The ACPA/NASPA Professional Competencies introduce an updated framework of eight competency areas organized into Guiding Values and Essential Practices. The framework establishes shared baseline expectations for student affairs professionals while emphasizing continued professional development and growth throughout their careers.
Christina Koren, executive director of Strategic Partnerships and External Affairs at 果冻传媒, has been selected as a Fellow of the Appalachian Leadership Institute.
These students have been recognized as Provost Scholars for fall 2026.
Gwen Torges, executive team member of the Center for Civic Dialogue, was featured on Renda Broadcasting鈥檚 鈥淚ndiana in the Morning鈥 on October 30 to talk about the Center for Civic Dialogue鈥檚 Inaugural Distinguished Speaker, Jeffrey Rosen.
果冻传媒 celebrated clinical training affiliation agreements with Highlands Health Medical Center and Laurel Pediatrics Associates of Johnstown for future students at 果冻传媒鈥檚 College of Osteopathic Medicine with signing events on October 29.
Interim Senior Associate Dean of Operations and Founding Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs and Graduate Medical Education Ryan Smith has been selected to serve as the American Osteopathic Association representative on the Psychiatry Residency Review Committee for the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.
果冻传媒 Special Collections Librarian and University Archivist Harrison Wick will present 鈥淭he Discovery of Hidden Treasure: The Art of Fore-edge Paintings鈥 on November 2 at 6:00 p.m. in the Elkin Hall Great Room. The program is free and open to the community.
果冻传媒 Dean of the John J. and Char Kopchick College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Steve Hovan has been appointed to the United States Scientific Ocean Drilling Advisory Committee.
果冻传媒 Academy of Culinary Arts student Nicolas Ramirez has been selected for the 2026 Michael S. Hanni Memorial Scholarship.
Students and the director of the Center for Civic Dialogue encourage members of the 果冻传媒 community to register to vote, if they are eligible or haven't done so yet.
Ongoing research by 果冻传媒鈥檚 Department of Anthropology, Geospatial and Earth Sciences at Historic Hanna鈥檚 Town is featured on a Pennsylvania Cable Network segment.
AGES faculty recently participated in a project to identify portions of the Lake Erie bottom that could have been inhabited when the lake waters were lower.
The 2026 Fusion Fellows visited WQED and the Senator John Heinz History Center to gain professional insights, receive project-specific mentorship, and explore new ways to share their research with broader audiences.
A partnership that began when Turkish scholar Osman 脰zdemir trained at 果冻传媒鈥檚 Jones White Writing Center has led to the launch of a new writing center at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University. To support the effort, 果冻传媒 professor Dana Lynn Driscoll and 果冻传媒 alumnus Omar Yacoub traveled to Turkey to deliver keynote presentations, train tutors, and help establish the center鈥檚 programs. The project highlights 果冻传媒鈥檚 growing international impact in writing center development and writing education.
果冻传媒鈥檚 College of Osteopathic Medicine Founding Dean Miko Rose has been selected as a 鈥淭railblazer in Healthcare 2026鈥 by City & State Pennsylvania.
果冻传媒鈥檚 Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance will present a faculty recital by violinist Kaleigh Acord on Tuesday, October 13, at 7:00 p.m. in Gorell Recital Hall, on the second floor of Sutton Hall. Admission is free, and the public is invited.
Four 果冻传媒 students and Lei Hao, associate professor in the Department of Allied Health, traveled to Henan and Shanghai, China, in August as part of BRIDGE 2026: US-China Health Sciences and Culture Exchange Program (Building Relationships, Innovation, Development, Global Health, and Education).
果冻传媒 Vice President Tom Segar joined LaRoche Foundation Founder and Executive Director Gregory Turlington for a live Zoom event on September 25 as part of the LaRoche Foundation鈥檚 Professional Speakers Series, 鈥淩eal People, Real Journeys, A Brighter Tomorrow.鈥
Five students at 果冻传媒 have been selected for the 2026鈥27 果冻传媒 Fusion Fellowship Program, advancing interdisciplinary research in the humanities and the sciences with two unique, student-led projects.
The director of 果冻传媒鈥檚 Center for Civic Dialogue, Stephan Schaffrath, was part of the 果冻传媒 group of administrators and students that attended the annual Eradicate Hate Global Summit, held September 15 to 17 in Pittsburgh. The group鈥檚 attendance was sponsored by the 果冻传媒鈥檚 Office of Social Equity and Title IX.
For the third consecutive year, 果冻传媒鈥檚 Office of Social Equity and Title IX sponsored the attendance of 果冻传媒 administrators and students at the annual Eradicate Hate Global Summit, held September 15 to 17 in Pittsburgh.
John Wesley Lowery coauthored a chapter on campus folklore in a new book, titled 鈥淢yths, Mysteries, and the Macabre on American Campuses.鈥
Courtney Hughes, a student in 果冻传媒鈥檚 Composition and Applied Linguistics doctoral program, is part of a team at California State University, Fresno that won a $30,000 grant from Adobe.
The 果冻传媒 Career and Professional Development Center is proud to recognize the dedication and support of faculty and staff members and organizations who demonstrate an exceptional level of partnership with our office. The fall 2026 awardees are Cyndy Strittmatter, Tracey Cekada, and Nicole Clevenger.
