Dive into the inspiring story of Brandon Follick ’15 Sci, who seamlessly navigates careers in biochemistry and comedy. Discover how his scientific background fuels his humor, the challenges of balancing these worlds, and his advice for scholars pursuing creative paths.

In this episode, you’ll here about

• Brandon's journey to Penn State and his early interests in science and comedy
• How biochemistry has shaped his understanding of human health and storytelling
• The parallels between scientific research and comedic creation, including writing and improvisation
• His experience working in biotech startups and the lessons learned about enterprise and innovation
• The evolution of comedy as a tool for social critique and the importance of punching up
• How platforms like YouTube and social media democratize content creation and talent discovery
• The role of mentorship in STEM and arts, and the importance of paying it forward
• Brandon’s creative process, balancing authenticity with ethical boundaries in comedy
• Practical advice for scholars considering unconventional careers in arts and startups
• How his childhood experience with Judge Judy influences his comedic perspective

This episode is great for any Scholar interested in career paths in either STEM or the arts, and especially for Scholars looking to navigate and balance multiple interests.

Guest Bio:

Brandon Follick ’15 Science is an entrepreneurial scientist comedian and writer in New York City. He has written for humor websites such as The Onion, The New Yorker, McSweeney’s, and Reductress, including Reductress’s recent book How To Stay Productive When the World is Ending, named one of Vulture’s Best Comedy Books of 2023. He is a writer and actor on Going Down with Ella Yurman, a trans-led public access late night show from the team that produced Late Stage Live, which is about to return from hiatus. He has performed standup and sketch in national and international comedy festivals, including New York Comedy Fest, Edinburgh Fringe, and Philly SketchFest. He produces a writing workshop series alongside The Onion to help create career opportunities for emerging comedy writers from backgrounds historically-excluded in comedy. He currently teaches Humor & Satire Writing at the Brooklyn Comedy Collective.

During the day, he works as a Senior Administrative Business Partner for Legal and Therapeutics at Schrödinger, a drug discovery and research enterprise. He was previously a Project Manager and Research Associate at Kallyope in New York City, an early-stage biotech startup exploring the gut-brain axis, where he assisted with the Research & Development of small-molecule therapeutics. Before joining Kallyope in 2016, he was a research assistant in Marcia Haigis’s lab at Harvard Medical School.

He earned his B.S. in Biology with Honors in Biochemistry from Penn State in 2015.

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Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted and produced by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer), '23g Bus. It was edited by Riya Agarwal '28. The artwork was created by Isabella Gasparraj '28. The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License.

View Full Transcript

Brian Rogowski ’97 Science shares his journey from a winding academic path to a successful career in technology. He discusses the importance of practical experience, the value of social sciences in tech, and the lessons learned from his honors thesis and research. Brian emphasizes the significance of teamwork, mentorship, and work-life balance while navigating the challenges of transitioning from academia to industry. He also provides insights into breaking into big tech and the evolving landscape of technology careers. This episode is useful for any Scholar, and especially those who are undecided about majors as well as those looking to work in the tech industry, especially “big tech.”

Guest Bio:

Brian Rogosky ’97 Science is Senior Software Engineering Manager at Apple, working on building large-scale data services for Apple Music. He previously was Director of Big Data Engineering for Beats Music, where he founded a software team for one of the early music streaming applications, which launched in 2013 and was acquired by Apple later in 2014, along with Beats Electronics, for $3 Billion, the largest monetary acquisition by Apple.

Brian graduated with a dual degree BS in Psychology and Science, with Honors and a Minor in Science, Technology and Society, in 1997. He earned a Masters in Psychology from Indiana University, Bloomington in 2004, where he researched human learning and artificial intelligence. He originally intended to pursue a Ph.D. with a view to become a professor of Cognitive Psychology like his mentors, Dr. David Rosenbaum (Penn State) and Dr. Robert Goldstone (Indiana), but the pull of technology and human-centered AI drew him to a career in the technology industry.

 He has worked for or advised numerous startups in AI, internet geolocation, online publishing and online learning. He continues his interest in applied AI, big data, human learning and knowledge representation, as well as creative writing.

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

YouTube

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted and produced by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer), '23g Bus. It was edited by Riya Agarwal '28. The artwork was created by Isabella Gasparraj '28. The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License.

View Full Transcript

Katie Florio ’15 HHD, a Schreyer Scholar alumna and former D1 student-athlete at Penn State, joins FTG to share her journey from being a kinesiology major with aspirations of attending medical school to pivoting into the financial sector, where she now works at Goldman Sachs. The conversation delves into her experiences as a cross-country and track athlete, the challenges of balancing academics and athletics, and her transition into the business world. Katie also discusses her passion for running, her achievements in marathons, and how the skills she developed as an athlete have translated into her professional life. The episode concludes with Katie offering advice to current students on networking, attention to detail, and the importance of maintaining a balance between work and personal interests. This episode, featuring a cameo from running enthusiast Dean Patrick T. Mather ’89, is great for any Scholar interested in a career in business, especially those not in the Smeal College of Business, and all Scholars for exploring and maintaining hobbies and passions beyond their time at Penn State as they transition to alumni.

Guest Bio:

Katie Florio ’15 HHD earned her B.S. in Kinesiology with Honors from Penn State’s College of Health and Human Development in 2015. Katie was a D1 athlete on the Penn State Track and Field and Cross Country teams where she served as a team captain. Katie, originally aiming to work in healthcare, now works as a Vice President and Wealth Advisor at Goldman Sachs in Philadelphia. She won her division of the 2024 Philadelphia Marathon and is a proud working mother.

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

YouTube

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted and produced by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer), '23g Bus. It was edited by Riya Agarwal '28. The artwork was created by Isabella Gasparraj '28. The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License.

Joe Kernan ’86 and Victor Ficarra ’21 share their unique journeys through college and into their respective legal careers in and out of “big law.” They discuss the importance of mentorship, the value of extracurricular involvement, and the impact of their honors thesis experiences on their professional paths. The conversation also covers practical advice for current students, including networking strategies, time management, and the evolving role of AI in law and accounting. Both guests emphasize the significance of giving back to the Penn State community and the transformative power of education. This episode is a must listen for any Scholar looking to a career in law and/or looking to get the most out of their relationships with mentors.

Guest Bios:

Joe Kernen ’86 Liberal Arts earned his BA in pre-law and went on to earn his JD from the NYU School of Law in 1989. He practiced law in Philadelphia for 35 years, the last 32 at DLA Piper, a global business law firm with over 4,500 lawyers. He had a complex commercial litigation practice, with an emphasis on class action and employment matters, and served as Managing Partner of DLA's Philadelphia Office, Chair of the Philadelphia Litigation Group and was the Hiring Partner for 14 years, and also served three terms on the firm's US Policy Committee. He retired as a practicing lawyer in March 2024  and now serves in a variety of charitable roles, including on the advisory boards of Penn State's Brandywine Campus and Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery and Delaware Counties.

Victor Ficarra ’21 University College is an International Tax Consultant at Deloitte in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he and his team support multinational companies to help them best align their tax strategies with their businesses through a wide variety of compliance and advisory services. Before joining Deloitte in October 2024, Victor interned at a handful of companies including J.P. Morgan Chase and Comcast Corporation. He earned his B.S. in Accounting with Honors from Penn State in 2021 as well as minors in International Studies and Civic & Community Engagement. He also earned his J.D. from Temple University's Beasley School of Law in 2024 and is enrolled at Georgetown University Law Center's LL.M. in Taxation program. Victor is also happy to speak further on tax, business and sports whether it relates to the law or otherwise, as well as mentorship and education as those were areas he continues to be passionate about post graduation. Please feel free to connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorbficarra/.

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

YouTube

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted and produced by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer), '23g Bus. It was edited by Riya Agarwal '28. The artwork was created by Isabella Gasparraj '28. The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License.

Personal finance expert and multimedia sensation Farnoosh Torabi ’02 Business shares her journey from a Schreyer Scholar to a renowned financial journalist. She discusses the importance of taking leaps of faith, staying curious, and leveraging unique opportunities at Penn State to forge a successful career. Scholars should listen to this episode to gain insights into navigating academic and career paths, understanding the value of diverse experiences, and learning how to position themselves as experts in their fields. Farnoosh's story is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and the pursuit of passion. It is particularly useful for any Scholar in the Smeal College of Business, Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, or any looking to start their own media presence.

Guest Bio:

Farnoosh Toabi ’02 Business is a leading personal finance authority, bestselling author, and creator of the Webby award-winning podcast So Money. As one of America's favorite go-to money experts, she has been a strategic advisor to millions on financial matters. 

Torabi's critically acclaimed podcast, So Money, has surpassed 35 million downloads, featuring interviews with notable figures like Arianna Huffington, Margaret Cho, Queen Latifah, and Barbara Corcoran. Her work has been widely recognized, with her most recent book, A Healthy State of Panic, named a Best Book of the Year by Newsweek in 2023.

Her financial expertise has been highlighted in major publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Forbes, Time, Marie Claire, Glamour, Redbook, and USA Today. She frequently appears on prominent news and talk shows, including NBC Today, Good Morning America, and Live! With Kelly.

She’s earned several Penn State honors, including the Alumni Fellow Award in 2024, Smeal Distinguished Achievement Award in 2023, the Schreyer Honors College Outstanding Alumni Award in 2013, and the Penn State Alumni Achievement Award in 2010. In 2017, she was the commencement speaker for the Smeal College of Business, and in 2019 she served as the Homecoming Grand Marshal.

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

YouTube

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted and produced by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer), '23g Bus. It was edited by Riya Agarwal '28. The artwork was created by Isabella Gasparraj '28. The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License.

Jennifer Baaklini ’11 Com joins Following the Gong to share her journey from print journalism student to global digital engagement strategist and leader. Jennifer walks through her time at Penn State Abington, University Park, and around the globe studying abroad, participating in THON, working jobs on campus, and her diligent search for a role after graduation. She shares great advice for current Scholars and early career alumni on the search for jobs one and two. Jennifer also dives into industry specific advice for those in communications, journalism, and public relations, especially for those seeking leadership opportunities beyond technical expertise work. As a new mom, she also shares value time and energy management insights that can be helpful for any Scholar. While particularly beneficial to Scholars in storytelling spaces, any Scholar can gain value advice from this must listen discussion. Jennifer’s bio is available below.

Guest Bio:

Jennifer Baaklini ’11 Communications is Director of Digital Strategy at FGS Global, where she specializes in advising clients on digital strategy with a focus on foreign policy and international affairs. Before joining FGS in 2019, she worked at the U.S. Department of State and the Institute of International Education advancing U.S. government exchange programs and people-to-people understanding. This followed a short stint as a local journalist in her hometown. She earned her bachelor of art in Journalism with Honors from Penn State’s Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications in 2011. She also earned her MBA from George Washington University.

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

YouTube

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted and produced by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer), '23g Bus. It was edited by Riya Agarwal '28. The artwork was created by Isabella Gasparraj '28. The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License.

Greg Lucier ’86 Eng joined Following the Gong while at University Park to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor bestowed by Penn State upon an alum, to record live in the new Engineering Design and Innovation Building. Greg shared his experiences as a University Scholar studying industrial engineering and how he used his IE experiences, coupled with an MBA from Harvard University, to take on progressively higher levels of responsibility, from the factory floor at International Paper, to the executive and even CEO office at major firms, including GE and NuVasive, the latter of which was acquired by ThermoFisher Scientific. Greg, as a long-time manager, shares advice for Scholars and new grads seeking internships and entry level roles, including finding what you do and do not want to pursue for a career path. He also shares insight on stepping out to pursue an MBA, especially for non-Smeal grads, and translating experiences at legacy industries to high-tech companies and working internationally and serving on corporate boards. Greg also shares use-now advice for Scholars leading teams and people including their clubs and organizations and managing multiple commitments. This episode is great for any Scholar, especially those interested in careers in engineering, healthcare, management, and entrepreneurship. Greg’s full bio is available below.

Guest Bio:

Greg Lucier ’86 Engineering is the CEO and founder of Corza Health, Inc., a company focused on acquiring companies and assets to build market-leading healthcare businesses. Greg most recently served as Chairman and CEO at NuVasive, a global technology leader in minimally invasive spine and orthopedic surgery. Prior to that, he was Chair- man and CEO at Life Technologies which he grew into a global life sciences powerhouse that was acquired by ThermoFisher Scientific for more than $15 billion. He spent the first part of his career with General Electric— including GE Healthcare—in a variety of corporate officer and executive roles.

 Greg serves on several public and private company boards, including Antylia Scientific, Catalent, Corza Medical, Maravai Life Sciences, and chairs Dentsply Sirona, the largest dental technology company globally. He has been actively involved in a variety of community and civic engagements, including serving as the Chairperson for Sanford Burnham Research Institute in La Jolla, California, and the Smithsonian Natural History Museum.

Greg earned his B.S. in industrial engineering from Penn State’s College of Engineering with Honors and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

YouTube

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted and produced by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer), '23g Bus. It was edited by Riya Agarwal '28. The artwork was created by Isabella Gasparraj '28. The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License.

CW: includes discussion of sexual assault, alcohol and DUI, and other trauma-inducing topics

Social worker Dr. Sherry Burnette ’83 Lib joins Following the Gong to talk all things 1980s Penn State & University Scholars Program and her career in the social work sphere. Sherry provides insight on using a degree in psychology, working between undergraduate and graduate school, and counseling and social work roles. Sherry earned her bachelors of art in psychology with honors from Penn State in 1983, as well as MSW, MPH, and PhD degrees. This episode is great for any Scholar interested in the helping professions! Sherry’s full bio is available below.

Guest Bio: 

Dr. Sherry Burnette ’83 Liberal Arts is currently a Professor at PennWest University (formerly Edinboro University of Pennsylvania) and teaches in the Masters of Social Work Program. Before joining PennWest in 2010, Sherry served as the Vermont Agency of Human Services Trauma Coordinator, Director of Crime Victim Services for the Vermont Department of Corrections and as a medical Social Work Clinician on the Trauma Unit at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. She graduated from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts with a bachelor of arts in psychology with honors in 1983. She earned her master of social work from the School of Social Work at Simmons University (MA), and her master of public health and doctor of philosophy in social work from the University of Pittsburgh.

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

YouTube

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted and produced by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer), '23g Bus. It was edited by Riya Agarwal '28. The artwork was created by Isabella Gasparraj '28. The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License.

Penn State Field Hockey Associate Head Coach Laura Gebhart ’15 Agr visits the Following the Gong studio to discuss all things field hockey, coaching, and community & economic development. Laura grew up in Lancaster County and came to Penn State and the Schreyer Honors College as a Scholar Athlete. She shares how she worked to find the right major for her, got involved in THON, and won a Big Ten Title in Field Hockey. Laura gives her advice for Scholars and student athletes on navigating perfection and demanding schedules, and provides insight on life after athletics, which looks different for everyone. She also pulls back the curtain on coaching an Olympic sport and talks about NIl and gender equity in sports. This is a must watch/listen for any Scholar – especially those unsure of what comes after College, is heavily involved on campus, dealing with rejections (like hers from the US national team,) and those who are interested in coaching or community & economic development careers. It’s also great for any student athlete, whether a Scholar or not. Laura’s full bio and chapter markers detailing the topics discussed are below.

Guest Bio:

Laura Gebhart ’15 Agricultural Sciences is the Associate Head Field Hockey Coach at Penn State, where she engages in all areas of the program – from player development and on-field coaching, to recruiting and operations. Before coming back to Penn State, Laura coached at Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island – first as the assistant coach, and then as the head coach. Prior to that, Gebhart led a career in economic development, working with two separate non-profits: EDC of Lancaster County (Lancaster, PA) and the Montpelier Development Corporation (Montpelier, VT). Along the way, Gebhart trained with the U.S. Women's National Team, coached a high school program, and volunteer coached at the University of Vermont.

Gebhart earned a B.S. in Community, Environment, and Development (Community & Economic Development Option) with Honors from Penn State in 2015. Gebhart is also happy to speak further about ice cream, birding, and crocheting. Please feel free to connect with them at @coach_gebhart on Instagram or LinkedIn.

Episode Topic & Chapters

00:04       Introductions and how Laura discovered field hockey

02:38       Pursuing playing D1 college sports

03:44       Collegiate sports recruitment

05:36       Selecting the CED major in Ag Sciences from being undecided

07:18       Planning for life beyond being a Scholar Athlete

08:33       Balancing life as a Scholar and as an Athlete

09:27       Roles of different advisors

10:20       Additional campus opportunities

12:01       THON as an athlete

15:31       Reflecting on athletic accomplishments

16:53       The Honors Thesis

18:37       Transitioning to life as an alum

22:59       Overcoming setbacks

24:08       Full time roles in economic development

25:58       Getting into coaching

28:42       Volunteer coaching

31:52       Taking a step back to take two forward by returning to Penn State

34:25       The roles of the coaching staff

37:19       Year in the life of a Division I coach

40:42       Day-in-the-life of a coach in-season

42:33       Challenges of coaching and supporting high-achieving students

46:01       The impact of NIL on athletics

53:07       Jump here for post NIL discussion to the Olympics

55:25       Coaching against former teammates - personal vs professional in the workplace

57:32       Fundraising and facilities

59:55       Things not asked

01:04:02                   Biggest successes and failures

01:09:27                   Laura's thoughts on mentorship

01:11:12                   Shoutouts

01:12:36                   Work life balance

01:15:13                  How to connect with Laura

01:15:37                  Laura's final piece of advice

01:16:20                  Which Creamery flavor Laura would be and why

01:18:23                  Final thoughts

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

YouTube

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer), '23g Bus.

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

Industrial engineer Apoorva Mathur ’18 joins FTG from Oregon to discuss her career at the intersection of manufacturing and the transition to zero emissions vehicles. She shares how she came to Penn State, and leveraged internships in a variety of fields and clubs on campus to find her academic and career interests. Apoorva details her participation in a career rotation program at Daimler and approaches her work – from Germany to Detroit to Portland – in transitioning primarily commercial and industrial vehicles to alternative forms of zero emissions power train systems. She leads efforts in this space while also championing sustainability and women in STEM at her company and earning her masters in data analytics from Georgia Tech. This episode is great for any Scholar, and especially those figuring out what major they want to pursue and also those interested in manufacturing, automative, or sustainability programs. Apoorva’s bio is available below along with chapter markers detailing the topics discussed.

Guest Bio:

Apoorva Mathur ’18 Engineering is the ESG Program Manager at Daimler Truck North America in Portland, OR where she manages the company's ESG initiatives and communication. Before joining DTNA in 2018, she previously interned at General Motors and Boeing where they grew their passion for the manufacturing industry. She earned a BS in Industrial Engineering with Honors from Penn State’s College of Engineering in 2018. She also earned a Masters in Data Analytics from Georgia Tech. She is also happy to speak further about emerging technologies in the automotive field and living and working globally. Please feel free to connect with her on Linkedin. https://www.linkedin.com/in/apoorvamathur1/

Episode Topic & Chapters:

00:05       Introductions and why Apoorva chose Penn State

02:16       Internships galore as a Scholar

08:31       Finding your academic and career passions

12:14       Research opportunities

17:11       Campus opportunities to pursue other passions - like dance programs and SHO Time!

19:53       Why the automotive sector most resonated with Apoorva

22:18       Career entry programs like Daimler's CAReer program

27:46       Breaking down the terminology

31:09       Graduating out of the training programs

33:23       Connecting with diverse and long-tenured employees as a new employee

36:06       Transitioning to EVs, from the vehicles to the assembly

44:49       EV mythbusting

48:26       Skills for working in the EV space

52:57       Advice for Scholars whose careers will take them far beyond home

56:10       Apoorva's thoughts on mentorship

59:42       Continuing education as an alum and working professional

01:06:04                   Seeking balance as a young professional

01:10:23                  Unasked questions

01:13:57                  Advice for women in STEM

01:22:28                  Shoutouts

01:24:34                  Apoorva's final piece of advice

01:27:30                  Which Creamery flavor Apoorva would be and why

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

YouTube

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer), '23g Bus.

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

Scholar Alumna and seasoned supply chain management executive Kristyn Harkins ’02 Bus joins FTG to discuss her career. Kristyn shares how her time at Penn State, from classes to clubs to her Honors Thesis, influenced her career and helped her rise through the ranks as a woman in supply chain at Johnson & Johnson. Kristyn now leads teams of thousands with responsibility for J&J’s entire supply chain in their North American med tech operations. This episode is great for any Scholar to enjoy, and especially those in business or STEM disciplines. Kristyn’s bio is available below along with chapter markers detailing the topics discussed.

