Category: Class of 2024

Hash-Tagging History: Alumna Shapes Social Media at Gettysburg Museums

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By Heather Cass, Publications Manager, Penn State Behrend

Alanna Gillis ’24

While job hunting, Alanna Gillis ’24 stumbled across a position as a programs assistant at the Adams County Historical Society (ACHS) in Gettysburg. It seemed a good fit for Gillis, who earned a Creative Writing degree and minored in History at Penn State Behrend.

Though the organization eventually filled that position internally, they encouraged Gillis to interview for a part-time customer service position.

She was disappointed but figured she would interview for the experience.

“One very convincing interview and tour of the building—including their massive library and archives— later, I was working for ACHS as a visitor services associate in a part-time capacity,” she said. “Even though it wasn’t the job I hoped to land right out of college, it was still a job in my field that I felt confident I could do well.”

She did it so well that by September, she was promoted to part-time associate in the marketing department.

“They had been looking for someone to fill that position in marketing and had seen on my resume that I had experience with writing, graphic design, and running social media for the clubs I was in at Behrend,” she said.

Gillis was promoted again in just a few months. Today, she is the full-time social media and marketing coordinator at ACHS, where she creates and curates content for the organization’s social media pages, produces short- and long-form video projects, and contributes to marketing materials and publications.

We chatted with Gillis to learn more about her job, how Behrend helped her get there, what she’s learned so far, and what she’s looking forward to.

Tell us a little bit about the Adams County Historical Society.

The Adams County Historical Society is a nonprofit historical society that runs two museums in Gettysburg. ACHS focuses on preserving, protecting, and sharing the stories of Gettysburg and Adams County. Through our two museums, Gettysburg Beyond the Battle and The Shriver House Museum, we highlight the local history, reaching all the way back to the time of the dinosaurs.

How did your Behrend education help you obtain this role?  

Both of my areas of study were crucial. My History minor helped me get my foot in the door, but my Creative Writing degree allowed me move up and achieve the job I have now.

My job is mainly about communicating with the public, whether that be to our museum patrons, to our followers, or to our YouTube viewers. I needed to have a good grasp of how to best communicate with people through the written word—a skill I felt confident in because of my Creative Writing degree.

Having a good grasp of the English language, from word choice to register, helps me effectively draft both a fun TikTok script and a more formal press release, which is the flexibility that ACHS needed from someone in this position.

My Creative Writing degree has also allowed ACHS to start new projects they wanted to do but didn’t have the staff for, such as publishing firsthand accounts of the Battle of Gettysburg.

What are your primary duties in your current role?

I am responsible for our social media pages; I create and curate content for Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. I generate daily content for all these sites, which varies from photos with captions, to short form videos highlighting our museum, to video thumbnails, to longer videos aimed at teaching people the history of Adams County and Gettysburg.

Beyond that, I am also responsible for filming and editing our longform videos for YouTube. So far, I’ve worked on nearly forty videos with a combined view count of nearly 150,000 on the platform.

I also help with our publications. This includes civilian accounts of the Battle of Gettysburg, informational and promotional flyers, and a museum guide featuring many of the artifacts on display and in our archival collections, like those published by The Smithsonian.

What does a typical day look like for you?

My day starts with a 40-minute commute, but I don’t complain about it too much because it’s a beautiful drive through rural south-central Pennsylvania. It gives me time to center myself and prepare for the day ahead.

The first thing I do is check my email inbox and the inboxes of our various social media sites. If any messages came in overnight, I’ll respond or pass them along to the correct department.

From there, I usually spend the morning editing YouTube and TikTok videos. Depending on the length of the video, this can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour or more.

After lunch, I work and draft social posts for the week. If I get all that done, I’ll spend time working on secondary assignments like publications.

When do you gather content?

Certain days of the week are reserved for filming content only; I’ll go out onto the Gettysburg Battlefield or into other parts of Adams County with our historian and film episodes for our YouTube channel. Usually, this is how I spend Fridays.

What has been your favorite project so far?

I’m really enjoying getting to put together the civilian accounts of the battle. This project is a perfect blend of my major and my minor, and it’s very rewarding to be able to work on a project where both are useful. Putting together these accounts has also allowed me to see a different type of publishing than I had when I worked on Lake Effect, Behrend’s literary journal.

