UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — As part of Penn State’s spring 2024 commencement activities, 34 students will represent the College of the Liberal Arts as student marshals based on outstanding academic achievement and contributions to Liberal Arts student life.
The College of the Liberal Arts’ commencement ceremony will take place at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, in the Bryce Jordan Center. Learn more about the College of the Liberal Arts’ spring 2024 commencement activities.
Amanda Mohamed is the college student marshal and labor and human resources major marshal. She is the daughter of Stella and the late Ahmed Mohamed of State College, Pennsylvania. A Paterno Fellow and Schreyer Scholar, Mohamed is graduating with bachelor of arts degrees in labor and human resources, global and international studies and Spanish, with a minor in civic and community engagement. Mohamed had the opportunity to volunteer on two farms in Hawaii and Alaska through the Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) USA program. Additionally, she was a Partnerships for International Research and Education (PIRE) Fellow in The Brain Tracking Lab, directed by Giuli Dussias, where she conducted her research in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Mohamed also studied abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Santiago, Chile, through the Institute for the International Education of Students (IES Abroad). At Penn State, the McNair Scholar and Presidential Scholar was a co-director for Students Teaching Students and a Lion Ambassador. After graduation, Mohamed will work as a human resources intern at First National Bank Corporation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this summer.
“My Penn State Liberal Arts education meant everything to me as a first-generation college student," said Mohamed. "I benefited from the numerous grants and scholarships I was awarded, the professors and faculty that encouraged me to pursue my interests and the friends I met along the way who became my family.”
Keep reading to learn more about the student marshals, each of whom was selected to represent a major offered within the College of the Liberal Arts.
African Studies
Jaclyn Schwartz is the daughter of Susan and Robert Schwartz of Finleyville, Pennsylvania. She is graduating with bachelor of arts degrees in African studies and psychology and a minor in human development and family studies. Schwartz was the recipient of the 2024 Mona Shibley Bird Memorial Scholarship in Psychology, the 2023 Runtagh Scholarship in the College of the Liberal Arts, the 2023 Simpson-Marcher-Petersen Scholarship and the 2022 African Studies Scholarship. At Penn State, Schwartz was a research assistant for the Laboratory for Anxiety and Depression Research, a teaching assistant for the Department of Psychology, the academic chair of Alpha Xi Delta and a member of the Panhellenic Judicial Board. After graduation, Schwartz will attend graduate school to pursue a master’s degree in counseling and licensure as a licensed professional counselor.
Anthropological Science
Ericka Pica is the daughter of Erin and Richard Pica of Scranton, Pennsylvania. She is graduating with a bachelor of science degree in anthropological science. Pica was the recipient of the 2023 Evan Pugh Scholar Award and the 2022 President’s Freshman Award. At Penn State, Pica was a teaching assistant for the Department of Biology and the Department of Statistics and a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta, the National Health Preprofessional Honor Society. She also studied abroad in Italy. After graduation, Pica will attend Wayne State University, pursuing a master’s degree in biological anthropology with a focus on forensics.
Anthropology
Kate Sarsfield is the daughter of Erin and Robert Sarsfield of Hershey, Pennsylvania. She is graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in anthropology and minors in ethics and Holocaust and genocide studies. At Penn State, Sarsfield was an intern for the Matson Museum of Anthropology, a teaching assistant for the Department of Anthropology, the treasurer and Panhellenic delegate of Omega Phi Alpha and a THON 2024 dancer. After graduation, Sarsfield will enter the workforce in preparation for applying to law school.
Asian Studies
Carollynn Stefanko is the daughter of Emily and Brian Stefanko of Poulsbo, Washington. She is graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in Asian studies and minors in Korean and world literature. Stefanko worked abroad in the summer of 2022 in Seoul, South Korea, as a marketing and business intern for CRCC Asia. After graduation, Stefanko will move abroad to South Korea to teach English in preparation for applying to graduate school to pursue a master’s degree in Asian studies and literature.
Chinese
Sam Koenig is the son of Julie and Mike Koenig of Windsor, Colorado. He is graduating with bachelor of arts degrees in Chinese and international politics. At Penn State, Koenig was the philanthropy chair of Beta Sigma Beta, a World in Conversation facilitator, an undergraduate research assistant for the Department of Asian Studies and a member of Penn State Hillel. After graduation, Koenig will work as a litigation assistant at Kobre & Kim in preparation for applying to law school.
Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies
Grace Blaha is the daughter of Martha and John Blaha of Los Altos, California. A Paterno Fellow and Schreyer Scholar, she is graduating with bachelor of arts degrees in classics and ancient Mediterranean studies and labor and human resources, a bachelor of science degree in anthropology and a minor in Jewish studies. At Penn State, Blaha was a museum assistant for the Matson Museum of Anthropology, a research assistant for the Behavioral Endocrinology and Evolution Lab, the commander of Apollo Benefitting THON, a teaching assistant for the Department of Anthropology and the Department of Communication Arts and Sciences, an undergraduate researcher in the MicroARCH Lab and a member of Lambda Alpha, the National Anthropology Honor Society. She also studied abroad in Italy and Greece. After graduation, Blaha will enter the workforce.
Communication Arts and Sciences
Hayden D'Elena is the son of Juliann and John D'Elena of Mahwah, New Jersey. A Paterno Fellow and Schreyer Scholar, he is graduating with bachelor of arts degrees in communication arts and sciences and political science and minors in Chinese and rhetoric. D'Elena is the recipient of the 2023 Richard B. Gregg Award for Scholarly Excellence, the 2023 Evan Pugh Scholar Award, the 2022 President Sparks Award, the 2022 American Mock Trial Association All-Region Award and the 2021 President’s Freshman Award. He has also received a 2023 Michael Hodes Scholarship in Communication Arts and Sciences and a 2022 Kim Anderson Memorial Scholarship in Political Science. At Penn State, D'Elena was the chief justice of the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA), director of outreach for Lion Caucus, tournament director of the Mock Trial Association and a speaking mentor for the Undergraduate Speaking Center. After graduation, D'Elena will take a gap year to prepare for applying to law school.
Comparative Literature
Sydney Burns is the daughter of Angela and William Burns of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. A Paterno Fellow and Schreyer Scholar, she is graduating with bachelor of arts degrees in comparative literature and English and a minor in Greek. Burns is the recipient of the 2022 John W. Moore, Jr. Undergraduate Award in English, the 2022 Samuel P. Bayard Award and the 2022 President Walker Award. She also received the 2023 Agnes Kennedy Tiley Scholarship, the 2022 Martha Conner Memorial Award and the 2022 Benjamin Cantwell Memorial Scholarship in the College of the Liberal Arts. At Penn State, Burns was a Center for American Literary Studies intern for the Department of English, an outreach intern for the Department of Comparative Literature, a writing peer tutor for the Writing Center at Penn State Learning and president of the Comparative Literature Club for two consecutive years. After graduation, Burns will attend the University of Cambridge, pursuing a master of philosophy degree in English studies.
Criminology
Kira Soricelli is the daughter of Tammy and Jason Soricelli of Milford, New Jersey. A Schreyer Scholar, she is graduating with bachelor of arts degrees in criminology and English and minors in sociology and psychology. At Penn State, Soricelli was a founding member of the United Nations Campus Advocates, a teaching assistant for the Department of Sociology and Criminology, an event coordinator for Take Back the Night, secretary of the Sunny State Club, a peer adviser for the Liberal Arts Office of Academic Advising and a brother of Phi Sigma Pi, Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Alpha Delta. After graduation, Soricelli will attend Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University to pursue her juris doctorate.
Economics
Rithvik Aloney is the son of Jyothi Kiran Aloney of Houston, Texas. He is graduating with a bachelor of science degree in economics. Aloney is a recipient of the 2024 and 2023 Evan Pugh Scholar Awards and the 2022 President Walker Award. At Penn State, he was a grading assistant for the Department of Economics and a member of the Derivatives Association and the Investment Association. After graduation, Aloney will attend the University of Pennsylvania to pursue a master’s degree in computer science.
English
Troi Howell is the daughter of Desiree and Derwin Howell of Oswego, Illinois. A Schreyer Scholar, she is graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in English with a minor in African American studies. Howell is a 2024 Fulbright semi-finalist and the recipient of numerous Liberal Arts scholarships. Her work has been presented at the 2021 Smeal College of Business S.T.A.R.T. Conference and the 2021 National Conference on Undergraduate Research. She also was awarded the 2024 Lehman Award in Nonfiction from the Department of English and placed third in the 2021 Smeal College of Business S.T.A.R.T. Diversity Contest. At Penn State, Howell was a 2023–24 Bednar Conservation Intern through University Libraries and community belonging educator for the Center for Social Change and Belonging. She pursued four independent research projects on American film portrayals of enslavement and the Black American experience. After graduation, Howell will pursue her Fulbright Study and Research Award plan and prepare for applying to graduate school to pursue a master’s degree in library and information science or a doctorate in African American studies.
