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 Ben Greissinger.
Majors: Chemistry and Polymer Engineering and Science (PES)
Hometown: Erie, Pennsylvania
Scholarship: Donald and Judith Alstadt Scholarship for Chemistry
Why he chose Behrend: I grew up in Erie and attended many events at Behrend, including Science Olympiad, College for Kids, FIRST LEGO League, and sporting events. I knew I wanted to be a Penn State student, and the small class size at Behrend made it a perfect fit for me.
Why he chose his majors: As a kid, I always wanted to do some type of engineering. PES fits well because it incorporates chemistry, which is one of my areas of interest. Due to PES requiring several chemistry classes, I decided to add chemistry as a second major.
Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: I have been on the Dean’s List every semester. I’ve also done research with Dr. Michael Justik, associate professor of chemistry, and have been part of two different poster presentations.
What makes him unique: I participated in Science Olympiad and FIRST LEGO League competitions at Behrend when I was in middle school. As a Behrend student, I’ve served as a judge for both competitions. It has been a cool full-circle experience.
What you’d be surprised to know about him: I’m an Eagle Scout—I started scouting in kindergarten and earned the Eagle rank during the COVID pandemic, with a project focused on community safety.
His highest priority: Getting my Ph.D. in chemistry with a focus on polymers and/or organic synthesis.
What he’s passionate about: I’m a big soccer fan. I’m part of an indoor rec league that plays weekly. I also love playing board games, like Catan, Wingspan, and Terraforming Mars, with my friends and family. When I’m on campus and not in class, you can most likely find me in the lab. I love doing reactions and being in the lab doing research.
Advice for first-year students: Join clubs, try new things, and get out of your comfort zone. If someone told me in my first year that I would be in a fraternity, I would’ve told them they were crazy. But by joining, I’ve gained some of my best friends from college, as well as alumni connections that could lead to future job opportunities. In clubs you’ll find like-minded individuals that enjoy the same things you do.
After his graduation in May, Ben plans to attend graduate school.
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 Dania Aziz.
Major: Computer Engineering
Hometown: Seremban, Malaysia
Why she chose Behrend: I chose Behrend because of its small campus and class sizes. It also offers many on-campus activities and club opportunities for people to get connected and make new friends.
Why she chose her major: I’ve been passionate about the behind-the-scenes construction of computers. When working on a small robotics project during high school, I was curious about how small components worked together with simple programming instructions. It truly inspires me to learn more about the science behind it.
Challenges overcome: My biggest challenge is definitely being 10,000 miles away from my family and friends and having to adjust to living in an unfamiliar country.
With a little help from my friends: Meeting new friends at Berend helped me get through the rough times in college and motivated me to do well in classes.
Campus involvement: Muslim Club Association (club representative), where I organized events for the Muslim population on campus.
What you’d be surprised to know about her: I have a twin sister. Our lives have always been on the same path. We went to the same school, were in the same dorm, and had the same friends. But when it came time to go to college, our paths separated.
What she’s passionate about: Aside from engineering, I’ve always been passionate about baking and editing. If I’m not traveling, I enjoy baking desserts such as Chocoflan, brownies, cookies, and Japanese creampuffs. If I’m traveling, I bring my camera with me, record videos, and enjoy doing the editing afterward.
Advice for first-year students: If I could turn back time to my first year, I would have talked to more people and joined more activities on campus. Being an introvert kept me from reaching out until my junior year, when I started joining clubs. Better late than never! After her graduation in May, Dania plans to work in the semiconductor industry for five years and then pursue a master’s degree in computer engineering.
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 Brian Blake.
Majors: Interdisciplinary Business with Engineering Studies and Project and Supply Chain Management
Minor: Technical Sales
Certification: SAP
Hometown: Weedville, Pennsylvania
Scholarships: CMI EPTI Trustee Scholarship, Lawrence and Elizabeth Held Scholarship, C.W. Borgerding Senate Leadership Scholarship, Larson Family Scholarship.
