Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2025 is ready to make its mark on the world. We’re proud of our students and all that they have learned and accomplished here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we will introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have conducted valuable research, pioneered innovation, overcome challenges, and engaged in college life in a big way.

Today, we’d like you to meet Katy Richardson.

Major: Software engineering

Minor: Game Development

Hometown: Hamburg, New York

Why she chose Behrend: I fell in love with the campus the first time I toured it. In addition to loving the campus, I liked the small class sizes. The potential to do research at an undergraduate level really made Behrend stand out when looking at different colleges.

Why she chose her major: In high school, I found that I strongly disliked chemistry, and the only way I could drop the class was if I found another class to replace it. I ended up joining a computer science class eight weeks into a ten-week quarter. I picked up the concepts easily and was able to complete ten weeks’ worth of work in the final two weeks of the quarter. I fell in love with programming and the problem-solving it required and knew it was what I wanted to do.

One rough semester: One challenge that I had to overcome was taking 22 credits in one semester, while actively participating in athletics. On top of that, I got a concussion during the third week of the semester. For several weeks, it was challenging to look at my computer screen for too long. I was able to overcome this by consistently communicating with my professors, who were incredibly supportive and understanding. I had to figure out how to structure my time to get all my work done while also giving my body the rest that it needed.

Student involvement: I am involved in Society of Women of Engineers, where I served as the outreach chair in my junior year. I have been an engineering ambassador for two years. I competed on the women’s varsity bowling team for four years, serving as captain in my senior year.

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I spent my summers working at a residential summer camp while I was in college. I also attended this same camp for eight years before I worked there.

Have youth, will travel: One of my highest priorities for the coming years is to travel and have as many experiences as I can while I’m still young and have the energy to do so.

What she’s passionate about: Introducing STEM to the next generation. Throughout my work with Youth Education Outreach, I have had the opportunity to see kids find a passion for the STEM disciplines and see their reaction when they finally were able to solve a challenge. It’s very rewarding.