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 Kaitlyn Ezzone.

Major: Plastics Engineering Technology

Hometown: Conneaut, Ohio

Scholarships: STEM Leadership Scholarship, Penn State Behrend Chancellor’s Scholarship

Why she chose Behrend: I chose Behrend because of the small class sizes, which allowed me to build relationships with my professors and peers. Additionally, I was drawn to the nature-filled campus that made being outside feel peaceful and safe.

Why she chose her major: When I first came to college, all I knew was that I wanted to pursue something in the science and engineering fields. By my sophomore year, I realized that I enjoyed the hands-on aspect of engineering more than studying the theoretical side. After talking with students and faculty in each program, I decided to switched majors from Polymer Engineering and Science to Plastics Engineering Technology. I’m so happy that I landed on this major, as I enjoy working on manufacturing machinery, robots, simulation software, and more.

Campus involvement: Plastics Club, Chi Alpha (a Christian ministry on campus), and STEM Leaders (a National Science Foundation-funded program to encourage the development of self-efficacy and the attributes necessary to succeed in STEM majors and careers).

Awards: Jake Boyle Memorial Award, first place in the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Blow Molding Student Design Contest, third place in SPE Rotational Molding Student Design Contest.

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I’ve been skydiving. I’ve completed a 21K Spartan Race and a HYROX Fitness Competition. Basically, if it involves adrenaline and/or fitness, I’m in.

Advice for first-year students: 1.) Study with your classmates. Use each other’s strengths and weaknesses to learn and grow together. 2.) Ask as many questions as you need to. The faculty are there to help you, and they want to see you succeed. 3.) When you get assigned a group project, start working on it ASAP. Deadlines come up a lot quicker than you think, especially when you’re trying to juggle several peoples’ schedules.

After her graduation in May, Kaitlyn will work as a tooling engineer at Plastikos in Erie, supporting their precision injection molding manufacturing for the medical, consumer, and industrial sectors.