The Pennsylvania Library Association named Penn State University Libraries' faculty Sara Kern (at left) 2024 New Professional Librarian of the Year and honored Emily Reed with a certificate of merit.
Rafael Davis Matar Grandi, a senior studying finance in the Smeal College of Business, completed a summer internship with PepsiCo in the Frito-Lay plant in Orlando, Florida. He immersed himself in PepsiCo’s business and gained valuable insights into its operations and strategies. He collaborated with cross-functional teams, tackled real-world challenges and contributed to projects that drove efficiency and added value back to the plant. “From day one, the company culture and the support from the entire Orlando team have been nothing short of outstanding," he said. "This internship experience enhanced my professional skills and helped me build genuine, lasting relationships. The experiences and insights I’ve gained have fueled my excitement for what lies ahead, and I’m eager to apply what I’ve learned in my senior year at Penn State!”
Kacey Harper, a junior studying corporate communication at Penn State Schuylkill, worked as a marketing intern for the Schuylkill United Way in Pottsville, Pennsylvania this summer. Her primary project was refreshing the organization’s Community Resources Guide, which involved verifying local companies’ services and contact information, redesigning the guide for better usability, and assisting with promotional materials for events. “Seeing first-hand how Schuylkill United Way benefits the community has been inspiring, especially since I have lived in Schuylkill County my whole life," Harper said. "It was rewarding to understand the impact of their work behind the scenes. This experience has made me eager to pursue a career where I can use my skills to make a positive contribution to a community, similar to the meaningful work done by Schuylkill United Way.” Read more about Harper’s experience on the Penn State Schuylkill website.
Deanna Vincenzi, a senior studying recreation, parks and tourism management in the College of Health and Human Development, spent the summer as an events intern with The Arboretum at Penn State on the University Park campus. She helped coordinate logistics and craft timelines for several events, including the Penn’s Woods Music Festival, weddings and volunteer efforts, and led the planning and execution of a garden-wide appreciation event. She is continuing her internship this fall and will co-lead the Arboretum’s annual Pumpkin Festival, the venue’s largest event that draws up to 20,000 attendees. “I’ve had the incredible opportunity to dive into the dynamic world of events, rentals and operations through programs large and small at The Arboretum at Penn State," Vincenzi said. "Through this internship, I gained experience working with clients, vendors and guests for private and public programs. I’m grateful for the support of my colleagues and mentors whose guidance, trust and encouragement have made this such an invaluable experience. From professional development trips, networking opportunities and all the hands-on work at events in the gardens, I could not have asked for a better internship.”
Alex McElhinny, a senior majoring in energy, business and finance in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, spent the summer as an intern with Sunoco LP in the race fuels department at the Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania terminal. The position was part of Energy Transfer’s internship program. According to McElhinny, the site was a great stepping stone to understanding the midstream sector, which covers natural gas processing, storage and transportation. McElhinny also got an in-depth look at how Sunoco produces and sells its high-quality race fuel to end consumers. “Energy Transfer’s internship program opens the doors to meeting many like-minded people and provides potential experiences that are once in a lifetime," McElhinny said. "I am proud to share that I have received an offer to consider continuing my journey with Sunoco after I graduate from Penn State.”
Doctoral students Ashley Ohstrom (dual title in food science and microbiome sciences) and Jamie Spychalla (plant pathology and environmental microbiology) completed a summer internship with QIAGEN, a global provider of molecular testing solutions headquartered in Hilden, Germany. The two were the first cohort in a new program co-sponsored by QIAGEN and the One Health Microbiome Center at Penn State. Ohstrom said: “I had the incredible opportunity to dive into hands-on microbiome research while feeling fully integrated into the team. I worked on optimizing a microbiome assay kit by automating the DNA extraction process to improve efficiency over manual methods, and I also learned how to analyze the data and write protocols. The experience showed me what it’s like to be part of a team in the biotech industry. The skills I’ve gained will be invaluable as I continue my doctoral research and launch into my future career.” Spychalla said: “I worked on a project that tested how well different concentrations of enzymes digested eukaryotic host DNA. The project's goal was to optimize a protocol to extract bacterial DNA from tissues with low bacterial biomass. By doing this internship I learned that a career in biotech research is definitely a viable option for me.”
Emi Erekosima, a senior studying computational data science in the College of Engineering, served as a technology architecture analyst intern with Accenture this summer in New York City. “I can confidently say that this summer has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional journey," Erekosima said. "I’ve not only grown, but I’ve also made meaningful, lasting connections. This experience has truly shaped my understanding of the consulting world, from client engagement to learning how to be adaptable and think on my feet in dynamic environments. I’m excited to bring the skills and insights I’ve gained to the classroom, and I’m eager to continue expanding my network, developing professionally and embracing new challenges.”
Hailey Stutzman, a senior studying film production in the Bellisario College of Communications, was a photography intern with the National Football League in Los Angeles this summer. She worked on various assignments for the NFL including media days, training camps and preseason games. “Penn State has provided me with a supportive community of students and professors who have shaped my career in sports photography," Stutzman said. "I took every opportunity I could to get involved and network when I came to campus as a freshman.” See more of Stutzman’s internship experience from her point of view on Penn State’s Instagram.
Evgenia Kopanos, a senior studying print and digital journalism in the Bellisario College of Communications, completed a news/community internship at The Centre County Gazette in State College. “This summer has taught me so much about writing for a publication and the importance of having a team to work for," Kopanos said. "The support I have received from my team has been very impactful to me and to my writing. I have written stories about people and places all over Centre County and it has been so rewarding learning about them and showing them what I have written about them.”
Hunter Steach, a junior studying political science in the College of the Liberal Arts, was a congressional intern in Washington, D.C., this summer. He attended hearings and meetings, worked with the office’s legislative team to conduct research for various bills, co-sponsorships and committee meetings, and offered tours of the U.S. Capitol Complex. “By being an active student and utilizing our university’s abundant professional development resources including our world-leading alumni network," said Steach, "I wouldn’t have had the chance to make the dream of interning on Capitol Hill a reality.”
