Category: Class of 2025

Standout Seniors 2025: Meet Kaijia McNair (Media and Communication)

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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 Kaijia McNair.

Major: Media and Communication

Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland

Why she chose Behrend: It was the best choice for my major and for me. Choosing Behrend, which is six hours from my hometown, has helped me develop independence and influenced me to think about moving somewhere other than home after graduation.

Why she chose her major: Originally, I wanted to be a sports analyst or broadcaster. But after taking some communication classes, I learned that I hated being in front of the camera. However, I rediscovered my passion for writing and found myself comfortable presenting and speaking in public.

Campus involvement: Humanities and Social Sciences Ambassador.

What makes her unique: I think my work ethic makes me unique. I don’t believe in doing half the job and doing the bare minimum. A lot of my professors have praised me for turning in work that is above and beyond what is required.

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I absolutely love to crochet and play Team Fortress 2!

What she’s passionate about: Being a good person and leaving a good impression on people.

After her graduation in May, Kaijia plans to move to the northern Virginia/Washington, D.C., area and work in the field of public relations.   

Standout Seniors 2025: Hanna Long (Psychology)

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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 Hanna Long.

Major: Psychology

Certificates: Child Development

Hometown: Chesterfield, Virginia

Scholarships: Discover Award

Why she chose Behrend: I chose Behrend because of the small class sizes and the potential to do undergraduate research. I planned to do the 2+2 program but ended up staying at Behrend because of the research and internship opportunities I had here.

Why she chose her major: I felt a calling to work with children who have experienced mental illness. Also, while growing up, I had friends and family who struggled with mental health challenges. This is one of the reasons I chose Psychology. I want to be there to support others and be the person who listens when no one else does.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Presenting my research project “Changes in Anxiety Levels of College Students Due to Interactions with Virtual and Animatronic Animals” to the Psychonomics International Research Conference in New York City.

Challenges overcome: I am an out-of-state, first-generation college student and I have delt with anxiety. Becoming a Psychology major and having an Emotional Support Animal helped me to cope.

Campus involvement: Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority (Fundraising Chair, VP of Finance, Membership Experience Director), Psychology Coalition (President), research assistant for The Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Community Outreach, Research, and Evaluation (CORE), mentor for the Mentor Project, and a resident assistant.

What makes her unique: I am completing my bachelor’s degree in three years! Also, I was known on campus as the Resident Assistant with the French Bulldog named Zoe. RA Zoe used to love going on rounds with me and loved all our residents!

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I love to sing. I also love hiking and exploring, which is why, after graduation, I will be attempting to visit every National Park in the United States. I am going to two National Parks this summer: Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park.

Advice for first-year students: Be yourself and don’t be afraid to branch out and meet new people. Don’t be intimidated by your professors. They want to help you succeed, so reach out to them and attend office hours.

After her graduation, Hanna plans to take a gap year before going to graduate school.

Standout Seniors 2025: Meet Lauren Cass (Media and Communication)

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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 Lauren Cass.

Major: Media and Communication

Minor: History

Hometown: Erie

Scholarship: Erie Insurance Open Doors Scholarship

Awards: Pride of the Lion Award

Why she chose Behrend: I attended a lot of youth programs at Behrend, from College for Kids to Women in Business Day to Math Options. It feels like home. I knew there were a lot of caring and involved faculty and staff members at Behrend.

Why she chose her major: I’m a talker, so it suits my personality. It also suits my personal goal to work in an active and fun environment. It’s a versatile degree that can apply to nearly any industry.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Finishing my degree. I had a rough start adjusting to college, and I started skipping classes and fell way behind. I ended up withdrawing on the last day of my first semester to save my GPA. When I re-enrolled for the next semester, I had an entire support network from Behrend helping me get and stay on track, including an academic counselor who I checked in with weekly. She helped me find a major that suited me, and I learned how to “do” college. I have been on the Dean’s List for the last three semesters.

Campus involvement: Lion Ambassador tour guide, four years.

Virtual life: I’ve been an employee and student researcher at the Virtual/Augmented Reality Lab for four years. I’m currently working on creating 360-degree point-of-view videos for people with disabilities.

Setting records: On April 5, the VAR Lab director, Dr. Chris Shelton, and I attempted to break the Guinness World Record for the most time in VR while watching VR content. We needed to beat 50 hours. Unfortunately, we had technical problems with Dr. Shelton’s equipment, and he wasn’t able to continue, but I made it to 55 hours, finishing on April 7 at 7:00 a.m. 

What makes her unique: I am co-owner of an Erie tourism business. In my junior year, my mother and I started a walking tour company in Erie, called Tour Erie. We offer historical tours in downtown Erie, which is why I added a minor in history. We have plans to add more tours when I graduate.