Why he chose Behrend: I always wanted to go to Penn State, but I wasn’t sure which campus. My family and I were often in Erie, and we really liked the area. After visiting Behrend and learning more about the small class sizes and individualized focus on student success, I knew it was the right place for me.
Why he chose his major: I planned to major in Mechanical Engineering, but after just a few weeks, I knew I didn’t want a purely engineering-focused degree. A professor told me about the IBE major, which merges business management with engineering principles. As someone who wants to be a business leader in technical company, IBE is a perfect major.
Campus involvement: Business Ambassador, vice president of IBE Club, Lion Scout, and member of Chi Alpha. I also worked in food service on campus, assisting with campus catering and in the dining halls in a supervisory role.
What makes him unique: My personality and work ethic. I pride myself on being a trustworthy and caring individual who will do anything I can for those around me. I enjoy being a person that people feel comfortable coming to and sharing problems and concerns, then being able to help them work those out.
What you’d be surprised to know about him: I have a goal to visit at least a hundred different countries. I’m very enthusiastic about learning about cultures other than my own. I hope to have the opportunity to travel the world.
What he’s passionate about: Being an active member of the communities that I am a part of. Giving back to people and supporting others is something I’m committed to no matter where I may be.
Advice for first-year students: Fill up your free time with clubs, activities, or any other way to get involved on campus. College is a much better experience when you’re a student who is well known to many, and getting involved early around campus is the best way to make a lot of friends and contacts.
After his graduation in May, Brian will join Safelite as a Global Early Career Professional in the Store Leadership Track, a two-year rotational program preparing high-potential individuals for store management positions.
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 Daniel Easly.
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Erie, Pennsylvania
Scholarship: Prischak Scholarship
Why he chose Behrend: The outstanding engineering department and proximity to my home.
Why he chose his major: I chose Mechanical Engineering for the curriculum of various engineering disciplines. This broad spectrum of classes allows for knowledge that spans various industries.
Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Maintaining a good GPA while being involved in multiple programs on campus.
Challenges overcome: Finals in the fall of my junior year. Overcoming this workload while studying with my peers and getting good results was quite fulfilling.
Campus involvement: Penn State Behrend Men’s Volleyball and Behrend Engineering Ambassadors.
Awards: Most Improved Player (2024 and 2025 seasons), Second Team All-Conference AMCC (2025), Academic All-Conference (2025)
What you’d be surprised to know about him: I enjoy skiing and baking!
His highest priority: Excelling in my career, buying a house, and starting a family.
What he’s passionate about: The sport of volleyball, engineering, LEGOs, family, and sports.
After his graduation in May, Daniel plans to work as a mechanical engineer in Meadville, Pennsylvania.
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 Chloe Heeter.
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Erie
Scholarships: Joseph A. and Berit I.Benacci Family Scholarship and a Pennsylvania Ready to Succeed Scholarship
Why she chose Behrend: It is a smaller school where I could build relationships with my professors and meet with them when I needed help. It’s also a strong engineering school and was close to home for me.
Why she chose her major: I’ve always loved math and science and enjoy solving problems. I also love fixing things, altering them to better meet my needs, or building things from scratch.
Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Graduating. When I started college, I hated it and wanted to drop out. I’ve come a long way since then and have grown to genuinely enjoy college.
Awards: Dean’s List, several semesters
Advice for first-year students: Talk to as many people as you can when you first start and find a good group of friends in your major. Also, try out multiple clubs and see what fits you best because it might even help you decide what you want to do once you graduate.
The School of Engineering’s annual Fasenmeyer Design Conference is a big day for senior engineering student, the culmination of a two-semester capstone project. Faculty, industry sponsors, family, and friends fill the presentation rooms. Students wear suits and aim to impress.
So, when one team’s project literally fell apart outside the classroom minutes before their presentation, you can imagine the panic it induced. The project, months of work, lay in pieces.
Then Chris and Andy Bartlett arrived.
With tools in hand, Penn State Behrend’s resident machinists and problem-solvers dropped to their knees beside the students.