Guest Bio:

Kristyn Harkins ’02 Bus is currently the Vice President, MedTech Deliver Americas at Johnson & Johnson (J&J), leading an organization that is responsible for operations that include Distribution, Transportation, Last Mile Logistics, Customer Services & Capabilities, and several Business Excellence functions. Her team drives the Customer Experience, ensuring that Commercial go-to-market strategies & MedTech franchise requirements can be flawlessly executed. Across her more than 20 year at J&J, Kristyn has worked across the Supply Chain pillars of Plan, Source, Make & Deliver and in multiple business sectors, including Consumer Products and MedTech. She has held leadership roles in Customer Logistics, Transportation, Analytics, Planning, Sourcing, External Manufacturing, Strategy Deployment & Supply Chain Customer Solutions.

Kristyn holds a BS with Honors in Business Logistics (now Supply Chain Management) from the Penn State College of Business and a University and an MBA from Rutgers University. She is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt and was recognized in 2019 with a TWIN (Tribute to Women in Industry) Award. Throughout her career, Kristyn has fostered a passion for developing future talent and increasing representation of women in the Supply Chain field.  She served as the liaison for J&J with the Penn State Center for Supply Chain Research for three years, and she is currently on the Advisory Board for the University of Tennessee Global Supply Chain Institute.  Kristyn also serves as the Youth Pillar Sponsor for the J&J WiSTEM2D initiative. Kristyn lives in Flemington, NJ with her husband Tim, two sons (Aidan & Ryan), and dog (Miles). She is an avid Peloton rider and spends much of her free time cheering from the sidelines for her kids’ sporting events.

Episode Topics & Chapters:

00:05       Introduction and why Kristyn chose Penn State

01:36       Selecting supply chain as a major

03:06       Current state of supply chain jobs for grads

04:13       Using teaching experience in the workplace

06:11       The value of being involved on campus

08:13       Planning events is like small business ownership

10:52       THON

12:51       The Honors Thesis!

15:29       Co-ops and first jobs after college

17:27       Advice for current Scholars and new grads

20:24       Entry-level supply chain roles

23:18       Continuing curiosity and education while working full time

26:22       Moving up while staying at one firm

29:44       Transitioning from leading one team to the next

32:10       Building relationships with outside partners, vendors, etc.

35:25       Rising to overseeing continental level division

37:45       Kristyn explains her job title and responsibilities

39:42       Addressing "last mile" challenges

42:19       Thinking like an executive

44:53       Navigating the pandemic

48:15       Dealing with sales and divestitures

50:47       Balancing work and family

57:50       Getting involved in your industry

00:17       One company careers

01:03:34                   The future of supply chain and skills Scholars can focus on

01:07:01                   Unasked questions

01:08:32                   Biggest successes and failures

01:10:45                   Thoughts on mentorship

01:11:37                   Shoutouts

01:12:56                   Kristyn's final piece of advice

01:14:02                   Connecting with Kristyn

01:14:28                   Which Creamery flavor Kristyn would be

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

YouTube

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer), '23g Bus.

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

Engineer Consultant Manufacturer Entrepreneur Reed Taylor ’14 Engineering joins Following the Gong from Connecticut to discuss his career story of pivoting from one role to the next, all while using his skills and experiences from being a Schreyer Scholar in Chemical Engineering. Learn how Reed went from making lifelong friends at SHO Time, participated in THON, and hit the slopes with the Penn State Ski Club before embarking on the first stages of a career in pharma, consulting, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship, with a stop at Harvard Business School mixed in. Reed shares great advice for any Scholar, but especially those with an itch to constantly learn and lead new things regardless of major. Reed’s bio is available below along with chapter markers detailing the topics discussed.

Guest Bio:

Reed Taylor ’14 is the Senior Vice President, M&A, Transformation and Strategy at Summit Wash Holdings in Norwalk, CT where he sources, researches, negotiates, and closes acquisitions of new car wash locations. He joined Summit when they acquired Soapy's Car Wash, which Reed owned with his investment partners at Saddler Capital. He also served at Vice President of Manufacturing at Spot & Tango, a human-grade pet food company, while running Soapy's Car Wash. Prior to that, he worked as Project Leader at Boston Consulting Group and Process Development Engineer at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. Reed earned a BS in Chemical Engineering with Honors from Penn State’s College of Engineering in 2014. He also earned his MBA from Harvard Business School. He is happy to speak more about mergers & acquisitions, entrepreneurship through acquisition, finance, consulting, or biotech. Please feel free to connect with him on LinkedIn.

Episode Topic & Chapters:

00:00  Introduction

00:44  Coming to Schreyer from a STEM high school in VA

01:37  Experiences at SHO Time

03:10  Deciding on an engineering discipline

05:47  Penn State THON

09:00  Using club experience in your career

10:37  Penn State Ski Club

12:55  The Honors Thesis!

19:32   Job searching as an Engineering student

22:03   Insights on entry level engineering roles

26:52   Deciding to go for an MBA

30:20   Advice for b-school for non-business majors

33:43   Consulting

38:10   Pivoting to manufacturing

46:12   Reed's career in car wash ownership

51:18   Lifelong learning

55:13   External trends in the car wash sector

01:00:58   Work life balance

01:03:22   Unasked questions

01:05:52   Biggest successes and failures

01:08:26   Thoughts on mentorship

01:09:44   Shoutouts

01:10:51   Reed's final piece of advice

01:11:51   How to connect with Reed

01:12:03    Which Creamery flavor Reed would be and why / Wrap up

FTG goes to the animals as Jessica Greensmith ’13 Agricultural Sciences joins to talk all things zoos, conservations centers, and more! Jessica earned her BS in Animal Science with Honors in Wildlife and Fisheries with the original intention of becoming a veterinarian. Study abroad and research opportunities led her to find her path elsewhere – including ballroom dancing along the way – to working as a professional heritage interpreter at a variety of zoos and centers across the US, including Disney’s Animal Kingdom and New England. Jessica shares incredible perspectives on finding your career fit, overcoming failures and setbacks, research, and the role of volunteers in organizations like zoos. She also explains the role of zoos in the 21^st century, working in a niche industry, completing fellowships and internships after college, and the power of maintaining relationships from Penn State and beyond. This episode is great for any Scholar, and especially those re-thinking what they wanted to be in their career, dancers, animal lovers, and those pursuing careers related to animals, non-profits and community organizations, or in smaller industries. Jessica’s bio is available below along with chapter markers detailing the topics discussed.

Guest Bio:

Jessica Greensmith ’13 Agr is a professional heritage interpreter in Boston, MA. Over the last 10 years, she has worked for Zoos, Forest Preserve Districts and conservation organizations creatively facilitating connections between people and conservation in order to deepen understanding and encourage action on behalf of wildlife and natural places. Most recently, she was Interpretation Manager at Zoo New England in Boston, MA. She earned a BS in Animal Science with Honors in Wildlife and Fisheries from Penn State in 2013. She would love to speak further with anyone interested in Conservation Psychology, Heritage Interpretation, Environmental Education or careers in Zoos, Aquariums and Museums! Connect with Jessica at jlgreensmith2@gmail.com.

Episode Topic & Chapters:

 00:00       Introduction

00:33       Defining professional interpretation

02:12       Deciding on Penn State and Schreyer

03:45       The PA Farm Show

05:02       Undergrad research to save the bees and studying abroad as an Ag major

09:34       Shifting off the pre-veterinarian path

11:11       Dealing with rejections from graduate programs

12:33       Finding balance outside the classroom with ballroom dance

15:02       The Honors Thesis!

21:31       Working at Disney's Animal Kingdom

25:20       Finding a next step after a professional internship

28:16       Developing people and presentations skills as an animal focused grad

31:45       Completing multiple fellowships and internships in a small field

36:21       Jess's experiences at different zoos

45:51       Working across teams in an organization & non-traditional events at the Zoo

48:45       Managing volunteers - like those in a student group

52:34       The role of the zoo in the 21st century

55:49       Getting a job at a zoo or a similarly niche industry

59:28       Managing breaks in your resume

01:04:00  Work life balance

01:09:20  Biggest successes and failures

01:12:35  Approaching mentorship

01:14:30  Shoutouts!

01:17:14  Final pieces of advice

01:18:02  How to connect with Jessica

01:19:28  Which Creamery flavor Jessica would be and why

01:21:46  Wrap up and final thoughts

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

YouTube

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer), '23g Bus.

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

Adeolu Adewumi-Zer ’00 Business and Science, a global advisor, change leader, and passionate advocate for a thriving Africa joins FTG to discuss her journey from State College to Penn State to Germany, Turkey, and now Nigeria. She shares her perspectives on majoring in math and actuarial science with an international lens. Adelou provides insight into careers in consulting and in-house corporate work both in the US and abroad and transitioning from detailed STEM work to managing and leading people in complex organizations. She also shares her experiences taking the plunge to leave corporate life and start her own firm after opening a regional office for one of the largest financial firms in the world and serving on corporate and non-profit board. This episode can be helpful for any Scholar, and is a can’t miss one for any Scholar planning to major or work in a business, consulting, and/or international setting. Adelou’s bio is available below along with chapter markers detailing the topics discussed. 

Guest Bio:

Adeolu Adewumi-Zer ’00 Bus, Sci is a global advisor, change leader, and passionate advocate for a thriving Africa. Adeolu earned her Bachelor of Science degrees in Actuarial Science and Mathematics with Honors, along with a Minor in Japanese, from Penn State in 2000 after growing up in State College. Adeolu built a stellar global financial services career spanning four continents. She most recently oversaw ca. EUR 500M investments across Africa as Regional Head of Mergers, Acquisitions and Transformation Africa for the Allianz Group, led Allianz Nigeria as CEO, and has now launched ZER Consulting Africa from Lagos, Nigeria, where she collaborates with development agencies, investment funds, startups, and social entrepreneurs, providing strategic guidance in executive leadership, business strategy, corporate governance, and value creation. Adeolu's passion for Africa extends beyond her professional pursuits, as she actively champions critical causes such as financial inclusion, gender equality, and quality education. A sought-after speaker and thought leader, Adeolu frequently graces international conferences, sharing her dynamic insights on corporate governance, executive leadership, and gender empowerment.

Connect with Adeolu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adeoluadewumi/

Episode Topic & Chapters:

00:00       Introduction

00:47       How Adeolu came to Penn State and the Honors College

02:31       Selecting math-based majors in science and business

03:56       Using hard STEM skills in leadership roles

06:02       Being a Bunton Waller Scholar too

08:20       The Honors Thesis

10:01       Choosing industry over academia

11:54       Becoming a certified actuary

13:53       The B and C - study abroad and campus involvement

15:40       Using campus and family experiences as a manager and leader in industry

16:57       Coaches, sponsors, and mentors

19:57       Working in consulting

21:28       Going from consultant to corporate

23:22       Working in Europe and Africa

26:46       Opening a new office/branch for a company and resources for working moms internationally

30:19       What is Allianz

32:01       Going out on your own & starting your own firm

38:38       Facing challenging situations as a leader

40:39       Leadership skills to develop as a Scholar

42:09       Serving on corporate and non-profit boards

43:07       Time management strategies - saying yes and saying no

46:00       What the host didn't know to ask

47:38       Biggest success and failures

48:58       The responsibility of being sponsored

50:54       Shoutouts!

52:28       Final pieces of advice

53:52       How to get in touch with Adeolu

54:13       Which Creamery flavor Adeolu would be; Wrap up and final thoughts

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

YouTube

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer), '23g Bus.

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

Alumnae Yuri Unno ’95 Behrend and Amanda Blunt ’09 Lib join Following the Gong to discuss working for major automotive companies Toyota and GM, respectively, in Washington D.C. They both share their stories of finding Penn State – Yuri as an international student, Amanda as someone from “outside Philly” – and how they found interests working in trade policy, lobbying, legal affairs, and more. Both share their insights on graduate and professional school, careers in these fields, educating government administrators and legislators, and navigating the complexities of the nation’s capital. This episode is great for any Scholar, and especially those interested in these topics, international students, and those who live or plan to live and work in and around DC. Both Amanda and Yuri’s bios are available below along with chapter markers detailing the topics discussed.

Guest Bios:

Yuri Unno ’95 Behrend is a federal lobbyist for Toyota Motor North America's Government Office in Washington, D.C., serving as the Director for Trade and Supply Chain. She is responsible for representing Toyota in front of the Administration and Congress on these issues. She earned her BA in Political Science with Honors and BA in Economics from the Penn State Behrend College. She also earned her MA from the Elliott School of International Studies at Gorge Washington University. Prior to her extensive career at Toyota, Yuri worked at a small consulting firm called G7 Group.

Amanda Blunt ’09 Liberal Arts is Counsel for Legal Affairs and Trade at Detroit-based car company General Motors's Washington, D.C. office. She is an international trade attorney for the company and, sitting in DC, works closely with the company's lobbyists in the Global Public Policy office. She also teaches international negotiations at Georgetown Law, where she earned her JD. Before joining GM in 2021 she worked at the White House for 5 years under 3 Presidential administrations at the Office of the US Trade Representative. USTR is responsible for US trade policy, including negotiating trade deals with other countries and litigating disputes at the World Trade Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. While at USTR she won a case against China at the WTO, and negotiated agreements with China, the EU, Japan, and other countries as well as in international bodies like the United Nations. Prior to government service she began her career at a large law firm. She earned her BA in Political Science with Honors from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts. She likes speaking with students about law school, politics and careers in Washington, as well as international affairs and of course, trade. Her LinkedIn is: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-blunt-b933317/

Episode Topic & Chapters 

0:00         Introductions

00:44       Choosing Penn State and the Schreyer Honors College

03:07       Advice for Scholars finishing at a campus other than University Park

03:59       Advice for international students

04:56       Amanda's Penn State origin story

06:01       Being in a sorority as a Scholar

07:29       The Honors Thesis

09:18       Transitioning from college to industry

10:29       Deciding on law school

12:43       Staying at one company for the bulk of your career

16:09       Lobbying at various levels of government

19:29       Amanda's early career in big law and the White House

20:57       Advice for Scholars looking to work in the public sector

21:46       Working in business with a liberal arts degree

24:30       Working for a "car company" but not being a "car guy"

26:15       Being the "utility infielder" for the gov relations staff

27:17       Effectively lobbying legislators and other officials

29:13       Keeping up with the world, the industry, and the company

30:59       How Yuri and Amanda met and work together professionally

33:50       Getting involved in professional associations

36:01       Things Scholars can do now to prepare for similar careers

37:34       When to pursue graduate school

39:56       Working in government when you do or do not agree with elected leaders

40:49       Biggest success and failures

43:07       Thoughts on mentorship

44:34       Shoutouts!

45:20       Final pieces of advice

46:06       How to get in touch with Yuri and Amanda

46:23       Which Creamery flavors Yuri and Amanda would be; Wrap up and final thoughts

-----

Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

YouTube

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer), '23g Bus.

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

Dr. Victoria Heasley ’14 Engineering, ‘18g Medicine joins Following the Gong to discuss her story and career. Victoria is a physician, professor, and engineer at the University of Cincinnati, where she supports community members and UC athletes in need of adaptive sports medicine to leave fuller, happier, and healthier lives. She explains what this field is, how she got into it, and how her experiences at Penn State – both in the College of Engineering and at the College of Medicine through the Early Assurance Program – laid the foundation for her career so far. This includes out of the classroom involvement that influences community non-profit work that leverages her talents and her experience as a Disney World Cast Member. This episode is great for any Scholar, and especially those interested in athletics, engineering, and/or medicine. Victoria’s bio is available below along with chapter markers detailing the topics discussed. 

Guest Bio:

Dr. Victoria Heasley ’14 Eng, ‘18g Medicine is a physician at The University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati OH where she is an assistant professor in the departments of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, and Biomedical Engineering. She earned a BS in Biomedical Engineering with Honors from Penn State in 2014. She also earned her medical degree at Penn State Hershey Medical School. She is happy to speak further about her experiences in the fields of PM&R, Sports Medicine, Biomedical engineering, and her subspecialty of Adaptive Sports Medicine & Equipment. Please feel free to connect with her at her professional Instagram: @adaptivesportsdoc or via LinkedIn.

Episode Topic & Chapters:

0:00         Introductions

0:21         Choosing Penn State and the SHC

1:33         Choosing the biomedical engineering major

3:05         Out of the classroom involvement

5:10         Medical volunteerism before med school

7:44         The Honors Thesis

9:52         Working at Disney World before med school

14:35       Applying to the early assurance program at the College of Medicine

18:09       Advice for aspiring physicians for succeeding in med school

20:13       Making lifelong friendships at SHC

21:43       Third year rotations and finding a specialty for residency

23:52       Defining adaptive medicine and other terms

26:44       An "average" day as an adaptive medicine physician

29:27       Working with patients

31:17       Adding teaching into your skillset as a physician

33:54       Working with athletes and community members

37:25       Adaptive medical devices and sports equipment

40:10       Skills needed for working in adaptive medicine and devices

42:37       Volunteering in the community as an alumna and starting a non-profit

46:29       The future of adaptive sports medicine

48:28       Questions the host should have asked but did not

50:25       Reflecting on successes and mistakes

54:17       Thoughts on mentorship

56:05       Shoutouts

56:51       Victoria’s final advice

58:52       How to connect with Victoria

59:30       Which Creamery flavor Victoria would be

01:00:33   Wrap up and final thoughts

Cybersecurity executive Atif Ghauri ’00 Business joins Following the Gong to discuss his career and advice for Scholars interested in both technical and relational leadership roles. Atif currently serves as the President of Ultraviolet Cyber after a career of increasingly senior roles in cyber security. Atif discusses his experience reluctantly coming to Penn State and then having an incredible experience in the Smeal College of Business and the Schreyer Honors College. Atif also shares insights from his career at companies like Comcast and the Herjeavec Group – led by Shark Tank investor Robert Herjavec and taking control of your life and career. An overarching theme is making the shift from technical roles to the executive leadership in a business. Any Scholar can gain wisdom from this episode, and especially any interested in roles in technology and/or business. Atif’s bio is available below along with chapter markers detailing the topics discussed.

Guest Bio:

Atif Ghauri ’00 Bus is currently the President of UltraViolet Cyber. He is an established C-Level Executive with 20+ years of experience in Cybersecurity, serving roles as CTO, CPO, COO, and Managing Partner. He is an energetic leader, skilled team builder, strategic thinker, and adept negotiator possessing a rare combination of both high business acumen with deep technological expertise.  He is an industry recognized expert in cybersecurity, sought after for speaking engagements and regularly quoted in media. He is an adjunct professor teaching at the University of Michigan, Drexel, Yeshiva, Rutgers, and Wharton School. Atif holds a patent for security analytics algorithms on embedded consumer devices monitoring user anomalies.

Prior to UltraViolet Cyber, Atif led Cyderes (formerly known as Herjavec Group) as COO. Atif was responsible for all go-to-market activities related to sales and product management. Reporting directly to CEO Robert Herjavec, he served multiple leadership roles in his tenure as CTO, CPO as well running revenue operations, marketing, human resources, M&A, legal, and product management. Prior to Cyderes, Atif was a Managing Partner at Mazars. He was the Global Cybersecurity Practice Leader, responsible for all aspects of the business from sales to service delivery.

Atif has held leadership roles for both business and technology organizations at Comcast. He was head of Business Operations for Xfinity Home. He also served as Chief Product Security Officer for the technology engineering group, where he directed all security work streams to launch next generation X1 Platform, including invention and deployment of his patented fraud detection technology operational on millions of subscriber devices. Prior to Comcast, Atif was Director of Security at Unisys, where he launched a global security practice focused in Application Security. He started his career as a Managing Consultant at IBM Global Services advising and implementing security to Fortune 100 companies. Atif received a Masters in Technology Management from the Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems with Honors from Penn State’s Smeal College of Business and Schreyer Honors College.

Episode Topics & Chapters:

00:00       Introductions

00:13       Choosing Penn State and the SHC

02:50       Starting a Business as a Student

05:09       Using Campus Leadership Roles in Your Career

06:55       The Honors Thesis

08:56       Job Searching as a Scholar and Being the "Strongest Athlete"

12:26       Communicating technical "jargon" to different audiences and deciding on technical vs business paths

16:22       Developing the skills and strategies to move from "techie" to leader

19:43       Making connections that lead to the Shark Tank

24:11       Parlaying connections into opportunities

26:27       Transitioning from technical to strategy and leadership roles

29:44       The importance of cyber security and the chief IT security officer role

32:16       Balancing strategy and the day-to-day

35:48       Continuing education outside of formal programs

37:35       Making challenging decisions as a leader

42:12       Developing leadership skills as a Scholar

44:33       Making the time for commitments

46:36       Work life balance as a CEO

50:14       Questions the host didn't think to ask

51:55       Reflecting on Atif's successes and mistakes

53:33       Thoughts on mentorship

55:18       Shoutouts

56:39       Atif's final advice

57:52       How to connect with Atif

58:18       Which Creamery flavor Atif would be

59:16       Wrap up and final thoughts

-----

Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

YouTube

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer), '23g Bus.