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I have an extensive plant collection, somewhere around fifty plants, and I can name them all. I also have two geckos, hissing cockroaches, and a tarantula.

What she’s passionate about: The National Parks. I’ve been to nearly a dozen of them with my family and can’t wait to visit more of them. This spring break, I visited Mammoth Cave in Kentucky.

She loves Erie: While I love to travel, I really love living in Erie, which is why I love sharing how awesome it is with visitors and residents on our tours.

Advice for first-year students: Don’t skip class! Set yourself up for success in your first year by going to class, paying attention, and doing the assigned readings before class. Also, join some clubs. I did not, and I regret it as it’s where most people seem to make friends.

Parting words: I’m so thankful to so many people at Behrend who helped me get to the finish line, including Emily Artello in Academic Advising, Jim Dowds in the Counseling Center, Mary Kay Williams in Admissions, Dr. Chris Shelton in the VAR Lab, and my advisor, Dr. Carrie Payne.

After her graduation in December, Lauren plans to focus on growing and diversifying her seasonal tour company and finding part-time work in brand management or another other aspect of business communication.

Standout Seniors 2025: Meet Nyla Zorbas (Biology)

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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 Nyla Zorbas.

Major: Biology; Genetic and Developmental Biology option

Minors: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Hometown: Aliquippa, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Wolves Club of Erie

On choosing Behrend: I chose Behrend because it has a smaller campus with wonderful faculty and many research opportunities.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Presenting my research work on downy mildew, a fungus that effects grapes, at an international conference, the Plant and Animal Genome Conference, in San Diego, California.

Campus involvement: I was in Science Ambassadors, Biology club, and TriBeta.

Her top priority in the coming years: To continue to learn and grow in my research with plant pathology.

Advice for first-year students: You aren’t alone. Everyone around you is new to this as well. Go out and make friends, join clubs, talk with your professors. Who knows what opportunities may arise?

Parting thoughts: I’m thankful for all the support I’ve received over the last four years. I would not have been able to do this without my family and the faculty here at Behrend.

Nyla has accepted a position in a plant pathology laboratory after her graduation in May.

Standout Seniors 2025: Meet Rachel Majewski (Marketing)

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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 Rachel Majewski.


Major: Marketing

Hometown: Erie

Why she chose Behrend: I wanted a place where I could pursue both my academic and athletic career goals. Looking back, I know I made the right decision. From the moment I arrived, Behrend became my home away from home, providing me with endless opportunities to grow both as a student and as an athlete.

Why she chose her major: I chose marketing as my major because it offers a versatile skill set that can be applied to a wide range of industries and careers.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Breaking the Penn State Behrend women’s basketball program’s scoring record—a milestone that had stood for twenty-three years. On January 22, 2025, in a game against Alfred State, I was able to achieve this goal.

That night was truly special in every way. The energy in the gym was unforgettable, with the fans, my teammates, and my family in the stands cheering me on. Every shot, every play, and every moment leading up to that record-breaking basket felt surreal. When the ball went through the net, the roar of the crowd and the celebration that followed made all the hours of hard work, sacrifice, and dedication worth it. (See video here.)

But this achievement wasn’t just mine—it belonged to everyone who supported me along the way. I couldn’t have done it without my coaches, who pushed me to be the best version of myself every day; my teammates, who challenged and encouraged me on and off the court; and, most importantly, my family, whose unwavering belief in me gave me the confidence to chase my dreams.

Breaking the record was more than just a personal milestone—it was a testament to years of hard work, resilience, and the incredible people who helped me along the way. That night will always hold a special place in my heart. (Note: Rachel finished her college basketball career with 1,750 total points scored—the new record to beat.)

Campus involvement: Member of the Penn State Behrend women’s basketball team, captain from 2023–2025. I was also a member of Chi Alpha Sigma and the Marketing Club.

Awards and accolades: Dean’s List; Academic All-AMCC (2021–2024); Pre-season AMCC Player of the Year (2023–2024); First Team All-Conference (2022–2025); Second Team All-ECAC (2022–2023); and AMCC Player of the Year (2024–2025).

Parting thoughts: Over the past four years, I have had the privilege of meeting incredible people—amazing professors, coaches who have pushed me to be my best, and teammates and friends who have become like family. The bonds I’ve built here will last a lifetime, and the memories I’ve made, on and off the court, are ones I will cherish forever.

Behrend has shaped me in ways I never could have imagined, and no matter where life takes me, I will always hold this place close to my heart—and bleed blue and white!

Standout Seniors 2025: Meet Conrad Lloyd (Accounting, Finance, and International Business)

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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 Conrad Lloyd.