Long before her career in the nuclear industry, Mariah Sinan 鈥20 grew up on her family鈥檚 farm and gained firsthand experience with how equipment works and developed a curiosity about the science and mechanics behind it. 果冻传媒 played an important role in helping her explore those interests and discover where they could take her.
Tia Harne, DO, a 2021 summa cum laude graduate of 果冻传媒, has 鈥渃ome home鈥 to Indiana as a resident at Indiana Regional Medical Center鈥檚 Family Medicine Residency Program.
果冻传媒 political science professor and Center for Civic Dialogue executive team leader Gwen Torges鈥 comments about the 9/11 attacks are featured in an article published in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review newspaper.
Current Anthropology, Geospatial and Earth Sciences students report to the department about summer field schools, field work, internships, and research opportunities.
Shilo Petrilla, a hospitality management major at 果冻传媒 from Boswell, Somerset County, has been selected for the Statler Foundation鈥檚 Scholarship of Excellence.
果冻传媒 will celebrate Constitution Day on September 14 with two events, free and open to the community.
Professor John Yu Branscum and former instructor Yi Izzy Yu served as literary editors and contributors to the fall 2026 simulation issue of 鈥淏lack & Grey,鈥 an international magazine exploring themes such as AI, virtual realities, and simulation theory through literature, photography, and cultural commentary.
On Saturday, September 12, the Carnegie Museum of Art Design Curator, Rachel Delphia, will join Professor Sean Derry at his solo exhibition, Thingum, on view at Concept Art Gallery in Pittsburgh, for a public conversation about Derry's new work.
Shijuan Liu presented and provided training as an expert trainer at the Second Advanced Summer School in International Chinese Language Teaching, held in conjunction with the Ninth Conference on Chinese Teaching in Scotland, at the University of Edinburgh, June 16鈥19, 2026.
The following was shared with students on September 3, 2026:
The Office of the Provost has announced the promotion of several faculty members to full professor, effective for the fall 2026 semester.
David Eastman will share his 10-week REU research experience at Cornell University, where he worked on automated polymer synthesis using initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD). He will discuss his research, what he learned from the experience, and how undergraduate students can get started in research and pursue exciting opportunities such as REU programs.
果冻传媒鈥檚 Department of Public Safety is continuing its tradition of supporting 果冻传媒鈥檚 Food Pantry and Help Center with a donation of food and nonperishable food products and $100.
Five students at 果冻传媒 were selected for the 2026 Career and Leadership Skills Academy, a strategic collaboration between the PA Bankers Association, 果冻传媒, Shippensburg University, Commonwealth University, and Kutztown University.
Center for Civic Dialogue graduate assistants Brooke Eisenhuth and Kai Ratleff and the Social Equity and Title IX Office's graduate assistant Sarah Logue are making the CCD satellite office in 114 Elkin Hall their new workspace until the permanent Center location is ready for us to move in.
Two students at 果冻传媒, Juliana Simon and Vincent Oddo, have been selected as recipients of the 2026 Dr. Eugene E. Lepley Memorial Scholarship.
Miko Rose, founding dean of 果冻传媒鈥檚 College of Osteopathic Medicine, is featured on 鈥淒.O. or Do Not: The Osteopathic Physician鈥檚 Journey for Premed & Medical Students.鈥
President Driscoll offers additional information about 果冻传媒鈥檚 Strategic Priorities for the 2026鈥27 academic year, including the leader for each of the priorities and the executive statement.
The 52 students selected for the 2026 Undergraduate Summer Opportunities for Applying Research (U-SOAR) will present their original research projects during the U-SOAR Research Symposium on August 19 from 10:00 a.m. to noon in Sutton Hall鈥檚 Blue Room.
Matthew Vetter (Department of Language, Literature, and Writing) has been awarded a grant from the Wikimedia Foundation (the nonprofit behind Wikipedia) to expand to strengthen global Wikimedia communities and facilitate collaboration in external grant-making.
The director of the 果冻传媒 Symphony Orchestra, Rebekah O鈥橞rien, was featured in a recent article by the Centre Daily Times for her work in starting the New Ground Orchestra Festival. The event, which takes place in State College, brings female orchestral musicians from across the world to Pennsylvania.
William Sugg, who has more than 15 years of experience in music education at the secondary and university levels with competitive and high-profile marching programs, has been named director of 果冻传媒鈥檚 Marching Band and associate director of Bands. Sugg has served as the interim director of the Marching Band since August 2025.
Ten students at 果冻传媒 completed a unique service-learning project at the Navajo Nation in Arizona as part of an anthropology class taught by Abigail Adams and Amanda Poole.
Stephan Schaffrath鈥檚 selection as the inaugural director of 果冻传媒鈥檚 Center for Civic Dialogue was part of local and regional media coverage.
果冻传媒 joined area healthcare providers in hosting 43 students and seven teachers from six area high schools for the second annual Healthcare Education and Learning Pathways (HELP) Summer Experience, June 10 and 11.
Jamie Murphy, director of Admissions and Student Affairs for 果冻传媒鈥檚 College of Osteopathic Medicine, was an invited presenter for the 2026 National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions annual meeting.