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

Attorney Jack Yoskowitz ’89 Lib and soon-to-be-attorney Henry Deteskey ’21 HHD join Following the Gong’s first ever vide episode to discuss legal careers and the power of leveraging resources, connections, and networks. Jack is a partner and attorney at Seward and Kissel in New York where he works on complex litigation primarily in the financial services sector. Jack is also a longtime volunteer with the Schreyer Honors College where he began to mentor Henry, who is, at the time of publishing, nearing the end of his law school experience at Fordham. Jack and Henry discuss their respective paths to Penn State as New Yorkers and first-generation students, their experiences in the College including their thesis experiences working with psychological testing and incarcerated individuals, respectively, and life in law school and in “big law.” Any Scholar can gain wisdom from this episode, and especially any interested in legal careers. Jack and Henry’s bios are available below along with chapter markers detailing the topics discussed.

Guest Bios:

Jack Yoskowitz ’89 Lib is a partner in Seward & Kissel’s Litigation Group where he specializes in complex commercial and corporate litigation and regulatory matters predominantly for financial services institutions and individuals. He graduated with a BS in Psychology with Honors from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts in 1989 and a J.D. from Columbia Law School in 1992.

Henry Deteskey ’21 HHD is a third-year law student at Fordham University School of Law in New York City. Upon graduation in May 2023, Henry will be starting as a first-year associate at Seward & Kissel LLP. Henry graduated with a BS in Biobehavioral Health and obtained Honors in Human Development and Family Studies from Penn State’s College of Health and Human Development in 2021. During law school, Henry has worked as an intern at the Queens District Attorney's Office, a paralegal at Schilling Law LLC, and a summer associate at Seward & Kissel. Henry is happy to speak further about going to law school straight through undergrad and being a first-generation law student. Henry's interests include blockchain, artificial intelligence, and investment management. Please feel free to connect with him on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henry-deteskey-8b654b19b/.

Episode Topics & Chapters:

00:00       Introduction

00:20       What brought Jack and Henry to Penn State

04:31       Jack's experiences as a Scholar in the 1980s

07:22       Henry's experiences as a recent Scholar - like working with incarcerated individuals

10:14       The Honors Thesis!

18:37       Henry's experience as a Scholar in a fraternity

20:23       All things law school - from deciding to go to succeeding through graduation

23:22       The power of connections and utilizing resources, aka, how Jack and Henry met and what it's meant to both

28:16       Advice for law students in their summer internships

32:17       The differences between trial and non-trial work

36:12       Working pro bono

37:37       What a first-year associate can expect in their job after law school

40:21       What law school is like in the 2020s

41:56       Working in business law - without majoring in a business discipline

45:30       Continuing education for attorneys

49:18       Life outside of work for lawyers & company culture at work

55:06       Thing the host didn't think to ask about law school and legal careers

59:19       Success and mistakes for Jack and Henry

01:05:03   Thoughts on mentorship

01:10:25   Shoutouts

01:12:58   Final pieces of advice for Scholars and aspiring attorneys

01:14:37   How to get in touch with Jack and Henry

01:15:13   Which Creamery flavors Jack and Henry would be

01:17:41   Wrap up and final thoughts

-----

Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

YouTube

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer), '23g Bus.

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

Katie Legenski ’16 Eng welcomed Following the Gong to Antifragile Brewing in downtown State College where she serves as the head kombucha brewer for Moody Culture. Katie shares her experiences at Penn State Berks and in the College of Engineering, where she earned her bachelor of science in chemical engineering with honors after study abroad opportunities and a major setback on her thesis. Katie also shares her experiences deciding to pursue work in the pharmaceutical industry rather than a PhD, and her decision to uproot everything and hike the Appalachian Trail. She then explains all things kombucha, fermentation, and brewing, providing insights on this career path and the value of understanding various components of engineering and science in a field that marries her work experience and passion. Finally, Katie shares opportunities for community in State College as an alumna and powerful perspectives on finding the joy in your self-defined success. This episode is great for any Scholar, and especially those in STEM majors, those interested in brewing beverages like kombucha, those staying in State College after graduation, and any Scholar interested in hiking, rock climbing, or dancing. Katie’s full bio and a detailed breakdown of topics can be found in the show notes below.

Guest Bio:

Katie Legenski ’16 Eng is head kombucha brewer for Moody Culture in downtown State College, PA. The Moody Culture brewery is housed in the Antifragile Brewing Company taproom and brewery at 324 E Calder Way, State College. Brewing kombucha consists of choosing a brewing tea, inoculating with starter culture, maintaining the appropriate temperature for fermentation, flavoring with fruits or herbs, and carbonating the resulting beverage. Katie has been head brewer since March 2023 and has since introduced new flavors to Moody's line up including passionfruit, black currant, and the first decaf flavor: orange blossom tulsi. She's also quite proud of developing hard kombucha featuring alcohol fermented with the kombucha instead of spiking non-alcoholic kombucha with seltzer or grain ethanol which is industry standard. She earned a BS in chemical engineering in 2016 from Penn State. Prior to brewing for Moody Culture, she completed a southbound thru hike of the Appalachian Trail and worked in early drug discovery at both Glaxo Smith Kline and Johnson and Johnson. She's been fostering a love for fermentation for over a decade and is always happy to discuss all things fermentable. Other interests include social dance, rock climbing, fiber arts, and piano. She can be reached on LinkedIn and on Instagram at @kitkatlegenski.

Episode Topics:

• What exactly kombucha is
• The benefits of starting at a smaller Penn State campus, and overcoming challenges of adjusting to University Park
• Studying abroad as an engineering student
• Overcoming thesis research areas deep in the process because of technical limitations
• How brewing is microbiology is brewing
• Shifting from an academia track to a workforce track in your final year of undergrad, and the importance of knowing your “why”
• Perspectives on working in pharmaceutical research and production
• Deciding to “carpe the diem” by making the decision to hike the Appalachian Trail
• Thoughts on walking the entire Appalachian Trail – and then adjusting back afterward
• Getting into homebrewing and judging
• The roles and responsibilities of a kombucha brewer at a small craft brewery
• The kombucha brewing process, including flavor development, suppliers, and marketing
• Developing alcoholic kombucha
• The evolution of the brewing community
• A crash course for those interested in home brewing n how to get start
• Getting involved in the Happy Valley community through activities dance and rock climbing
• Defining success by your own metrics

Leadership consultant Ken Graham ’67 joined Following the Gong and Schreyer Student Council for a special live session to discuss leadership development success for Scholars in their leadership roles and early careers. Ken retired from Royal Dutch Shell after a lengthy career in academia and industry focused on the study of leadership and developing leaders. This episode is a must-listen for any Scholar to set themselves up for success while on campus and as they transition to the world of work. Ken’s bio and a more detailed breakdown of the topics discussed and insights shared are available below.

Guest Bio:

Ken Graham ’67, ’68g, ’69g Bus is a consultant in strategy, leadership, and change to large and mid-sized employers, primarily in software, energy, manufacturing, and aviation. Ken serves Penn State students, staff, and faculty through 7-10 day visits to campus and on Zoom, meeting with the Schreyer Honors College, the Presidential Leadership Academy, Nittany Lion Consulting Group (Smeal), Global Engineering Fellows classes, and Labor and Human Resources classes. He also serves as a board member for Penn State’s Presidential Leadership Academy, a board member on the Penn State Global Advisory Board, and as a board member for The Graduate School Alumni Society. He retired as Global Head of Leader Development for Royal Dutch Shell, where he worked to enhance leader performance for both expatriate leaders and national staff in leadership positions.

Ken worked on the payroll of three large corporations—Shell, Allstate, and Beatrice – and three large universities—Penn State, University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He serves on corporate and not-for-profit boards of directors. He led or leads five “bottom line” businesses, most of which are/were profitable! Ken taught in what is now Smeal College of Business and led Penn State Executive Programs before moving to industry. Ken earned his bachelor of science in management with honors from the College of Business (1967, prior to the establishment of the University Scholars Program), master of science in business logistics (1968), and doctor of philosophy in business administration (1979) from Penn State’s Smeal College of Business. He is married to a fellow Penn Stater and resides in Illinois, where he is a licensed pilot.

 Episode Topics:

• Emergency briefings and safety prep as leaders
• Ken’s backstory as an honors student at Penn Stater before the University Scholars Program
• Taking an academic route as a business major
• The shift from management to leadership over the past century
• Highlighting student leadership experiences in the job search and interviews
• Five dimensions of finding coaches and mentors
• Insights on consulting
• Addressing ethical challenges and toxic cultures
• Developing horizontal influence
• The three key skills for leadership
• Steps for early career/internship success
• Disciplining your passions

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

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Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer), '23g Bus.

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Jason Olcese ’06 Lib is the band leader of My Hero Zero in State College, PA, where he performs as a musician, writes and records in the studio, and manages equipment and practice space to keep everything running smoothly. Before joining the band in 2010, Jason performed as a solo musician under the artist name "Jason O". He earned his BS in Psychology with Honors in Music from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts in 2006. Jason joined the show – with a live studio audience in the Grandfather Clock Lounge – to share his story. Jason is a lifelong musician and learner, providing insights on crafting your skills in college, including through a gap semester and studying abroad. He also shares his perspectives on being a solo entertainer, band member, songwriter, producer, and coach through his other project, Happy Valley Song Lab. The episode includes two live performances, including one song from this thesis project. Any current Scholar or Scholar Alum can get something out of this episode, and especially if they are not sure of what path take or major to choose, are interested in a career in entertainment, writing their own music, or simply hearing about playing at THON or which is Jason’s favorite Taylor Swift era. Jason’s links and a more detailed breakdown of the topics discussed are available below.

Guest Bio: 

Jason Olcese ’06 Lib is the band leader of My Hero Zero in State College, Pennsylvania where he performs as a musician, writes and records in the studio, and manages equipment and practice space to keep everything running smoothly. Before joining the band in 2010, Jason performed as a solo musician under the artist name "Jason O". He earned a BS in Psychology with Honors in Music from Penn State in 2006. Please feel free to connect with them via Instagram @myherozerolive or through the bands website: www.myherozero.com. If interested in connecting in a studio setting please reach out to them via www.happyvalleysonglab.com

 Episode Topics:

• Playing music from a young age and choosing Penn State for the large student body size but the small school feel and opportunities of the Honors College
• Trying out several majors – and even taking time off – before settling on the right one
• Choosing psychology over music to fulfil a goal of being a musician and songwriter
• Leveraging courses like American History and Math 140/141 to influence songwriting and music
• Finding unique ways to practice and hone your skills as a musician
• Producing a research informed album as part of the honors thesis
• Musical interlude #1
• Starting full time work during your last year of college and breaking into the music industry
• Life on the road as a touring musical act
• Learning the business side of being a band
• Approaching different audiences like a downtown State College bar or THON
• Realities and myths of being a touring band member, including the high points and sacrifices to achieve artistic and commercial success
• The importance of balance and knowing your why/having a purpose
• Balancing a dual career between being in a band and being a solo performer
• Diversifying through producing and coaching at the Happy Valley Song Lab
• Seeking out sponsorships in an NIL world
• Time and self-management for non 8-5 jobs
• Musical interlude #2
• An exercise and other helpful ideas to kickstart the songwriting process
• Jason’s top 3 recommended books
• Inspiration from Taylor Swift and music theory TikTok
• Lessons learned from a viral marketing promotion that didn’t work out
• Thoughts on Jason’s ice cream flavor selection and the best approach to ordering at Berkey Creamery

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer), '23g Bus.

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Overview:

Dr. Elizabeth Zona ’02 Sci (“Dr. Z.”) s a double board-certified physician, specializing in both Anesthesiology and Addiction Medicine. She is a medical director for Anesthesiology at Three Rivers Endoscopy Center and Medical Director for Addiction Medicine Services at Laurel Care Treatment Center. Dr. Z. joined the show to talk about her experiences at Penn State Beaver and in the Eberly College of Science and dancing at THON in Rec Hall. She provides great insight into choosing the right medical school and share her perspectives on osteopathic medicine as a 2006 graduate of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She also highlights her work in anesthesiology, including how she found that as her specialty, and subsequent work in both addition medicine and as a medical administrator. This episode is great for any Scholar, and especially those interested in medicine or healthcare, those in STEM majors, those interested in one day starting a family, and those who either experience(d) personal struggles, or had friends or family struggle with, drugs and alcohol. Dr. Z’s bio and a complete breakdown of topics discussed are available below.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Elizabeth Zona ’02 Sci is a double board-certified physician, specializing in both Anesthesiology and Addiction Medicine. She is a medical director for Anesthesiology at Three Rivers Endoscopy Center and Medical Director for Addiction Medicine Services at Laurel Care Treatment Center, both in the Coraopolis, PA area. She earned a BS in Pre-Medicine with Honors in Chemistry from Penn State’s Eberly College of Science in 2002. She earned her medical degree from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2006. After completing an additional 4 years of residency training at UPMC-Mercy she became board certified in Anesthesiology in 2011 and has been a practicing anesthesiologist for over 13 years. In 2016, after losing a friend to opioid overdose, Dr. Zona decided to take on the additional education and training in Addiction Medicine and became board certified in 2019. She has been active with addiction prevention efforts and treatment, while advocating for those in recovery, for over 6 years now. She is happy to speak further about medical school, osteopathy, the fentanyl epidemic, the dangers of counterfeit pills, alcoholism, nicotine dependence and more. Please feel free to connect with her on INSTAGRAM or TikTok, @addictiontokdok.

 Episode Topics:

• Taking inspiration from an older sibling’s path to Penn State and starting at the Beaver campus
• Making connections with faculty early to get into the Honors College as a current student
• Reflecting on the professional benefits of dancing in THON (for 48 hours at Rec Hall)
• Developing new scientific methods in the thesis process and taking skills learned into medical school and a career
• Things to consider in selecting a medical, law, or graduate school
• The difference between an MD (allopathic) and a DO (osteopathic)
• Breaking down the four years of med school
• Medical residencies and finding the right specialty
• A basic understanding of anesthesiology
• Being a service provider in medicine for multiple practices and the difference between health networks and private practice
• Z’s path to supporting those with substance abuse and addiction challenges
• Making smart choices regarding alcohol, drugs, and medications
• Developing public speaking and presentation skills as a physician – including TikTok
• The role of the Medical Director and learning those skills
• Finding balance and joy
• Thoughts on being both a doctor and a mother
• Enjoying being a Schreyer Scholar, but doing so by making good choices

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer), '23g Bus.

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Paul Suhey ’14 Eng is the Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of Revel a firm with the mission to enable EV adoption in US cities. Specifically, the company is focused on building fast charging infrastructure and operating an all-electric, all-employee rideshare service. Before starting Revel in 2018, Paul worked for ExxonMobil and Gerson Lehrman Group. He earned a BS in Chemical Engineering with Honors from Penn State’s College of Engineering in 2014. Paul joins FTG to discuss his time at Penn State as a “townie,” founding Apollo benefitting THON, and conducting undergraduate research. He shares insights on his early career as a Chem E grad and ultimately how he decided to co-found Revel, a firm at the intersection of EV adoption and a new experience for ride-hailing services. This episode is great for any Scholar, and especially those in STEM, who have an interest in EVs, or are interested in transforming an idea into a business. Paul’s bio and a complete breakdown of topics discussed are available below.

Guest Bio:

 Paul Suhey ’14 Eng is the Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of Revel a firm with the mission to enable EV adoption in US cities. Specifically, the company is focused on building fast charging infrastructure and operating an all-electric, all-employee rideshare service. Before starting Revel in 2018, Paul worked for ExxonMobil and Gerson Lehrman Group. He earned a BS in Chemical Engineering with Honors from Penn State’s College of Engineering in 2014. Please feel free to connect with him on LinkedIn.

Episode Topics:

• Re-applying to the College as a current Penn State student after an initial rejection and as a “townie”
• Choosing Chemical Engineering for its versatility and academic challenge
• Founding and leading Apollo benefitting THON
• Using those organizational leadership lessons post-Penn State and the importance of organizational culture
• Finding undergraduate research opportunities on campus
• Serving as an Engineering Ambassador
• Strategies for time management and balancing work, school, and other commitments
• Prioritizing a thesis advisor over a thesis topic
• Using your thesis as a startup founder
• Suggestions for success in internships and early career discovery
• Shifting industries from pharmaceuticals to oil & gas to investments to EVs
• Taking the plunge from corporate life to going all-in on your start-up
• Navigating and maintaining relationships with your co-founder(s)
• Perspectives on the first year of a start-up
• Setting your company and product apart from competitors and solving unanticipated problems
• Promoting EV adoption through designing a new model for ride-hail services
• Approaching private and public investors
• Successes and mistakes that founders can learn from
• The differences between fast growth start-ups and slow growth family/side businesses
• Making the most of your time as a student and the unique opportunities that time presents

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer), '23g Bus.

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

This is a special crossover episode of Following the Gong and Dare to Disrupt, a podcast from Invent Penn State that features conversations with Penn State alumni who are innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders, and the stories behind their successes. FTG host Sean Goheen interviews Goldman Sachs Managing Director and volunteer Dare to Disrupt host Ryan Newman ’01 and Associate Vice President for Research and Director of the Office of Entrepreneurship & Commercialization James Delattre ’97, both Scholar Alumni, about the entrepreneurial scene at Penn State. Ryan and James briefly share their background and time at Penn State. The conversation then explains the origin of Invent Penn State and the incredible resources available for not only students but alumni and community members looking to start, build, or scale a business. Ryan and Katie DeFiore, producer of Dare to Disrupt, share how that podcast came to be, favorite stories, and lessons learned from both the guests and the production process. This episode is a must for any Scholar and any Penn Stater – student, alumni, faculty, fan, or community member – to learn about the impact of the Honors College and Invent Penn State on the Commonwealth. Ryan and James’ bios and a full breakdown of topics discussed are available below.

Guest Bios:

Dr. James L. Delattre ’97 Sci serves as Associate Vice President for Research and Director of the Office for Entrepreneurship and Commercialization at Penn State where he leads entrepreneurship program development for the Invent Penn State initiative and leads commercialization strategy, resources and support for Penn State’s startup pipeline and LaunchBox & Innovation Network. He is an alumnus of the Professional Fellows Program of the American Councils for International Education. James is the principal investigator for Penn State’s National Science Foundation I-Corps Program, a member of the advisory board of the Center for Medical Innovation at the Penn State Hershey College of Medicine and serves as secretary of the Penn State Research Foundation. Prior to joining Penn State, Dr. Delattre worked in nanomaterials and semiconductor startups in central Pennsylvania and Silicon Valley. Dr. Delattre earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, and completed postdoctoral work at the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche at the University of Bari, Italy. Dr. Delattre received his BS with Honors in Chemistry from Penn State’s Eberly College of Science in 1997, where he studied inorganic chemistry and the Russian language.

Ryan Newman ’01 Bus is a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs, where he co-founded and co-leads a private wealth management team, managing in excess of $13 billion on behalf of Fortune 500 executives, Forbes 400 families, entrepreneurs, family offices and foundations and endowments. Ryan is a member of the PWM Top Advisors and PWM Advisors Council, representing the top 10% of advisors globally at Goldman Sachs. He joined Goldman Sachs as a financial analyst in 2001 and was named a Managing Director in 2019. Ryan earned his Bachelor of Science in Economics with Honors 2001, and served as Student Marshal for Economics during graduation. Ryan is the host of the Invent Penn State podcast, Dare to Disrupt, which he helped launch, and has achieved over 50,000 downloads (as of September 2023). He also serves on the External Advisory Board of the Schreyer Honors College and the Principal Gifts Committee in Development at Penn State. Ryan is also a volunteer with the Smeal College of Business. He was awarded the Alumni Achievement Award in 2011 and the Alumni Fellow Award in 2023.

 Episode Topics:

• Getting to know Ryan and James as they share their Penn State origin stories and the value of the honors thesis in industry, graduate school, and entrepreneurship
• Pursuing an industry route rather than an academic route with a STEM PhD
• How Invent Penn State came to be and how it helps bring the University’s Land Grant mission to life in the 21^st century for all citizens of the Commonwealth
• How to get plugged in with the incredible programs and resources available from Invent Penn State
• How and why to get involved as an alumni volunteer and/or donor, especially in the entrepreneurial space
• The origin story of the Dare to Disrupt podcast and how it gets made
• Leveraging success and momentum into more success and momentum
• Lessons learned from hosting Dare to Disrupt
• Handling rejections or failures
• Advice for entrepreneurs and those seeking to make a career change

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Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer), '23g Bus. This episode was edited by Katie DeFiore.