French and Francophone Studies
Lauren Mazzatesta is the daughter of Christine and Richard Mazzatesta of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. A Paterno Fellow and Schreyer Scholar, she is graduating with a bachelor of science degree in French and Francophone studies and bachelor of arts degrees in English and history. At Penn State, Mazzatesta was the president of Phi Alpha Theta, the National History Honor Society; a Heritage Archival Processing Project intern for the University Club; a member of Phi Beta Kappa; and a representative at the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders in the summer of 2023. After graduation, Mazzatesta will attend Penn State Dickinson Law to pursue her juris doctorate to become an attorney and advocate for international human rights or family law.
German
Merel Padt is the daughter of Janet van Hell and Frans Padt of State College, Pennsylvania. A Paterno Fellow and Schreyer Scholar, she is graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in German, a bachelor of science degree in communication sciences and disorders and a minor in human development and family studies. At Penn State, Merel was an undergraduate research assistant for the Speech Production Laboratory, led by Ji Min Lee, and conducted research abroad in the Netherlands last summer through the National Science Foundation’s Partnerships for International Research and Education (PIRE) program. She also served as the president and programming director of the Language and Linguistics Club. After graduation, Padt will attend graduate school for speech-language pathology to become a speech-language pathologist.
Global and International Studies
Olivia Bratton is the daughter of Julie and Darwin Bratton of Hummelstown, Pennsylvania. A Schreyer Scholar, she is graduating with a bachelor of science degree in global and international studies and a bachelor of arts degree in political science. At Penn State, Bratton served as a mentor for incoming Schreyer Scholars, a member of Gamma Phi Beta and a content writer for the Global and International Studies program newsletter. During her third year, she studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain, an influential and life-changing experience that she said expanded her cultural knowledge and awareness. After graduation, Bratton will attend law school to pursue a career in international law.
History
Ashlee Wilson is the daughter of Rebecca Hazekamp of Topsham, Maine, and Scott Wilson of Milford, Pennsylvania. She is graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in history, a minor in political science and certificates in Holocaust and genocide studies and human geography. At Penn State, Wilson received the 2021 President’s Freshman Award and 2022 President Sparks Award, was a research intern for the Armsby Respiration Calorimeter Museum and served in multiple leadership roles for the Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity. In 2022, she also studied abroad in the United Kingdom at Leeds International Summer School. After graduation, Wilson will pursue a career helping others as a legal assistant while she obtains her paralegal certification.
Integrated Social Sciences
Renee Gibson is the wife of Kevin Gibson and mother of Jacob and Clare Gibson of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She is graduating with a bachelor of science degree in integrated social sciences. Renee credits Penn State World Campus for getting her where she is today. Her daughter, Clare Gibson, will also graduate from Penn State this spring. Throughout her undergraduate education, Gibson admired the remarkable demonstration of what Penn State students can accomplish together during Penn State THON. She also enjoyed the atmosphere of Penn State football games and being part of the team’s loyal community. After graduation, Gibson will continue working to support and advance the objectives of companies and institutions that serve the public’s best interests.
International Politics
Noah Eakin is the son of Tracey and Lawrence Eakin of McMurray, Pennsylvania. He is graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in international politics and minors in business and the liberal arts and Chinese. At Penn State, Eakin served as engagement manager and director of the Nittany Lion Consulting Group and was a member of Club Powerlifting. Last summer, he interned as an investment analyst at Vista Investment Management. After graduation, Eakin will join BNY Mellon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as an operations analyst in a two-year development program.
Italian
Victoria Snyder is the daughter of Debra and Stephen Snyder of Larchmont, New York. A Paterno Fellow and Schreyer Scholar, she is graduating with a bachelor of science degree in Italian and a bachelor of arts degree in English. At Penn State, Snyder was a member of the figure skating team and a head figure skating instructor at Pegula Ice Arena. She spent a year studying abroad in Perugia, Italy, where she embraced Italian culture and developed her Italian language skills. While in Italy, Snyder collaborated with educators at a local high school as an English language teaching assistant to help bring a native English perspective to Italian classrooms. She is also a member of Gamma Kappa Alpha, the National Italian Honor Society. After graduation, Snyder will return to Italy to continue her studies in Italian language and culture at L'Università per Stranieri di Perugia (the University for Foreigners of Perugia).