And your favorite post so far?

The YouTube video “Tim’s Top 10 Defunct Gettysburg Attractions.” Tim Smith is our historian, and he and I spend a lot of time together filming our YouTube videos. I also often consult with him during research or when I’m fact-checking my written content. This was the first episode he and I worked on together, and it was also the first I’d shot and edited in this style. I managed to sneak in some jokes during the editing process, which made the project quite fun.

Have you done anything that turned out to be an unexpected success? 

A few YouTube videos have unexpectedly done well. We don’t typically get more than 3,000 views on our longer lecture videos, but “The Confederate Retreat” lecture has 28,000 views, significantly more than we anticipated.

An unexpected success that is more directly related to me and my work is that I started a book club for fans of Adams County history. Each month, ACHS staff selects a book, usually historical nonfiction, and I prepare a weekly discussion on each section. It’s a virtual book club, which means we have participants from all over the country. So far, we have over 110 members!

What would people be surprised to know about social media marketing? 

A lot of work goes into social media content management and marketing. It’s not as easy as just selecting an image, writing a quick caption, and hitting “post.” Often, images require editing or designs must be created. From there, captions must be drafted and edited to ensure that voice aligns with the company and the historical content is correct. The next step is tagging the correct people and inserting the corresponding ticket links, if necessary. After that, the post is good to go live. Then, it must be cross-posted to all the other platforms. All that work is for one single post, and ACHS usually posts a minimum of five times per week on each platform.

What are you looking forward to? Are there any big events or projects you’re excited about? 

This May, we are hosting the Gettysburg Film Festival: Victory in World War II. We will have guests ranging from historical filmmakers like Ken Burns to authors and screenwriters. I’m excited to help with this and make connections with people in the fields of both writing and history.

What have you learned the hard way? 

When I first started, I was hesitant to ask for help. For a short time, I tried to grin, bear it, and figure it out by myself.

When this resulted in content that I wasn’t happy with, I realized I had two choices: admit I couldn’t do something and ask for help or submit work that I wasn’t proud of.

I asked for help. I realized that if I wanted to succeed in this job and create work that I was happy to have my name associated with, I may need to reach out for guidance sometimes. It’s OK to not know it all.

Gillis: “Every now and then, we get to work on fun events or participate in exciting demonstrations. Two examples that I can think of are when I had the chance to shoot a Civil War cannon (above) and when I participated in a day-long leadership tour of the Gettysburg battlefield (below).”  

Behind-the-scenes of filming a YouTube video in the ACHS archives. 

Gillis’ workspace. “I took this while editing a Civilian Account of the Battle of Gettysburg (with my Penn State Behrend mug in the background),” she said.

Standout Seniors: Meet Samhita Chitturi (Creative Writing)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2024 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 engaged in college life in a big way, conducted valuable research, pioneered innovations, and overcome challenges during their time at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Samhita Chitturi.

Samita Chitturi

Major: Creative Writing

Minor: Crime, Law, and Psychology

On choosing Behrend: It chose me. In all of Penn State, the B.F.A. in Creative Writing is only offered here. And, thank God, it is! I love Behrend. It was the best decision I (n)ever made.

On choosing her major: I decided in eighth grade that I wanted to be a professional writer. Writing and storytelling are what I am most passionate about.

Her proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Being a Learning Resource Center tutor and earning the Outstanding Tutor in Humanities Award in Spring 2023. I love tutoring in both writing and math. I also tutor in French, ethics, chemistry, and other subjects. It’s a great way to meet people, to inspire them, and to be inspired by them. Not only do I get to help my peers, but I often learn new approaches to solving problems or out-of-the-box thinking. Anything that opens you up to new perspectives is always a worthwhile activity.

Campus involvement: I’m currently Features Editor at the Behrend Beacon. I started the “Created by Behrend Students” column to showcase students’ creative works, such as poetry, paintings, and more. I have also written the Local Eats pieces, interview articles, and Arts and Entertainment reviews. I’m also a School of Humanities and Social Sciences ambassador.