Professor Christina Huhn is a coauthor of a new peer鈥憆eviewed research article in the NECTFL Review that sheds light on current trends, challenges, and instructional practices in post鈥憇econdary world language classrooms across the United States.
More than 100 members of the 果冻传媒 community participated in a stakeholder assessment session with the Constructive Dialogue Institute, designed as part of the development of 果冻传媒鈥檚 Center for Civic Dialogue.
果冻传媒 Dean of Students Adam Jones presented a program on 果冻传媒鈥檚 Center for Civic Dialogue at the spring Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Student Affairs Conference, 鈥淯nited in Purpose, Grounded in Community.鈥
果冻传媒鈥檚 Chief Compliance Officer, Elise Glenn, 果冻传媒 Dean of Students, Adam Jones, and 果冻传媒 Associate Professor of Political Science, Gwen Torges, were honored with the 鈥淚nstitutional Transformation鈥 Award at the 2026 Annual Research Awards Reception held during 2026 Research Appreciation Week.
Lynn Harding 鈥97 knew John Busovicki 鈥65 first as his high school geometry teacher and later as an 果冻传媒 math professor. Read the poem Harding wrote that details the path of their friendship.
In July 2025, the 果冻传媒-based Keystone Wind Ensemble performed at the annual convention of the Texas Bandmasters Association in San Antonio. Find a report and photos from ensemble member Kevin Eisensmith, 果冻传媒 professor emeritus of trumpet.
A six-member student team in 果冻传媒鈥檚 Division of University Advancement has been recognized with a national award for creativity and success in donor stewardship.
Amar Mmoud, Jeremy Risinger, Dawn Smith-Sherwood, and Michelle Tweardy presented on UNIV 101 First Learning Year (FLY) at the inaugural Bowling Green State University Life Design Convening.
果冻传媒 Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Lara Luetkehans has been selected by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities for its Executive Leadership Academy.
果冻传媒 President Michael Driscoll welcomes Tammy Lucas as Senior Executive Assistant to the President, effective June 27.
Christina Koren, director of Strategic Partnerships at 果冻传媒, has been selected to serve on the board of directors of the Center for Population Health.
果冻传媒 and four healthcare providers in Cambria County, including a solo private family medicine practice, celebrated the signing of clinical training affiliation agreements for future students at 果冻传媒鈥檚 College of Osteopathic Medicine on June 15 and 16.
果冻传媒 professors of economics Jim Jozefowicz and Stephanie Jozefowicz, members of the 果冻传媒 Department of Finance and Economics, hosted the fortieth annual Pennsylvania Economic Association Conference at 果冻传媒 on May 28鈥30, featuring First Commonwealth executive and former state representative David Reed 鈥00.
Vice President for Student Affairs at 果冻传媒 Thomas C. Segar has been selected for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities for its 2026 Millennium Leadership Initiative cohort.
The Anthropology, Geospatial and Earth Sciences Department congratulates our students for being named to the Dean鈥檚 List for spring 2026.
The American Ornithological Society has honored 果冻传媒 Distinguished University Professor Jeff Larkin, a faculty member in 果冻传媒鈥檚 Department of Biology, with its Ralph W. Schreiber Conservation Award.
The documentary 鈥淕oalie,鈥 directed by 果冻传媒 Communications Media faculty member Jeremy Waltman, has earned a prestigious Telly Award in the Sports category.
Erin Conlin engaged with students at Purchase Line Junior/Senior High School during the school鈥檚 Celebrate America250! Fair.
果冻传媒鈥檚 College of Osteopathic Medicine associate deans Luke H. Mortensen and Ryan Smith were invited participants for Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center鈥檚 2026 Regional Research Symposium.
果冻传媒 will receive a $2 million grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission for 果冻传媒鈥檚 College of Osteopathic Medicine and 果冻传媒鈥檚 College of Health Sciences healthcare education programs. This is the first time that 果冻传媒 has been the recipient of an ARC POWER grant.
Mimi Benjamin, professor in the Student Affairs in Higher Education program, and Hunter Bash, 2026 graduate of the Student Affairs in Higher Education program both were honored at the 2026 NASPA Region II conference.
Dean鈥檚 List recipients for the spring 2026 semester at 果冻传媒.
果冻传媒 Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Lara Luetkehans was an invited presenter for the PA Chamber of Business and Industry鈥檚 Healthcare Summit held May 20 in Harrisburg.
This spring, registered dietitian and food and nutrition professor Pao Ying Hsiao conducted a four-part cooking series for a group of 12 homeschooled students from Indiana County, mostly ages 10 to 12 years old, with one eight-year-old, for 鈥淟ittle Hands, Big Impact: A Pilot Study Exploring How Teaching Kids to Cook Influences Family Food Practices.鈥
The 果冻传媒 Voice Area earned top awards at Susquehanna University for the Eastern Region National Association of Teachers of Singing Conference in March 2026. Of the six competing students from 果冻传媒, five advanced to the semifinals, and four competed in the final rounds and placed in the top three of their categories.