Japanese
Siyu Qian is the daughter of Chi Zhang and Ganbo Qian of Shanghai, China. She is graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in Japanese and a bachelor of science degree in finance. At Penn State, Qian received the President’s Freshman Award and a Certificate of Excellence in Japanese. Her favorite class was ASIA 200 because she learned more about her native language, Chinese, and her major, Japanese, from different perspectives. After graduation, Qian will attend Columbia University in New York City to continue her studies in finance to work in a leading investment firm.
Law and Society
Jazmin Sorensen is the wife of Christoffer Sorensen and mother of Isabella Sorensen, currently residing in San Clemente, California. She is graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in law and society and a minor in political science. Sorensen took online courses through Penn State World Campus and explored different perspectives from students worldwide. She is open to new challenges and responsibilities; however, the most important plans for her future are related to her role as a mother and inspiration to her children. After graduation, Sorensen will continue to develop her skills and gain more experience in the legal industry.
Linguistics
Grace Smith is the daughter of Elizabeth Smith and Glen Smith of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. A Paterno Fellow and Schreyer Scholar, she is graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in linguistics and minors in music performance and history. At Penn State, Smith received many awards, scholarships and honors, all of which have allowed her a well-rounded college experience. She was involved in many extracurricular activities such as serving as vice president of the Concert Choir and a member of Club Climbing. Smith also worked as a research assistant for the Linguistics program, where she developed linguistic coding skills, and as a communications intern for the Paterno Fellows Program. After graduation, Smith will attend graduate school for speech-language pathology to pursue work in pediatric autism.
Middle East Studies
Julia Welp is the daughter of Janet and Keith Welp of Macungie, Pennsylvania. A Paterno Fellow and Schreyer Scholar, she is graduating with bachelor of arts degrees in Middle East studies, history and political science, and a minor in global security. At Penn State, she was a member of Oriana Singers for eight semesters and Glee Club Benefitting THON where she served as the family relations chair. After graduation, Welp will pursue a doctorate in history to become a history professor or museum curator.
Organizational Leadership
Sharon Cohen is the daughter of Faye Bissonnette of Dunwoody, Georgia, and Roy Huff of Powhatan, Virginia. She is graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in organizational leadership. Cohen completed her education online through Penn State World Campus and was a member of Pi Delta Chi, the National Adult Learner Honor Society. She also recently ran her 65th half-marathon. After graduation, Cohen will seek employment in the human resources field and take the SHRM-CP certification exam this fall.
Organizational and Professional Communication
William Dexter Fowler of Las Vegas, Nevada, is graduating with a bachelor of science degree in organizational and professional communication. Before completing his college education online through Penn State World Campus, he was a professional baseball player and won the 2016 MLB World Series with the Chicago Cubs. Fowler was also a franchise player with the St. Louis Cardinals and a bronze medalist at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. Currently, he works as a television sportscaster for Marquee Sports Network. After graduation, Fowler will start a production company focused on bridging the communication gap between entertainers, athletes and the broader audience through different media platforms.
Philosophy
Madison Phillips is the daughter of Stephanie and Ralph Phillips of New Kensington, Pennsylvania. A Schreyer Scholar, she is graduating with bachelor of arts degrees in philosophy and political science. At Penn State, Phillips was a teaching assistant and learning coordinator for BISC 003 Environmental Science and a PHIL 105 Philosophy of Law student mentor and undergraduate research assistant, under the supervision of Eduardo Mendieta. She also studied abroad in Aix-en-Provence, France, for three weeks during the summer of 2023, where she applied and practiced her French language skills. After graduation, Phillips will take a gap year to pursue service-related work before attending law school to earn a juris doctorate and work as an advocate for the environment and underserved populations in the United States.
Political Science
Amita Diarra is the daughter of Gillian Blackman-Diarra and Abdoul Diarra of Lanham, Maryland. A Paterno Fellow, Schreyer Scholar and Provost Scholar, she is graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in political science and minors in French and Francophone studies and sexuality and gender studies. At Penn State, Diarra served as a research assistant for political science professors Sona Golder, Gregory Kruczek and Erin Heidt-Forsythe and was a member of the student-led, television talk show “Culture Central.” She also participated in the Ralph Branch Summer Institute and presented her research at the 2023 American Political Science Association annual meeting. After graduation, Diarra will attend graduate school to pursue a doctorate in political science to become a professor and researcher.
