UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Internships, research projects, community engagement, leadership experiences, vertically integrated projects and hands-on coursework: These are the kinds of experiences that shape not just what students know, but who they become. Penn State is working to make sure every student has access to at least one of them before they graduate.
To advance that goal, the University has convened a cross-institutional steering committee for a new strategic initiative, Penn State eX, aimed at offering every student meaningful experiential learning opportunities.
“Experiential learning changes students’ lives. It builds the skills, the confidence and the sense of purpose that carries them far beyond graduation,” said Kathy Bieschke, senior vice provost and interim dean of Undergraduate Education. “Every Penn State student deserves that opportunity, regardless of where or what they study.”
Charged by Bieschke at the request of Executive Vice President and Provost Fotis Sotiropoulos, the 17-member committee brings together faculty, administrators, academic leaders and students from across the University's colleges, campuses and shared governance bodies. The Penn State eX Steering Committee is co-chaired by Alan Rieck, associate vice provost, and Michael Zeman, director of experiential learning in Penn State Outreach. The committee’s work is guided by its five-year vision, aiming for every student to complete at least one validated experiential learning opportunity.
Over the summer, the committee will develop a framework that defines what experiential learning means at Penn State; clarifies the scope of the initiative across curricular and co-curricular experiences; and recommends institutional expectations, investment priorities and an implementation approach. Recommendations will be submitted to the provost by mid-August 2026.
Rieck said the work ahead reflects the University's broad institutional commitment to student success.
“Penn State eX represents an exciting opportunity to ensure that every student, regardless of campus, college or background, has access to the kinds of experiences that build not just career readiness, but the knowledge, skills and dispositions to contribute meaningfully to their communities for a lifetime,” Rieck said. “This committee brings together exactly the right perspectives to shape that vision.”
Committee members include:
- Melissa Johnson, associate vice president and associate dean, Undergraduate Education
- Marly Doty, director of Student Affairs, Penn State World Campus
- Dave Lenze, associate teaching professor, Smeal College of Business
- Kristopher Struckmeyer, assistant teaching professor, College of Health and Human Development
- Marinda Harrell-Levy, associate professor, Penn State Brandywine
- Bob Orndorff, director of Career Services, Penn State Student Affairs
- Bob Kubat, assistant vice president of enrollment management and University registrar, Office of the University Registrar
- Megan Nagel, regional chancellor
- Tonya Peeples, special adviser, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost
- Ilona Ballreich, program director, Sustainable Communities Collaborative, Sustain Penn State
- Adrienne Thoman, coordinator, Student Leadership Programs, Penn State Capitol College
- Mahsa Kazempour, professor of science education, Penn State Berks
- Roxi Thoren, department head, Department of Landscape Architecture, College of Arts and Architecture
- Jennie Knies, associate dean for Commonwealth Campus Libraries
- Adam Lieb, student, University Park campus
- AJ Serrano, student, Penn State Schuylkill
- Darcy Rameker, assistant vice president, Student Affairs
Questions about Penn State eX can be directed to Alan Rieck at ajr83@psu.edu or Mike Zeman at mjz120@psu.edu.