As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 22 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University.
This week, on behalf of the entire Penn State community, we’d like to say thank you to:
- Donna Bayer, instructional designer at Penn State Great Valley, whose nominator wrote: “We are grateful for Donna! She leads impactful World Campus courses and serves as the lead ID for an AI low-code/no-code certificate. Leveraging AI to elevate curriculum design, she partners with faculty and contributes across committees with innovation and leadership.”
- Elli Bezotte, student engagement coordinator at Penn State World Campus, whose nominator wrote: “Elli puts students at the center of everything she does — launching the Student Programming Board, supporting student organizations, launching Discover, and mentoring leaders with empathy and care. By removing barriers and building belonging, she has transformed World Campus engagement — all online!”
- Alexis Brooks, HR consultant in Penn State Human Resources, whose nominator wrote: “Alexis goes out of her way to be a true partner in our unit. I was having difficulty with the goal-setting process, and she made time to figure out the challenge and follow up until it was resolved. She made me feel like it was important to her, too, even though it's a tiny part of her job. She rocks.”
- Lynn Carey, administrative assistant in the Department of History in the College of the Liberal Arts, whose nominator wrote: “Lynn's calm and collected demeanor saved the day during a particularly stressful meeting when Zoom inexplicably crashed. With over a dozen virtual participants, it was easy to panic. But Lynn calmly reinstalled Zoom and got everyone back online within ten minutes, to great acclaim.”
- Amy Dugan, assistant to the executive officer of the Penn State Alumni Association, whose nominator wrote: “Amy is truly a rockstar in our office! Her kind demeanor, knowledge of processes and constant support for staff make her an invaluable asset to our team. Amy is simply the best!”
- Mariah Germello, academic program specialist for the School of Engineering Design and Innovation (SEDI) in the College of Engineering, whose nominator wrote: “Mariah has been an absolute powerhouse this year: running graduate programs, supporting new staff and helping launch new initiatives with skill and grace. Her dedication, knowledge and steady leadership make a huge impact on SEDI and on every student she supports. You make SEDI stronger every day!”
- Taylor Gray, assistant research professor in the Department of Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies (CAMS) in the College of the Liberal Arts, whose nominator wrote: "Besides his work on important research projects (e.g., Dead Sea Scrolls Editions), Taylor has done excellent work with CAMS undergrads. He has taught for the CAMS department as needed and served as a mentor — even driving the van to the Lycoming Humanities Research conference to support CAMS presenters."
- Lisa Haines, administrative assistant in the Department of Chemical Engineering in the College of Engineering, whose nominator wrote: “Lisa has consistently gone above and beyond since the Finance OST transition. She has taken on additional responsibilities while navigating a complex, evolving process. Her ability to respond quickly and accurately, understand policies and communicate clearly has been exceptional. We appreciate you, Lisa!”
- Elias Hessler, business intelligence specialist at Penn State World Campus, whose nominator wrote: “Elias has many demands on his time and attention, but he always responds promptly and patiently to my unit's requests for help in obtaining and understanding data. His thoroughness in seeking and integrating our feedback in the creation of new and improved dashboards is greatly appreciated.”
- Jenny Hu, financial coordinator in the College of Engineering, whose nominator wrote: “Jenny is a wealth of finance knowledge. You can ask her any financial question and she'll most likely have the answer! She is also very prompt in getting you a response. Thank you, Jenny, for being a great resource during this OST transition!”
- Michelle Irwin, financial planning analyst in the College of Education, who received multiple nominations. One nominator wrote: “Michelle excelled under challenges, successfully managing finances for a third department through OST. She quickly learned the role, built the FY28 budget, solved complex issues and kept all three departments running smoothly — with professionalism, positivity and her trademark sunshine attitude.” Another nominator wrote: “Michelle has gone above and beyond, supporting three of our four academic departments while taking on new responsibilities with professionalism and positivity. We’re so fortunate to have her!”
- Laura Knight, IT solutions consultant in Transportation Services, whose nominator wrote: “Laura is a pleasure to work with. She is kind and professional, and she goes above and beyond to help in any way she can. She’ll even go as far as walking parking passes a few blocks to your building, just to make things easier for you. Her level of service and thoughtfulness truly stand out.”
- Sherri Orlofsky, graduate enrollment coordinator in Fox Graduate School, whose nominator wrote: “Sherri is amazing! She is very knowledgeable and extremely helpful in solving issues as they arise. Sherri's kind and warm interactions create a positive work environment and make her a joy to work with.”
- Katina Pacella, proposal and award generalist in the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research, whose nominator wrote: “What truly distinguishes Katina is her willingness to support colleagues, share knowledge and step in wherever needed with a positive attitude to ensure collective success. She exemplifies the values of teamwork by encouraging collaboration across roles and functions.”
- Dorothea Paige, lead post-award coordinator in the College of Health and Human Development (HHD), whose nominator wrote: “Dorothea brings an extraordinary level of expertise to post-award grants and research, paired with a deep understanding that colleagues genuinely rely on. She is a dedicated, thoughtful leader with a strong work ethic — and she is consistently supportive, collaborative and a true pleasure to work with!”
- Emily Robison, academic records coordinator in the College of Engineering, whose nominator wrote: “Emily is highly collaborative and brought new ideas on streamlining processes to the Advising Center. She learns quickly and became so proficient that she already trains others in the community of practice and helps departments when short staffed. Her initiative is appreciated!”
- Mandy Smith, master gardener coordinator and educator in Penn State Extension, whose nominator wrote: “As editor of the Master Gardener newsletter, Mandy's keen editorial eye, tireless attention to detail, and commitment to research-based education have elevated Home Garden News into a publication the entire Extension community is proud of. We're deeply grateful!”
- Taylor Smith, financial associate in the Department of Biology in Eberly College of Science, whose nominator wrote: “Taylor is known for his resourcefulness and strong knowledge of financial and travel policies. No matter how busy he is, he’s always willing to help with a positive attitude, making him a valued member of the Biology community.”
- Malinda Suprise, evaluation specialist in Penn State Extension, whose nominator wrote: “Malinda eagerly supports colleagues and, even when busy, provides clear, detailed guidance that helps educators understand their evaluations and succeed in their programs and promotion dossiers.”
- Jeanette Tressler, administrative support manager in the College of Education, whose nominator wrote: “Jeanette demonstrates exemplary leadership, integrity and commitment, and she is dedicated to facilitating the professional growth and personal well-being of everyone in her department.”
- Penny Ward, instructional designer in the College of Engineering, whose nominator wrote: “Penny assists several departments with meeting accessibility requirements for remote instruction. Her knowledge, ability to gather requirements and find solutions while managing many projects is proof of her organization and expertise. She is a true team member.”
- Tanner Ziacik, assistant director of development in Schreyer Honors College, whose nominator wrote: “Tanner is growing into a strong development leader for Schreyer. He is building meaningful relationships with alumni and expanding opportunities for our students. His discipline, drive and commitment to impact are helping shape the future of our scholars.”
Thank you to these individuals and everyone across the University who contributes to making Penn State such an incredible community!
Do you know someone who deserves a shout out? If you do, consider nominating that person by filling out a short online form.