Awards and recognition: I have won four awards for my writing in the last two years: third place for the Fall 2022 Smith Fiction Award for my short story, “One Night in New York,” which is the second piece in my thesis collection; the SalisMania 2023 Best Romance Book Award for my debut novel, “When You Saved Me”; the Fall 2023 Farrell Nonfiction Award for my essay, “Two Angles on Arts and Ethics: An Exploration into What Determines Artistic Success”; and a 2024 LiFT Award in Contemporary Romance for “When You Saved Me.”

Her talents: I like to do a lot of different things, but I think the one thing I’m best at is daydreaming. It fuels my creativity, it helps me remain open to new perspectives, and it’s a coping mechanism when I need it.

Believe in yourself: Some think I’m pretentious, but what I am is confident. The only way people are going to recognize your value is if you recognize it. That said, just because I recognize my value, doesn’t mean I disvalue others. Everyone has talent, has an interesting personality, and is beautiful on the inside. You just have to look for those qualities sometimes.

Her definition of living a good life: Living it with autonomy and respecting others’ autonomy. I subscribe to Kantianism. I believe autonomy is the key to goodness.

Advice for first-year students: College (and life) is only as difficult as you make it. Rule No. 1 to reduce that difficulty? Communicate! It makes everything more efficient and effective. If you feel like you’re going to fail a class, talk to the professor and make a plan. If your roommate and you are having conflicts, discuss them respectfully and work out a solution. Whatever the problem is, I guarantee you there is a solution or a change in perspective waiting for you that will make everything OK.

Parting thoughts for new students: Take an ethics class with Dr. Joshua Shaw, professor of philosophy and bioethics; an algebra class with Dr. Dan Galiffa, associate professor of mathematics; and at least one English class with Dr. Sara Luttfring, associate professor of English. Taking a class with each of these three professors will help prepare you for the rest of your academic life.

After graduation in May, Samhita will attend the University of New Hampshire to earn an M.F.A. in writing. She plans to work toward a Ph D. and hopes to eventually become a professor at Behrend.

Standout Seniors: Meet Cameron Schmidt (Software Engineering)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2024 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 engaged in college life in a big way, conducted valuable research, pioneered innovations, and overcome challenges during their time at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Cameron Schmidt.

Cameron Schmidt

Major: Software Engineering

Minors: Game Development, Computer Science

Hometown: North Ridgeville, Ohio

On choosing Behrend: I chose Behrend for two reasons. The first was because of the Software Engineering program. I wanted Software Engineering over Computer Science, so I needed to find a school that had a good Software Engineering program, and after touring Behrend, I found it here. The second reason: Penn State. I was born and raised in Ohio, but grew up a Penn Stater because of my dad, who is a Penn State alumnus. During my childhood, if I was out with my dad and he was wearing a Penn State shirt there was always a chance we’d hear a ” WE ARE” from across a room, or I’d hear my dad suddenly yell “WE ARE” at other strangers wearing Penn State stuff. Complete strangers who he had never met before, connected simply by the fact that they went to the same school. Having that sense of community growing up made me realize early on that Penn State was special.

On choosing his major: I initially chose Computer Science, before I even decided where I wanted to go to school, simply because I wanted to make software applications. As I learned about the differences between Software Engineering and Computer Science, I ended up choosing Software Engineering, because unlike Computer Science, it also focused on Software Development concepts like documentation, design and implementation, project management, computer hardware, and more.

Campus involvement: While I was at Behrend I was mainly involved with one organization, Alpha Phi Omega, which is a co-ed service fraternity. I joined APO my second semester, mainly to make friends but soon began taking leadership positions in the group. APO really helped me develop my leadership skills, which helped me later when I became a resident assistant, throughout the rest of college, and in life in general.

A seat at the council table: I was also involved with an organization at University Park called the Council of Commonwealth Student Governments, or CCSG. For about three semesters, I served as the Associate Director of Student Affairs. My favorite part about my time in CCSG were the committee meetings. They gave me experience facilitating discussion among people, which I really enjoy.

People might be surprised to learn: I spent two summers at University Park, taking classes and working. The first summer, I just worked as an RA and took a few classes. The second summer, I worked as an RA and a Research Assistant and took quite a few classes. I have a lot of great memories from my time there, and gained a lot of academic, RA, and life experience!

His definition of living a good life: A good life is a life that is filled with little stress, less problems, where you have financial stability, and are doing what makes you happy. I want to emphasize the last point: do what makes you happy, only you know what that is and only you know how to achieve it.

