UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — During his time at Penn State, fourth-year Schreyer Scholar Juntae Rocker has dedicated himself to serving underrepresented students and strengthening their communities across the University. In recognition of those efforts, along with his academic achievements, Rocker has been awarded the 2023 Neil C. Patel Memorial Changemaker Honors Scholarship. 

The Changemaker Scholarship was established in December 2021 in honor of its namesake, Neil Patel, who died from COVID-19 earlier that year. The scholarship honors Patel's memory and recognizes Schreyer Scholars who exemplify his commitment to family, community, education and opportunity. 

"I view receiving this award as a way to honor Neil’s name, embody the tenets of his life philosophy, and extend the legacies he left beyond the borders of Penn State and Schreyer Honors College,” said Rocker. “Neil and I shared a couple of business classes where I could see a glimpse of his impact on the communities he interacted with.” 

A double major in Asian studies and Korean, Rocker has taken on leadership roles in numerous organizations and initiatives that promote representation and equity for minoritized students. Some of his most noteworthy efforts include: 

• Vice president of the GLOBE living-learning community where Rocker mentored fellow Scholars, planned globally focused programming for residents, and took part in a virtual exchange with the University of Ibague. 

• Marketing intern with the Paul Robeson Cultural Center where he provided representation for Asian students by promoting Asian events around University Park.

• American Vice Chair of the Korea-America Student Conference. 

• American Ambassador for the United States Institute of Peace Trilateral Youth Workshop. 

• Volunteer English tutor to a North Korean defector. 

Additionally, his efforts in and out of the classroom have been recognized with awards such as the U.S. Department of State’s Critical Language Scholarship to support study abroad in South Korea, and the Gilmore Chang Scholarship for mentorship, leadership and service. 

Rocker’s leadership and involvement have left an indelible impression on Susan Strauss, associate professor of applied linguistics and Asian studies. 

“I have not met a single student in my 25-plus years at Penn State with a record as extraordinary [as Juntae’s] in the areas of scholarship, mentorship, volunteerism, ambassadorship and deep commitment to the community,” she said. 

Rocker plans to use his experiences at Schreyer and Penn State to help strengthen relations between the two countries he has called home. The Changemaker Scholarship will help him travel to South Korea this summer where he intends to “pursue academic and professional opportunities.” 

"As I eventually enter the field of U.S.-Republic of Korea security and diplomacy, I promise to embody Neil Patel’s life and virtues and expand his impact through the way I conduct myself and serve others,” Rocker said.