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Patrick Lucas ’13 Eng is an Analytics Success Manager at Nike in Boston, MA where he works in product management to design and roll out inventory analytics products for internal Nike users. Before being acquired by Nike in 2019, Patrick was working at a small Boston startup called Celect that developed inventory analytics tools for retailers. Prior to Celect Patrick worked for Accenture in Management Consulting for several years. He earned his BS in Industrial Engineering with Honors from Penn State’s College of Engineering in 2013. Patrick joins Following the Gong to talk about his experiences as a second-generation Penn Stater entering the College as a third-year student, playing championship level club sports, and leveraging on-campus recruitment opportunities for internships and co-ops. He then explains how he took his IE background to first consulting and then data analytics management, and how he used corporate charitable giving matching to become a major gift donor to the College as a young alum. While certainly useful for Scholars interested in these areas, from business to baseball, this episode is helpful for any Scholar looking at internships, co-ops, or jobs in any field, as well as alumni looking to make a difference for Scholars or in their communities. His full bio and a detailed breakdown of topics discussed are available in the show notes below.

Guest Bio:

Patrick Lucas ’13 Eng is an Analytics Success Manager at Nike in Boston, MA where he works in product management to design and roll out inventory analytics products for internal Nike users. Before being acquired by Nike in 2019, Patrick was working at a small Boston startup called Celect that developed inventory analytics tools for retailers. Prior to Celect Patrick worked for Accenture in Management Consulting for several years. He earned a BS in Industrial Engineering with Honors from Penn State’s College of Engineering in 2013. He is happy to speak further about his time at Penn State including his time playing National Championship winning club baseball, his career journey, and his philanthropic efforts with the Schreyer Honors College. Please feel free to connect with him at https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricktlucas/.

Episode Topics:

• Becoming a Scholar as a current Penn State student after not getting admitted as an incoming first-year student
• The value of making the most of the College’s opportunities and benefits
• Explaining industrial engineering as a major
• Keeping a skill and passion – like baseball – alive but not the focus of your college career through Club Sports
• Making the most of internships and co-ops that stems from on-campus recruiting
• Leveraging class learning and internships/co-ops in your thesis – and then using your thesis in your career
• Advice for aspiring consultants
• Jumping from a large consulting company to a start-up and the benefits of both types of firms
• A crash course on what data analytics is, how it’s useful, and how to get into that career trajectory in a multitude of skills and majors
• Supporting Scholars through endowed philanthropy as a young alum and the power of leveraging corporate charitable giving matches
• Developing your personal narrative to highlight your skills and successes clearly
• Thoughts on mentorship
• Standing out versus fitting in

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer), '23g Bus.

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Darren Gibula ’93 Bus is a seasoned supply chain and operations management professional. He most recently served as the VP of Inventory at Owens & Minor servicing the healthcare industry. He previously worked in successively senior roles at LG, United Technologies, and prior to receiving his MBA from MIT Sloan, at Accenture as a consultant. He earned his BS in Quantitative Business Analysis with Honors, a forerunner to the modern Supply Chain Management degree, from the Smeal College of Business in 1993. Darren joined Following the Gong to share his experiences coming to University Park from out-of-state, writing for the Collegian as a business major, and finding his path in business from STEM. Darren also shared how his thesis was beneficial to his career and what it was like as a consultant. He then shares a crash course in supply chain – from what it is, to working as a generalist or specialist, to leading teams and working with others domestically and abroad. This episode is great for any Scholar, and particularly for those interested in supply chains, consulting, pursing an MBA, or pursing activities at Penn State outside of their major. His full bio and a detailed breakdown of topics discussed are available in the show notes below.

Guest Bio:

Darren Gibula ’93 Bus was most recently the VP of Inventory at Owens & Minor in Richmond, Virginia where he was responsible for the oversight and planning of $1.5B of both manufactured and purchased medical supplies to support about 1/3 of the hospitals in the US with the daily supplies they need to serve patients. Before joining Owens & Minor in 2016, he previously worked at LG for 7 years, United Technologies for 11 years before that, and started his career at Accenture and Computer Sciences Corp in Systems Consulting. He earned his BS in Quantitative Business Analysis with Honors from Penn State’s Smeal College of Business in 1993. He also earned an MBA in Manufacturing and Operations from MIT Sloan. He is also happy to speak further about Supply Chain, Distribution, Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement or anything that involves solving tough problems.  Please feel free to connect with him on LinkedIn.

Episode Topics:

• Coming to Penn State after a youth spent cheering on the Maryland Terrapins
• Finding the right major that fits both your skills and passions
• Jumping at opportunities – like writing for The Daily Collegian and the honors thesis – and using those in your career no matter your major
• Starting your career in consulting
• Tips for making the most of internships, co-ops, or first jobs
• Making the decision to stop out of work to pursue a graduate degree like an MBA
• A crash course in supply chain management
• Generalist roles vs. functional specialists in supply chain management and advancing your career in either
• Problem solving as a supply chain leader in healthcare during a global pandemic
• Working internationally or with organizations doing international business
• Working with people, from class projects to multinational corporations
• Planning ahead for an early retirement the value of lifelong learning
• Remaining involved with Penn State and Schreyer no matter where life takes you
• Skillsets for any role or function in business, not just supply chains

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer), '23g Bus.

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Lou D’Ambrosio ’86, is a Partner at Goldman Sachs, having previously served as a Strategic Senior Advisor to the company. Lou has also been the CEO of Fortune 500 companies and a senior executive across multiple industries. Lou served as Executive Chairman of Sensus, a clean technology company, CEO of Sears Holdings – comprised of Sears, Kmart, and Lands’ End – and CEO of Avaya, Inc., a global telecommunications company after 16 years at IBM. He earned his bachelor of science in management with honors from Penn State’s Smeal College of Business in 1986 and his MBA from Harvard Business School in 1992. Lou joined Following the Gong while he was on campus to receive the Penn State Distinguished Alumni Award. Lou shares his story coming to Penn State as a first generation student from South Philadelphia to the C-suite and his advice for students to succeed regardless of major. He further shares his insights from a robust career as a senior executive leading massive organizations through events like sales and acquisitions, changes in technology, and personal & health challenges. Lou’s business insights and perspectives on what really matters in life make this episode helpful for any Scholar or Scholar Alum at any stage in their journey and career. Lou’s sought after opinions are typically found in national publications and at venues like the World Economic Forum – and here they are focused specifically on helping Schreyer Scholars to make the most of their Scholar experience. His full bio and a detailed breakdown of topics discussed are available in the show notes below.

Guest Bio: 

Lou D’Ambrosio ’86 Business is a Partner at Goldman Sachs, having previously served as a Strategic Senior Advisor to the company where he leads the firm’s Value Accelerator – a platform of distinguished operating executives that partner with CEO's in value creation.

Lou has also been the CEO of Fortune 500 companies and a senior executive across multiple industries. Lou served as Executive Chairman of Sensus, a clean-technology leader in conserving water and energy through smart meters. He was also the CEO of Sears Holdings – comprised of Sears, Kmart, and Lands’ End. Additionally, Lou served as CEO of Avaya, Inc., a global telecommunications company. Earlier in his career, D’Ambrosio spent 16 years at IBM in leadership roles across Software, Services, and Asia Pacific and was a member of IBM’s Worldwide Management Council.

Lou is active in non-profit organizations and served as a trustee of the Jackson Laboratory, a leading biomedical organization. Lou has been a speaker at major conferences, including the World Economic Forum and Interop and has been quoted in leading media outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and USAToday.

At Penn State, D’Ambrosio was an Evan Pugh Scholar and University Scholar, graduated summa cum laude, and was the Smeal College of Business’ valedictorian earning his bachelor of science in management with honors in 1986. He earned his MBA from Harvard Business School in 1992 during which time he also received the National Business Honor Society Scholarship, the Junior Achievement Foundation Fellowship, and the Distinguished Service Award from Junior Achievement for mentoring inner-city children through Project Hope. He received the Emerging Professional Award in 1998 from the Smeal College of Business. Lou was named a Penn State Alumni Fellow in 2008 and received the Penn State Distinguished Alumni Award, the University’s highest honor for alumni, 2003.

Episode Topics: 

• Coming to Penn State and the University Scholars Program from South Philly as a first-generation student
• Writing a joint, cross college thesis – and utilizing it throughout your career
• Pointers on achieving your goals as a Scholar in any major
• Approaching graduate education – like an MBA – at Ivy League institutions
• Aligning career decisions with your personal values, interests, and existing or desired skills for current and future roles
• Setting yourself up to be the CEO of a company – or other goals you have – by owning your career and owning your mentorships
• Lessons learned as the CEO of multiple large and Fortune 500 firms including people, strategy, and more
• The importance of prioritizing health and wellness to maintain agency over your life and career and finding perspective on what really matters – and avoiding false dichotomies between success and happiness
• Corporate and non-profit board membership
• Finding a sidehustle – even as a corporate executive – producing an album for a Broadway star
• Approaching subject matter expert opportunities like interviews and key note speeches – and how these perspectives are helpful even as a current Scholar
• Constants – like hard work and other tools for success – and changes in work – like artificial intelligence
• Using philanthropy like endowed scholarships at the Honors College to carry on family legacies
• Distill out your own equation for happiness and success by being true to yourself

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer), '23g Bus.

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Tamara Hambrick ’05 Eng is the Boeing Enterprise Strategy and Operations Deputy Functional Chief Engineer for Systems Engineering implementing technical excellence for the workforce with focus on leading Model-Based Systems Engineering within the functions of engineering and across the functions of Boeing for Digital Thread enablement for their business. Her previous roles were at Boeing and Northrop Grumman Corporation in systems engineering, model-based engineering, and engineering leadership. Tamara earned her bachelors of science engineering science with honors from Penn State’s College of Engineering in 2005. She has also earned a master’s certificate in systems engineering from Johns Hopkins University, and a graduate certificate in architecture and systems engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Tamara discusses how her time at Penn State influenced her career, including her experience as a Berks Cheerleader, to all things systems engineering and engineering leadership. While great for any Scholar, this episode will be particularly of interest for Scholars who started at a campus other than University Park, are in engineering, looking to engage their industry through professional associations, and women in STEM fields. Her full bio and a detailed breakdown of topics discussed are available below.

Guest Bio: 

Tamara Hambrick ’05 Eng is the Boeing Enterprise Strategy and Operations Deputy Functional Chief Engineer for Systems Engineering implementing technical excellence for the workforce with focus on leading Model-Based Systems Engineering within the functions of engineering and across the functions of Boeing for Digital Thread enablement for their business.

Previously, she was the Boeing Defense, Space, and Security (BDS) Business Unit's Systems Engineering Director for the Systems Engineering, Integration, and Test (SEIT) Capability leader. She led the Wisk/Boeing/Aurora Model Based Engineering (MBE) strategy and support to BDS programs for Digital Engineering proposals. She instituted governance and standardization of tools, processes, and practices with accelerated adoption of Digital Engineering concepts.

Prior to joining the company in 2021, Tamara was the leader in driving technical innovation, influencing change and developing the next generation of thought leaders, advocates and practitioners in model-based systems engineering. Over her 16 years with Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC), she served as integrated product team leader, functional director, manager, chief engineer, and chief architect across electronics, mission systems, aeronautics, space, strategic deterrent, and enterprise programs for model-based engineering.

Tamara earned her bachelors of science engineering science with honors from Penn State’s College of Engineering in 2005. She has also earned a master’s certificate in systems engineering from Johns Hopkins University, and a graduate certificate in architecture and systems engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Please feel free to connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamara-h-5370865/

 Episode Topics:

• Getting into engineering from interests in mechanical systems and high school STEM classes
• Starting at a Commonwealth Campus and choosing the right engineering discipline – like engineering science and its holistic, cross disciplinary approach
• Life as a cheerleader, tutor, and teaching assistant
• Leveraging an engineering thesis – both the process and the topic – in your career and not just graduate school
• Growing into your engineering and engineering leadership career
• Systems engineering and architecture, digital transformation, and digital models and modeling
• Involvement in the broader engineering community for professionals
• Finding work life balance in a demanding career
• Feeling heard and seen as a female engineer
• Finding personal and professional success through the success of others
• Learning the importance of the why and who and not just the how

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website  

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Sean Goheen '11 Liberal Arts is the Coordinator of Constituent Relations and Annual Giving for the Schreyer Honors College. Sean switches from the host’s chair to the interview chair for this episode. Guest host Jaz Azari ’06 (who appeared on episode 44) speaks with Sean about his career in student affairs and alumni relations. Sean shares his insights on Penn State Berks and leveraging relationships when the path forward is unclear, whether in your thesis or your career. He also provides the origin story for this very podcast and how he learned new skills – beyond the many already needed for working with students and alumni, including working with Hollywood talent like Nick Offerman – to develop and launch Following the Gong. This episode is great for any Scholar who is interested in how this show came about, or needs inspiration in finding their own direction, as well as for any interested in career spaces like Sean’s. His full bio and a detailed breakdown of topics discussed are available below.

Guest Bio:

Sean Goheen '11 Lib is the Coordinator of Constituent Relations and Annual Giving for the Schreyer Honors College. He manages the alumni relations portfolio for the College, including volunteer programs, events, broad-based fundraising, and marketing, including running the Scholar Alumni Society and hosting, editing, and producing the Following the Gong podcast. He earned is BA in Political Science with Honors and BA in History from Penn State's College of Liberal Arts in 2011. He also earned his M.Ed. in Student Personnel Administration in Higher Education from UNC Greensboro in 2014. He previously worked at the University of Kentucky in student activities and can speak on working in student affairs and alumni engagement. He is currently working on his MBA through the Penn State Smeal College of Business and World Campus, and lives in State College with his wife, kids, and dogs. His favorite season is college football season. You can connect with him on LinkedIn.

Episode Topics:

• “Phoning in” the college search and still having a fulfilling collegiate experience and life
• Choosing to start at a Commonwealth Campus (Berks) and leveraging a campus honors program to join the Honors College
• What CCSG is – and using campus involvement to inspire a thesis topic
• Identifying a “doable” thesis and the right advisor for that topic
• The importance of mentorship as a form of lifelong learning
• Working in alumni relations and what Sean does outside of hosting FTG – and what he did before working in student activities
• Hiring and working with celebrity talent, like Nick Offerman from Parks and Rec
• Learning how to podcast from scratch and the inspiration for and origin of Following the Gong
• The importance of maintaining relationships and finding work life balance or integration
• Finding good teams at home and at work
• How to connect with the host to provide feedback on FTG

-----

Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Facebook 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Jared Edgar McKnight ’11 A&A, Lib is a Senior Associate and Designer at WRT (Wallace Roberts & Todd, LLC), a landscape architecture, planning, urban design, and architecture firm based in Philadelphia and San Francisco. He joined WRT in 2012 after earning a Bachelor of Architecture with Honors, a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, and minors in Architectural History and French & Francophone Studies from Penn State’s Colleges of Arts & Architecture and College of the Liberal Arts, respectively, in 2011. Jared also serves on both the A&A and Schreyer Honors College Alumni Society Boards. Jared joins Following the Gong to talk all things landscape architecture, architecture, and design. He provides insight on life as an involved Scholar in Architecture including studying abroad and shines a light on the many elements of life as a designer and the power of empathy and community in design. He also shares about his graduate work in the field and his research on architecture and landscape architecture’s role in designing innovative solutions to address large scale issues like homelessness and resiliency. Jared’s insights are great for any Scholar to hear and are particularly helpful for any Scholar in Architecture or other studio-intensive and design oriented disciplines as well as those seeking to make a difference for others. His full bio and a detailed breakdown of topics discussed are available below.

Guest Bio:

Jared Edgar McKnight ’11 A&A, Lib is a Senior Associate and Designer at WRT (Wallace Roberts & Todd, LLC), a landscape architecture, planning, urban design, and architecture firm based in Philadelphia and San Francisco. Jared joined WRT in 2012 after earning a Bachelor of Architecture with Honors, a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, and minors in Architectural History and French & Francophone Studies from Penn State’s Colleges of Arts & Architecture and College of the Liberal Arts, respectively, in 2011. Jared has also earned a Master of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania in 2012 and Master of Landscape Architecture + Urbanism degree at the University of Southern California in 2021. Jared currently resides in Los Angeles, CA where he works remotely for WRT and is a frequent guest lecturer at USC. Jared’s work focuses primarily on the landscape's potential as a system to support environmental and social resilience and giving back to his academic and professional communities through his design work, research, advocacy, and community service. Through his highly crafted work, Jared’s designs invite others to see the landscapes around them anew, with an empathic lens that considers those least represented, and those whose voices, and identities, are not often heard, or designed for. His current interests focus on policy and design interventions that challenge the structures that isolate, exclude, and oppress communities and ecosystems. In addition to his job with WRT, Jared explores these topics through organizations in his local community like the Landscape Justice Initiative at USC.

Jared is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, most notably he has received recognition as a Landscape Architecture Foundation 2021 National Olmsted Scholar Finalist, a 2021 American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Honor Award Recipient, the 2021 ASLA National Award of Excellence in Research recipient, a Pennsylvania State University 2018 Alumni Achievement Award recipient, a 2016 American Institute of Architects National Associate Award recipient, and a 2016 Schreyer Honors College Outstanding Scholar Alumni Award Recipient.

Jared enthusiastically continues to serve on various volunteer boards and organizations to stay connected with his academic institutions and professional communities. He is currently the Emerging Professionals Chair on ASLA Southern California’s Board, an appointed member of the ASLA National Student Advisory Committee, a board member on the Schreyer Honors College Alumni Society Board, and a board member on the Penn State College of Arts & Architecture Alumni Society Board. For the past decade since graduating from Penn State, Jared has also served as a mentor through varying organizations to students in Architecture and Design across the country, and frequently travels to WRT’s Philadelphia and San Francisco offices, to his project sites, and to present his personal research and professional work.

Episode Topics:

• Coming to the Honors College as a third-generation Penn Stater and finding inspiration to become an architect and designer
• Life as a Scholar and Architecture student including studios, study abroad (and its value as a professional later), internships (and navigating cancelled ones), and campus activities like Lion Ambassadors and Schreyer Student Council
• How teamwork – in academics, service/volunteer roles, and professional settings – is a critical attribute in the architecture – and any – profession
• Using your thesis to inform your career
• Licensure, grad school, early career growth, firm terminology, and other nuts and bolts of the job for architects like business development, project planning, and communicating with clients, communities and collaborators
• Getting a second masters degree and continuing research in conjunction with professional associations – and tackling large problems like homeliness in the Los Angeles region and what designing with empathy means when working with underserved communities
• Confronting, understanding, and breaking down your personal biases
• Approaches to successful mentoring relationships

-----

Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Facebook 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Julie Florin ’87 Arts and Architecture teaches Theatre and Chorus at Greenville High School Academy in Greenville, South Carolina. She also works with local theatres and plays organ at churches in the Upstate. Julie is a trained pianist and organist and has a rich career teaching at the K-12 level and serving as musical director for countless shows at the K-12, collegiate, and community theater levels. Julie joins the show to talk about her experiences and share her advice as a music teacher and life-long learner. She also shares advice for involvement in theater after college from her roles as musical director, as well as from her perspectives as a piano teacher, church organist, touring performer in the “War Bonds” show, and Penn State donor. This episode will be of interest to any Scholar who enjoys music or theater, and will be especially valuable to Scholars intending to pursue a career or continued involvement for personal fulfillment in any of these disciplines. Her full bio and a detailed breakdown of topics discussed are available below.

Guest Bio:

Julie Florin ’87 A&A teaches Theatre and Chorus at Greenville High School Academy in Greenville, South Carolina. She also works with local theatres and plays organ at churches in the Upstate. Prior to moving to South Carolina in 2016, she held similar positions and taught private piano lessons for over 20 years in Raleigh, North Carolina. She tours nationally in "War Bonds: The Songs and Letters of WWII" with EbzB Productions. She graduated from Penn State’s College of Arts and Architecture in 1987 with a BS in Music Education with Honors. She holds a Certificate in Church Music from Shenandoah University, a Masters in Music from East Carolina University, and a BA in Theatre Education from North Carolina Central University. You can contact her at https://fingertipsmusic.org or on LinkedIn.

