UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Victoria Karen Cuba, an elementary and early childhood education major from Pittsburgh, has been chosen as the Penn State College of Education's student marshal for summer 2025 commencement.
Cuba, the daughter of Jay and Colleen Cuba, has been on the dean’s list for seven of her eight semesters at Penn State. She currently holds a 3.76 GPA and was awarded a merit scholarship for the 2023-24 academic year.
While at Penn State, Cuba has served as a member of the Young Life and Trilogy organizations and as a fraternity sweetheart for Phi Sigma Kappa.
Cuba completed her student teaching in a fourth-grade classroom in the Glendale School District in Flinton, Pennsylvania. She also has served as a K-4 substitute teacher at Glendale and a kindergarten teacher in State College.
She has been a teaching assistant at Penn State for the course BISC3: Environmental Science with Professor Jennifer Anderson and at the Bennett Family Center at University Park. Additionally, she has worked for Penn State Dining in a food service/cashier position.
“I’m flattered and ecstatic — it is such an honor and a privilege [to serve as student marshal],” Cuba said. “Penn State has allowed me to be open to new experiences. The University provided me with so many valuable opportunities that allowed me to grow as an educator, student and individual. Doing what I love and embracing the college journey is what has made my experience more than memorable and something I will always cherish.”
After graduation, Cuba, an alumna of Upper St. Clair High School, plans to return to Pittsburgh to begin her career as an educator.
Penn State’s summer commencement ceremonies are scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Bryce Jordan Center on the University Park campus. The ceremony for those receiving associate and baccalaureate degrees begins at 9:30 a.m., with the master’s degree ceremony at 1 p.m. and the doctoral degree ceremony at 4:30 p.m.