Student Lucy Taylor selected as Liberal Arts college marshal for spring commencement

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Lucy Taylor will represent the Penn State College of the Liberal Arts as its college marshal at the spring commencement ceremony on May 10 in the Bryce Jordan Center at University Park.

The Wilmington, Delaware, native will graduate with a bachelor of arts degree in Spanish and a bachelor of science degree in integrative science. Her time at Penn State has been defined by an intentional blending of disciplines — uniting the humanities and sciences to prepare for a future in medicine.

“I came in thinking I had to major in biology to go into medicine,” Taylor said. “But over time, I realized that having a background in both science and the humanities would actually make me a stronger caregiver. Medicine isn’t just about understanding biology — it’s about connecting with people.”

Taylor’s love for language learning started in high school, where Spanish became one of her favorite subjects. She initially declared a biochemistry and molecular biology major at Penn State but soon found herself craving a more holistic academic experience. After discovering the integrative science major in the Eberly College of Science, she realized she didn’t have to choose between two passions — she could pursue both.

“Studying Spanish gave me insight into different cultures and perspectives, and I knew that would be valuable in any medical setting,” she said. “I didn’t want to give that up, and Penn State made it possible to do both.”

Taylor has put her language skills into practice as a volunteer Spanish medical interpreter with Centre Volunteers in Medicine and as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher with the Mid-State Literacy Council. She said these opportunities helped her see how critical communication and cultural understanding are in building trust between patients and providers.

Drawn to Penn State for its size, resources, and diverse student body, Taylor found that the University challenged her to grow beyond her comfort zone. She said she intentionally chose a place that would push her, knowing she’d encounter people both similar to and different from herself — an experience that helped her grow personally and prepared her for a future in medicine.

Taylor also embraced research, which she described as a key part to her academic journey. In her second year, she joined the lab of Giuli Dussias, distinguished professor of Spanish, linguistics and psychology, and later became a Partnerships for International Research and Education (PIRE) Fellow. Through the fellowship, she traveled to Granada, Spain, to collect data for a psycholinguistics project using eye-tracking technology. When she returned to Penn State, she analyzed the results and mentored the next group of fellows continuing the work.

“I had to make decisions quickly, troubleshoot problems and really take ownership of the research,” she said. “It was uncomfortable at times, but it helped me build confidence and resilience — skills I’ll carry with me into medical school and beyond.”

Her love for travel and experiential learning also led her to study abroad in Cádiz, Spain, and to participate in the “Anatomy in Italy” spring break embedded program, where she explored historical and scientific aspects of human anatomy in an international context.

Outside the classroom, Taylor served as president of the Penn State Outing Club, one of the University’s oldest student organizations. She frequently spent time hiking, biking and exploring the outdoors around State College — activities she said helped her recharge and stay grounded during her busy college years.

After graduation, Taylor will continue working in Dussias’ lab while applying to medical school for admission in 2026. She credits both of her colleges — the Eberly College of Science and the College of the Liberal Arts — for equipping her with the academic foundation and real-world experiences to pursue her goals.

“It’s such an honor to be selected as the college marshal,” she said. “When I started here, I never imagined this path for myself, but the College of the Liberal Arts helped me grow so much — through relationships with faculty, the chance to study abroad and the ability to explore different areas of study.”

Looking back on her Penn State experience, Taylor emphasized how valuable it was to pursue a nontraditional academic path — and how much support she received in doing so.

“I never felt like I had to limit myself to one interest,” she said. “I was able to study science and Spanish at the same time, and that combination has given me a richer perspective. I hope other students see that they don’t have to fit into one mold. You can create your own path, and Penn State is the kind of place that lets you do that.”