Category: School of Engineering

Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2023 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’ll introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have overcome challenges, pioneered new technologies, participated in important research projects, and made their mark at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Ashley Settineri.

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Minor: Technical Sales

Hometown: Gibsonia, Pennsylvania

On choosing Behrend: I knew going into college that I wanted to go for a degree in engineering and Penn State is well known for their engineering program, especially Behrend. I specifically chose Behrend for the smaller class sizes and their focus on group engagement.

On choosing her major: I chose mechanical engineering because I enjoy designing, which goes hand in hand with mechanical engineering.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Making an impact on other students. I have been able to do this by getting involved on campus, especially as a resident assistant.

Campus involvement: I am an RA and a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority.

What makes her unique: I have always been extremely crafty and love to try new things. Being a very easy-going person, I am always willing to try something new and hope for the best.

People might be surprised to know: Something people would be surprised to know about me is that I have my own small business, a western boutique called Cactash Boutique.

What makes life good: My definition of a good life is one where I get to go outside every day and enjoy nature with my family and friends.

Advice for first-year students: It can be awkward at first trying to find your place and seeing where you fit in but don’t let that discourage you because everyone feels the same way.

After her graduation in May, Ashley will be working at Bechtel Plant Machinery as an entry-level mechanical engineer.

Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2023 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’ll introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have overcome challenges, pioneered new technologies, participated in important research projects, and made their mark at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Matthew Rockage.

Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology

Hometown: Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania

On choosing Behrend: I chose Penn State Behrend for the hands-on technical experience and industry connections students can make.

On choosing his major: I chose my major because I have always liked doing software coding for custom machines, and electrical engineering helps with the small component portion of what goes into machines.

Proudest accomplishment: My proudest accomplishment at Penn State Behrend is getting involved with Industry relations and helping teach students to get more involved in industry work so that when it is their time to graduate, they are ready.

Campus involvement: I am the President of the 3D Printing Club and the Student Lab Manager/Technician/Product Developer for the James R. Meehl Innovation Commons.

What makes him unique: My unique talents include an extensive knowledge of problem-solving skills that allow me to find the best solution for how to make products, accelerate flow, and prototype in cost-effective ways.

Unplugged: People might be surprised to know that as much as I like technology, I also like getting away from it and going camping for days on end.

Top priority: My highest priority for the coming years is to continue working with Iten Industries and improve the flow for rapid prototyping for the company.

Let him out: I am passionate about outdoor activities, like mountain biking, dirt biking, camping, kayaking, skiing, and almost anything that can get me outside.

Advice for first-year students: If there is a class that you are struggling in, don’t sit around thinking it will get better. Get help from students, faculty, tutors – there are lots of people who are willing to help you. Also, stick to what you’re passionate about.

After his graduation in May, Matt will work at Iten Industries in Ohio doing rapid prototyping research and development.

Penn State Behrend’s class of 2022 is ready to make its mark on the world!  We’re proud of our students and the things they’ve accomplished and learned while here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we’ll be introducing you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have overcome challenges, pioneered new technology, participated in important research projects, and left an impression at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Cara Harben. 

Major: Software Engineering

Hometown: Attica, Ohio

On choosing Behrend: Two of the most important items on my college checklist were small class sizes and hands-on engagement. Behrend’s intimate classroom settings were instrumental in allowing me to feel connected to the course material and the faculty here. My labs have been more challenging than I ever imagined, too, but they have taught me vital skills that have left me better prepared for my career.

On switching gears: I always planned to go into medicine, but in my senior year of high school, I took a web design course and fell in love with programming. It completely flipped my plans upside down. I attended Google’s Computer Science Summer Institute before college, and it solidified my decision. I couldn’t be happier now.

Proudest accomplishments at Behrend:  I’m fortunate to have had internships for the last three years at TechnipFMC in Erie and  Northrop Grumman’s Space Systems division in California. As a member of Northrop’s intern council, I was able to pitch and start a support program for interns at my location to prevent discrimination in the workplace. That was my proudest moment during my academic career.

Campus involvement:  I am a member of Behrend Engineering Ambassadors, Phi Sigma Rho (engineering/science sorority), and the Cultural Cooking Club (CCC). We just made dumplings for CCC, and while the ones I made were not aesthetically pleasing, they sure were delicious.

Java master: Being in this field has taught me the necessity of experimenting with different coffee brewing methods. I’m told I make a mean cup of coffee with my AeroPress, or so my partner says.

What you’d be surprised to know about her:  My hometown is a village of fewer than 800 people in the middle of nowhere.

Take a moment to enjoy life: If you move too fast from one thing to the next, you’ll miss out on a lot of beautiful experiences. I like to stop and smell the flowers sometimes, whether by watching the sunset from the Burke parking garage, looking for the International Space Station on good nights, or cooking a good meal after a rough day. That’s what makes me happy.