HIs passions: I am passionate about learning and not just in an academic sense. I like learning about people and where they come from, what they’re passionate about. I also like learning about subjects completely unrelated to my field.

Advice for first-year students: The most important thing I think first year students should know is that it’s ok to mess up. Learn from your mistakes instead of letting them consume you. In my first semester, I failed two classes, got a D in two, and late-dropped one. It was really hard, but I learned from what I did wrong and came back from it. Another big piece of advice is to surround yourself with good people who will support you when you’re down, people you can learn from, and people who will help you grow as a person. That person for me in my first year and now, is my friend Ben Coler. I hope everyone can find someone like that.

After his graduation in May, Cameron plans to find work as an engineer in the game development industry, with hopes of eventually transitioning to game design and/or game production.

Standout Seniors: Meet Nathan Murarik (Mathematics)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2024 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 engaged in college life in a big way, conducted valuable research, pioneered innovations, and overcome challenges during their time at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Nathan Murarik.

NathanMurarik

Major: Mathematics, Pure Mathematics option

Minor: Computer Science

Associate Degree:  Information Sciences and Technology (Penn State DuBois):

Hometown: Karthaus, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Penn State Provost Award; Evelyn W. Cronister Memorial Scholarship

On choosing Behrend: When I saw that Behrend was the only campus with a Software Engineering program, I had to join in on the fun! I later realized my passion was in Mathematics, but the uniqueness of the Software Engineering program is what brought me to Behrend.

On choosing his major: I’m always asking “why,” and mathematics unabashedly answers that question for me. It allows one to make educated conclusions, prove properties, and appreciate the complexity of the beauty around us. I find joy in learning how computers utilize mathematics to solve problems that a programmer or an engineer might face in their daily work.

Campus involvement: Gender and Sexual Equality Club – Multi-Cultural Council Representative; Math Club – Vice-President, President; Council of Commonwealth Student Governments – Information Technology Coordinator; 2023 Fall Concert Committee – Logistics Chair; Alternative Spring Break 2024

What makes him unique: I have a book filled with daily sayings authored by me. My favorite is,” Anyone could have chosen my path. The beauty is they didn’t.”

What you might be surprised to know about him: I was raised on a farm.

Words to live by: “Do not fear death, but rather the unlived life. You don’t have to live forever. You just have to live.” ― Natalie Babbitt

His highest priority for the coming years: Attaining a Ph.D. and paying down my student loans.

His passion: My biggest passion, outside of mathematics, is education. Every human being has the right to an unbiased education in pursuit of enlightenment or upward economic mobility. I despise those who fear knowledge but favor ad hominem arguments against the very literature that develops an open-mindset, critical thinking, and a healthy curiosity.

Advice for first-year students: Test the assumptions you’ve made about the world, its systems, and its people. I assure you that at some point, you will struggle with one of those assumptions and mature as a person.

After his graduation in December, Nathan plans to specialize in computational mathematics research at a university, industry stakeholder, or, in his words, “wherever the wind takes me.”

Standout Seniors: Meet Sara Novak (Project and Supply Chain Management)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2024 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 engaged in college life in a big way, conducted valuable research, pioneered innovations, and overcome challenges during their time at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Sara Novak. 

SaraNovak

Major: Project and Supply Chain Management (PCSM)

Minor: Management Information Systems

Hometown: Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania

On choosing Behrend: I chose Behrend because I knew I would get a great education with a Penn State degree, and I enjoy Erie. Behrend also gave me the opportunity to play collegiate volleyball, which is something I’ve always wanted to do.

On choosing her major: I chose PSCM because I am interested in many factors of the supply chain process, including streamlining and optimizing processes. Additionally, I selected this major for its adaptability, particularly in relation to project management. I know there are numerous pathways my degree can take me.

Campus involvement: I was part of the women’s volleyball team for all four years at Behrend. I have also been a Black School of Business Ambassador for the last two years.

Her next priority: My highest priority for the coming year is to use the education I have earned to develop a career where I can make a difference.

Advice for first-year students: My advice is to take advantage of the many opportunities Behrend has to offer. The School of Business organizes business trips that I wish I had participated in sooner rather than later. They have been very beneficial and interesting to learn from.