Majors: Accounting, Finance, and International Business

Hometown: Knox, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Provost Award and the Leadership Scholarship

Awards: Academic Achievement Award for International Business and Accounting

Why he chose Behrend: I love the Wintergreen Gorge and the entire outdoor scene here at Behrend.

Why he chose his major: I was very indecisive at first, but knew I wanted to get a business degree. I took Dr. Justyna Skomra’s  ACCTG 211 Financial and Managerial Accounting for Decision Making class and fell in love with accounting.

Campus involvement: Accounting Club, International Business Club, Delta Sigma Pi, Business Ambassadors, and Behrend Theatre.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Honestly, my proudest accomplishment will be walking across the stage at commencement. I never thought I would be able to do it.

Challenges overcome: I have struggled with severe mental health throughout most of my life. The fact that I am still here and about to graduate is amazing to me.

What makes him unique: I have dealt with a lot in my life. I’d think that’s helped me to empathize with others and their own struggles.

What you’d be surprised to know about him: I have hiked the trails in the gorge every Sunday since I came to Behrend.  

What he is passionate about: Coffee, baking, and family. I love making things for people I love.

Advice for first-year students: Treat your professors like the people they are. I wish I had not only gone to office hours more, but also had taken the chance to get to know my professors more personally.

After his graduation in May, Conrad will work as a corporate finance associate at PNC Financial Services Group.

Standout Seniors 2025: Meet Megan Bienkowski (Nursing)

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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 Megan Bienkowski.

Major: Nursing

Hometown:  Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Penn State Provost Award, PNC Leadership Scholarship, TODD Scholarship

On choosing Behrend: I decided on Behrend because it felt like the right fit for me. It’s not too far from home. It’s not too big and not too small. Behrend has great people, and after I toured Behrend, I knew it was the place for me.

Why she chose her major: I knew I wanted to do something within the medical field. I was originally looking at physician assistant or a physical therapy program. My mom suggested nursing because it had a lot of opportunities and was a good foundation if I wanted to continue with my schooling. This led me to Penn State Behrend and Nursing.

Her proudest accomplishment at Behrend: My proudest accomplishment at Behrend was being selected to dance and represent Behrend Benefiting THON and Penn State THON in their 46-hour-no-sleep-or-sit dance marathon to raise awareness and funds for families experiencing pediatric cancer. This was such an amazing accomplishment, and I am glad to say I represented Behrend at THON.

On overcoming challenges: A lot of my challenges came from balancing work, school, clubs, and social life. Nursing school is tough as it is but trying to be active in my clubs (while on multiple executive boards), work, and have time to hang out with my friends was definitely a struggle. Trying to find that perfect balance wasn’t easy, and at times I would just shut down. In the end, everything I did was worth it. I do not regret my decisions because it was a learning experience I can take and use for the rest of my life.

Campus involvement: Lion Entertainment Board (entertainment specialist on the LEB board for four years), Student Nurses Association of Pennsylvania (secretary), Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority (treasurer, president), Behrend Benefiting THON (special events co-chair), on-campus job as a night building assistant for almost two years in the Student Leadership and Involvement Office, Welcome Week guide and leader.

Awards and honors: Excellence in Leadership and Service award from Student Leadership and Involvement for “Most Outstanding Student Organization Officer” for my work with LEB.

What makes her unique: I think what makes me unique is my personality. I would like to think I am a hard worker, but also someone who likes to have fun! I enjoy making people laugh and having a good time.

What people might be surprised to know about her: I enjoy listening to a lot of rock/punk/alternative music.

Her top priority for the coming years: My highest priority for the coming years is continuing my education and getting experience in the field of nursing. I would like to attend a graduate program at some point in the future, but I want to work for a bit first.

Her passions : I am very passionate about my relationships. I don’t think I would have been able to get through college without my friends and family. I value and love these relationships so much. This is something I am truly passionate about.

Advice for first-year students: Get out there and get involved. Go to that event and talk to someone new. I used to go home all the time or stay in my room, but once I started joining clubs and being active on campus, I never wanted to leave campus. Behrend offers so many opportunities for personal and social growth. I would not be the person I am today if I hadn’t gone out and made an opportunity for myself. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help. I used to be very shy and try to do everything on my own. Everyone at Behrend wants you to succeed, so don’t be afraid to ask for help if you’re struggling in any way.

After graduation in May, Megan will work as an Emergency Room nurse at AHN Saint Vincent.

Standout Seniors 2025: Meet Michaela Florence (Marketing and Business Economics)

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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 Michaela Florence.

Majors: Marketing and Business Economics

Hometown: Moon Township, PA

Campus involvement: I have been involved in Delta Sigma Pi (professional business fraternity), the Student Government Association, concert and pep band, the American Marketing Association, Business Ambassadors, and SMART (Student Multicultural Advisory Recruitment Team).

