Academics

Old Main Bell on Penn State University Park campus

Four named General Education Faculty Scholars

The Penn State Office for General Education announced four faculty who will serve as leaders to help to elevate General Education across the University, including Kira Hamman, assistant teaching professor of mathematics, Penn State Mont Alto. 
Members of Star City Boxing

Penn State Berks and Star City Boxing team up to tell real-life stories

What happens when students in the Penn State Berks "Storytelling for Social Justice" course team up with Star City Boxing, a nonprofit community boxing and fitness program located in the City of Reading? The result is a published book titled “Stories from Star City Boxing,” a companion website, and two videos that tell the stories of the impact the organization has made on youth in the Greater Reading area.
Certificate in Spanish Healthcare books

Penn State Berks honors first grad with Certificate in Spanish for Healthcare

When Miranda Hillyard enrolled as a student at Penn State Berks, she wanted to diversify her skill set, and the Certificate in Spanish for Healthcare seemed like the perfect solution. She graduated in the spring of 2022 with a baccalaureate degree in sociology, a minor in Spanish, and a specialized certificate that gives her an added advantage in the job market.
The Keystone Certificate

Penn State Berks faculty receive grant to weave humanities into STEM majors

Two Penn State Berks professors are working to help students in STEM majors garner the core skills and knowledge offered in the humanities in an effort to gain a more complex understanding of how their disciplines and careers relate to humanity and the fast-paced global economy. A $350,000 grant will help them implement the Keystone Certificate at several campuses.  
People shaking hands around table

Campuses recognize faculty for promoting open, affordable educational resources

Four Penn State campuses — Abington, Berks, Lehigh Valley and Mont Alto — awarded Penn State’s inaugural Open and Affordable Educational Resources (OAER) Champion Award during the spring 2022 semester. A collaboration between Penn State University Libraries and the University-wide OAER Working Group, the OAER Champion Award is a pilot initiative recognizing excellence, innovation and impact in OAER at Penn State campuses.
Kat and Evan Kinzey at Violet Vintage Wine Company

Alumni couple turn love of wine into a business

When you walk into Violet Vintage Wine Company, you are transported to the 1930s with the art deco-inspired design – tastefully accentuated by subtle shades of violet – and Big Band music playing in the background. Patrons can tell that it’s a labor of love for owners and Penn State alumni Katherine “Kat” (De Crescenzo), 2014, and Evan Kinzey, 2015, who share not only a love of wine, but a love for each other that shines through in everything they do.