Health and Human Development program marshals
Athletic Training
Jillian Zerbe, daughter of David and Christine Zerbe of Eagleville, Pennsylvania, will receive a bachelor’s degree in athletic training. Zerbe was a member of the Penn State Student Athletic Training Club, serving as the group’s secretary her senior year. She also served as an HHD Student Ambassador.
She is the recipient of the Edward A. Sulkowski Athletic Training Scholarship, the Jimmy Warfield Memorial Athletic Training Scholarship, the Student Leadership Scholarship, and the Blynn DeNiro Memorial Scholarship, awarded by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Research & Educational Foundation and sponsored by the Professional Hockey Athletic Trainers’ Society.
After graduation, she will attend the University of South Carolina Post-Professional Athletic Training Program to pursue a master’s degree in advanced athletic training.
Biobehavioral Health
Megan Williams, daughter of Jason and Michelle Williams of Easton, Pennsylvania, will receive a bachelor’s degree in biobehavioral health. Williams worked as an undergraduate research assistant for the Sleep, Health, and Society Collaboratory. She served as a resident assistant for Nittany Apartments & Suites and as a teaching assistant for the classes Anatomy and Physiology Lab I and II.
Williams received the President’s Freshman Award, the President Sparks Award, the Evan Pugh Scholar Award, the Janice L. Strickler Student Award, and the Jacob Koffler Scholarship.
After graduation, Williams will begin working full-time as a neurosurgery associate product manager at Aesculap, a medical device company.
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Gloria Lo, daughter of Oliver Lo and Helen Yuen of Indiana, Pennsylvania, will receive bachelor’s degrees in communication sciences and disorders and musical arts (violin performance). Lo served as co-president and service vice president of the Music Service Club, also performing at Penn State THON with the group. She also performed as a violinist in the Penn State Philharmonic Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, and String Quartet, and volunteered with the For Good Troupe.
Lo was a Schreyer Honors Scholar, conducting the thesis project, “Resources for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Improvisational Music and Dance Movement Therapy Techniques.” She received the Communication Disorders Award, the Harold and Nancy O’Connor Music Scholarship, the President’s Freshman Award, and the University Park Provost Award.
Following graduation, Lo will pursue a master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders at Penn State.
Health Policy and Administration
Dana Novak, daughter of Ed and Barb Novak of Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania, will receive a bachelor’s degree in health policy and administration, with a minor in human development and family studies and a second minor in diversity and inclusion in health and human development. Novak worked as a research assistant for child maltreatment prevention and volunteered at local daycare centers. She completed a summer internship at Family Service of Rhode Island, where she raised funds for a homeless shelter and a COVID-19 food delivery program. She also participated in Penn State THON with Apollo her sophomore year.
After graduation, Novak plans to pursue a position in health policy or further study in epidemiology in order to positively influence community health.
Hospitality Management
Shiyu Gan, daughter of Jianhua and Yiwen Gan of Shanghai, China, will receive a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management. Gan served as president of the Elite League of Hospitality in Asia, a student organization that helps members understand and develop skills in the hospitality industry in Asia.
Following graduation, Gan will take a position as a food and beverage manager-in-training at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas.
Hospitality Management
Airui Huang, daughter of Hua Wang of Shenzhen, China, will receive a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management. Huang served as president of the Elite League of Hospitality in Asia, a student organization that helps members understand and develop skills in the hospitality industry in Asia.
Following graduation, Huang will take a position with a real estate consulting company.
Human Development and Family Studies
Caitlin Geaman, daughter of Lee Geaman of Mullica Hill, New Jersey and Maxine Geaman of Jacksonville, Florida, will receive a bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies with a minor in psychology. Geaman volunteered as a research assistant for the Social Science Research Institute Data 4 Action project and at the Clinical Research Center. She was a member of the Penn State CrossFit Club, serving as THON chair her junior and senior years. She was a member of the Penn State THON Dancer Relations Committee her sophomore and junior years, dancing in THON 2022. She was also a member and vice president of the HDFS Undergraduate Student Organization.
As a Schreyer Honors Scholar, Geaman conducted a thesis project, “Coparenting and Youth Adjustment During the COVID-19 Pandemic,” with the help of Susan McHale and Anna Hochgraf, and the support of her family and friends.
Following graduation, Geaman will attend Drexel University for the accelerated career entry nursing program, after which she plans to become a travel nurse.
Kinesiology
Kyle Nerz, son of Kevin and Nga Nerz of Wallingford, Pennsylvania, will receive a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. Nerz was a member of the College of Health and Human Development Undergraduate Student Council, serving as president and social media chair. He was also a member of the Kinesiology Club and the Alpha Epsilon Delta pre-health honor society. He completed clinical shadowing at Premier Orthopedics in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania and worked as a promoter for StarOne Events.
As a Schreyer Honors Scholar, Nerz conducted a thesis project, “Treating Non-Dystrophic Myotonias: A Review Guiding the Design of Nav 1.4-Selective Sodium Channel Inhibitors.” He received the President’s Freshman Award and the James E. Miller Scholarship.
Following graduation, Nerz will take a gap year to do research and gain clinical experience before applying to medical school to become an orthopedic surgeon.
Nutritional Sciences
Kiara Smith, child of Linda and Dirk Copland of State College, Pennsylvania, will receive a bachelor’s and master’s degree in nutritional sciences, through an integrated program in the Schreyer Honors College. Smith was a “bee expert” with the Beekeepers Club and manager and head chef at Penn State Hillel’s Chicken Soup Hotline. Smith is also the student marshal for the College of Liberal Arts Department of Linguistics.
As a Schreyer Honors Scholar, Smith conducted a thesis project, “Food Insecurity as a Longitudinal Predictor of Diet, Sleep, Mental Health and College Academics.” They received an HHD Summer Research Grant, the Goldstein Honor Award, the HHD Got Grit Award, and the Genevieve P. Ho Award in Nutrition.
After graduation, Smith will complete a dietetic internship and become a registered dietitian nutritionist. They plan to pursue a career in clinical nutrition and public health.
Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management
Colin Lloyd, son of Philip and Vicki Lloyd of Newville, Pennsylvania, will receive a bachelor’s degree in recreation, park, and tourism management. Lloyd was a member of the Sports Business Club and the Penn State THON Rules and Regulations Committee. He also worked as an intern at the Bryce Jordan Center.
Following graduation, Lloyd plans to pursue a career in sports or live entertainment.
Reserve Officer’s Training Corp (ROTC)
Karl Troutman, son of Jane and Richard Troutman of Herndon, Pennsylvania, will receive a bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies. Troutman is a member of the Army Reserve Officer’s Training Corp and served as the Cadet Command Sergeant Major and a member of the Tactics Club. He was a member of the Weightlifting and Boxing Club at Penn State Altoona. In 2021, he participated in a fitness challenge to raise money for Stop Soldier Suicide.
Troutman was inducted into the Scabbard and Blade Honor Society and received a National ROTC Scholarship, the General W.A. Morgan Award, the CPT Brian Faunce Award, and the Superior Cadet Award. He also graduated from the Sabalauski Air Assault School.
Following graduation, Troutman will be commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the Army active-duty infantry branch, beginning his career at Ft. Benning, Georgia.