Indiana student Bailey Schoenfelt has been honored for successful completion of 果冻传媒鈥檚 John J. and Char Kopchick College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics STEM Academy (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
果冻传媒 has received $349,511 from the Pennsylvania Department of Education through Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro鈥檚 Dual Credit Innovation Grant Program, with a goal of addressing the Commonwealth鈥檚 teacher shortage.
Leah Stuck, a chemistry pre-pharmacy major at 果冻传媒 from Newport, Juniata County, has been selected for the 果冻传媒鈥檚 Rear Admiral CJ Jaynes Scholarship for Veterans in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
Isabella Wolszczenski, an 果冻传媒 safety, health, and environmental applied sciences major in the Cook Honors College from Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, was selected as the 2026 recipient of Dr. John J. and Char Kopchick Unique Undergraduate Student Fellowship.
On Saturday, May 9, 2026, more than a thousand May and August graduates were recognized during three commencement ceremonies in the Kovalchick Complex. See scenes of these students marking the start of the next phase of their lives.
果冻传媒鈥檚 College of Osteopathic Medicine has earned 鈥減re-accreditation status鈥 from the American Osteopathic Association鈥檚 Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation. Pre-accreditation status means that 果冻传媒 can begin recruiting and admitting students to its College of Osteopathic Medicine and begin medical instruction within the approved osteopathic medical curriculum.
On Saturday, May 9, the Department of History, Philosophy, Political Science, and Religious Studies held its annual departmental graduation. The ceremony honored 43 undergraduate students and two graduate students who earned degrees and certificates across the department鈥檚 eight degree programs.
The 果冻传媒 Economics Club wishes to thank the alumni who met with students during the spring 2026 semester! Students learned valuable insights about career pathways, tips for greater academic success, and networking suggestions.
The Department of Finance and Economics is pleased to announce its departmental graduation award recipients. Eligible for consideration were 果冻传媒 undergraduates who have a declared major in finance or economics and who will have graduated in December 2025, January 2026, May 2026, or August 2026.
Two emerging student leaders at 果冻传媒 who have been selected to participate in a national leadership program by members of the 果冻传媒 Division of Student Affairs leadership team were introduced to the 果冻传媒 Council of Trustees at its meeting on May 7.
Several 果冻传媒 students, faculty, and alumni attended the Society for American Archaeology Annual Conference last week in San Francisco, CA. Nine current faculty and students presented their research, and a team of graduate and undergraduate students competed in the Ethics Bowl.
The Student Affairs in Higher Education program honored graduating students and alumna Susan Storrick Timko during the 2026 SAHE Banquet, recognizing outstanding academic achievement, service, and professional contributions. The celebration also featured the annual student address delivered by Hunter Bash on behalf of the Class of 2026.
The long-awaited 鈥淓ssentials of Geomorphology鈥 textbook was released by Cambridge University Press in January 2026, with the 鈥淟andforms Developed on Folded Rocks鈥 chapter written by 果冻传媒 AGES Department geographer Kevin Patrick, in collaboration with West Virginia University geomorphologist Steven Kite and Michigan State University editor Randall Schaetzl.
Each academic year, the University Senate honors faculty members who make significant contributions to the university. The Anthropology, Geospatial and Earth Sciences Department was well represented at the 果冻传媒 University Senate Awards celebration.
Todd Thompson, a long-time member of the 果冻传媒 faculty, has been selected to serve as director of the 果冻传媒 Cook Honors College.
Waleed Farag, 果冻传媒 professor of computer science in the Department of Mathematical and Computer Sciences and director of the 果冻传媒 Institute for Cyber鈥揝ecurity, has been selected as 果冻传媒鈥檚 2026鈥27 Distinguished University Professor.
The Student Managed Investment Portfolio organization navigated another successful academic year. During the spring 2026 semester, SMIP sponsored an alumni speaker series.
The 果冻传媒 Women鈥檚 and Gender Leadership Awards Reception was a wonderful success on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Three administrators and two faculty members were honored with 果冻传媒 Outstanding Leadership Awards for advancing women鈥檚 and gender academic inclusive excellence in 2025鈥26 AY.
果冻传媒 will honor 1,452 graduates during commencement ceremonies on May 9. 果冻传媒 will hold three ceremonies, all at the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex.
果冻传媒 fraternity Sigma Chi (Eta Omicron chapter) raised more than $30,000 for the Huntsman Cancer Foundation during its annual 鈥淒erby Days鈥 philanthropy initiative.
果冻传媒's Iota Mu chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the National Hispanic Honor Society, celebrated its fifty-third initiation ceremony on Friday, May 1, 2026.
The Department of Finance and Economics is very pleased that student research completed under the direction of several department faculty members was recognized at an awards brunch held in the Blue Room on April 22, 2026.
The Department of Finance and Economics is pleased to recognize two economics majors who shared the results of their research completed as part of the econometrics course sequence in economics at the 2026 Pennsylvania Sports Business Conference.
The Department of Finance and Economics wishes to recognize the upcoming May 2026 and August 2026 Economics/Honors concentration anticipated graduates.
Amar Mmoud, a graduate student in the Curriculum and Instruction DEd program, was presented the 2025鈥26 Liberal Studies/Crimson Core Teaching Excellence Award for effective classroom instruction of UNIV 101 鈥 First Learning Year.