Episode Topics:

• Coming to Penn State and the Honors College as a State College High grad and overcoming sleeping through the SAT (from when it was part of the admissions criteria)
• Leveraging high school challenges and opportunities in finding your path from mentors along the way
• The difference between piano and organ – and how one helped Julie with physical therapy!
• Writing a practical thesis that fills a needs gap – in the form of a research informed choral workbook – and the importance of saving your work!
• Continuing education through graduate degrees and certificates – including taking matters into your own hands when your employer doesn’t offer something you need
• Advice for student teachers, new teachers, and teachers in areas like arts, music, and similar and the difference between academic and co-curricular opportunities
• Leveraging participation in the arts in internships and jobs across industries
• Maintaining involvement in the arts through community theatre
• Advice for church pianists and organists as a substitute performer
• Creating and touring a unique program telling authentic stories and music from WWII on the War Bonds tour
• Getting your motorcycle and commercial drivers licenses
• Supporting currents arts students as an alumna donor

-----

Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Facebook 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Overview:

Dr. Quinta Warren ’05 Engineering is the Associate Director of Sustainability Policy at Consumer Reports (CR), where she leads the legislative, regulatory, and corporate engagement strategies for sustainability on behalf of consumers. Quinta joins the show after both testifying before Congress and participating in the White House Summit on Electrification to discuss her journey. Quinta graduated with a PhD in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering from Georgia Tech in 2009, and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering with Honors from Penn State’s College of Engineering in 2005. She is a 2019-2020 recipient of the Schreyer Honors College Outstanding Scholar Alumni Award. Quinta started at Penn State Greater Allegheny and entered the Honors College so she could pursue research. She shares her experiences and advice for students on making tough choices, enjoying the ride, and careers in both oil & gas and in policy, on top of insight on additional education including PhDs, PMP, and PE certifications. This episode will be great for any Scholar, and particularly for those who are international students, started at a campus other than UP, and are interested in careers in STEM or policy. Her full bio and a detailed breakdown of topics discussed are available in the show notes below.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Quinta Warren ’05 Eng is the Associate Director of Sustainability Policy at Consumer Reports (CR), where she leads the legislative, regulatory, and corporate engagement strategies for sustainability on behalf of consumers. She recently testified before Congress about the consumer benefits of the historic clean energy provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act. She also recently participated in the White House Summit on Electrification, providing the consumer perspective on transportation electrification. Previously, Dr. Warren worked on carbon capture with ConocoPhillips, power generation with the Department of Energy, and international development with the Millennium Challenge Corporation and her own firm, Energy Research Consulting. Dr. Warren graduated with a PhD in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering from Georgia Tech in 2009, and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering with Honors from Penn State’s College of Engineering in 2005. She is a 2019-2020 recipient of the Schreyer Honors College Outstanding Scholar Alumni Award.

Episode Topics:

• Coming to Penn State as an international student and transitioning to University Park from a campus like Greater Allegheny
• Leveraging your status as a Scholar to maintain academic progress
• Thinking creatively about career paths from majors, even in STEM
• Making the tough choice to give up activities for academics
• Choosing Schreyer for the undergraduate research opportunities and parlaying this into graduate education
• Navigating graduate school and then non-academic job searches
• Advice for job seekers in any discipline or industry
• Pivoting from corporate work to consulting and government work and from technical science to policy roles and even starting your own business
• A discussion on project management and professional engineer licenses
• Insights on Consumer Reports and what that household name does
• Providing subject matter expert testimony for the US House of Representatives
• Work life balance and learning how to supervise and manage as you go
• Defining success through impact

  -----

• Schreyer Honors College Links: 

  Website 

  Facebook 

  Instagram 

  LinkedIn 

  Upcoming Events 

  Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

  Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

  Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

  Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

  -----

  Credits & Notes:

  This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

  The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

  The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

  The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Jaz Azari, Class of 2006, is a multitalented professional with experiences in diplomacy, defense, and consulting roles with the U.S. government, military, and private sector firms, currently serving as a Senior Consultant at Guidehouse in Washington, D.C. Jaz has previously worked with the Department of State and Department of Defense and was a Fellow at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in International Politics with Honors and a Bachelor of Arts in German Studies from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts in 2006, followed by an Masters of Art in War Studies from Kings College London. She joined Following the Gong to share her career path and insights with students. While helpful for students interested in her day job industries, this episode can be helpful for any Scholar trying to decide their thesis topic or exploring industries and majors. Jaz is also a published fantasy fiction author, and provides writing help, among other practical advice, for all Scholars. Her full bio and a detailed breakdown of topics discussed are available in the show notes on your podcast app. With that, let’s dive into the conversation, following the gong.

Guest Bio:

Jaz Azari ’06 Lib is a Senior Consultant at Guidehouse in Washington, D.C. where she has helped clients with designing, developing, and implementing programs and facilitated client offsites and conversations to improve collaboration, communication, and strategic planning. Before joining Guidehouse in 2019, Jaz worked for the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army, was a Foreign Service Officer with the Department of State and was a Fellow as part of the Global Fellowship Initiative for the Geneva Centre for Security Policy in Switzerland. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a dual B.A. in International Politics with Honors and German Studies with Honors from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts. Jaz also holds an M.A. in War Studies from Kings College London, graduating with distinction. Jaz has worked on wide-ranging topics and is happy to speak about them further, including foreign policy and diplomacy, defense, military psychology, media broadcasts, environment, science, technology, maritime and oceanic issues, and entrepreneurship, among others. She is also the author of two young adult fantasy fiction novels, The Noble Rogues and The Obsidian Staff, Book One of The Lost Legacy Series. Please feel free to connect with her by email at thelostlegacyseries@yahoo.com and visit her website at www.thelostlegacyseries.com.

Episode Topics:

• Navigating a winding path to finding the right major for your interests and strengths
• Learning from organizations, volunteer opportunities, and paid jobs
• The importance of finding a motivating thesis topic, even if it’s “late in the game”
• Writing tips for fiction, non-fiction, and business
• Several stories and lots of advice from working with the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and the State Department, as well as from think tanks, defense, diplomacy, and policy roles domestically and abroad
• Integrating your interests, even if you didn’t major in them, into your career
• A discussion of learning/training/development roles and techniques
• A broad view of the differences between government and private sector employment
• Helpful leadership advice for student leaders and organization
• What it’s like being a published fantasy fiction author
• Centering yourself as the hero of your own journey, setbacks and all
• The pride of the Penn State network

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Facebook 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Connor Sattely ’11 Behrend is an entrepreneur and startup mentor based out of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. He's spent the last eleven years alternating between starting startups and supporting other entrepreneurs. Connor joins Following the Gong to discuss his experiences as a Scholar at Penn State Behrend, as an entrepreneur and start-up coach, and life as an ex-pat living and working abroad. Connor earned his BAs in Communication and Political Science, the former with honors, from Penn State Behrend. This episode is great for any Scholar at a Commonwealth Campus, interested in starting a business, or interested in travelling abroad for any amount of time, and certainly for any looking to live or work abroad. You can read a more detailed breakdown and Connor’s bio further below in the show notes.

Guest Bio:

Connor Sattely ’11 Behrend is an entrepreneur and startup mentor based out of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. He's spent the last eleven years alternating between starting startups and supporting other entrepreneurs. His businesses include GovFaces, a Switzerland-based civic tech company; SEMA (pronounced seh-muh), a Ugandan citizen feedback tool for public services; and his own consultancy in the Netherlands. In supporting startups, he's worked at the HiiL Justice Accelerator working with innovations in legal and justice issues around the world; and with the Social Enterprise Academy, working on transformative learning and development for social entrepreneurs. Connor earned a Bachelor of Art in communications with honors and a Bachelor of Art in political science from Penn State Behrend in 2011. He went on to earn a master’s degree in international affairs from l'Institut de hautes études internationales et du développement in Geneva, Switzerland.

Episode Topics:

• Life at Penn State Behrend and the value of making connections with faculty regardless of campus
• Learning through experiences like writing at the Behrend Beacon
• Thesis and non-thesis undergraduate research
• Studying abroad in undergrad and going to grad school abroad
• Starting your journey in start-ups and advice for future founders from a start-up mentor
• First-hand advice about international travel and living abroad
• Even more advice on startups and traveling abroad
• Thoughts on making the most of cold connections on LinkedIn

  -----

  Schreyer Honors College Links: 

  Website 

  Instagram 

  LinkedIn 

  Upcoming Events 

  Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

  Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

  Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

  Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

  -----

  Credits & Notes:

  This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

  The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

  The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

  The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Caroline Fitzgerald ’12 Bus, Lib is the CEO & Founder of GOALS - the first sports marketing & sponsorship agency that is fully dedicated to women's sports. Caroline joins Following the Gong to discuss her story and inspire both entrepreneurs and interest in women’s sports. She leveraged the opportunities of the Honors College to combine majors that fit her interests, earning a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the Smeal College of Business and a Bachelor of Arts in Women and Gender Studies with Honors from the College of the Liberal Arts after participating in Club Basketball and serving on the THON Executive Committee as the 2011 Merch Director. Caroline walks us through her career from retail to non-profits to ultimately turning her side-hustle into her own business. Caroline’s full bio and a detailed list of topics are available below.

Guest Bio:

Caroline Fitzgerald ’12 Business, Liberal Arts is the CEO & Founder of GOALS - the first women's sports marketing & sponsorship agency that is fully dedicated to women's sports. GOALS works to grow women's sports by helping professional women’s sports teams & organizations gain more revenue through the formation of brand sponsorships. Before starting GOALS, Caroline worked for 10+ years as a marketing and sales professional across a variety of industries and was most recently the SVP of Partnerships at the DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon where she was responsible for selling and activating partnerships with brands that include DICK’S Sporting Goods, FedEx, Brooks Running, Dunkin’, PNC Bank, Barefoot, Panera, Nuun Hydration, Bank of America, and more. Caroline earned her Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Penn State’s Smeal College of Business and her Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Women and Gender Studies from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts, both in 2012. She also earned a Masters in Global Sport from the Tisch Institute for Global Sport at New York University. Caroline served as the Merchandise Director for THON 2011, Together Without Limits, and currently resides in her hometown of Pittsburgh, PA.

Episode Topics:

• Following siblings to Penn State and the Honors College as a current Penn State student
• Integrating interests like sports and feminism  into your college, major, and career
• Integrating dual majors through the thesis with the example of analyzing breast cancer awareness marketing
• Being heavily involved on campus and still succeeding academically including serving as a THON Director (Merch) and how this translates to life after college
• Continuing high school athletics at the D1 Club level as a student and Scholar
• Making the most of on-campus recruitment opportunities and internships to begin your career
• A pitstop discussing the Heinz History Center
• Working in retail, and the differences between the store and the corporate offices and between retail and non-profit entities
• Taking action to fill a space in the market, such as a for-profit, purpose driven sports marketing agency aimed at women’s sports
• Taking a side hustle to a full-time job and balancing growth vs. market niches
• Using a talent like sports to be an extra in film & TV
• Celebrating success and learning from failures
• Thoughts on mentorship

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Facebook 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Dr. Eric Gibney '94 Sci joins Following the Gong to discuss careers in medicine and organ transplant science and care. Dr. Gibney graduated from the Eberly College of Science in 1994 with a BS in Biology and with Honors in Nutrition and then earned his Doctor of Medicine from the Emory University School of Medicine in 1998. He now serves as the Director of the Piedmont Transplant Institute in Atlanta, where specializes in internal medicine with a focus on nephrology and transplant care with a special emphasis on kidney transplants. Eric shares his experiences at Penn State including Lion Ambassadors, life guarding, and the Disney College Program before turning his attention to giving insights on med school and mentorship. He also shares an overview of the transplant process – making this episode of interest to any Scholar and not just those interested in healthcare. Eric’s full bio and a detailed list of topics are available below.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Eric M. Gibney ’94 Science is a Program Director for the Piedmont Transplant Institute in Atlanta GA. He is a transplant nephrologist who specializes in kidney diseases and transplantation. Dr. Gibney's special interests include living kidney donation, transplant outreach, kidney disease in patients with liver disease, transplantation in HIV and clinical immunosuppression. He has also served as President of the Piedmont Atlanta Medical Staff with interests in patient safety and physician engagement. Prior to joining Piedmont Transplant Institute, Dr. Gibney was a transplant nephrologist with the Division of Nephrology at the Hume-Lee Transplant Center at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Gibney earned a BS in Biology with Honors in Nutrition from Penn State in 1994 and received his medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine in 1998. He completed his residency at New York University School of Medicine where he was also chief medical resident. He then completed a fellowship in nephrology and transplant nephrology at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver. Dr. Gibney is board certified in internal medicine and nephrology and has been published in numerous medical journals.

Episode Topics:

• Inspiration to attend Penn State for the big school advantages and the Honors College for the small school community
• Choosing a career in medicine from high school experiences
• Being involved on campus from Lion Ambassadors to lifeguarding & IM sports and even the Disney College Program
• Completing a thesis outside your major
• Perspectives on med school applications, finding fit, and “enjoying where you are” in med school
• Thoughts on the final year at Penn State and final year of med school
• Picking a specific discipline within medicine
• Healthcare leadership and management
• A very general overview of kidney diseases, nephrology, and the transplant process (not a formal medical opinion – please consult your physician if needed)
• The impact of the pandemic on transplant programs and patients
• Finding wellness as a medical professional
• Mentorship as a medical student and professional

-----

Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Reggie Hedgebeth ’89 Liberal Arts joins the show to discuss his career in corporate legal leadership. Reggie graduated from the College of the Liberal Arts with Honors in Economics in 1989 and went on to earn his JD at Harvard Law. He shares his career journey where he has served in senior, c-suite level roles for large organizations in a variety of industries from retail to energy to finance with vast responsibilities beyond the legal departments including HR and supply chain management. Reggie, a 2020 Penn State Alumni Fellow, provides his insight as not only a legal officer but as a corporate leader who has experienced the highs and lows of serving in these roles across the country. This episode will be helpful for any Scholar, and especially those seeking careers in law or business. You can read a more robust bio of Reggie and a more detailed breakdown of the topics we cover further down in the show notes. This episode was recorded prior to Reggie’s departure from Capital Group.

Guest Bio:

Reggie Hedgebeth ’89 Liberal Arts most recently served as the Chief Legal Officer of Capital Group, a financial services firm with over $2.6 trillion in equity and fixed income assets for millions of individual and institutional investors globally. Reggie also formerly served as executive vice president, general counsel and chief administrator for Marathon Oil Corporation; general counsel, corporate secretary and chief ethics and compliance officer for Spectra Energy Corp; general counsel for Spectra Energy Partners; senior vice president, general counsel and secretary for Circuit City Stores, Inc.; and vice president of legal for The Home Depot, Inc. Reggie began his legal career as an associate at King and Spalding, LLP, and prior to law school held various finance and commercial real estate positions at GE Capital. Reggie earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics with Honors from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts in 1989 and his Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School.  Reggie currently serves on the board of directors and as chair of the audit committee for BWC Terminals LLC, and the advisory board of The Artemis Fund, a venture capital fund with an exclusive focus on investments in companies led by female founders. He is also a member of the external advisory board of the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State, where he was named a 2020 Penn State Alumni Fellow and a 2011-2012 Outstanding Scholar Alumnus.

Episode Topics:

• Coming to University Park from out of state and sight unseen and choosing a major deeper into your academic career
• Using student experiences like serving as a TA and working in student radio in your career
• Comparing the Honors experience at Penn State to law school
• Working in a law firm and then as in-house counsel
• Insights on working as an attorney in different industries including retail, energy, and finance & asset management
• Learning management and subject matter specifics as a chief legal officer
• Networking and the power of building relationships
• The role of the chief legal officer and working in the “C-Suite” with other senior executives and what that means
• Sitting on corporate boards of directors
• Navigating the corporate ladder and relocating across the country
• Getting involved with local non-profits and staying involved with the Honors College as an alum
• Reflective advice from over thirty years in corporate & legal settings for any Scholar

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

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Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Scholar Alumni couple Erin (’99 Com) & Tony (’99 Eng) Talbert join Following the Gong to share their joint story and advice after meeting early in their Penn State journey. After serving as Lion Ambassadors and ringing the gong, Erin pursued a career in consulting and Tony went into financial services roles. They shared their advice on these fields, including commercial real estate, family transitions, and career transitions including moving into roles in community organizations and small businesses. Erin and Tony offer advice that is helpful for any Scholar, not just those in similar fields, as they both took directions away from their major and have navigated their journey together, including as donors to and volunteers with the College. For each of their bios and a more detailed breakdown, continue reading these show notes!

Guest Bio:

Erin Talbert ’99 Communications is currently an active community volunteer, elected School Board member and small business owner. Before that she spent nearly 20 years working in the pharmaceuticals industry. In her 11 years at AstraZeneca, Erin worked in several commercial roles including Marketing, Managed Markets, and Sales. In her 7 years with Accenture, Erin focused on change management, organizational design, and communications. She now owns Brandywine Outdoor Living and works with landscape architects and their clients to add the outdoor "finishings" to large scale landscape projects including furniture, lighting, shade, and planters. Erin graduated from Penn State’s Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications with Bachelor of Arts in Advertising/Public Relations with Honors and a minor in Labor & Industrial Relations from Penn State in 1999.

Tony Talbert ’99 Engineering is a Partner of The Shidler Group, where he is responsible for real estate investments, acquisitions, capital markets and developing new investment strategies, including The Shidler Group’s most recent multifamily, hotel, and net-lease investment platforms. Since joining The Shidler Group in 2013, Tony  has been instrumental in the acquisition of over $3.24 billion of office, hospitality, and multifamily assets throughout the U.S. Tony was previously with Chatham Financial Group where he co-founded the firm’s real estate investment banking practice where he specialized in capital raising and complex debt advisory assignments, including a $1.3 billion securitization of One Bryant Park in New York after beginning his career on Chatham’s derivative desk. Tony graduated from Penn State’s College of Engineering with a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Industrial Engineering in 1999.  He earned his Master of Business Administration from Columbia Business School in 2004.

Episode Topics:

· Coming to University Park and choosing Schreyer from Maryland and Hawaii and as a first-generation student – and meeting your future spouse on day 1!

· Selecting a major based on skills rather than topics and as a first-gen student, or as a student in DUS

· Making a career pivot as you are nearing graduation based on pre-professional experiences and succeeding regardless of alignment with your major

· Leading while walking backwards with the Lion Ambassadors

· Working your way through school with on- and off-campus jobs and managing time

· Learning from pragmatic thesis topics like marketing plans and product component dissection

· Going to business school after starting your career and switching from consulting to corporate roles

· Stepping away from traditional careers to focus on family and finding new opportunities locally

· A crash course on working in commercial real estate and forming business partnerships

· Reflective lessons on the Scholar experience , success, relationships, mentorship, and more

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Don Aguillo ’07 A&A is a freelance illustrator and comic creator based in San Francisco, California. He has over fifteen years of experience in comics, tabletop games, and working fulltime in his area of passion as both an artist and entrepreneur. Don shares his experiences as a first-generation American at Penn State, life as a Resident Assistant on campus and also studying (and drawing) abroad. Don explains the ins and outs of being a fulltime artist and how he self-promotes, enhances his skills, and evolves his style, and manages the business side of this career path in addition to promoting education of his Filipino heritage. You can read a full breakdown of topics below.

Guest Bio:

Don Aguillo ’07 Arts & Architecture is a freelance illustrator and comic creator in San Francisco, California where he illustrates covers for McFarlane Productions' Spawn series published by Image Comics, produces their own ongoing comic series, Rise, with Scout Comics, and work on other projects such as Adi Shankar's Netflix series Guardians of Justice and a host of commissions and freelance projects across the entertainment industry and independent publishing communities. Before this, he has worked for Stan Lee's company in concept work for one of his later projects, tabletop gaming projects, card games, book covers and art asset design work in all these fields. He earned a BFA with Honors from Penn State’s College of Arts & Architecture in 2007. Please feel free to connect with them or follow them @artofdonaguillo across all social media platforms to explore commissions or have him speak about his work.