Psychology
Rebecca Burns is the daughter of Ruda and Richard Burns of Bellwood, Pennsylvania. A Schreyer Scholar, she is graduating with a bachelor of science degree in psychology. At Penn State, she was a research assistant for numerous psychology labs; the research chair of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology; the vice president and treasurer of the Bethune Society, a community service student organization; and a member of the Navigators, a Christian campus ministry community. After graduation, Burns will attend graduate school to become a professor of psychology.
ROTC
Mia Jordan is the daughter of Cherie and Bruce Jordan of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. She is graduating with a bachelor of science degree in economics. Jordan received the 2024 Vice Provost’s Award for Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Scholar-Leader. At Penn State, Jordan served as a company commander and battalion command sergeant major as part of the Penn State Army ROTC program and Cadet Relations team. She was also recognized as a 2023 Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) Outstanding Cadet. Aside from ROTC, Jordan was a teacher and member of Volé Dance Company, the largest dance organization at Penn State University Park, and was involved heavily in their THON organization in raising awareness and funds for childhood cancer. After graduation, Jordan will commission as a United States Army officer.
Russian
William Tatcher of Centre Hall, Pennsylvania, is graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in Russian and a bachelor of science degree in economics. A Paterno Fellow and Schreyer Scholar, he was a member of the Russian Studies Club and the International Politics Club. After graduation, Tatcher will prepare to apply to and attend law school.
Social Data Analytics
Yeji Park is the daughter of Nam Jin Kim and Jong Sung Park of Seongnam-si, South Korea. She is graduating with a bachelor of science degree in social data analytics. At Penn State, Park worked as a research assistant for the Center for Social Data Analytics (C-SoDA) and participated in the 2024 Bardusch Family IdeaMakers Challenge as part of Team Jinni, who placed third for their proposal of a privacy-focused digital journaling platform with friend-like features. After graduation, Park will return home to South Korea to pursue work in data analysis and machine learning, where she can further develop her AI and big data skills and expertise while contributing to the advancement of technology and innovation.
Sociology
Jamie Nguyen is the daughter of Thu Pham of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. A Paterno Fellow, Schreyer Scholar and Chaiken Scholar, she is graduating with bachelor of arts degrees in sociology and film production and a minor in horticulture. At Penn State, Nguyen was a videographer for 46LIVE, the student-run THON livestream production team; videographer and editor for CommAgency; and a resident assistant. A first-generation college student who hopes to create social commentary films about the Asian American diaspora, she interned at Los Angeles, California-based film production companies Monkeypaw Productions and Samuel Goldwyn Films. After graduation, Nguyen will work as the inaugural studio production intern for the Clorox Company, where she will create, film, and edit high-quality marketing materials for household brands such as Burt's Bees, Brita, Hidden Valley, Glad and Clorox at the company’s in-house production studio in Oakland, California.
Spanish
Lindsay Conrad is the daughter of Cassandra and Brian Conrad of Fleetwood, Pennsylvania. She is graduating with bachelor of science degrees in Spanish and labor and human resources. At Penn State, Conrad studied abroad through two summer programs in Ronda, Spain, and Cádiz, Spain, and worked as a peer career intern for the Bank of America Career Services Center. She was also the president of the Society for Human Resource Management, treasurer of the Liberal Arts Ambassadors and a member of the Spanish Club and DiscipleMakers Christian Fellowship. After graduation, Conrad will complete a human resources internship at Evonik, one of the world’s leading chemical companies, before returning to Penn State to complete her master’s degree in human resources and employment relations. Once she has earned her master’s degree, she said, she hopes to secure a human resources position for an international company so she can continue to use her Spanish language skills.
Women's Studies
Nia Smith is the daughter of Naree Hoye of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A Schreyer Scholar, Bunton-Waller Fellow and Chaiken Scholar, she is graduating with bachelor of arts degrees in women's studies and psychology, a minor in child maltreatment and advocacy studies and a certificate in diversity studies. At Penn State, she was a research assistant for numerous professors; the president of Hope Here Hope Now, a human trafficking awareness student organization; and a peer success coach in the Chaiken Center for Student Success. After graduation, Smith will pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology to study child maltreatment prevention and intervention efforts.