On Oct. 12, Penn State Global hosted a multi-campus synchronous Day of Service aimed at getting students involved in sustainability work in their communities. More than 80 students from five campuses – Abington, Berks, Brandywine, Great Valley and University Park – participated in four service experiences, which conclude with the Global Sustainable Action Conference on Nov. 16-17.
Penn State Berks alumna Jaymi Smith, who graduated with her bachelor’s degree in global studies in May 2023, earned acceptance into the United States Peace Corps. In October 2023, she will travel to Timor-Leste to work as a community economic development facilitator.
"A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence" concluded on June 30, raising more than $2.2 billion for the three key imperatives of a modern land-grant institution: opening the doors of higher education to students from every background; creating transformative experiences for both students and citizens; and impacting the larger world through research, outreach and service. While the nearly $844.5 million raised for the last imperative advanced a wide range of priorities across the University, the campaign focused attention on three opportunities for impact: economic development, resource security, and human health.
"Gender and Domestic Violence: Contemporary Legal Practice and Intervention Reforms," a new book edited and authored by Brenda Russell, professor of psychology at Penn State Berks, and John Hamel, licensed clinical social worker, practitioner, researcher, and editor-in-chief of the journal Partner Abuse, presents empirical research findings and reform recommendations for prosecutors, criminal defense attorneys, policymakers, and intervention providers with the aim of rectifying shortcomings in legal and law enforcement responses to domestic violence.
The Consortium on Substance Use and Addiction recently hosted the first annual Substance Use Disorder Stigma Reduction Summit at University Park. The event brought in researchers, practitioners and government partners from across the nation to consider research, policy and practice around the issue of stigma reduction in numerous fields like criminal justice and healthcare.
In observance of the American National Standard Institute’s World Standards Week in October, Penn State University Libraries is planning an afternoon of activities Oct. 12 with the theme “Imagine a World Without Standards.” The event will focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which project to address social imbalances, develop a sustainable economy and slow the rate of climate change.
Penn State students visited Washington, D.C. the weekend of April 1-3 as part of a trip planned by the Global Engagement Team within Penn State Global. The student group was a diverse mixture of students from across the commonwealth, with 30 domestic students and 145 international students representing 31 countries.
Samantha Hagenbush, a Penn State Berks sophomore, wants teens to know that “It’s ok not to be ok.” As an ambassador for Robbie’s Hope, a nonprofit organization that aims to broaden and deepen awareness of teen anxiety, depression and suicide, she helps to spread the word about mental health resources.
Nicole Heker explains that it was a ‘journey of unlearning’ that originally took her from Penn State Berks to Thailand. From there she moved on to Indonesia, to India, and back to Thailand — where she began 15-month solo bicycle excursion that ended in Portugal, passing through several other countries. "Within your family and within society, there are whispers about who you are. You only become aware of them when you step outside your comfort zone.”
For some students, finding the drive to finish their studies during the global pandemic and upheaval of the last three semesters has posed a significant challenge. Wooseong “Woo” Cho has faced that challenge head-on — from the other side of the world. He will graduate from Penn State Berks on Saturday, May 8.
