McKEESPORT, Pa. — Penn State Greater Allegheny student Tapashya Ghimirey is applying her classroom knowledge to real-world challenges through her work with Mission: Agape, a nonprofit organization focused on addressing food insecurity and supporting families in need.
Ghimirey, a fourth-year marketing major on-track to graduate in May 2026, secured the internship through Assistant Teaching Professor of Marketing and Communications Rosemary Martinelli, who connected her with the opportunity.
“It gave me the chance to apply what I am learning in school in a real community setting,” Ghimirey said.
As the organization’s primary marketing contributor, she develops digital and print materials to promote programs such as a food pantry, clothing closet and pet pantry.
She said she is particularly proud of her role in developing promotional materials for Mission: Agape’s "Spring Fling," where she created content highlighting live entertainment, vendors, food and raffles while reinforcing the organization’s mission and services.
“It helped promote community engagement while bringing more awareness to our services,” she said.
Ghimirey has also helped strengthen connections between the nonprofit and the Greater Allegheny campus, particularly for students experiencing food insecurity.
She said she began by identifying gaps in how the organization was reaching students, then developed targeted promotional materials and outreach strategies to increase awareness of available resources. She also collaborated with campus partners to expand distribution efforts, including supporting initiatives that brought pantry items directly to students in situations where access was limited.
“These numbers showed me that the content and outreach efforts are helping more people notice and interact with Mission: Agape’s message,” she said.
Ghimirey said the experience has allowed her to apply concepts from both her marketing and project management coursework, including audience awareness, branding, strategic messaging, planning and time management.
Balancing responsibilities as the organization’s sole marketing lead presented challenges, she said, but also contributed to her growth.
“I had to become more independent, adaptable and thoughtful in my work,” Ghimirey said.
Penn State Greater Allegheny provides students with opportunities to gain real-world experience through internships that apply classroom learning, build confidence and support career exploration. Schedule a visit today and learn how the campus helps students earn a degree while gaining hands-on experience.
Information for potential employers
Employers interested in providing students with internship opportunities can submit information through Greater Allegheny's internship opportunity form or email Rosemary Martinelli, internship director, at rum31@psu.edu. All the details don't need to be figured out, just have a good idea and willingness to guide a student.