Episode Topics:

· Choosing Penn State after growing up as an immigrant within earshot of Beaver Stadium

· Finding a passion – like drawing – in an elective/general education course as a STEM student

· Informing parents & family about changing your major – especially away from a familial path

· Being a Schreyer Scholar in the creative arts including the thesis process for a fine arts major

· Finding family, leadership education, and lifelong interests on campus through clubs like the Penn State Filipino Association and martial arts groups

· Living and working as a Resident Assistant (RA) while also being a Scholar and as a “townie”

· Using study abroad as an opportunity to test yourself and develop a vision for your future career

· Jumping at opportunities when they are presented – like being hired to an animation studio

· Determining that freelance work is the right path for you in the arts or other professions, and using each job to enhance your skills, the benefits, and challenges of this career style

· Developing and defining your personal artwork aesthetic

· Working in comics, board games, film & television, and getting paid for your work and worth

· New school technology for drawing

· Other industries where an art degrees can are useful – and the hard and soft skills that go with them for successful professionals

· Navigating artist job interviews vs. traditional interviews

· Balancing primary and secondary skill sets or media x and thoughts on overcoming creative blocks

· Showcasing work at signature industry events like San Diego Comic Con and Seattle Comic Con 

· The importance of feedback for continued learning and development as well as relationship building

· The relationship between visual, performing, and martial arts and learning culture through all three

· The importance of knowing the foundations above all else in art

· Writing, illustrating, and self-publishing your own graphic novel/comic book

· Aligning your paid work with your values and being okay with turning down opportunities

· Mentorship as an artist

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Diana Adams ’13 Berks is the Executive Director of Brevard Heart Foundation, co-owner and Community Engagement Coordinator of Rock Paper Simple, and a Council Member for the City of West Melbourne in Brevard County, Florida which come on the heels of a seven year career in elementary education in Florida where she earned numerous awards, including Teacher of the Year for her school and the Dr. Theron Trimble Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year award for the state of Florida. She earned a BS in Elementary Education with Honors from Penn State Berks in 2013, followed by a Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of West Florida and is currently working on her Doctorate in Public Administration from Valdosta State University. Diana discusses many topics that can be helpful to Scholars of all stripes. After sharing her experience coming to Penn State at a non-traditional age, staying at a Commonwealth Campus, and moving out of state for her first teaching job, Diana discusses making a career change in her 20s, working in non-profits, small business, and public administration. She also shares thoughts on making the most the thesis and Scholar experience and overcoming personal adversity.

Guest Bio:

Diana Adams ’13 Berks is the Executive Director of Brevard Heart Foundation, co-owner and Community Engagement Coordinator of Rock Paper Simple, and a Council Member for the City of West Melbourne in Brevard County, Florida. In each of her roles, she seeks to address community needs by using data and relationships to make a positive difference in her community, in particularly the fields of business, healthcare, and local government. Prior to her current roles, Diana was a teacher in Florida for seven years, where she earned numerous awards, including Teacher of the Year for her school and the Dr. Theron Trimble Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year award for the state of Florida. She earned a BS in Elementary Education with Honors from Penn State Berks in 2013, followed by a Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of West Florida and is currently working on her Doctorate in Public Administration from Valdosta State University. With her life dedicated to public service, Diana knows the value of connecting with others for the betterment of our communities and is happy to speak further about education, business, grants, and municipal government. Please feel free to connect with her at LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-adams-010853179) or Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/blondiebookworm/)

Episode Specifics:

In this episode, Diana shares her insights on:

· Choosing Penn State Berks for being close to home and the smaller campus feel and the Honors College for the intellectual community it provides

· Pursuing an education major and selecting the right level for you – and test driving as a first-year student

· Starting college earlier than is “traditional”

· Balancing student teaching with writing a thesis, and using that thesis in interviews and in the classroom

· Brining life experience and identity to influence your thesis topic and research

· Job searching outside of Pennsylvania and ideas for job search research generally

· The ups and downs of being an elementary school teacher

· Making the decision to leave teaching and pursue new opportunities

· Handling your inclination to say “yes” to every opportunity

· Getting involved in municipal government – both as a citizen and as a leader

· Keeping a grounded approach to success through serving others

· Lessons from getting SCUBA certified despite a physical disability

· Thoughts on mentorship

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

This is a special episode focused on the College’s mission tenet of civic engagement and leadership with a specific angle on student leadership. Management consultant and Scholar Alumni Society leader Alayna Auerbach and student leader and fourth year Scholar Mahika Sampat join the show to talk all things student leadership, engagement, and clubs & organizations. Alayna and Mahika share their insights from serving in leadership roles for various groups including the Scholar Alumni Society, THON, Schreyer for Women, and South Asian Student Association. This episode transcends majors and career paths to be a resource for any Scholar, and particularly those serving in any sort of leadership role in a student club or organization, internship, or similar opportunities and how these experiences can influence post-undergraduate opportunities. 

Guest Bios:

Alayna Auerbach ’15 Bus is a management consultant based in Brooklyn, NY.  She graduated summa cum laude from Penn State's Smeal College of Business earning a BS in Finance with Honors and minors in Economics and Spanish. Alayna works in mergers & acquisitions management consulting since graduating in 2015. She partners with companies across industries to deliver enterprise-wide value in deal transactions, including being a trusted advisor and project leader for executives. Alayna is a mental health advocate and a New York Certified Peer Specialist (Provisional). She volunteers as a mental health helpline responder to connect NYC residents to mental health resources. Alayna is also an executive board member of the Scholar Alumni Society (SAS) where she is the inaugural chair of the Student Engagement Committee. Through SAS, she connects scholars and alumni. Any scholars listening to the podcast should reach out to her to see how their student organizations can increase connection with alumni.

Mahika Sampat ’23 HHD is a fourth-year Scholar majoring in Biobehavioral Health with minors in Biology and Health Policy and Administration on the pre-medical track in the College of Health of Health and Human Development. She has received the WISER Research Grant, HHD Dummer Research Grant, and Student Leader Scholarship. She is President of South Asian Student Association and Career Development Director for Schreyer for Women for the 2022-2023 academic year. She is passionate about leadership, service, and making an impact at Penn State. Please feel free to connect with her on LinkedIn.

Episode Specifics:

In this episode, Alayna and Mahika share their perspectives on:

· Overcoming preconceived notions of Penn State and enjoying the experience from Day 1

· Finding student organizations to join like Schreyer Consulting Group, THON, Schreyer for Women, and South Asian Student Association

· Identifying what kinds of opportunities are best for you and your personal and professional interests and passions

· Explaining your involvement in clubs and activities to your family

· Relational, technical, and other skills you can look to develop as a student leader that will serve you well in any career

· Resources and techniques for learning leadership on the fly for new club officers and leaders

· Handling setbacks like not being chosen for an officer role or other opportunities

· Putting yourself out there and overcoming self-doubt and imposter syndrome to step up as a club leader

· Balancing leadership and friendship in a student organization and handling ethical conflicts

· Balancing academics and student leadership by asking for help, overcoming perfectionism, and time management

· Tools and tips for achieving that organization and time management

· Leveraging advisors, alumni, and older students as mentors

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Lauren Jowell ’04 Behrend is the Chief of a Monitoring and Evaluation division in the Bureau of International Labor Affairs at the US Department of Labor in Washington, DC, though she is appearing on this podcast in her personal capacity, and her views are solely her own. Her team is responsible for strategic planning, independent program evaluations, and collecting and reporting on performance data for executive, congressional and interagency reporting requirements. Lauren shares her experiences at Penn State Erie, the Behrend College, where she earned a BA in Political Science with Honors and High Distinction in 2004. She also shares her experiences in the Peace Corps, earning a Masters in International Law and Politics from Georgetown, and using her social sciences background in several federal roles. Lauren provides great insights on navigating the job search for federal jobs and the distinction from a more traditional resume and application process, and the perks of living in Washington, D.C.

Guest Bio:

Lauren Jowell ’04 Behrend is the Chief of a Monitoring and Evaluation division in the Bureau of International Labor Affairs at the US Department of Labor in Washington, DC, though she is appearing on this podcast in her personal capacity, and her views are solely her own. Her team is responsible for strategic planning, independent program evaluations, and collecting and reporting on performance data for executive, congressional and interagency reporting requirements. Before joining the Department of Labor, she was a senior strategic planning analyst at the Department of the Interior and a program audit analyst at the Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General. Lauren served in the Peace Corps in Ukraine from 2004 to 2006 where she taught English as a second language in a village in the central part of the country. She earned a BA in Political Science with Honors and High Distinction from Penn State Erie, the Behrend College in 2004. She also earned a MA in International Law and Politics from Georgetown and a Graduate Certificate in Program Evaluation from Michigan State University. She is happy to speak further about the growing program evaluation career field and you can connect with her on LinkedIn.

Episode Specifics:

In this episode, Lauren shares her insights on:

· Ethics disclaimers and requirements for federal employees and sharing their own opinions and views

· Choosing Penn State Behrend and a glimpse into the campus culture

· Starting in a campus honors program before joining the College

· Mortifying experiences at milestone moments – like hair dye gone awry

· Joining the Peace Corps after graduation and living & working abroad, as well as thoughts on studying abroad

· Using strong social science skills like writing in the auditing and government oversight fields

· An overview of the program monitoring, assessment, and evaluation field

· The importance of skills and not just knowledge in the social sciences including government, private, and non-profit work

· Skills and opportunities for Scholars to look into and learn while they are in college, including professional associations, writing, and even improv comedy!

· Where the end results of the assessments and evaluations go

· Understanding the differences in resumes and job searching for government careers than other industries

· Details about the Penn State Professional Women’s Network of Washington, DC for both new alumni and current students interning in the District & surrounding area

· Exploring all the things to do in and around DC

· Taking pride in your work and still finding balance

· Developing responsive communication skills that adapt your style to others’

-----

Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Overview:

Darin Carter ’14 IST is a Program Manager on the Coinbase Giving Team, managing a portfolio of social impact investments from humanitarian aid to education. Darin earned his BS in Information Sciences and Technology with Honors and a minor in entrepreneurship from Penn State’s College of Information Sciences and Technology in 2014. Darin was also a Bunton Waller Scholar during his time at Penn State. In this episode, Darin discussed his career coming to Penn State from upstate New York and being both a Bunton-Waller and Schreyer Scholar. Darin shares his perspectives working in consulting, big tech, and careers in the pioneering spaces of Web3 including blockchain and cryptocurrency. You can read Darin’s full bio and a more detailed breakdown of the episode topics below.

Guest Bio:

Darin Carter ’14 IST is a Program Manager on the Coinbase Giving Team, managing a portfolio of social impact investments from humanitarian aid to education. Darin earned his BS in Information Sciences and Technology with Honors and a minor in entrepreneurship from Penn State’s College of Information Sciences and Technology in 2014. Darin was also a Bunton-Waller Scholar during his time at Penn State. In 2017, Darin moved to San Francisco to work in tech, and it wasn’t long before he started his crypto career at Coinbase, helping build the security compliance team from the ground up. As a lifelong learner, Darin earned his Master’s Degree at the University of Nicosia, studying Blockchain & Digital Currency. Although crypto is a full time job, Darin also enjoys traveling the world, watching basketball, and live music.

Episode Specifics:

In this episode, Darin shares his insights on:

· Coming to Penn State as an out-of-state student for the people and the STEM facilities

· Perspectives on the Bunton-Waller Scholars Program and living in East Halls as a first-year Scholar

· Studying abroad as a fourth-year student and integrating the thesis into the study abroad experience

· Working with graduate students to contribute your thesis to a bigger project

· Advice for current and prospective Scholars in IST

· Leveraging college-specific resources for assistance in getting internships that can translate into careers

· Starting your career at one of the “Big 4” firms as a non-Smeal College of Business graduate

· Salesforce and what CRMs are

· The importance of company culture

· A very quick crash course on Web3, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, and NFTs

· Working in IT security and walking through the process of standing up a social impact program for a crypto company like Coinbase

· Finding a career coach after entering the working world

· Skills that Scholars looking to work in IT or related fields should look at developing now

· Living and working as a “digital nomad” and remote-first work

-----

Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Kristin Lambert ’14 Agr, ’19g & ’21g Medicine is a pediatric resident at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. She graduated from the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences in 2014 with a B.S. in Immunology & Infectious Disease with Honors in Biology. She was the inaugural student in the Schreyer Early Assurance MD/PhD Program at the College of Medicine, so that upon graduation, Kristin matriculated at the Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey. She was a dual-degree trainee at Hershey, pursuing both a Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD). Her doctoral research focused on the genetic regulation of inflammation in asthma and allergic disorders. She is a member of the Scholar Alumni Society Board and the 2018-2019 recipient of the Outstanding Scholar Alumni Mentor Award for her contributions to her mentees in the Mentoring with Honors program.

Episode Specifics:

In this episode, Kristin shares her insights on:

· Choosing the Schreyer Honors College as a second-generation Penn Stater for its small school feel at University Park

· Using available resources to find majors that ignite passion and can set you up for career success

· Gaining life & professional skills from activities like marching in the Blue Band as a Scholar

· Advice for THON dancers to prep for their 46 hours, and encouragement for Scholars to connect their personal and career passions in their involvement

· Finding research opportunities as a novice researcher and completing the honors thesis in a different discipline than your major

· Clarifying perceptions about pre-requisite majors for medical school

· Finding summer opportunities outside of the Career Days events

· The value of connecting with the College’s Career Development staff

· All things MD/PhD:

o The early assurance program for Scholars at the Penn State College of Medicine, and what it’s like attending the CoM and working at the Penn State Children’s Hospital

o Determining a focus within medicine

o The dynamic of medical school and graduate school coursework sequences for 7-9 additional years of formal education

o Selecting and completing a dissertation in the MD/PhD – and the benefit of the honors thesis as a foundation

o A crash course on asthma, Kristin dissertation area

o Things Scholars can be doing now in preparation for graduate and/or medical school

o Academic/research “family trees”

o The residency match program

o The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical education

o Staying involved as a volunteer with the Honors College

o The financial and relational aspects of committing to an MD/PhD program

· Dropping and re-taking courses and still graduating with honors

· Thoughts on mentorship, especially from those who came before you

-----

Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Guest Bio:

Katy Poole ’11 HHD is a Senior Athletic Trainer at the University of Kentucky, in Lexington. This fall (2022) marks her 12th season working primarily with the women's volleyball team. As the team's athletic trainer, she oversees all aspects of healthcare for the student athletes that she serves. Over the last 11 years, she has helped the team win 5 SEC Conference Championships, and the 2020 National Championship. In addition to her role with volleyball, she has oversight of the gymnastics and golf teams, and is involved in several committees within the athletic department. Prior to being hired on full time, Katy worked for two years as a graduate assistant at UK while completing her Masters in Athletic Training. Before moving to Lexington, she graduated from Penn State’s College of Health and Human Development with a BS in Kinesiology with Honors. She is originally from State College, PA and can be found on Twitter and Instagram @KatyPoole.

Episode Specifics:

In this episode, Katy shares her insights on:

· Applying to the Honors College both as a State College local and as someone on the fence about it

· Rebounding from a challenging first year and working back into good standing as a Scholar

· Converting playing youth sports into academic and career passions

· Getting tapped for senior honor societies, Homecoming Courts, and making the most of your last year

· Early exposure to athletic training through undergraduate opportunities

· The importance of relationships, especially in collegiate athletics

· Using clinical experiences to inform thesis research interests – and using it in your career!

· Determining criteria for which grad schools for the your personal best fit

· Deciding to pick an NCAA D1 “Power 5” university for a professional home

· Defining athletic training as a distinct healthcare profession

· A day in the life of an athletic trainer during their sport’s season

· The biomechanical differences between sports

· Alternative paths in sports science and athletic training from Katy’s

· The value of team continuity in the workplace, and the unique role of the team’s athletic trainer

· Responding to COVID-19 in athletic training

· Balancing your Penn State pride with your graduate school or employer (if another university)

· Learning what career paths are best for you and advice for prospective athletic trainers

· Professional development and work life balance for athletic trainers

· Reflections on success like winning a national championship and mentorship

· The importance of making connections with the College’s staff

-----

Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Dr. Patrick T. Mather ’89, ’90g Engineering is the fourth Dean of the Schreyer Honors College. Dean Mather returned to Dear Old State after a career that was launched with the US Air Force Research Lab and several stops with increasing responsibility in academia including the University of Connecticut, Case Western Reserve University, Syracuse University, and most recently Bucknell University, where he served as the Dean of Engineering. He earned his B.S. with honors and M.S. degrees from Penn State in Engineering Science and Engineering Mechanics, respectively, following which he went on to receive his Ph.D. in Materials at U.C. Santa Barbara in 1994. “Dean Pat” joined Following the Gong to share his career story and life & career advice for Scholars from his unique perspectives as both an alum and as Dean – including lessons in materials science, the thesis, liquid crystals, academia, and leadership. He also shares his musical talents in this episode recorded live in Atherton Hall’s famed Grandfather Clock Lounge. You can read Dean Pat’s full bio and a more detailed breakdown of the episode topics below.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Patrick T. Mather currently serves as the fourth Dean of the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State. Dean Mather earned his B.S. with honors (’89) and M.S. (‘90) degrees from Penn State in Engineering Science and Engineering Mechanics, respectively, following which he went on to receive his Ph.D. in Materials at U.C. Santa Barbara in 1994 with dissertation research focused on the rheology of liquid crystals. Following work as materials research engineer for Air Force Research Lab, Mather’s academic career has included University of Connecticut, Case Western Reserve University, and Syracuse University, where he helped to create and serve as director of the Syracuse Biomaterials Institute, a sustainable, interdisciplinary effort with 20+ faculty spanning three institutions and seven departments. From 2016 to 2021, Pat served as Dean of Engineering at Bucknell University, where he enjoyed the opportunities and challenges of academic leadership, with a particular focus on inclusive excellence. In 2021 returned to his academic roots at Penn State to become the dean of Schreyer Honors College and professor of Chemical Engineering. Mather’s research interests center around smart materials, including shape memory polymers, self-healing materials, polymeric nanocomposites, and biodegradable polymers for medical devices. He is the author of over 160 peer-reviewed papers, inventor on more than 40 patents, and Fellow of both SPE (Society of Plastics Engineering) and the AIMBE (American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering). Pat is the Editor-in-Chief for Polymer Reviews. He has won several student-nominated teaching awards and prides himself on innovative and engaging teaching methods. Pat and his wife Tara Mather enjoy spending time with their blended family of five grown children (and too many cats to count). You can often catch Tara and Pat out on the road distance running or tandem cycling.

Episode Specifics:

In this episode, Dean Mather shares his insights on:

• Choosing a pragmatic major when you are “not an academic” in high school
• Leveraging general education courses (“electives”) to engage in interests outside your major
• Finding res
• Research opportunities in your passion area – and why epoxy is important for aircraft, and not just crafts!
• Thoughts on the honors thesis process as both alum and Dean
• Pursuing passions outside your major – like playing in a band as an engineering student
• What it’s like to stay an extra year to complete a master’s degree at University Park
• Perspectives on the unique opportunities of graduate education
• A crash course on liquid crystals from a subject matter expert
• Paying for graduate education – and how to get assistance in a crisis for current Scholars
• Going into academia – especially after time in industry – and adjusting to becoming a teacher
• Taking the next step in academia by founding and leading an interdisciplinary research center
• Moving up to the Dean level – and what exactly that involves
• How Dean Mather prepared to take on a leadership role like the Deanship at Bucknell, and resources Scholars can use in their own leadership roles on campus
• The nuts and bolts of actually being hired as a Dean
• What the Dean is and does – and how this directly impacts Scholars daily
• Practical and philosophical advice on negotiating offers (jobs, internships, research, etc.)
• Identifying, developing, and defining your personal values and vision
• A musical interlude with our multi-talented Dean
• Reflections on professional mistakes and taking risks
• The importance of not being too hard on yourself

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Jenna Spinelle (she/her) ’08 Communications is a writer, podcaster, and speaker in higher education. She hosts and produces the Democracy Works podcast and the narrative series When the People Decide, both productions of the McCourtney Institute for Democracy at Penn State. Jenna hops over from her host chair to the interview chair on Following the Gongfor this episode to discuss the current media landscape – on campus and at large – working in podcasting and content creation, and other topics like the value of continued participation in music. You can read Jenna’s full bio and a breakdown of the episode topics below.

Guest Bio:

Jenna Spinelle (she/her) ’08 Communications is a writer, podcaster, and speaker in higher education. She hosts and produces the Democracy Works podcast and the narrative series When the People Decide, both productions of the McCourtney Institute for Democracy at Penn State.  She teaches courses on freelancing and the creator economy at Penn State’s Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, from which she earned her BA in Journalism with Honors in 2008. She also finds time to freelance for various firms and publications. She previously worked in marketing and public relations positions at Penn State and in traditional newspaper settings. Her writing has appeared in outlets including Bello Collective, Inside Higher Ed, and Current. You can find her on Twitter @JennaSpinelle or visit her website at jennaspinelle.com.

Episode Specifics:

In this episode, Jenna shares her insights on:

· Choosing Penn State over “big city” schools for its academic reputation and being close to home

· Aspects of journalism that can help you identify it as a field for you

· Making the most of Penn State’s student media culture – even if you are not a journalism major or in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications

· Joining the College as a current Penn State student

· The evolving media landscape of the mid-2000s through to 2022

· Getting into professional podcasting without previous on-air experiences

· Translating dense topics for listeners on the Democracy Workspodcast

· Creating a narrative-based podcast – like Serial – in When the People Decide

· The different types of podcasts and Jenna’s (and Sean’s) inspirations

· The how of podcasting, and advice on building up your skills to be a content creator

· The value in freelancing and pursuing side-hustles

· Continuing playing a musical instrument through college and into post-college life

· Pushing yourself out of your professional comfort zone and initial discipline

· Thoughts on mentorship

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Ari Rosenbaum ’91 Liberal Arts is a Principal and Director of Financial Advisors Services at O’Shaughnessy Asset Management. Ari shares his experiences adjusting to the rigors of college, the value he found in getting involved on campus – specifically through joining a fraternity – and how he uses his English degree in the financial services industry. He shares insight any Scholar can use on making the most of the Scholar experience to gain transferrable skills through campus involvement and leadership. He also explains his non-quantitative role in finance and insights from a lengthy business career that can be helpful to any Scholar. You can read Ari’s full bio and a more detailed breakdown of the episode topics below.