Awards and accolades: I received Penn State Behrend’s Outstanding First-Year Student Award and I was the Regional (twice) and Provincial Collegian of the Year for Delta Sigma Pi.

Highest priority for coming years: I have very broad interests when it comes to my career, so one of my priorities is to learn exactly what I love to do and find opportunities that allow me to do it.

Never stop learning: I am passionate about learning and improvement. This is what has motivated me throughout college, and I will continue to find ways to learn new things and improve in my career and my personal life.

Advice for first-year students: Come to college with an open mind. You’ll be exposed to a lot of new things in your classes and activities. There will be a ton of opportunities to expand your mind if you’re willing to be flexible and step out of your comfort zone.

After her graduation in May, Michaela plans to pursue a career in marketing research/analytics. She also plans to attend graduate school in the future.

Standout Seniors 2025: Meet Abigayle Lipscomb (Biology)

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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 Abigayle Lipscomb.

Major: Biology

Minor: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Hometown: Waynesburg, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Behrend Honors Scholarship

On choosing Behrend: I chose Behrend because I liked the campus atmosphere. It was a good fit for what I wanted for my undergrad experience; it was small without feeling cramped and large without feeling overwhelming. Despite being on the 2+2 track, I decided to stay due to the wonderful community I built during my time here.

On choosing her major: I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field, and I felt that biology would best prepare me for that.

Her proudest accomplishment at Behrend: I won first place in my division at the 2024 Sigma Xi Conference for my poster on “Effects of cortisol on the expression of placental iron transport proteins and extracellular vesicles.” It was a real confidence booster and made me feel more secure in my abilities to communicate effectively, something especially important for a doctor.

Student involvement: I am currently the vice president of the Biology Club, where our big spring event is the community Pre-Historic Egg Hunt. I am also a member of Science Ambassadors and Beta Beta Beta.

Awards and honors: In addition to my first-place award at the 2024 Sigma Xi Conference, I also received two research grants for the summer of 2024: the Erickson Discovery Grant and the Penn State Behrend Undergraduate Student Summer Research Fellowship, both of which allowed me to continue and expand upon my research on placental iron transport proteins.

What makes her unique: I believe that my compassion and ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds sets me apart from others. I am easily able to strike up a conversation with strangers, listen to whatever they say, and respond appropriately. This has been most beneficial when interacting with patients during my shadowing and clinical experiences.

What people might be surprised to know about her: I am pretty good at trivia and enjoy learning random new facts, but I’m especially good at identifying songs and their artists. My friends often call me to hum a melody in hopes that I’ll be able to identify the tune. 

Her top priority for the coming years: My highest priority will be continuing my education as I study to become an optometrist.

Her passion: I am passionate about optometry. I believe that it is an overlooked (no pun intended) aspect of our overall health. Due to the overwhelming intricacies of healthcare, people tend to put it on the back burner in favor of what they deem to be more pressing issues, like knee pain or a tooth ache, and ignore their eyes until they can’t see. This is obviously harmful as deeper issues could be going on that could have irreversible effects on their vision. I hope to educate patients on the importance of their eye health, especially within rural, low-income areas, where people are most at risk of eye disease, which can greatly affect their overall wellbeing.

After graduation in May, Abigayle plans to attend Salus University to become an optometrist.

Standout Seniors 2025: Meet Benita Bowden (Marketing)

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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 Benita Bowden.

Major: Marketing

Certificate: Project and Supply Chain Analytics

Hometown: Waterford, Pennsylvania

Why she chose Behrend: I loved the beautiful campus, the strong academic programs, and being so close to home.

Why she chose her major: I’ve always been fascinated by the business world, particularly the strategic thinking behind advertising campaigns, why companies position themselves in certain ways, and how these approaches ultimately succeed.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Having my research paper accepted to the European Marketing Academy Conference (EMAC) in Madrid, where I will be traveling to present it. I am conducting this research along with faculty members Dr. Ben Lee and Dr. Amit Agarwal. Our paper examines how a data breach impacts a firm’s marketing capabilities.

Campus involvement: I was involved in the Lion Entertainment Board and the sailing club during my time here at Behrend. I was proud to contribute to our sailing team’s achievement of reaching the semi-finals in Virginia last year. I had never sailed before I joined the club in my freshman year, so this was a huge accomplishment for me.

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I grew up in Alaska, only moving to the Erie area after my family sold everything that we owned and drove around the United States for months. We had originally planned to move back to Alaska once our travels were over but decided to stay in Erie to be closer to family.

Highest priority for the coming years: My top priority is to establish myself in my field while creating lasting memories—after all, I’ll never be in my twenties again.

Advice for first-year students: Make the most of your time here. It goes by fast so don’t hold yourself back, even if it scares you.