Adventures await I am ecstatic to have a clean slate to work with once my partner and I move to Colorado Springs this year. I’d really like to spend some time learning a new language and getting back into playing guitar. We’d also like to try backpacking!

Cultivating the next generation of engineers: Computer science outreach is what inspired me to become a software engineer. Currently, I am in the process of designing a program for a local middle school that teaches kids how to create their own Space Invaders style game in Scratch, which teaches kids to program through drag-and-drop code!

Advice for first-year students: Go to the career fair in your first year. Worst case scenario, you come out of it better equipped to face the next fair. In my case, I never thought I’d have an internship after my first year, but I did!

Parting thanks: My professors have been wonderful throughout my time here, and I’m grateful to them for their help, advice, and patience, especially Dr. Wen-Li Wang, associate professor of computer science and software engineering; Dr. Amed Sammoud, lecturer in computer science and software engineering; and Dr. Abdallah S. Abdallah Abousheaisha, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering.

After graduation, Cara will be joining Progressive Insurance in Colorado Springs, Colorado, as a software developer.

Penn State Behrend’s class of 2022 is ready to make its mark on the world!  We’re proud of our students and the things they’ve accomplished and learned while here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we’ll be introducing you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have overcome challenges, pioneered new technology, participated in important research projects, and left an impression at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet: Katrina Stevenson.

Major: Electrical Engineering

Hometown: Cheswick, Pennsylvania

On choosing Behrend: I wanted to go somewhere away from my hometown, but close enough to go home on weekends. Behrend’s Electrical Engineering program also has a great reputation.

On choosing her major: I chose Electrical Engineering because it was the engineering discipline that I knew the least about, but was interested in.

Campus involvement: I am involved in Behrend Engineering Ambassadors, Society of Women Engineers, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, and the Behrend STEM Mentoring Program.

What you would be surprised to know about her: I love to be outdoors! I like to hunt, fish, kayak, hike, and just explore.

Her definition of the good life:  One in which you feel accomplished and keep learning. Most importantly, live your life on your terms – put yourself and your goals first and do what makes you happy.

Top priority: Learning as much as I can! As I start my first full time job, I am looking forward to combining my internship experiences with everything I have learned in school and applying it to my position. Continuing to learn is important to me and it gives me a sense of accomplishment.

Advice for first-year students: You can still be successful if you struggle at the beginning. Don’t give up. Your GPA does not define you. Also, try to get industry experience through internships or co-ops as soon as possible.

After her graduation in May, Katrina will begin working as a Product Development Electrical Engineer at Xylem Inc. in Seneca Falls, New York.

Penn State Behrend’s class of 2022 is ready to make its mark on the world!  We’re proud of our students and the things they’ve accomplished and learned while here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we’ll be introducing you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have overcome challenges, pioneered new technology, participated in important research projects, and left an impression at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Alison Huffman

Major: Computer Engineering with a minor in Music Technology

Hometown: Scottdale, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Nishi Gupta Scholarship in Engineering, Behrend Excellence Award, Council of Fellows Leadership Scholarship, Intel Scholar

On choosing Behrend: I chose Behrend because of its phenomenal engineering program and the opportunity to play Division III athletics. I was on the soccer team my freshman year.

On choosing her major: I have always been interested in programming and electronics, specifically with video game design when I was younger. As I approached college, I really wanted to learn about audio products and signal processing in addition to gaining a general understanding of electronics and computers. This led me to choose computer engineering.

Campus involvement: I am the worship leader and weekly meeting team leader for Cru, the vice president of the Computer Engineering Club, the vice president of the Society of Women Engineers, and a member of Tau Beta Pi.

People would be surprised to know: My biggest passion in life is music. I play multiple instruments (drums are my favorite), and I lead worship at two churches in the Erie area. I also co-wrote and co-produced a worship album called “For Your Glory that’s available on Spotify.” Additionally, I love combining my love of engineering with my love of music to better understand how audio works on both the hardware and software sides, so a lot of my school projects were centered around that.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Besides the worship album, I completed a project through the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at University Park that displays data about virology through art, light, and sound. It is a structure mounted to the wall with an interface in front of it for users to interact with and trigger videos and audio. I designed and assembled the interface, and I also created the audio using music programing. The structure was installed at University Park in the spring of 2022.

Advice for first-year students: Don’t be afraid to get involved with clubs and events on campus and get involved early! I met some of my best friends through the clubs in which I am involved, and the clubs have given me great opportunities for leadership, as well.

After graduation, Alison will be working for Northrop Grumman in Melbourne, Florida, as a software engineer in their aeronautics division.