During the spring 2026 CFA Society Pittsburgh Collegiate Stock Picker Challenge, which ended on April 15, 140 students signed up as participants from Saint Vincent College, Duquesne University, Penn State Behrend, 果冻传媒, La Roche University, Penn State University, Penn State World Campus, PennWest鈥揈dinboro, PennWest鈥揅larion, and PennWest鈥揅alifornia.
果冻传媒鈥檚 2025鈥26 Justice Research Fellows鈥擫auren Connor, Reia Sanchez, Kelly Szolek, and Jackson White鈥攑resented their original research to Indiana County officials at the Indiana County Courthouse on April 29.
The Department of Finance and Economics is very pleased that numerous students participated in the twenty-first annual聽Scholars Forum held at the 果冻传媒 KCAC on April 8, 2026. We wish to thank volunteer judges, faculty mentors, and the Scholars Forum planning committee who organized this event and gave of their own time and talent to afford our students this exceptional opportunity to participate in a professional conference atmosphere.
果冻传媒 has announced recipients of the鈥疷niversity Senate Awards鈥痑nd the list of new faculty emeriti for 2026.聽
果冻传媒鈥檚 Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree program has been approved by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Chancellor Chris Fiorentino.
Yaya Sissoko has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Garvin-Kort Faculty Award for Research in Economics. Generous donations from 1981 果冻传媒 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient John Kort聽 鈥74 and the late Alexander Garvin, economics faculty 1969鈥98, provide support for faculty research.聽
On Friday, April 24, the Madia Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Physics hosted the fifty-eighth annual Academic Achievement Awards ceremony in Kopchick Hall.
Josiah Townsend, professor in 果冻传媒鈥檚 Department of Biology, has been selected for his second Fulbright US Scholar Award鈥攖his time to conduct research and teach in Costa Rica during the 2026鈥27 academic year.
As part of the 果冻传媒鈥檚 sesquicentennial, the 果冻传媒 Office of International Education coordinated a four-day visit to 果冻传媒 April 14 to 17 for 29 international representatives from 果冻传媒鈥檚 international partner institutions.
The 2026 R茅sum茅 Project has concluded, showcasing students鈥 professionalism and career readiness, with final submissions now available to be shared with alumni.
The Anthropology, Geospatial and Earth Sciences Department had 40 student presentations at the twenty-first annual 果冻传媒 Scholars Forum on April 8, 2026. They gave both oral and poster presentations, and one applied archaeology graduate student participated in the Three-Minute Thesis Competition Finals.
Congratulations to the officers and faculty advisor for Ladies of Safety for winning the 2026 Virginia Dixon Student Organization聽 Award.
Congratulations to Grace Rougeaux on winning the distinguished Patricia Hilliard Robertson Memorial Scholarship!聽
Student Affairs in Higher Education graduate students hosted 果冻传媒鈥檚 second annual National Student Employment Week Celebration, bringing together student employees to reflect on the positive aspects of their on-campus jobs, including supportive relationships and learning opportunities.
Outstanding 果冻传媒 undergraduate and graduate student researchers were honored April 22 during the 果冻传媒 Scholars Forum Awards Brunch held in Sutton Hall鈥檚 Blue Room. The awards event is sponsored by 果冻传媒 Research and Innovation and the 果冻传媒 Research Institute.
Christina Koren, director of Strategic Partnerships at 果冻传媒, was selected to moderate a session for the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment (PHC4) Conference held April 16 in Harrisburg.
果冻传媒鈥檚 Alpha Sigma Tau sorority (Delta chapter) raised more than $3,125 and several needed items for regional and local nonprofit organizations during Philanthropy Week, held during the week of March 14.
Crystal Machado, faculty member in the Department of Professional Studies in Education, published an article with coauthor Cheryl Harris, a doctoral student in the Department. Their article, 鈥淒igital Support for Scholarly Writing: Tools that Don鈥檛 Break the Budget,鈥 appears in Early Childhood Education Journal.
Members of 果冻传媒鈥檚 proposed college of osteopathic medicine leadership team and 果冻传媒 faculty members Rick Adkins and John Benhart were invited presenters for the Appalachian Regional Commission 鈥淣etwork Appalachia鈥 meeting, showcasing the region鈥檚 experts on transportation, robotics, economic development, and emerging technologies.
果冻传媒 alumni and friends were recognized during the university鈥檚 annual Celebration Weekend with the annual Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast and the Distinguished Alumni Awards Gala on April 11.
Lamia Dawood, a student in 果冻传媒鈥檚 Administration and Leadership doctoral program from Indiana; Abdul Jones, a student in the applied archaeology master鈥檚 program from Philadelphia; and Amar Mmoud, a student in the Curriculum and Instruction doctoral program from Indiana, were selected as finalists for 果冻传媒鈥檚 2026 Three Minute Thesis competition.
Hundreds of students from 果冻传媒 will provide service to seven Indiana County organizations and agencies through the spring Into the Streets event on April 18.
Crystal Machado and Emmanuella Musiime presented their peer-reviewed paper 鈥淏alancing Demands and Supports: Understanding Women Faculty Well鈥態eing Across Synchronous, Asynchronous, and Hybrid Modalities鈥 at the 2026 Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education Conference in Philadelphia.