After her graduation in May, Sara will be doing a summer internship at American Eagle within Real Estate Construction Project Management.

Standout Seniors: Meet Julia Sank (Industrial Engineering)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2024 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 engaged in college life in a big way, conducted valuable research, pioneered innovations, and overcome challenges during their time at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Julia Sank. 

Julia Sank1

Major: Industrial Engineering

Hometown: North East, PA

On choosing Behrend:  Penn State Behrend allows for a great student-athlete experience, and it was the best option for me to get a Penn State degree in a quality engineering program while continuing to play two sports that I love at the collegiate level. This was possible because of the flexibility of the coaching staff.

Two-sport athlete: I was a member of Behrend’s swimming and diving team and the golf team.

The benefit of participating in athletics: It was a great opportunity to make friends starting college in an unprecedented time (COVID-19), and it’s taught me some important life skills, like time management, responsibility, and work ethic.

On choosing her major: Originally, I was going to do the 2+2 program, but I wanted to stay at Behrend. I sat down with (the late) Dr. Dipo Onipede, associate director of academics and associate professor of mechanical engineering, who helped me determine which engineering program would be the best fit for my interests. I decided on Industrial Engineering because it is very “big picture.”

Campus involvement: Member of the Materials & Manufacturing Group club, the swimming and diving team, and the golf team.

Awards and honors: 2023 AMCC Diver of the Year, two-time AMCC diving champion, first place for Technical Report in Steel Founders’ Society of America’s (SFSA) Cast-in-Steel Competition.

What makes her unique: Although I am an Industrial Engineering major, I had the opportunity to work alongside students outside my major on a Mechanical Engineering capstone project. We used our individual strengths from our different disciplines to create a Halligan bar (a multi-purpose tool used by firefighters) that competed in the global SFSA Cast-in-Steel competition.

Julia Sank2

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I used to be a horseback riding instructor.

Highest priority for the coming years: To learn as much as I can and meet as many new people as I can because industry is not only about what you know but also who you know.

Advice for first-year students: College is all about time management. You need to learn to balance and set priorities. Once you get a handle on it, get involved. Behrend has so much to offer!

Julia has accepted a position as a field engineer for Whiting-Turner in Washington, D.C., following her graduation in May.

 

Standout Seniors: Meet Tecumseh Thundercloud (Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2024 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 engaged in college life in a big way, conducted valuable research, pioneered innovations, and overcome challenges during their time at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Tecumseh Thundercloud.

Tecumseh thundercloud

Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology (ECET)

Hometown: Erie, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Chancellor’s Scholarship, Provost’s Award, and the Petersen Trustee Scholarship

On choosing Behrend: I chose Behrend because of the well-respected engineering programs that provide invaluable hands-on experience. I knew Behrend graduates stand out to employers looking for people to join their teams. Another important factor for me was how close campus is to home. I wanted to easily be able to go home while maintaining my part-time job. These two factors made Behrend the obvious choice.

On choosing his major: The ECET major was an easy choice because it combines my previous studies of electronics at a technical school with my personal interest in computer networking and programming. The electrical side of the major expanded upon my previous knowledge and skills, while the computer side allowed me to explore new opportunities in an adjacent field.

His proudest accomplishment at Behrend: My proudest accomplishment at Behrend has been my involvement in a thongophone instrument modifications senior design project. A thongophone is a percussive instrument that is played by striking the openings of tubes of various lengths. For my project, I had to help fix numerous hardware and software issues that prevented the instrument from functioning. Now that the thongophone modifications are complete, the automated file play option allows teachers and students of all ages to interact with it. There is even a live play option using a MIDI keyboard! Contributing to an instrument that will remain on campus and benefit students for years to come has been immensely rewarding.

tecumseh try this again

thongophone

Awards and recognitions: I’ve been on the Dean’s List five times. 

Advice for first-year students: I’ve learned that it’s OK not to have everything figured out immediately; exploration and flexibility are an important part of the journey. My first semester was my toughest overall, but then I found a system that worked for me. Manage your time, do the work, and utilize all the resources Behrend has to offer. The only wrong choice is to not apply yourself, so make sure you are putting your best foot forward.

After his graduation in May, Tecumseh will continue working for Signal-Tech, an Erie-based wholesale manufacturer of directional LED signs and signals. He will be assisting in the development of their printed circuit board line, an opportunity to apply his technical skills to support the company’s innovation efforts.

