Penn State Schuylkill’s Alpha Epsilon Lambda chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, the national communication honor society, inducted eight new members in a ceremony held at the Michael C. Fryer Conference Center on Oct. 16. Lambda Pi Eta, founded in 1985, recognizes academic excellence in communication students and promotes professional development.
Penn State’s Office of Planning, Assessment, and Institutional Research has designated its inaugural cohort of Assessment Champions for 2024-25. This new program recognizes individuals who are deeply committed to enhancing student learning through learning assessment.
D.J. Higgins, a filmmaker and assistant teaching professor of film/video and music at Penn State Schuylkill, has directed and produced award-winning films, including his feature film "The Documentary," which won The Mike Vezza Experimental Award. Additionally, he is leading a community course on mental health in cinema, fostering dialogue on social issues. Higgins’ work in teaching, filmmaking, and local arts underscores his influence in both education and the arts.
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.
Baking in the test kitchens at The Hershey Company. Studying the effects of space weather on satellite communication with NASA. Working on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., as a congressional intern. Planning events at the Arboretum. These activities are just a few of the many experiential learning and professional development opportunities that Penn State students gained through internships this summer.
A draft proposal of Penn State’s institutional strategic plan has been unveiled and shared with the community for feedback and discussion. All faculty, staff and students at all campuses are encouraged to visit the Strategic Plan website to review and provide feedback on the draft plans for four goal areas.
Alysa Carestia, a second-year psychology major at Penn State Schuylkill, gained hands-on experience in therapy services through the campus’ Co-Op program. During her internship at Gym-Jam Therapeutics, she assisted therapists and was introduced to applied behavior analysis, which influenced her career goals.
Teaching and Learning with Technology (TLT), part of Penn State University Libraries, has announced the Teaching and Learning Technologies Faculty Advisory Committee for the 2024-25 academic year. The committee is pivotal in guiding TLT on integrating technology within teaching and learning at Penn State.
Emily Weider, a third-year student at Penn State Schuylkill, has always been drawn to business, growing up involved in her family's trucking company. Her Co-Op experience at Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers and Employers Association provided valuable hands-on learning, from managing databases to enhancing marketing efforts with Canva. The welcoming environment and the skills she gained have solidified her confidence in pursuing a future in business.
Penn State’s Commonwealth Campuses and Westmoreland County Community College, building upon a long-standing relationship, have entered into a new articulation agreement designed to enhance educational opportunities and improve the rate at which students obtain undergraduate degrees in Pennsylvania.