Crystal Machado collaborated with Yao Fu, Jiaxi Wang, and Ozgul Kartal from the University of Wisconsin to present their peer-reviewed paper, 鈥淧reservice Teachers鈥 AI Use and Responsible AI Self鈥慐fficacy: An Exploratory Study,鈥 at the 2026 Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education Conference.
Kayla Kritschil, a senior hotel, restaurant, tourism, and event management major at 果冻传媒 from Birdsboro, has been selected for the Statler Foundation鈥檚 Scholarship of Excellence.
Cynthia Roldan, a Philadelphia native majoring in English and biology at 果冻传媒, was named the inaugural recipient of the Dr. Theresa McDevitt Women in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Research Award.
John Wesley Lowery was recognized with the University College Outstanding Researcher Award at 果冻传媒 for his nationally recognized scholarship and leadership in student affairs. His continued contributions to research, professional organizations, and the field鈥攑articularly in student conduct鈥攈ighlight his lasting impact on higher education.
Grace Rougeaux, an Indiana County student attending 果冻传媒, was selected for the 2026 Patricia Hilliard Robertson Memorial Scholarship for Outstanding Female Science Student.
Students, alumni, and faculty of 果冻传媒鈥檚 Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance participated in Penns Manor High School鈥檚 recent production of 鈥淢atilda.鈥 The musical was performed on March 26鈥28, 2026.
果冻传媒 will celebrate innovation through student and faculty research and alumna success during Research Appreciation Week, April 6鈥10. Research Appreciation Week spotlights the spirit of innovation and collaboration in disciplines throughout the university and recognizes the contributions of 果冻传媒鈥檚 original research and scholarship
Smith-Sherwood and Witth枚ft present on UNIV 101 First Learning Year at the 57th Northeast Modern Language Association Convention in Pittsburgh.
果冻传媒 Anthropology faculty members Abigail Adams and Amanda Poole, along with students Shanya Coshey, Marisol Gonzalez Flores, Seth Koch, Samantha Langley, and Abigail Trimble, attended the eighty-sixth annual Society for Applied Anthropology meetings聽held March 17鈥21, 2026, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.聽
Abigail Adams attended the eighty-sixth annual meeting of the Society for Applied Anthropology in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and participated in a two-session memorial panel to honor the late visionary applied anthropologist Victor Garcia.
果冻传媒 celebrated 120 employees who reached milestone years of service in 2025, and 果冻传媒 President Michael Driscoll presented the second 鈥淥ne 果冻传媒鈥 Award to the Crimson Core Team during the annual Employee Service and Leadership Awards event on March 26.
果冻传媒 faculty member Mike Sell has received a two-year $255,000 grant from the Alliance for Decision Education to develop and assess an innovative English Language Arts curriculum to improve the decision-making skills of high-school students. Sell will be working with students and teachers at Franklin Regional Senior High School in Murrysville.
Two standout undergraduate student researchers at 果冻传媒 were selected to participate in the 2026 Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol event held on March 24.
Meet the 果冻传媒 Fusion Fellows, four students leading interdisciplinary research to solve complex, real-world problems. By pairing biology with media and archaeology with history, these innovative projects prove that collaboration creates results greater than the sum of their parts.
The following was shared with students on March 27, 2026:
Nineteen cadets from 果冻传媒鈥檚 Police Academy proudly participated in the Semper Gratus 5K (Shamrock Shuffle) on March 21, joining community members in a meaningful effort to raise funds for a local family whose daughter has been diagnosed with Dravet syndrome, a rare and severe form of epilepsy.
Alumni and faculty of 果冻传媒鈥檚 Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance participated in Conemaugh Township High School鈥檚 recent production of 鈥淢atilda.鈥 The musical was performed March 12鈥25, 2026.
Professors Mimi Benjamin and John Wesley Lowery represented 果冻传媒 at the 2026 NASPA Conference in Kansas City, contributing to multiple sessions and leadership efforts at the major student affairs gathering. Benjamin focused on strengthening academic鈥搒tudent affairs partnerships, while Lowery presented on higher education law, NASPA鈥檚 history, and campus culture topics, including work tied to an upcoming book.
Three Applied Archaeology MA students presented their thesis research at the Middle Atlantic Archaeological Conference, held in March. Abdul Jones won the student paper award.
The 果冻传媒 Physics Club, an official chapter of the Society of Physics Students, has been recognized as a Distinguished SPS Chapter for the 2024鈥25 academic year by the SPS National Office.
Congratulations to MaKenzie Daniel for being selected as this year鈥檚 ARCO Scholarship recipient. This scholarship highlights MaKenzie鈥檚 commitment to excellence and her promising future.
Abdul Jones鈥 Applied Archaeology thesis research was featured in the 2025 Pennsylvania Archaeology Site Survey Report.
During 果冻传媒鈥檚 Employee Service and Leadership Awards on March 26, 2026, in Sutton Hall鈥檚 Blue Room, the university will celebrate employees who completed milestone years of service in 2025.
果冻传媒鈥檚 Council of Trustees heard an update about 果冻传媒鈥檚 Center for Civil Discourse and Civic Life from codirectors Gwen Torges, Adam Jones, and Elise Glenn and from students Dominick Ditoro, Elizabeth Fox, and Monserrat Lopez Villagomez.