“It was like a NASCAR pit crew in the hallway,” Chris recalls with a laugh.
They got it working. The students presented. The project succeeded.
It’s exactly the kind of moment Chris and Andy relish and show up for—even when they don’t have to.
“They don’t have to come in over the weekends to machine parts for the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) club’s competition car the week before our competition,” said Hunter Kamensky, a senior Mechanical Engineering Technology major and a member of the club’s executive board. “They didn’t have to become Environmental Health and Safety coordinators of the SAE/Robotics Lab to ensure our safety, and they didn’t have to come to the SAE club’s car-testing day at Lake Erie Speedway to show their support, but they did. They care about students.”
Chris has been at Behrend for five years; Andy, his uncle, for three. Combined, they bring sixty years of tool-and-die industry experience to the School of Engineering.
They also bring a willingness to show up, say yes, and help students turn drawings into reality.
We sat down with Chris and Andy to talk about their work, why manufacturing matters, and what they hope students learn from them.
For someone unfamiliar with machining, how would you describe what you do here day-to-day?
Chris: We make things the engineering students and faculty design.
Andy: We try to help them succeed by giving them the best approaches and let them know when something is not feasible. 3D printing is cool, but it’s fictitious. You can design and build parts with a 3D printer that won’t hold up in the real world.
What kinds of projects do you most often help with? Do any stand out as especially challenging?
Chris: We help with research projects, molds for the Plastics Engineering Technology program, welding, fabrication, capstone projects, and student clubs. We’re big supporters of the clubs because students learn a lot tinkering and working on side projects.
Andy: One of the most challenging projects we work on every year is the Cast in Steel capstone project, where students design and build functional replicas of traditionally forged items using modern steel casting. It’s reverse engineering. You basically have to work backward to create the piece. It’s technical, hands-on, and really fun.
When a student brings you a design that isn’t quite manufacturable, how do you handle it?
Chris: We can usually tell just by looking at plans what will work and what won’t. We mark it up, make suggestions, and show them the empirical data on what they are trying to do and why they need to revise.
Andy: Students do challenge us sometimes. We allow them to think it through or even try it, unless it’s going to be catastrophic. Failure teaches more than success.
The difference for us, having worked years in industry, is that we know manufacturing is inherently challenging. But in the shop, where they’re making a profit, everything has to be perfect. Failure is not something they embrace. The education environment is quite the opposite—we let them think through a bad idea. Then they really understand it.
What do engineering students learn in the shop that they can’t learn in a classroom?
Andy: In manufacturing, you learn that there are things that can be perfect in theory but impractical in real life. Tolerancing is a concept that clicks in the machine shop. The weight of materials and size of parts matter. Plastic is light, steel is very heavy. The physical reality matters.
Chris: Before they get to the machine shop, they’re working on fundamentals and hypotheticals. It’s all theoretical in the classroom, but when they see it, they really get it.
Andy: We have a dozen MET students, mostly seniors, who work with us on a weekly basis now. We wish we could get them in the shop in their first year. It would aid everything they’re learning in the classroom.
Can you share a memorable moment working with students?
Chris: That hallway moment with the senior design team—the NASCAR pit crew moment—that’s one.
Andy: Attending the SAE vehicle club’s training sessions at Lake Erie Speedway. We were testing on the track, doing modifications right there. We try to teach students to stay calm, even when things fall apart—because they will. You can’t be in a panic and do good engineering work.
How does your industry experience influence how you teach and support students?
Andy: At 22, young people tend to think they know everything, but I tell them when they get their first job, try to find a guy who is 50 or 55 and learn as much as you can from him. Those guys have real-world experience. You can learn a lot from them.
We also tell them to work on their interpersonal and teamwork skills, and we just try to instill the reality that manufacturing is hard work, and they will have mundane days. That’s just life.
Chris: We also encourage internships. That real-world experience is invaluable. They’re getting an excellent education at Penn State Behrend, but that physical contact with manufacturing matters.
