first time, welcoming over 80 participants from more than 40 colleges. Valerie Schrader, professor of communication arts and PCA president, organized the event, with Penn State Schuylkill faculty and students presenting 17 projects. Several students and faculty received top paper and presentation awards.
Rafael Davis Matar Grandi, a senior studying finance in the Smeal College of Business, completed a summer internship with PepsiCo in the Frito-Lay plant in Orlando, Florida. He immersed himself in PepsiCo’s business and gained valuable insights into its operations and strategies. He collaborated with cross-functional teams, tackled real-world challenges and contributed to projects that drove efficiency and added value back to the plant. “From day one, the company culture and the support from the entire Orlando team have been nothing short of outstanding," he said. "This internship experience enhanced my professional skills and helped me build genuine, lasting relationships. The experiences and insights I’ve gained have fueled my excitement for what lies ahead, and I’m eager to apply what I’ve learned in my senior year at Penn State!”
Kacey Harper, a junior studying corporate communication at Penn State Schuylkill, worked as a marketing intern for the Schuylkill United Way in Pottsville, Pennsylvania this summer. Her primary project was refreshing the organization’s Community Resources Guide, which involved verifying local companies’ services and contact information, redesigning the guide for better usability, and assisting with promotional materials for events. “Seeing first-hand how Schuylkill United Way benefits the community has been inspiring, especially since I have lived in Schuylkill County my whole life," Harper said. "It was rewarding to understand the impact of their work behind the scenes. This experience has made me eager to pursue a career where I can use my skills to make a positive contribution to a community, similar to the meaningful work done by Schuylkill United Way.” Read more about Harper’s experience on the Penn State Schuylkill website.
Deanna Vincenzi, a senior studying recreation, parks and tourism management in the College of Health and Human Development, spent the summer as an events intern with The Arboretum at Penn State on the University Park campus. She helped coordinate logistics and craft timelines for several events, including the Penn’s Woods Music Festival, weddings and volunteer efforts, and led the planning and execution of a garden-wide appreciation event. She is continuing her internship this fall and will co-lead the Arboretum’s annual Pumpkin Festival, the venue’s largest event that draws up to 20,000 attendees. “I’ve had the incredible opportunity to dive into the dynamic world of events, rentals and operations through programs large and small at The Arboretum at Penn State," Vincenzi said. "Through this internship, I gained experience working with clients, vendors and guests for private and public programs. I’m grateful for the support of my colleagues and mentors whose guidance, trust and encouragement have made this such an invaluable experience. From professional development trips, networking opportunities and all the hands-on work at events in the gardens, I could not have asked for a better internship.”
Alex McElhinny, a senior majoring in energy, business and finance in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, spent the summer as an intern with Sunoco LP in the race fuels department at the Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania terminal. The position was part of Energy Transfer’s internship program. According to McElhinny, the site was a great stepping stone to understanding the midstream sector, which covers natural gas processing, storage and transportation. McElhinny also got an in-depth look at how Sunoco produces and sells its high-quality race fuel to end consumers. “Energy Transfer’s internship program opens the doors to meeting many like-minded people and provides potential experiences that are once in a lifetime," McElhinny said. "I am proud to share that I have received an offer to consider continuing my journey with Sunoco after I graduate from Penn State.”
