Paterno Fellow blazes trail as student and firefighter

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — For Kara Stover, a third-year Penn State student, life is a delicate balance of academics and service. The Paterno Fellow and Schreyer Scholar is double-majoring in criminology and psychology and is dedicated to understanding the complexities of crime, specifically arson. But her studies don’t stop in the classroom — she is also a firefighter at the Alpha Fire Company in State College, Pennsylvania.

Through her coursework and out-of-classroom experiences, Stover has found ways to combine her interests in criminology, psychology and firefighting to prepare for a career as a fire investigator.

Raised in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, Stover said she first developed an interest in criminology during high school, captivated by shows like “Criminal Minds” and “Mindhunter.” She arrived at Penn State with a clear desire to study criminology, but a psychology course in high school sparked her interest in understanding the human mind, leading her to pursue two majors.

“I spoke with my academic adviser about possibly double-majoring because I knew I wasn’t going to be able to give criminology up,” Stover said.

This decision has allowed her to delve deeper into the psychology behind crime, giving her a well-rounded perspective, she said. Her two academic passions also led her to a summer internship at the Office of District Attorney for Clinton County, where she gained an inside perspective on the justice system. Shadowing both the district attorney and assistant district attorneys, she observed the daily operations of the office and discovered that real-life court cases are often a far cry from TV dramas.

“I followed along to watch first court appearances, preliminary hearings, adjudications, sentencings and even juvenile and civil proceedings. It gave me an inside peek into our justice system, and it is not what you see on TV,” she said, dispelling the glamorized notion of a prosecutor’s role.

Stover said the internship provided valuable insights into the preparation needed for each case, helping her to connect the dots between her studies and real-world applications.

“I was able to see some of the behind-the-scenes, including the district attorney approving charges and preparing for sentencing. My internship showed me just how much preparation was needed for each case,” she said.

At Penn State, Stover is continuing to explore her passions through her honors thesis. She said being an honors student at Penn State has allowed her to explore her interests in a way that otherwise might not have been possible.

“My thesis topic of arson is an area I would not have pursued if not for my thesis project," Stover said. "However, the more I research it, the more interested I become in my topic.”

Not initially admitted to the Schreyer Honors College, Stover at New Student Orientation learned about the Paterno Fellows Program in the College of the Liberal Arts, which offers students a pathway to the honors college. Determined to meet the challenge, she pursued the Paterno Fellows requirements, eventually securing her place in the honors college.

“The Paterno Fellows Program has offered me a spot in the honors college, which was something I was not sure I would achieve after being initially denied,” Stover said. “I was so fortunate to be able to prove myself to the college and earn my spot.”

Stover’s path as a firefighter began at home. Her father, a firefighter for more than 30 years, was a constant presence and inspiration, she said, while her brother’s involvement piqued her interest at an early age.

“When I was 16, there was a fire down the street from my house. My dad ran down the street, and I wanted to go with him to help out any way that I could. The next day, I applied to my home fire company, Eastside Fire Rescue,” she said.

As soon as she became eligible, she joined Alpha Fire Company in State College, and was recently promoted to rescue lieutenant. As an officer, she is tasked with teaching newer members the techniques that are used within the rescue company.

“It also means that people look to me for leadership — both in the station and while on calls — and as someone they can look up to within the company," she said.

In her new role, Stover embraces a daily routine that combines training, calls and academic responsibilities.

“It’s been a great experience so far. It can sometimes be a bit stressful, with long training days, late nights on calls, and the challenge of balancing homework along with classes,” Stover said.

Grateful for the supportive environment at the station, she said, “There’s this understanding around the station that we’re students first and that firefighting can’t always be at the top of our priorities.”

Reflecting on her time at Penn State, Stover acknowledged the role of academic scholarships in making her education possible. With her family agreement that she would fund her own tuition, scholarships have been crucial, she said.

“I genuinely do not know what I would do without them,” she said.

This financial support has allowed Stover to focus on her studies and her work with Alpha, she added, rather than holding additional jobs.

Stover’s work as a firefighter and her academic path have opened new doors for her future, blending her skills in criminology and psychology with a deep commitment to public service. She said she's considering fire investigation as a potential career, a path that would allow her to unite her academic background and real-world experience in a meaningful way. She’s also considering law school but remains open to new possibilities.

“My work as a firefighter has shown me that it is something I would like to continue as long as possible," Stover said, "whether it be volunteering or staying active in some form or another.”

As a student and firefighter, Stover said she has had to step out of her comfort zone and embrace the challenges that come with balancing multiple roles.

“I came from a small town where my graduating class was smaller than some of my classes here,” she said.

Through her time at Alpha, Stover has made some of her closest friends and found a strong support network that has enriched her Penn State journey. She said her experience is a testament to what it means to live with purpose and give back, shaping her future with every step she takes.