Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2026 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 Bella A. Eibl.

Major: Political Science, crime and law option

Minors: English, Legal Studies

Certificate: Crime, Psychology, and Public Policy

Hometown: Erie, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Chancellor’s Scholarship, Penn State Provost Award, Rose Lada Memorial Scholarship

Why she chose Behrend: I’m an Erie native and I come from a Penn State family. I chose Behrend because I felt it offered more opportunities for students to really have an impact on their community and form connections with faculty members.

Why she chose her major: I started as a General Arts and Sciences major, but after my first political science class I was immediately interested in the major. I was scared to commit, so I met with the professor to talk about what I could do with a degree in political science and what I should major in considering my interests and goals. Talking with him made me feel much more confident in my academic plan and career goals.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: During my sophomore year, I made the decision to resurrect all three political clubs at Behrend to have them fully functional and active in time for the 2024 primary and general elections. This included our two partisan clubs and a nonpartisan general political society. Working with everyone who was interested in the executive board positions, communicating with campus faculty, and succeeding in having three active political clubs whilst being on the executive board of two of them and simultaneously working in state politics off campus—while also taking eighteen credits—was difficult, but I’m proud of the work I did.

Campus involvement: School of Humanities and Social Sciences Student Advisory Club (co-founder, vice president), Studio Theatre at Behrend (Into the Woods crew, Little Shop of Horrors cast/crew), Student Leadership and Involvement (RUB desk worker), Residence Life, School of Humanities and Social Sciences Ambassadors, Pi Sigma Alpha (secretary), Political Science Society (former president).

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I listen to every genre of music from metal to classical to musical theatre. I believe I’ve been to eight different theatre productions and over fifteen concerts. Fun fact: I’ve been to the same number of Twenty One Pilots concerts and Weird Al Yankovic concerts—three each!

Her highest priority: I’m starting law school in the fall, so my priority for the next three years is to make the most of my time living in Washington, D.C., and have productive and meaningful experiences while continuing my education.

Advice for first-year students: The best advice I can give is:

1.) Make it a priority to figure out the basics. Get a planner and write everything down, learn the tech you’re unfamiliar with (Canvas, Outlook, LionPATH, etc.), learn what resources are available to students, and talk with an academic adviser.

2) Put yourself out there! Join clubs, meet people, and try new things. Growth can be scary, but it’s so worth it, and you probably won’t have as many opportunities once you graduate.

3) Feeling stressed or overwhelmed is normal, but don’t forget to give yourself time to take a deep breath, rest, and have fun.

After her graduation in May, Bella will move to Washington, D.C., to attend American University’s Washington College of Law.