UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Alumni Association has selected 14 recent graduates as 2025–26 Young Alumni Ambassadors.
The Young Alumni Ambassador program is a yearlong experience that enhances the connections between young alumni, the Penn State Alumni Association and the University, and helps participants develop skills to become Penn State's future volunteer leaders. Participants develop into confident and capable leaders while motivating fellow alumni to engage with the University through volunteerism and membership in the Alumni Association.
The Young Alumni Ambassador program was developed in part through the generosity of Peter and Ann Tombros, who provided seed funding for a pilot initiative, followed by additional support including a $25,000 gift that was matched by the Alumni Association to create a $50,000 endowment to help fund a portion of the Young Alumni Ambassador experience in perpetuity.
“It’s a great honor to continue our partnership with the Penn State Alumni Association and maintain the impact of the Young Alumni Ambassador program," Peter Tombros said. "This program enhances the post-graduation experience for young alumni by connecting them to seasoned mentors, resources and group leaders throughout the country. This generation of alumni engages with Penn State and the Alumni Association in different ways, and we want them to be involved in shaping the future."
The 2025-26 ambassadors were selected after an extensive interview process. December 2025 and Spring 2026 graduates are encouraged to apply for the 2026-27 class of Ambassadors when applications become available in Spring 2026.
This year's Young Alumni Ambassadors are:
Roman Bahadursingh, class of 2025, Finance & Economics
Bahadursingh is a juris doctor (J.D.) candidate at the University of Pennsylvania.
Cheyenne Bastian-Brown, class of 2025, Agriculture
Bastian-Brown serves as the 2025 American Honey Queen, traveling nationwide to promote pollinator awareness and agricultural education through the American Beekeeping Foundation.
Olivia Crocco, class of 2025, Biology
Crocco supports patient health and safety at UPMC Wellsboro through her work in environmental services.
Maurielle Evans, class of 2025, Cybersecurity
Evans combines her technical background in cybersecurity with her passion for equestrian instruction as a therapeutic riding instructor at Leg Up Farm.
Raj Gandhi, class of 2025, Aerospace Engineering
Gandhi works as a quality engineer at Gentex Corporation, focusing on continuous improvement initiatives.
Brooklynn Jones, class of 2025, Criminology and Psychology
Jones is a law student at UMass School of Law, with plans to become a wrongful conviction attorney.
Emma Khoury, class of 2025, Biology
Khoury is a medical student at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, with a strong interest in surgery.
Lindsay Leber, class of 2025, Geosciences
Leber is pursuing her master's degree in Space Systems through Embry-Riddle's Worldwide program while working as a tour guide at Lost Rivers Caverns.
Mary O'Connor, class of 2025, Biology
O'Connor works as a patient care technician at Yale New Haven Hospital while preparing to apply to medical school in 2026.
Alexandra Pepe, class of 2025, Accounting
Pepe is a transaction advisory analyst at Alvarez and Marsal in New York City.
Alexander Pretka, class of 2024, Psychology
Pretka is pursuing a one-year MBA through the Smeal College of Business while serving as a graduate assistant for residence life.
Zion Sykes, class of 2025, Global and International Studies & Political Science
Sykes serves as the assistant director of annual leadership gifts in the Division of Development and Alumni Relations at Penn State.
Joe Thompson, class of 2024, Energy Sustainability Policy
Thompson is a commissioning coordinator at e-STORAGE, supporting utility-scale battery energy storage projects across North America, South America, and the Asia-Pacific.
Elizabeth Wesdock, class of 2024, Educational Theory and Policy
Wesdock coordinates scholarship programming at the Carson Scholars Fund, supporting exceptional students nationwide.