Safety regulations limit the students’ access to the shop. How have you tried to help maintain hands-on opportunities?
Andy: We started to think about ways that we could legally allow students to work in the shop and have been making some headway. There’s a danger factor. We have limitations we have to work with. There’s a lot of training involved.
We’re very involved in America’s Cutting Edge (ACE), which offers hands-on CNC training at Behrend for students over sixteen. It’s ideal for those who are interested in exploring engineering, manufacturing, or hands-on technical careers.
Chris: ACE gave us the ability to get mechanical engineers on the floor for a forty-hour boot camp. They construct an air engine. In total, we’ve had about sixty students take part in the boot camps.
Andy: We also offer support for the METAL program—a four-day hands-on training experience in casting and forging. The goal of these programs is to get young people involved in manufacturing. The next round of skilled manufacturing workers are being developed here.
There are camps scheduled for spring break and right after the semester ends, in May.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
Chris: Working with students. Teaching them what I love to do.
Andy: I love it when a student has that lightbulb moment. When they think…“Now that thing I learned in class a year ago makes sense.”
We also love that Behrend emphasizes hands-on experiences. We hear back from friends in the field that Behrend students stand out on the manufacturing floors. One told us: “If I go into a shop and I see a student or young employee who is really sharp, I ask where they go to school—it’s almost always Behrend.”
What do you hope students carry with them from their time working with you?
Andy: We talk about life a lot. We tell them: The most stressful jobs make the most money. What is your life worth to you? How important is that money? Consider if you want to walk that walk.
Chris: We want them to understand that this is real. This is how things are made. This is how you solve problems. And we want them to know they can do it.
Andy: Manufacturing is such a noble thing. Man is meant to make things.
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 Daniel Boehme.
Majors: Interdisciplinary Business with Engineering Studies (IBE) and Finance ’24; currently pursuing a Master in Manufacturing Management degree.
Hometown: Pittsburgh
Daniel, flanked by his parents, poses with his siblings who are all Penn State Behrend graduates.
Behrend is a family thing: All three of my older siblings attended Penn State Behrend. My brother David played baseball at Behrend and earned an IBE degree, my sister Kaylee was in Nursing, and my sister Victoria was a Marketing major.
Why he chose his major: Behrend’s IBE program has a 100 percent job placement rate out of college. It is a versatile degree that offers a ton of job opportunities. Companies like the skillset that an IBE degree provides. I have plenty of business experience, such as finance, supply chain, marketing, and management, as well as engineering experience with manufacturing and design.
Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Completing both an IBE degree and Finance degree while being a student-athlete. Baseball takes up a lot of time, so it was an exciting challenge to dual-major while also being a competitive athlete.
Time-management master: Time management is a skill that I’ve become more proficient at over the years. Being on the road for baseball made it difficult at times to manage my academics. I learned a few lessons and got much better at communicating with partners and professors and understanding how to schedule my time appropriately so that my work gets completed.
Campus involvement: Member of the men’s baseball team. This is my fifth year on the team, and it’s been a great experience from beginning to end. I’ve made numerous friendships that I’ll take with me long after I leave Behrend.
Awards: I was named to the First Team All-AMCC Team for baseball this past season and was named to the All-Conference Academic Team. Behrend won our conference in 2021 and 2024. We hope to repeat in 2025. I have been named to the all-conference academic team.
Traveling man: I will be traveling for work, and I’m excited to experience different people and places. I’ve lived all my life in Pittsburgh and Erie, so it will be great to see what other places have in store. Eventually, I will probably return to Pittsburgh to be near family because we are very close.
Advice for first-year students: Time flies, so embrace every moment. Go out of your way to talk to your classmates or professors. There’s something about communicating in person that gives you a dopamine effect and makes you feel more productive. Make sure you have some hobbies outside of school, ones that are healthy for you and help relieve stress when you feel overwhelmed.
After his graduation in May, Daniel will join Wabtec’s LEAD Operations Program, an intensive two-year rotational program that develops domain expertise, leadership skills, and business acumen.