Guest Bio:

Ari Rosenbaum ’91 Liberal Arts is a Principal and Director of Financial Advisors Services at O’Shaughnessy Asset Management, a Registered Investment Advisor, in Stamford, Connecticut. O’Shaughnessy manages equity portfolios for institutional investors like pension plans and high net worth individuals through their financial advisors. Ari has worked in financial services for most of his career after brief roles in the fraternity consulting and advertising industries. He earned his BA in English with Honors from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts in 1991. He served as Chapter President of the Sigma Phi Epsilon (“SigEp”) fraternity at University Park. Scholars can connect with him on LinkedIn.

Episode Specifics:

In this episode, Ari shares his insights on:

·  Picking Penn State with the intent to transfer later, but then deciding to stay

· The benefits of picking a Liberals Arts major like English

· The positives of joining and leading a fraternity

· How an English thesis on Mark Twain is useful to a financial services professional or other careers

· Working for a national fraternity organization right out of college

· Getting into a finance career without a degree in finance

· The value of taking calculate risk in your career and in business

· Learning business and relational (“soft”) skills through campus involvement

· Developing your team leadership skills

· A hiring manager’s thoughts on additional skills for Scholars to invest in

· Developing non-work interests throughout life and as a parent

· The criticality of choosing a good life partner (if you choose one)

· Reflecting on the numerous decisions you make in a career

· Resilience in the face of setbacks

· The value of taking feedback, especially in a mentoring dynamic 

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Megan Ruffe ’13 Earth and Mineral Sciences and the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, is a documentary filmmaker based in Brooklyn, New York, where she is a co-producer at Florentine Films, Ken Burns’s documentary company. She has worked on numerous projects that have been featured from the New York Times to PBS to Netflix. She earned her degrees in Geography with Honors and Film. Megan shares her insights on being a “multipassionate” student and how being a Scholar allowed her to combine passions and gain experiences in filmmaking. She also shares a lot of behind-the-scenes insight on how films are made that any Scholar who enjoys movies and TV can appreciate. You can read Megan’s bio and a more detailed breakdown of the episode topics below.

Guest Bio:

Megan Ruffe ’13 EMS, Com is a documentary filmmaker based in Brooklyn, NY. She co-producer at Florentine Films, Ken Burns’s documentary company. She has worked on several major series for PBS, including The Vietnam War (2017), College Behind Bars (2019), Hemingway (2021), and Benjamin Franklin (2022). She is currently working on a forthcoming series on the American Revolution. Megan has also been working with a small team to develop UNUM, a new digital project that uses Florentine’s library of work to bring historical context to current events. She also independently directs and produces short documentaries. Megan graduated summa cum laude from Penn State’s College of Earth and Mineral Sciences earning a BS in Geography with Honors and the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications earning a BA in film. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and on CBS Sunday Morning.

Episode Specifics:

In this episode, Megan shares her insights on:

· Choosing the Honors College as a “multipassionate” student

· Working with academic advisers to find the best major for you

· Insight on the geography major

· Seeking out practical experience on campus and in State College

· Thoughts on the Semester at Sea at program

· Thesis thoughts: learning project management while not over-pressuring yourself

· Interning aftergraduation and leveraging that into a fulltime role

· A crash course on the different roles in documentary filmmaking and serving in those different roles

· Making creative and narrative choices in the storytelling process

· The importance of editing in filmmaking and building your own style

· How to get your foot in the door in filmmaking

· The content equation and making the most of your content

· Skills Scholars should develop if they want to pursue careers in filmmaking or similar & resources available to Scholars to help you build them

· Pursuing careers in filmmaking without moving to Los Angeles and Southern California

· Designing films and mini-series for long-form television & streaming

· Advice for hobbyists, small business owners, and personal record keeping

· Learning from mentors and distinguishing hindsight from living the journey

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Christopher Wilson ’06 Liberal Arts is a Senior Associate in the Washington, DC office of the international law firm Baker Botts. His practice there focuses on civil antitrust and other complex commercial litigation. He earned his BA in Political Science with Honors from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts and went on to earn his JD from Stanford in 2012. He played running back and full back for the Nittany Lions in his first and second years as a Scholar. This episode will be helpful to any Scholar who is facing obstacles, and particularly student athletes, as Chris talks about his experience of nearly dropping out before leveraging relationships to stay and succeed. You can read Chris’ bio and a more detailed breakdown of episode topics below.

Guest Bio:

Christopher Wilson is a Senior Associate in the Washington, DC office of the international law firm Baker Botts. His practice there focuses on civil antitrust and other complex commercial litigation; he represents Fortune 500 companies and other major corporations in litigation throughout the country. Before joining Baker Botts in 2018, Chris was a litigation associate at the international law firm of Winston & Strawn in Chicago, IL. He earned a BA in Political Science with Honors from Penn State in 2006, where he also played running back and fullback for the Nittany Lions, and earned a law degree from Stanford Law School in 2012. In his spare time, Chris enjoys reading science fiction and noir detective novels, as well as finding new and exciting things to do and see in the city. He is happy to talk about things as esoteric as antitrust law and as enjoyable as the best hotels and restaurants in cities around the world! Please feel free to connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-wilson-a4653748

Episode Specifics:

In this episode, Chris shares his insights on:

· Choosing Penn State and the Schreyer Honors College over top alternative options on and off the field

· Selecting liberal arts majors for their versatility and desired practical skill sets

· Planning your thesis and determining the skills you need to develop to complete it, like data analysis

· The importance of getting to know your faculty, honors advisor, and thesis advisor

· Dealing with adversity and making tough choices around prioritization to learn resilience as a response to setbacks and burnout

· Considering dropping out of the Honors College and engaging with staff to find ways to stay a Scholar

· Transitioning away from the regimentation of student athlete life

· Continuing research in industry rather than graduate programs

· Deciding to go to law school after working full time

· Advice on approaching law school motivation, relationships, and opportunities

· Paying it forward as an alumni donor to provide resources to current Scholars

· Learning the values of resilience and humility

· The power of relationships

· Enjoying University Park & State College – or your Commonwealth Campus & local town – while you’re in college

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Haley Staub Rappoldt ’18 Com '21g Edu is the Assistant Director of Volunteer Programs in Penn State’s Division of Development and Alumni Relations. She has been in this role since graduating with her BA in Public Relations with Honors where she supports 700+ Penn State fundraising volunteers. Our conversation focuses primarily on volunteerism and philanthropy, but all Scholars can get value out of this episode by learning about leadership and skills that can be useful in any industry and in any volunteer role. For Haley’s full bio and a more detailed breakdown of the topics we cover, check out the show notes below.

Guest Bio:

Haley Rappoldt is the Assistant Director of Volunteer Programs in Penn State’s Division of Development & Alumni Relations. Haley provides advancement and oversight of volunteer recruitment, onboarding, engagement, education, evaluation and recognition practices for the 700+ volunteers who work to advance the University's fundraising efforts. Haley joined the University staff after earning a BA in Public Relations with Honors from Penn State’s Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications in 2018. She also earned her Master of Education in Higher Education from Penn State’s College of Education in 2021. As a volunteer management and engagement professional, Haley is a firm believer in volunteering her own time, talent, and treasure to organizations that she is passionate about, including Penn State THON and the Dance Marathon Alumni Interest Group (DMAIG). Please feel free to connect with Haley on LinkedIn.

Episode Specifics:

· Choosing Penn State because of involvement with a high school Mini-THON and a passion for philanthropy

· Picking a “broad” major that fits your interests when you aren’t sure of your career path

· Taking advantage of leadership opportunities on campus including Schreyer Student Council and THON – including the difference between the Communications and Public Relations committees

· The benefits of travel embedded honors courses for a global perspective

· Finding new opportunities from connecting with faculty

· Using the thesis to explore something separate from other interests

· Intentionally looking for diverse internship and pre-professional experiences, from consumer products to tourism to development & alumni relations

· Taking an internship into a full-time role out of college

· What a manager of fundraising volunteers does day in, day out

· The skills future volunteer managers should develop – and how these are also helpful for other people-centric career paths

· Advice on fully remote internships and jobs

· Volunteering as an alum, both with the Honors College, Penn State, and in your community

· Thoughts on success, failure, and mentoring

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

This episode features a conversation with Ryan Morris, Class of 2019, who serves as both the Director of Media and Youth at Saint Peter Parish and as a technology teacher at Pope John Paul 2 RCES in the Archdioceses of Philadelphia. Our conversation touches on a lot of topics, from life as a racecar driver, being a Scholar at a commonwealth campus, the post-graduate fellowship process, and faith & service-based careers. You can read Ryan’s full bio and get a more detailed breakdown of the topics in the show notes below.

Guest Bio:

Ryan Morris is the Director of Media & Youth at Saint Peter Parish and a technology teacher in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia at Pope John Paul 2 RCES. Prior to working in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, he earned a BS in Business with Honors from Penn State Berks in 2019 and an MS in Global Affairs from Tsinghua University in Beijing, China as a Schwarzman Scholar in 2020. On the side, he enjoys working on startups and is also helping to start an orphanage in Isoka, Zambia. Ryan has a strong calling to serve others in his local community and abroad. Please feel free to connect with Ryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-morris96/

Episode Specifics:

· Going to college after a full go at another endeavor, and what it’s like driving a race car

· The benefits of fully attending a Commonwealth Campus as a Schreyer Scholar

· Approaching being a student like it’s a career and being open to new opportunities

· Making the most of building a global perspective as a Scholar

· Taking theory to practice with your thesis research and findings

· Utilizing Penn State’s economic development and start-up support ecosystem resources

· Pursuing post-graduate fellowships and tips on successfully approaching the process

· Getting into teaching without an education degree and pursing a faith or service-based career

· Putting your values into action in your life outside of work as an alum

· The importance of planning and creating alternate plans as you progress through life

· The value of finding authentic mentors

· Helpful thoughts on the thesis process

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Editor’s Note: This was recorded in January 2022, which provides the context for Kyle’s comments about “snowy Buffalo,” and the then current situation with Russia and Ukraine prior to late February 2022.

This episode features a conversation with Kyle Morgan, Class of 2002, a Senior Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager for Key Private Bank in Buffalo, New York. Our conversation touches on a lot of topics, from starting at a commonwealth campus, the department of economics, aviation, and customer centric values in finance and banking, as well as life in mid-size cities. You can read Kyle’s full bio and get a more detailed breakdown of the topics below.

Guest Bio:

Kyle Morgan ’02 Liberal Arts is a Senior Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager for Key Private Bank in Buffalo, New York, where he leads their client development program and assist clients with investment management, trust and estate planning, and specialty banking solutions. Kyle's clients include high net-worth individuals, non-profits, and institutional investors. Kyle previously worked as a Regional Vice President for Federated-Hermes in Boston, Massachusetts from 2003-2017. Kyle earned his BA in Economics and BA in Political Science with honors in 2002.

Episode Specifics:

· Starting at a Commonwealth Campus and changing your major from what you intended to study coming in

· Perspective on the honors program within the Department of Economics

· Integrating personal interests with your academic discipline in the thesis process

· Finding the right industry when another one is not in the cards

· Thoughts on the future of work travel in a post-COVID world and dealing with uncertainty

· Going from small towns to large cities & taking advantage of opportunities

· Life in Buffalo, New York and other mid-size cities

· The importance of people skills and the ones Scholars should develop to succeed in their careers

· Recommendations for finding mentors at internships and early career roles

· Insights on working with high-net worth clients and businesses as a private banker

· Professional development, lifelong learning, and professional & community organizations

· The joys of pursuing aviation as a hobby and skill

· The importance of keeping people and communities centered in financial work-----

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Facebook 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Editor’s Note: This was recorded in January 2022, which provides the context for Tom’s comment about 20 degree weather, the timing of litigation around federal vaccine mandates, and space telescope launches.

This episode features a conversation with Tom Bonsaint, who is currently the senior director for enterprise campaigns for the Northrup Grumman Corporation. He’s held successive roles in the defense industry after graduating from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts in 2002. Our conversation focuses on taking advantage of opportunities as a Scholar, lifelong learning, teamwork and leadership, and civic engagement as an alum. You can read Tom’s full bio and get a more detailed breakdown below.

Guest Bio:

Tom Bonsaint ’02 Lib is currently senior director for Enterprise Campaigns for the Northrup Grumman Corporation where he focuses on above plan growth opportunities across the company’s strategic enterprise campaigns. Tom is an executive sponsor for one of the Pride in Diversity Alliance employee resource groups. Before this, Tom was senior programs director for Land and Maritime Sensors business unit of Northrup Grumman Mission Systems. Additional roles he held at Northrup Grumman included senior director, strategy and global operations for the Advanced Defense Services division of Northrup Grumman Technology Services, and senior director, Business Development for the same division. Tom also served as director, Global Capture Management with the Northrup Grumman Corporate Global Business Development Office, reporting to the Chief Global BD Officer. Prior to joining Northrop Grumman, Tom held positions of increasing responsibility for 11 years at the Raytheon Company, primarily focused on global business development and capture in the defense, civil security, and cybersecurity markets. Tom is a 2005 graduate of the Raytheon BD Leadership Development Program. Tom brings experience working in the C4ISR, sensors, cyber, critical infrastructure protection, biometrics, and intelligence domains in the US, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. Bonsaint previously worked for the U.S. Department of Defense Office of International Security Affairs, U.S. Department of State Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), all in Washington, D.C. Tom earned is BA in International Politics with Honors from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts in 2002. He also earned his MBA from the University of Rhode Island.

Episode Specifics:

· The transition to the Schreyer Honors College from the University Scholars Program

· Experiences as a political science student

· The impact of September 11th, 2001 on University Park

· Interning at the Pentagon and getting the first job after college

· Leveraging employer benefits to pay for graduate school

· Utilizing the benefits of being a Schreyer Scholar

· The importance of lifelong learning and thinking beyond a specific degree

· Strategic thinking in a hectic world

· The differences between large corporations and smaller firms

· Leadership and teamwork lessons

· Taking on additional work to support diverse communities in a corporate setting

· Civic involvement outside of work

· Skills that Scholars should focus on regardless of major to succeed in the “real world”

· Stories from finding work life balance through the performing arts

· Insights from a unique career

· The importance of coaching and mentorship

· And a hot take on opinions on alumni swirl ice cream

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Aniyia L. Williams ’07 Arts & Architecture is a serial entrepreneur and inclusion advocate. She is a principle at the Omidyar Network after previously founding and serving as chief executive officer of Tinsel, executive director of Black and Brown Founders, and co-founding Zebras Unite. She previously held roles at Voxer and in the arts administration space. As an African-American woman in Silicon Valley, Williams is breaking down barriers for others now and in the future. She has also been featured in Forbes, Ebony, and many tech and fashion websites and publications; and speaks through the country on diversity in tech, fashion tech, and entrepreneurship/startups.  Williams has been the entrepreneur-in-residence for CODE2040, which also focuses on Black and Latinx Entrepreneurs and is powered by Google for Entrepreneurs. She is also a board member for Women’s Audio Mission. Aniyia graduated from Penn State’s College of Arts & Architecture with a bachelors of art in music with honors, as well as minors in business and Italian after beginning her journey at Penn State Berks.

Episode Specifics:

In this episode, Aniyia shares her insights on:

·  Building an entrepreneurial spirit at a young age

· Starting at a Commonwealth Campus and perspectives on the Bunton Waller Fellows program

· “DIY-ing” a major from available programs when Penn State doesn’t have a major!

· Getting involved in both student governments and in the performing arts

· “Nerding out” by combining academic and personal interests and study abroad into the honors thesis

· Working in arts fundraising and then moving into for-profit startups and then back into non-profit

· Insights on the ups and downs of the startup ecosystem – and efforts to fix problems for Black & Brown founders in tech

· Making the leap to start a company after finding an unmet need in the market and learning along the way from idea to manufacturing to consumer

· Creating spaces for others, especially women of color, to excel as founders and funders

· Lots of practical advice for start-up founders

· Thoughts on parenthood, especially as a founder

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Guest Bio:

Paula Garcia Todd ’03, ’03g Engineering has made significant contributions in drug delivery through her work at Dow Chemical, DuPont, and now IFF (International Flavors & Fragrances) for the past 18 years and currently serves as the Global Strategic Manager for Pharma Solutions at International Flavors & Fragrances. Her vast experience ranges from process engineering in manufacturing settings with small and large molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients, to researching and creating patented polymer innovations to solve critical formulation issues for pharmaceutical companies around the world. Her technical success led to various customer-facing roles, including marketing and product management, progressing to her current position as Global Strategic Manager at IFF. Paula is passionate about introducing STEM to children. She has volunteered on boards and organizations focused on increasing the number of female and under-represented students in STEM fields, especially engineering, for the past decade. She has developed new K-12 programs aiming to improve understanding of the real world applicability of STEM while changing the face of what an engineer looks like. She has been active in diversity, equity, and inclusion advocacy within industry, working through women’s and Latinx employee resources groups at each of her companies to create awareness and improve company cultures. In 2019, she was named a AAAS IF/THEN® Ambassador by the American Association for the Advancement of Science for her devoted work in STEM outreach and will be featured in a life-sized statue exhibit of outstanding women in STEM fields (debuting in Dallas, TX in 2021). In 2020, she was named both “Woman of the Year in Engineering” by Women in Technology and a “Community Trailblazer” by STEMConnector’s Million Women Mentors. She received the Luminary Award from Great Minds in STEM in 2021. Paula holds a Bachelor of Science with Honors and Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from the Penn State College of Engineering. She and her husband, Doug (also a Penn State alum) have 3 children and live in Georgia.

In the episode, Paula mentions a statue exhibit - it's currently outside the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. through March 27th, 2022 for Women's History Month. 120 3D-Printed Statues of Women Redefine What Scientists Look Like

Episode Specifics:

In this episode, Paula shares her insights on:

• Coming to Penn State and the Schreyer Honors College as a first generation American and as someone speaking English as a second language
• The differences between collegiate culture in Brazil and the US
• Building cultural capital and learning from your network
• Finding involvement that compliments your major and career aspirations – and opportunities that are just for fun
• Resources for Penn State students from historically marginalized identities, particularly in engineering
• Pursuing an IUG – integrated undergraduate graduate degree in a STEM field
• Getting into pharmaceuticals as a way to help others and getting into entry level, technical roles
• The importance of “soft skills” and how to develop and learn them
• Moving up into pharmaceutical leadership and transitioning from technical to marketing
• Living and working through mergers, acquisitions, and spinoffs/separations in the corporate world
• Supporting STEM education for historically marginalized K-12 students and providing role models for women and girls interested in STEM
• The importance of asking for help in your professional life and in finding balance
• The difference between mentorship and sponsorship
• Avoiding comparison and finding your own journey

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

This episode is a great listen for any Scholar involved in a club or organization on their campus for the here and now and for leveraging these experiences in their career, Scholars looking for advice on time management, advice on the thesis, and certainly for any Scholars or Scholar alumni passionate about THON.

Guest Host Bio:

Tessa Beauchat ’23 is a Schreyer Scholar in the College of Information Science and Technology studying Human Centered Design and Development with honors work in Architectural Engineering. She currently serves as the Primary THON Chair for the Schreyer Student Council, where she leads their THON committee to communicate with their two paired Four Diamonds Families (the Millers and the Sylveses) and plan fundraising events. She serves as the primary liaison between THON and StuCo. Tessa also serves on the THON Family Relations Committee as the Teen and Adult Coordinator Captain for THON 2022, Spark Endless Light, where she is the primary advocate for all teens and adults in the THON community working to ensure the organization can grow with them as they get older and move into new seasons of life. Tessa went on to serve as the Family Relations Director for THON 2023, Foster the Magic.

Guest Bios:

Greg Tallman ’10 Business & Liberal Arts is a Consultant at EY in New York City where he supports the merger & acquisition activities of Fortune 500 companies. Before joining EY in 2020 after graduate school, he previously worked for eight years at PNC Bank in a commercial lending capacity. He earned a BS in Finance with Honors and BA in Economics in 2010 from Penn State’s Smeal College of Business and the College of the Liberal Arts, respectively. He also earned an MBA with a focus in Strategy & Finance from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. He is happy to speak further about careers in financial services, consulting, and graduate business school. Greg served as the Communications Director for THON 2009, Dream Forward and is a past Board member for the Scholar Alumni Society.