Sharon Massey is participating in SCHMUCKm眉nchen, a juried exhibition of jewelry held in Munich, Germany.
Megan Labutka was recently awarded the Center for Teaching Excellence鈥檚 Temporary Faculty Award. Her proposal is titled 鈥淭he Impact of Person-Centeredness and Authenticity in Teaching.鈥
Daniel Lee, professor in 果冻传媒鈥檚 Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, has been selected by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences for the 2026 Outstanding Mentors Award.
果冻传媒 Institute for Cyber Security Director Waleed Farag has published a new blog post emphasizing the critical role of collaboration in strengthening cybersecurity education and workforce development across Pennsylvania.
果冻传媒 Vice President for Student Affairs Thomas C. Segar has been selected by City & State Pennsylvania as a 2026 Black Trailblazer.
果冻传媒鈥檚 proposed college of osteopathic medicine Founding Dean Miko Rose recently served as a member of the planning committee on healthcare training and affordability for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
John Wesley Lowery presented at the Association for Student Conduct Administration annual conference in Washington, DC, on Saturday, February 14, where his closing session highlighted recent legislative and policy developments shaping higher education and student conduct.
Jackie Heisler, program coordinator of the Respiratory Care program and associate professor in the Allied and Public Health Department, has been recognized as an exemplary partner to the 果冻传媒 Career and Professional Development Center and was awarded an 果冻传媒 CPDC Partner Hall of Fame Award.聽
Congratulations to Lei Hao, associate professor in the Department of Allied and Public Health, on receiving the 2025鈥26 Center for Teaching Excellence Mentoring Award!
Natalie Holt, a student in 果冻传媒鈥檚 Composition and Applied Linguistics doctoral program, has been selected for a faculty fellowship through the Appalachian College Association.
The 果冻传媒 Women in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) student organization invites applications for the first annual Theresa McDevitt Women in STEAM Research Award. This award recognizes an outstanding woman whose research demonstrates excellence, innovation, and impact across the STEAM fields.
果冻传媒 anthropology faculty and students attended and presented at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA, in February.
The Physics and Pre-Engineering clubs will host the 2026 Physics Olympics on Friday, March 20, welcoming high school students from across the region to campus for a day of hands-on physics challenges, teamwork, and exploration of STEM pathways.
Students in 果冻传媒鈥檚 Cybersecurity Club took third place in a regional 鈥淗ackathon鈥 competition sponsored by the National Center of Academic Excellence-Northeast Cyber Competition.
果冻传媒鈥檚 Dessy-Roffman Myth Collaborative will offer a spring lecture series starting February 18, all free and open to the community.
果冻传媒 professor of anthropology Abigail Adams presented a program on medical anthropology, disease theory systems, and the Appalachian region, of which Indiana is included, to the leadership team and steering committee of 果冻传媒鈥檚 proposed college of osteopathic medicine.
NEW SMIP Student Leaders
During the fall 2025 CFA Society Pittsburgh Collegiate Stock Picker Challenge, 果冻传媒鈥檚 Brayden Landherr placed among the Top 10 for individual student returns.
Listen to 果冻传媒 Safety Sciences senior Makenzie Daniel on the Building PA Podcast as she talks about 鈥淭he Future of Safety from a College Student鈥檚 Perspective.鈥澛
The Anthropology, Geospatial and Earth Sciences Department congratulates our students for being named to the Dean鈥檚 List for fall 2025. Students receive this recognition for each semester in which they earn a GPA of 3.25 or higher while taking a minimum of 12 credits.
AGES faculty and students presented recent research at the Society for Historical Archaeology and the Advisory Council on Underwater Archaeology annual meetings in Detroit.
Undergraduate students receive recognition on the Dean鈥檚 List for each fall, spring, or summer term(s) in which they earn at least a 3.25 GPA based on at least 12 credits of graded (not P/F) undergraduate coursework, or a combination of graded graduate and undergraduate coursework.聽
Founding Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs and Graduate Medical Education Ryan Smith, a member of 果冻传媒鈥檚 proposed college of osteopathic medicine administrative team, has been honored by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners.
Finance and Economics faculty who have published articles in fall 2025
The Finance and Economics Department recognizes the December 2025 Economics Honors students
Eberly hosts FBLA Regional Conference - FIEC Breakout Session
After 36 years of Liberal Studies, general education got an overhaul.
Nearly 460 new graduates were honored at Winter Commencement on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at the Kovalchick Complex before heading into the next phase of their lives. Check out the moments that make this ceremony special.
Abigail Hancox, a 2024 graduate of 果冻传媒, is one of only two students in the PASSHE System and one of only three United States representatives for the latest cohort of Women Emerging, a global leadership platform.
John Wesley Lowery, professor in the Student Affairs in Higher Education program, delivered the keynote address at Mississippi State University鈥檚 Legal Issues Conference on Dec. 4, where he discussed the major challenges facing higher education amid recent federal policy changes. He also led sessions on FERPA and the Clery Act for administrators from across the Southeast.