Standout Senior: Meet Kelly Cass (Early Childhood and Elementary Education)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2024 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 engaged in college life in a big way, conducted valuable research, pioneered innovations, and overcome challenges during their time at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Kelly Cass.

kelly cass

Major: Elementary and Early Childhood Education

Hometown: Erie, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Erie Insurance Scholarship Award, PASSS Scholarship Award

Behrend from the beginning: I live just a few minutes from campus and basically grew up at Behrend where my mom works in the Office of Strategic Communications. Since I was a child, my family spent time on campus–walking, biking, sledding, and hiking in the gorge. In middle and high school, I participated in a lot of Youth Outreach programs, like Math Options, the STEAM Fair, Business Day, and College for Kids in the summer.

On choosing her major: I have a big family with a lot of younger cousins, and I have always enjoyed teaching them something new or helping them figure things out.

All the world’s a stage: I participated in theatre throughout middle and high school. I loved being on stage, and being a role model for those who were just starting out in the program. I realized teaching would be a similar experience, allowing me to share knowledge with young students while “performing” and presenting information.

Her proudest accomplishment at Behrend: My proudest accomplishment at Behrend was being the Immersive Administrator for the Virtual/Augmented Reality Edu classroom. Although the immersive classroom no longer exists as VAR Edu, I am very proud of the work I did there. I started as an attendant, finding programs and helping students get set up in headsets during integrations. I was promoted to Immersive Administrator where I practiced working with faculty and staff to find programs and design integrations in our classroom, as well as managing the attendants and daily work we had in the classroom. We started with only 200 integrations for the first semester. We finished with an astounding total of more than 1,000 integrations and a 59 percent increase from the semester before. I continue to work in the VAR Lab and have shifted my work to other projects such as creating a podcast for VAR Studios.

Campus involvement: I was involved for a year in the Tone-acious a capella group, and part of a Behrend rock band called “Group Therapy.”

kelly cass2

Awards and recognitions: I have made the Dean’s List every semester since fall of 2021.

What makes her unique: I love to bake. Fancy cupcakes are my specialty, and I make them for all family events. I also love to sing and was in the Erie Philharmonic Chorus for a year.  I was in every musical in high school, with my final and most fun role being Ursula in “Little Mermaid.”

What you might be surprised to know about her: I’m the lead singer in a Butler-based rock band that creates original music.

Her next top priority: My highest priority for the coming years is to find a job teaching in a community that supports its teachers and students. I’m also looking forward to getting my own house someday so that I can get my own dog to spoil.

After her graduation in May, Kelly plans to teach at a local elementary school and possibly attend graduate school for a master’s degree in an educational field.

Standout Seniors: Meet DeseRai D. Sweat (Psychology)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2024 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 engaged in college life in a big way, conducted valuable research, pioneered innovations, and overcome challenges during their time at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet DeseRai D. Sweat.

DesiRaeSweat

Major: Psychology, B.S.

Minor: Crime, Law, and Psychology

Certificates: Child Development, Behavioral Health and Counseling Psychology

Hometown: North East, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Osher Reentry Scholarship, Black Family Trustee Scholarship, Fryer Psychology Scholarship

On choosing Behrend: While looking to further my medical education, I wanted to go where I would not have to uproot my children and family, where I felt at home and was able to get the best education. I found all that at Behrend. The curriculum far exceeded my expectations, I knew without a doubt after meeting with people that this was my home and the path God set for me.

On choosing her major: My major chose me. I’ve spent most of my life in the medical field as a medical assistant and phlebotomist. It seemed only natural to go into nursing. One day in between classes, I was thinking and praying about the path I was on. I just wasn’t sure what direction to go in, so I left it to God’s hands. He put me in the science building where I was working on an assignment in the hallway while I waited for my next class to start. I overheard a professor – Dr. Charisse Nixon, professor of psychology, finishing up her class and decided to go listen. By the end of the semester, I switched to Psychology, a major I never saw myself being in that I am absolutely in love with now.

True crime shows lead to calling: My love of true crime shows, like Criminal Minds inspired me to take a forensics class taught by Dr. Shariffah Sheik Dawood, associate teaching professor of psychology. That class encouraged me to add a minor in Crime, Law, and Psychology.  After that class, I realized that I wanted to work with children with special needs children in the judicial system and to be a voice and an advocate for them.

