UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Balancing academics, extracurriculars and social life is a challenge for many college students. Add professional ballet, instructing, an internship and cross-training, and you have the daily schedule of Penn State digital journalism and media major Madeline Diehl.
Diehl is an apprentice with the Nevada Ballet Theatre in Las Vegas, where she learns and performs new ballets monthly for crowds of over 2,000, practices daily and continues pursuing her degree through Penn State World Campus.
Her days follow a strict, disciplined routine. The morning begins at 5:30 a.m. with cross-training, followed by an hour dedicated to schoolwork before starting rehearsal that runs from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Two evenings a week, she teaches younger dancers at a local studio until 9:30 p.m.
Despite her demanding schedule, schoolwork remains a priority. “I like learning. I like making myself better,” said Diehl, whose passion for education motivates her to dedicate most of her free time to her degree. Her two years of professional ballet in Vegas have been paired simultaneously with two years of college education.
Her commitment means her laptop is always by her side. Whether she’s writing essays while stretching before rehearsal or finishing a report at physical therapy, the MacBook is almost always within reach.
Ask how she manages such an intense lifestyle, and she has a simple answer: “It's pretty easy to stay motivated when you love what you're doing,” she said.
For Diehl, who has been dancing since she was 4 years old, Penn State was always a top choice. And, she said, the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications offered the right degree while the World Campus provided the perfect delivery method.
“World Campus is phenomenal, it’s easily one of the best online programs in the country,” she said. With both of her parents being graduates of Penn State’s communications program and employees of the University, her decision about college was even easier.
Even online, Penn State connections remain a strong part of her experience. “There’s a lot of Penn State alums who live here in Vegas that I have been able to reach out to,” Diehl said.
After graduating, Diehl said she plans to “keep dancing as long as [her] body lets [her].” When her ballet career eventually concludes, she hopes to combine her love of sports with her digital journalism and media degree by becoming a sideline reporter.
She is already taking steps toward this goal through her internship with the Sports Girls Club, a national media company, where she writes weekly articles highlighting women’s contributions to the sports world.
As Diehl continues to excel in juggling school, internships and her ballet career, she’s inspiring others in her company. “Many dancers don’t pursue an education because of the demand and time commitment,” she explained.
Before online programs, earning a college degree as a professional dancer was nearly impossible, Diehl noted. Now, that older dancers have seen younger professionals pursuing degrees and have become inspired to start their own higher education journeys.
Diehl brings her passion for education to every aspect of her life. One of her favorites is instructing younger dancers at a local company. She teaches two groups — one 8- to 12-year olds and another for those age 14 to 18.
She loves both for different reasons. She said the challenge of instructing older dancers with more complex steps is fun, but there’s something equally enjoyable about showing beginner dancers the basics the same way she learned when she was young.
Diehl’s commitment to her dance, her education and her community makes her an inspiration both on and off the stage. In every aspect of her life, she embodies the determination and self-discipline of both a gifted student and a talented dancer.