Elaine Tanella ’12 Engineering is a Director of Data Products at Condé Nast in New York, New York where she works across the enterprise to develop data-driven products that support the Consumer and Commercial revenue streams. Before joining Condé Nast in 2018, she previously worked at the New York Times, Tremor Video, and Accenture. She earned a BS in Biomedical Engineering and Minors in Italian and Biology with Honors from Penn State’s College of Engineering in 2012. In her spare time, Elaine loves to spend time researching and nerding out on nutrition. She Olympic weightlifts for fun and is in constant search of the next best flight deal for a trip anywhere in the world. Elaine served first as the Communications Director for THON 2011, Together Without Limits, and as Executive Director for THON 2012, Brighten Every Journey.

Charlotte (Kohl) Rose ’13 Liberal Arts is a Brand Marketing Manager for Android at Google in Los Angeles, California where she develops global brand strategies and creative to launch, grow, and evolve the Android brand internationally. Before joining Google, she was a Marketing Director at Fandango, an NBCUniversal company, where she drove strategic efforts and managed film studio partnerships to scale ticketing across platforms. Previous to Fandango, she worked in digital strategy for Canvas Worldwide, a media agency, working on client Kia Auto, and in consumer marketing supporting multiple lighting brands at Philips Electronics. She earned a BA in Political Science with Honors from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts in 2013. She is happy to speak about integrated, consumer, and digital marketing, media, and digital strategy.  Charlotte served as the Communications Director for THON 2012, Brighten Every Journey.

Dominic Mirabile ’15 Engineering is a fellow at Stanford Graduate School of Business's Center for Entrepreneurial Studies. where he is furthering research on entrepreneurship and incubating his own start-up. Before his fellowship, he previously earned his MBA at Stanford and worked in private equity and management consulting. He earned a BS in Electrical Engineering with Honors from Penn State’s College of Engineering in 2015. Dominic served as the Donors & Alumni Relations Director for THON 2014, Redefine the Possibilities.

In this episode, this all-star lineup of former THON Directors share their insights on:

• Varied paths to Penn State that lead to opportunities like becoming a THON Director can start with just attending one meeting or one event
• The value of making connections early and often  
• Finding inspiration for career paths from involvement in activities like THON and learning life and professional skills in student leadership roles
• Growing in leadership based on an organization’s mission and purpose
• Finding time to balance classwork and involvement opportunities and the value of networking with other students – and using it as preparation for life after college – including the community of Scholars around you and learning about yourself and how you best operate
• Balancing the thesis proposal, research, and writing process with being in a heavy involvement role like the THON Executive Committee
• Learning from Scholars that come before you and using opportunities like THON for learning to lead – and overcoming imposter syndrome – and getting involved when it’s the easiest point in life to do so
• Dealing with the pressures of leading high visibility organizations on campus that feel high-stakes and learning self-care and not “giving 150% to all things all the time”
• Thoughts on dancing in THON relative to serving in a THON leadership role and advice for THON dancers
• The history of Atlas and special mission THON organizations, and the role of Schreyer Scholars in that development
• Reflections on tragic moments and leadership lessons from a former Executive Director
• Serving as a public face for a large organization
• Leveraging your predecessor’s wisdom and finding opportunities to grow and build something you care about
• Lessons learned from Four Diamonds Families and from being involved in THON
• Authenticity and empathy in involvement and in the workplace
• Leveraging experiences and resources as both a Scholar and a student leader in interviews for internships, jobs, and graduate school
• Pulling insight from the Four Diamonds of Courage, Honesty, Strength, and Wisdom

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Guest Bio:

Zelnnetta Clark ’19 Abington is the co-founder of a 501c-3 non-profit called, RebuildtheBlock Corp. based in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. RTB is committed to supporting and educating Black entrepreneurs in Black communities where there has been a historical lack of access to educational, financial, social, and economic opportunities due to systemic racism. Before creating RebuildtheBlock Corp. in 2020, Zelnnetta previously worked within the behavioral health field. She earned a BS in Psychological and Social Sciences with Honors from Penn State Abington  in 2019. While working with RTB, Zelnnetta is currently applying for medical school. Zelnnettais also happy to speak further about professional development, how students may further develop important skillsets while still in college, and how to time manage while a student. Please feel free to connect with Zelnnetta at www.rebuildtheblock.org, Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebuildtheblockcorp and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/zelnnetta-clark-18904a172); they are always looking for companies and organizations to partner with. One mind. One business. One block at a time.

Episode Specifics:

In this episode, Zelnnetta shares her insights on:

• Deciding on Penn State as an out-of-state student and choosing a campus other than University Park for the small community and class sizes
• Finding unique majors at Penn State that are not available at University Park
• Applying to and succeeding in the College as a current Penn State student at a Commonwealth Campus
• Achieving academic excellence AND being a student leader as a Scholar at a Commonwealth Campus
• Overcoming the intimidation factor with the honors thesis, especially for Scholars who start after their first year
• The value of setting milestones in the thesis process and learning professional skills while completing the process
• Pursuing post-Baccalaureate programs and hustling with a variety of gigs in the gap years before medical school – including turning down offers that are not the right fit
• Taking action to correct causes you’re passionate about by starting a non-profit
• Advice on starting a non-profit or other entrepreneurial ventures
• Suggestions for applying to medical school from someone living the experience right now and thoughts on taking a gap year(s) before applying
• Overcoming self-imposed limitations
• The importance of time management in college and in life beyond for pursuing multiple passions  

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Guest Bios:

Stefen Wisniewski ’10 Education recently retired from a ten-year career in the National Football League playing on the offensive line for the Kansas City Chiefs (twice), Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, Jacksonville Jaguars, and the then-Oakland Raiders. He won Super Bowls LII with the Eagles and LIV with the Chiefs after being drafted 48th overall in the 2011 NFL draft by the Raiders. He played collegiately for the Nittany Lions, including a Big Ten Championship and Rose Bowl berth in 2008 and a Capital One Bowl win in 2009. He was an ESPN Academic All-American in 2008, 2009, and 2010. He earned his BS in Secondary Education with a focus on English Communications with Honors from Penn State’s College of Education in 2010. Stefen is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He plans to begin a career in Christian pastoral ministry.

Hilary (Ford) Wisniewski ’13 Liberal Arts is a remote Financial Analyst for the Dallas, TX based Seed Company, a non-profit that translates the Bible into mother-tongue dialects around the world where she manages projects in West Africa and an accounting internship program. Before joining them in 2017, she worked as a financial analyst for ExxonMobil in Houston, TX. She earned her BS in Economics and International Studies, minors in French and German, with Honors from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts in 2013. Her professional interests include non-profit management, cross-cultural training, and financial modeling.

Episode Specifics:

In our conversation, Hilary and Stefen share their experiences and insights on:

· Picking Penn State – and the Schreyer Honors College – for both academics and athletics

· Choosing your major – from economics to education

· The importance of developing your communication skills regardless of major

· Establishing priorities to achieve greatness in and out of the classroom

· Stefen’s reflections on playing for the Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium

· The value of the living learning community in Atherton & Simmons Halls at University Park

· Making the most of funding opportunities to gain a global perspective by studying abroad and getting involved on campus

· Writing a thesis in a different major – and language!

· What it’s like being a professional athlete

· Lessons in discipline and resilience in an up and down profession

· Achieving the peak of your profession, like winning two Super Bowl rings with the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs

· The importance of finding an anchor and purpose – for Stefen, through his faith

· Applying for opportunities regardless of which college at Penn State you graduate from

· Leveraging Penn State’s size to prepare for work in large corporation

· Challenges and opportunities as a trailing partner to someone whose career involves frequent moves

· Strategies for starting a job remotely for an in-person firm or non-profit

· Making the shift from a large corporation to a non-profit – what is different, and what translates

· Thoughts on respectful competition and competitors turned colleagues and working with people from different backgrounds and identities

· Moving on to a second career when the first one is time-limited

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Guest Bio:

Natalie Keller ’17 Agricultural Sciences is a Food Scientist at La Colombe Coffee Roasters in Philadelphia, where she works on recipes for canned coffees, bag-in-box, and other product formats. Before joining La Colombe in September 2021, she spent four years at Mondelez International developing new cookies for major Nabisco brands. She earned a BS in Food Science with Honors from Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences in 2017. She also currently serves as the President of the Scholar Alumni Society. Natalie is happy to speak further about careers in the food and CPG industries, finding internships, volunteering, or what makes a good cup of coffee. Feel free to connect with her at linkedin.com/natalierkeller.

Episode Specifics:

In this episode, Natalie shares her insights on:

· Getting the right cup of coffee to enjoy with the episode

· Translating high school interests into your major at Penn State and choosing the Schreyer Honors College community

· Getting involved in Schreyer Student Council to acclimate to the College

· Pursuing undergraduate research and internships as a Scholar

· Putting science into action in a food production setting – and translating that to a full-time job

· The value of the London Study Tour, aka, the “Maymeseter” trip, regardless of major

· Writing a thesis with a microbiology focus that contributes to the food safety body of knowledge – and learning even from not positive results

· The art and science of developing new food products, from cookies to coffee

· The product development cycle and the balance between R&D and Marketing

· The differences in working on large teams at large companies and small teams at small firms

· Learning from staff at all parts of the company

· Going from Job #1 to Job #2 and leveraging your experience and transferable skills along the way

· Getting involved as an alumni volunteer with the Honors College and paying it forward to current Scholars

· The value of dancing in THON, particularly for the Schreyer Student Council

· Taking advantage of opportunities for intellectual curiosity and understanding the why

· The reward of networking – even if you don’t know what you’re doing

-----

Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Facebook 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Guest Bio:

Jessica (Jess) Schwartz ‘10 HHD is an assistant professor at DeSales University in Center Valley, PA as well as a certified physician assistant at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, PA. At DeSales, she teaches graduate students in the physician assistant program. At Lehigh Valley Hospital, she works as a physician assistant in hospital medicine. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Studies and a minor in kinesiology with honors from Penn State’s College of Health and Human Development in 2010. She earned her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from DeSales University in 2012.

Episode Specifics:

In this episode, Jess shares her insights on:

· Choosing the Honors College to find a small campus feel within a (big) Penn State

· Finding the right major after beginning the undergraduate journey

· Determining what to do with your degree to find the right career – and utilizing the Penn State network and other resources along the way

· Succeeding as a Scholar despite not being excited about the honors thesis – and moving past pre-conceived notions of what it means to conduct scientific research (and not needing a white coat, microscope, and goggles)

· Tips for connecting with faculty and finding research opportunities and ultimately presenting and publishing that research (after ringing the gong)

· Finding time to get involved outside of the classroom and lab including THON

· All things Physician Assistant:

o The program search and admissions process

o How PA school programs work in the classroom and in the clinic

o What a PA is and how it’s different from other healthcare roles

o The team orientation of healthcare

o Inpatient vs. Outpatient experiences

o Developing bedside manner as a PA and importance of empathy

o The upsides and drawbacks of choosing PA as your path in healthcare

o The value of a nutrition degree in the field

o Working as a practitioner and an instructor

o Professional development and lifelong learning

o Worklife balance as a PA, the value of family and hobbies, and moving past perfectionism

-----

Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Guest Bios:

Kathryn (Kat) Pruss Zeltwanger ‘98 Lib is the Deputy General Counsel at the Armstrong Group in Butler, Pennsylvania. In that role she oversees all of the legal work for four of the company's eight operating groups, handles the employment work for all of the operating groups, manages the litigation for six of the operating groups, and manages the legal group. Before joining the Armstrong Group in 2009, Kat clerked for a Common Pleas judge in Fayette County and worked as an associate attorney in the Pittsburgh office of Fox Rothschild. Kat earned a B.A. in Letters, Arts, and Sciences, with Honors from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts in 1998. She also earned her JD from Pitt Law in 2004. Kat currently serves as the Vice-President of the Scholar Alumni Society.

Kathryn (Kate) Czekalski ‘17 Eng is a 3L at Duquesne University School of Law in Pittsburgh, where she spent the Summer of 2021 in Dinsmore & Shohl's intellectual property practice group learning the ins and outs of patent prosecution. She will be returning to Dinsmore after graduation and the Pennsylvania bar exam. Before attending law school, she previously worked in the oil and gas industry as an engineer servicing various refineries in the Northeast US and Canada. She earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering with Honors in English from Penn State’s College of Engineering in 2017. She is happy to speak further about the transition from a technical field to the practice of law. Please feel free to connect with her on LinkedIn or email.

Episode Specifics:

In this episode, Kat and Kate share their insights and perspectives on:

· Finding your community as a Scholar coming to University Park from a small high school

· The importance of SHO TIME for new first-year Scholars

· Majoring in one discipline, and completing a thesis in a completely different discipline

· Taking a gap year – or three – between undergraduate and law school

· Understanding the investment of time and money to pursue law school

· Utilizing resources like career services

· Beginning to form mentoring relationships

· How to be a mentee and how to be a mentor

· The value of mentorship for students – and for the mentor

· How to set yourself up for success in law school and the importance of self-discipline from a 3L and a practicing attorney

· Thinking outside the box and having a plan for using a JD

· Lessons learned and finding personally meaningful balance as a lawyer or law student

-----

Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Lori Feathers ’90 Lib is the co-owner and principal book buyer for Interabang Books a large, independent bookstore in Dallas, Texas, which she opened after retiring from a legal career in 2017. After Lori earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in Russian from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts in 1990 where she was Phi Beta Kappa, she earned a Juris Doctorate degree and a Master’s degree in international affairs, both from American University in Washington DC in 1993. Upon graduating she took a job at the US Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, and during her tenure she traveled extensively throughout the former Soviet Union—spending time in 13 of the 15 former Soviet republics--as a member of various delegations working on US trade and investment issues in the region. After four years at the Department of Commerce, Lori was hired as an international oil and gas attorney by Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) and moved to Dallas, Texas. While at ARCO Lori chaired negotiations with companies such as Rosneft, Lukoil, and the Georgian State Oil Company for billion-dollar oil exploration and infrastructure deals, accumulating lots of frequent flier miles in meetings with officials in Moscow and Tbilisi. When ARCO was acquired by British Petroleum in 2000, Lori joined the corporate law firm of Haynes and Boone in Dallas as an international attorney. In 2005 she was hired by Dallas-based independent oil and gas producer Pioneer Natural Resources as its Associate General Counsel for International Business.

In addition to owning and running Interabang Books, Lori is a writer and a published book critic and was elected by her peers to serve two terms on the Board of the National Book Critics Circle, a national organization of book reviewers and publishing professionals. As a Board member she sits on the jury for the annual National Book Critics Circle awards. She is also Chair and Founder of the Republic of Consciousness Prize for Small Presses, a literary prize that supports the work of small publishers in the United States and Canada. In addition to reading books and writing about them, Lori enjoys a full life in Dallas with Kelem, her partner of 26 years, and their English bulldog, Botero.

Episode Specifics:

In this episode, Lori shares her insights on:

· Handling world changes that directly impact your major – like the fall of the Soviet Union

· Coming to college from a rural, small town and starting at a Commonwealth Campus

· Discovering passions and career interests in general education courses and deciding on a career in law

· Working for the government, private industry, and private law firms

· What it’s like moving far away from home after college – or law school

· Learning a new industry to be an effective lawyer

· Strategies for networking

· Tips for students pursuing travel intensive careers

· The differences between confidence and competence

· How to know when to call it a day on career #1 and pivot to something new

· How to position yourself as a business against the giants

· An inside look at what it’s like being a bookstore owner and book buyer

· Ways to be involved in the literary community without being an author

· Tackling childhood activities as an adult hobby

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Tina Flint Hennessey ’93 Com is an Assistant Vice President for University Development at Penn State where she oversees alumni relations and development work at 14 of the University's Colleges, Campuses and other units, including the Schreyer Honors College. Before returning to her alma mater in 2009, Tina worked first as a newspaper reporter and editor for 10 years, transitioning to higher education fundraising, holding positions at Arcadia University and Montgomery County Community College, both in suburban Philadelphia. Tina earned a BA in journalism with Honors in 1993. She earned her MBA from Arcadia University in 2007. She is happy to discuss fundraising or her beekeeping hobby. Feel free to connect on LinkedIn.

Episode Specifics:

In our conversation, Tina provides insight through her story on topics like:

· Choosing to start at a Commonwealth Campus close to home

· The value of starting in the College as a second- or third-year student at Penn State

· Using your involvement in campus organizations as professional preparation

· Leveraging your thesis in job interviews

· Identifying what you are good at that can be a transferrable skill, like writing

· Recognizing the signs when you need to make a career or industry change – even lateral or backstep moves

· What major gift officers are and what they do for organizations like Penn State

· Saying “no” to focus on honing your skills and learning all parts of a work unit

· Balancing leadership and technical responsibilities as you move up in an organization

· How to tackle the challenge of being a leader of disparate teams

· Fostering environments for leadership to grow without formal titles

· How an MBA is helpful working in a non-profit & higher education setting

· How and why Scholars could get into fundraising and university advancement work

· Approaching mentorship as a mentor and mentee

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Facebook 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

-----

Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Kathy Hilt ‘90 Bus is a Division Vice President for Macy’s Inc. In New York, New York. She leads multiple locations in the NYC area including the Herald Square Flagship. She has held successively senior leadership roles at Macy’s since 2005, and prior to that the May Department Stores Company since graduation. She earned a BS in marketing with honors from Penn State’s Smeal College of Business in 1990.

Episode Specifics:

In this special bite-sized Thanksgiving week episode, just in time for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, you’ll get insight into:

· Choosing a major that’s the right fit

· Adjusting to University Park from a small town

· The value of joining a Greek letter organization as a Scholar

· The value beyond the degree itself and moving from entry level to leader

· Skills that can be gained from working in and running a retail operation

· The value of failing fast, being innovative, and reflecting on that failure

· How to assemble, motivate, and lead large teams

· The changing retail landscape

· Getting into retail from a variety of majors - and not just the most obvious ones

· Transferring retail skills and experiences to other industries

· Collaboration and strategic planning

· Finding balance in a 24/7 world

· The importance of building a professional network while in college and seeking mentors and guides

Editor’s Note: Kathy recorded from her office in New York City, and you’ll hear emergency response vehicle sirens in the background of Kathy’s insight during the early part of the episode.

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Schreyer Honors College Links: 

Website 

Facebook 

Instagram 

LinkedIn 

Upcoming Events 

Scholars – Need Assistance? Book an Appointment! 

Alumni – Learn Why and How to Volunteer 

Make a Gift to Benefit Schreyer Scholars 

Join the Penn State Alumni Association 

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Credits & Notes:

This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen ‘11 Lib (Schreyer). 

The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer. 

The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License. 

The theme music is “Conquest” by Geovane Bruno, accessed via Pixabay and used under Creative Commons License.

Peter Schweyer ’00 is the PA State Representative for the 22nd Legislative District which covers parts of the City of Allentown in Lehigh County. Prior to his election to the House in 2014, he was Director of Community and Government Affairs at Sacred Heart Hospital in Allentown and was a twice-elected member of Allentown City Council. He earned a BA in Political Science with Honors from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts in 2000. As State Representative, Schweyer serves as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, is chair of the Utilities Sub-Committee and is a member of the Professional Licensure. Consumer Affairs and Ethics committees. He also serves as Vice-Chair of the Democratic Policy Committee and as a Deputy Whip for the PA House Democratic Caucus.

Eric Dice ’08 is a budget analyst for the House Appropriations Committee in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in Harrisburg, PA, which he joined in 2008. He is responsible for helping legislators prepare the annual state budget, as well as estimating the fiscal impact of proposed legislation and providing analytical support to aid policy development. He earned a BS in Economics with Honors from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts in 2008.

Episode Specifics:

In this episode, Peter and Eric share their combined insight on:

· The value of starting at a Commonwealth Campus and getting to know your faculty and advisors

· Leveraging Penn State’s breadth to find your depth

· Utilizing department-level resources

· Finding jobs when life circumstances affect your choices and getting into public service

· What analysts and other staff do for the Pennsylvania State Assembly (and other states too!)

· Leveraging the power of the Penn State network and finding other Nittany Lions

· The importance of getting to know any and all members of your company or organization

· Gaining skills from coursework and not just the course content

· Learning to filter out the noise and separating helpful from harmful feedback

· Leaning on family and things that help you find balance and recharge

· The importance of respect and helping others feel heard

· If you pursue government, the criticality of focusing on your constituents

· Getting mentored and then paying it forward

· Why being ethical matters, especially in government work