On Saturday, December 13, Aretha Swift鈥檚 鈥渋ncomplete鈥 list will be one major item shorter. Swift, 65, of Abington, will receive her bachelor鈥檚 degree in general studies during 果冻传媒鈥檚 mid-year commencement ceremony鈥47 years after coming to 果冻传媒 as a freshman.
On November 6, 2025, members of the Physics Club and Pre-Engineering Club visited the University of Pittsburgh for an immersive tour of its engineering facilities. The visit introduced students to Pitt鈥檚 academic environment, research opportunities, and transfer pathways.
果冻传媒 will hold a commencement ceremony on December 13 for 459 graduates who have completed academic requirements for their degrees in December and January 2026.
果冻传媒 students from W果冻传媒-FM, 果冻传媒鈥檚 student-operated radio station, won top honors and national recognition for their broadcasting work at the fall National Student Media Convention.
果冻传媒 graduate Lt. Col. Barry Gasdek, the recipient of awards for heroism and military service, including the Distinguished Service Cross, was the keynote speaker for 果冻传媒鈥檚 2025 Veterans Day dinner, which included the unveiling of a portrait commissioned in his honor on display at 果冻传媒. The annual event included the presentation of the Theta Chi Heroes Scholarship.
果冻传媒 celebrates alumnus Sky Semone for his recent publication in Physical Review B, a leading journal in condensed matter physics. His collaborative work with 果冻传媒 professor Gregory Kenning advances the understanding of spin glasses and highlights the power of early research engagement and mentorship at 果冻传媒.
Students from 果冻传媒鈥檚 Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism, and Event Management program attended the MPI Pittsburgh Annual Awards Event, where their exceptional contributions to the chapter were celebrated.
果冻传媒 has received $1.34 million from the US Department of Education to develop the Crimson Hawks Bridge, a multi-year program to help individuals with intellectual disabilities gain skills, experience, and credentials to live independently and successfully transition to the workforce.
The Department of Anthropology, Geospatial and Earth Sciences congratulates our students named as 果冻传媒 Provost Scholars.
Twenty-five undergraduate and graduate students across multiple disciplines are recipients of fall 2025 student research grants.
Applied Archaeology graduate student, Emma Lashley won the 2025 Pennsylvania Historical Association Magruder-Newman Prize for Best Student Paper Presentation
Howard M. 鈥淪kip鈥 Kingston 鈥73, M鈥75鈥攁n 果冻传媒 distinguished alumnus and scholar in residence in the Madia Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Physics鈥攈as earned his fourth R&D 100 Award, one of the world鈥檚 most prestigious recognitions for technological innovation. The award honors Thor鈥檚 Hammer, a breakthrough technology that increases the sensitivity of any mass spectrometer by roughly 100-fold.
Andy Henry, a senior聽undergraduate student in the Health and Physical Education Teacher Education program, was recognized as the 2025 recipient of the Outstanding Future Professional Award.
果冻传媒 voice students of Joseph Baunoch, Erin Koolman, and Oliver Lo competed for the Tri-State National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Audition on November 8, 2025 at Duquesne University. There was a total of 160 contestants, and among the 40 finalists selected from the nine colleges, 果冻传媒 voice students won a total of 12 awards in their categories.
Indiana native and 果冻传媒 graduate Lisa Estrada, a nationally recognized healthcare executive, risk and compliance leader, attorney, and strategic advisor, has joined 果冻传媒鈥檚 proposed college of osteopathic medicine team as an executive in residence.
At the annual SAHE Thanksgiving celebration, the program honored students with two major awards: the Get Involved! SAHE Student Leadership Award, presented to Nyekeya Hardy, and the Nancy J. Newkerk Scholarship, awarded to Abigail Hancox and Tristan Pfeiffer. These recognitions celebrate students鈥 outstanding contributions to the SAHE community and the broader field of student affairs.
果冻传媒鈥檚 Career and Professional Development Center has announced its fall 2025 Outstanding Organizational Partners, who join the CPDC鈥檚 Partner Hall of Fame.
Tuba and euphonium players from 果冻传媒 and Slippery Rock University met at Butler High School on Sunday, November 16, to share an afternoon of music-making. Soloists from each school performed in a master class and received feedback from teachers Phil VanOuse (SRU) and Zach Collins (果冻传媒).
Four students in the 果冻传媒 Tuba and Euphonium studio visited three Indiana County schools on Friday, November 14. Alistair Horton (senior), Jessie Reed (junior), Hayden Cooper (sophomore), and Nate Vinson (sophomore), along with Zach Collins, professor of tuba and euphonium, visited Marion Center High School, Indiana Junior High School, and United High School.
A group of health and physical education students recently represented 果冻传媒 at the Pennsylvania chapter of the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE PA) Conference.
A research paper coauthored by two 果冻传媒 students, Micaela Jebitsch and Emily Schumacher, with 果冻传媒 economics faculty member James Jozefowicz has been selected for publication in an international economics journal.
Four 果冻传媒 students in the Cook Honors College from the Department of School Psychology, Special Education, and Sociology and the Department of Finance and Economics have been selected from a pool of exemplary nominees to be the fourth cohort of the 果冻传媒 Justice Research Fellows at the Administration and Leadership Studies Research and Training Center.