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 Jacob Gajewski.
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Akron, New York
Why he chose Behrend: Small class sizes and the ability to interact with faculty. It also provided me with the opportunity to continue playing soccer at the college level while also being able to focus on my education.
Why he chose his major: Both of my parents are engineers, so I was guided down this path. I also have had an interest in learning how things work. I chose Mechanical Engineering because it offers broad opportunities.
Proudest accomplishment: Playing four years of college soccer while also maintaining a high GPA in a challenging major.
Student involvement: Penn State Behrend men’s soccer, Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honors Society, Chi Alpha Sigma – College Athlete Honor Society, Materials and Manufacturing Group
Awards and accolades: Dean’s List every semester, Academic All-Conference for soccer – four years.
What he’s passionate about: Continuing to learn through experiences in both the classroom and other environments.
Advice for first-year students: Get involved early on. Meet people, join clubs and do activities that you are interested in. This will surround you with people who share similar goals and interests as you, while also letting you have some fun.
Jacob has accepted a position as an associate product engineer in the Space Actuation and Avionics Group at Moog Inc in Elma, New York, following his graduation in May.
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 Tanvi Pabbati.
Major: Computer Science
Hometown: Hyderabad, India
Why she chose Behrend: It felt like the perfect fit for me. I attended high school in Erie, so Behrend was close to home. I liked the small class sizes and opportunity for one-on-one interactions with faculty members. Also, the campus is beautiful and the trails in Wintergreen gorge are great.
Why she chose her major: I developed an interest in programming after taking a class in high school. I enjoyed learning new programming languages and making fun projects. Computer science is constantly evolving. These changes keep the field interesting. There’s always something to learn or discover.
Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Contributing to student organizations in leadership roles while managing my academics and making the Dean’s List has been both challenging and rewarding. A highlight for me was helping to restart the South Asian Student Organization (SASO) during my first year.
Campus involvement: I was the president of SASO, a Global Ambassador, and served as an International Student Orientation Leader. I’m a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. I’ve also done undergraduate research work.
Highest priority in the coming years: Obtaining a master’s degree and getting into a field that focuses on both robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Global-minded: I’m passionate about learning about diverse cultures, which is why I was part of Global Ambassadors and other cultural organizations. Through my active participation in the multicultural clubs on campus, I’ve been able to help international students connect with fellow students, experience their own culture despite being far from home, and provide a platform for them to share their culture.
Advice for first-year students: Join organizations, go to club meetings, and attend events. Building connections will improve your experience at college, so don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.
After her graduation in May, Tanvi plans to pursue a master’s degree in AI or robotics.
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 Jay Abraham.
Major: Electrical Engineering
Hometown: Pittsburgh
Why he chose his major: It’s the closest thing to applied wizardry.
Campus involvement: President of the Behrend student chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, member of the Society of Automotive Engineers, Computer Engineering Club, and Behrend’s Fitness Club.
Involvement = connections: Being involved in student organizations, taking on leadership roles, helping professors with research projects, and attending networking events opened doors for me that I would never have found otherwise. Doing these things was not just about padding my resume, but about building real connections with professors, collaborating with peers on ambitious projects, and gaining leadership experience that boosted my confidence and shaped my career trajectory.
What you’d be surprised to know about him: English is my second language.
What he’s passionate about: Electrical engineering, public transportation infrastructure, sustainable energy, and urban design.
Advice for first-year students: Get involved as much as possible on campus. The value of your degree isn’t just in the classes you take, but also in the things you do outside of the classroom. I’ve found that the students who thrive the most aren’t necessarily the ones with the highest GPAs, but those who immerse themselves in the opportunities around them. Joining clubs, taking on leadership roles, attending career fairs, and saying “yes” to new experiences will make all the difference. You never know which professor, project, or chance encounter will lead to your next internship, job, or lifelong friendship.
After his graduation in May, Jay will be a power systems and controls automation engineer working with the digital integration solutions team at Eaton.
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