Her proudest accomplishment at Behrend: I’m most proud of a lot of little moments all added together, from being a mentor for younger students, to being an older student, mother and wife and still managing to accomplish what I did semester after semester, to the moment I was asked to be an undergrad researcher.

Campus involvement: School of Humanities and Social Sciences Ambassador; Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Community Outreach, Research and Evaluation (CORE): The Mentor Project mentor and intern; C3 Church intern; Psychology Club.

What people be surprised to know about her: I’m a pretty transparent person and share myself, the good, bad and the ugly. As a Gen. Xer, I am not crazy about learning new technology, but I love sitting with my boys and taking out some zombies on the Xbox.

Her passions: Being a mom fills me with joy. I love being in my kitchen, whether it’s by myself or with my children or husband, and cooking and baking and expressing myself through food. I’m also passionate about educating people on mental health and that it’s OK to say “I’m not OK.”

Advice for first-year students: Breathe! College is a big change, and you’re going to be overwhelmed and stressed. It’s OK to have a little cry now and then. But, also, live in this moment, soak it in, explore, and open yourself up to new challenges and new possibilities. Don’t be afraid to take a class or explore a new subject. You might find a passion you never knew you had.

Advice for new students, part 2: As a mom, I would remind first-year students that college is also a whole new journey for their parents. They’re going to want to check the oil in your car five times, ask you repeatedly if you understand your meal plan and if you have everything you need, and they are going to want to help you unpack and hug and kiss you more than you want them to. Let them!

After her graduation in December, DeseRai hopes to work with youth with special needs in the Juvenile Judicial System.

Standout Seniors: Meet Alanna Gillis (Creative Writing)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2024 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 engaged in college life in a big way, conducted valuable research, pioneered innovations, and overcome challenges during their time at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Alanna Gillis. 

Alanna Gillis (CW)

Major: Creative Writing

Minor: History

Hometown:  Dillsburg, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Provost’s Award, Corey N. Farrell Memorial Scholarship, Clarence and Eugenie Smith Fund.

On choosing Behrend: Behrend is the only Penn State campus where you can earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, which was really important to me. Plus, the campus is beautiful, and the classes are small, which makes for a great learning environment.

On choosing her major: I’ve been writing stories since I learned how to write, and I’ve been reading for as long as I can remember. Pursuing a major that would allow me to grow my skills and talents, as well as teach me about the professional world of writing and editing, seemed natural to me.

Her proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Becoming a fiction editor for the campus literary journal, Lake Effect, is my proudest accomplishment. I got to represent the journal and the college at the AWP (Association of Writers and Writing Programs) Conference, which is the nation’s largest marketplace for literary presses and journals.

Campus involvement: I tutored at the Learning Resource Center, held an executive board position in two different clubs, and served as a Humanities and Social Sciences Ambassador.

What makes her unique: It’s always hard to identify your own talents, but I’ve been told that I’m a good communicator and that I have a knack for teaching. I would also like to think I have a bit of a talent for writing!

What you might be surprised to know about her: I really like all kinds of music, but my favorite genre is rock. I’ve been to five rock concerts by some of my favorite artists, including Breaking Benjamin, Halestorm, and STARSET.

Her definition of living a good life: Happiness is paramount. If I am happy, healthy, and financially stable, then I will consider it a very good life indeed.

Her highest priority for the coming years: My highest priority is finding a job that fulfills my creative desires while also providing me room for growth. Eventually, I would like to publish the novel I have been working on for my senior thesis project.

Her passions: I am passionate about reading and it never takes much to convince me to visit a bookstore (even less if you promise me an iced coffee with the trip). There are also many political causes I am passionate about, including women’s rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, and environmental protections. Often, my passion for reading and my political passions overlap in the stories, essays, and nonfiction pieces I read.

Advice for first-year students: College is full of change. Your style might change, or your major, or your friends. Learning that change isn’t always a bad thing (especially when it comes to growing into an adult) is one of the hardest lessons I had to learn, but it helped alleviate so much stress and bring me so much joy.

After her graduation in May, Alanna plans to find a job in the writing or publishing field.