This March, nine Penn State Schuylkill students presented original research at the Eastern Communication Association’s (ECA) James C. McCroskey and Virginia P. Richmond Undergraduate Scholars Conference. Under the guidance of Valerie Schrader, professor of communication arts and sciences, these students, along with one University Park student, presented 21 individual research projects and received several recognitions.
A team of Penn State faculty, led by Joseph Squillace, has received a $1.78 million DOJ grant to develop Virtual Reality (VR) technology aimed at preventing school violence and cyberbullying through education and training. The three-year project, in collaboration with local school districts and law enforcement agencies, focuses on advancing equity in violence prevention for historically underserved communities. By creating real-world VR scenarios addressing issues like racism, xenophobia, and sexual assault, the initiative provides students and educators with a safe, controlled environment to develop effective prevention strategies.
Penn State's Sustainable Labs Program, now in its third year, is enhancing sustainability in research labs across the University. The program has expanded to multiple campuses with more than 70 labs and 600 researchers as part of current or past cohorts.
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.
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.
Penn State announced the recipients of the inaugural Commonwealth Campus Undergraduate Community-Engaged Research Awards, a new program designed for faculty who specifically support undergraduate student participation in research that aims to improve community well-being.
A diverse coalition of community leaders came together with University faculty and staff to tackle the pressing rural health issues and disparities facing the region for the Schuylkill County Health Collaborative Community-Driven Research Day in May. The event was hosted by Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute, in collaboration with Penn State Schuylkill and Primary Health Network.
Students from Penn State's 2023-24 EnvironMentors cohort were honored with first- and second-place overall awards, plus the community impact award, at the EnvironMentors National Science Fair and Awards Ceremony on June 3. The event, held at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, was the highlight of a four-day trip to Washington, D.C.
Penn State has announced the recipients of the inaugural Presidential Public Impact Research Awards, a new program designed to support faculty and students who are working on research projects that directly benefit communities.
