Graduates leverage Penn State’s online programs to advance careers

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State World Campus alumni are applying their online educations to make an impact across industries.

Rebecca Schreiber, Jeff Sharp and Jimmy Kroon, have each leveraged Penn State’s online programs to advance their careers while balancing family, work and other responsibilities.

Rebecca Schreiber

Schreiber, who earned a master of education in higher education from the College of Education through Penn State World Campus in 2024, has applied her degree to expand access and opportunity within the legal profession. As assistant dean of admissions and financial aid at Penn State Dickinson Law, she focuses on how financial aid policies can better support students. This work earned her the 2025 Financial Aid Change-Maker Award from the Association of American Law Schools, an honor that recognizes those who create structural and systemic change in financial aid innovation to increase legal education and diversify the legal profession.

Schreiber completed her degree while working full-time and raising a family, taking one course at a time to balance her responsibilities. She said the program strengthened her ability to analyze data and approach decision-making strategically, particularly through course work in institutional research and leadership. Her academic focus on financial aid, equity and access continues to shape her work as she develops policies and practices that support student success and institutional goals.

Learn more about Schreiber’s journey.

Jeff Sharp

Sharp, president of Source 21, pursued the Penn State Online Master of Business Administration program, led by the Smeal College of Business, to deepen his financial expertise and prepare for executive leadership. He completed the program while working in a demanding role, applying concepts in real time to strengthen his understanding of how businesses operate and make strategic decisions.

Sharp said the MBA provided a strong foundation in finance and structured thinking, both of which have been critical in his career. Courses such as "Global Strategic Management" helped him develop the ability to evaluate complex challenges and make decisions with incomplete information. He said he later used that framework to help evaluate and acquire Source 21, where he now leads with a focus on disciplined execution, working capital management and long-term growth.

Learn more about Sharp’s journey.

Jimmy Kroon

Kroon, who earned a master of geographic information systems (MGIS) from the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences through Penn State World Campus, used his education to build a long-term career in public service. While working full-time at the Delaware Department of Agriculture, he completed the online program in 2011. He began his career as a GIS coordinator before advancing into leadership roles, including farmland preservation program director and deputy secretary, where he helps shape agricultural policy for the state.

Kroon said his course work provided a blend of transferable technical skills that proved valuable well beyond his early GIS roles. He added that felt the systems analysis and project management course work gave him the expertise to break down complex problems and lead projects effectively. His work has also contributed to modernizing how agricultural data is collected and shared, improving accessibility through web-based tools.

He has remained connected to Penn State by teaching and advising students, emphasizing the importance of applying GIS in real-world contexts. Kroon said his experience reflects how flexible online learning can support career growth while preparing graduates to take on broader leadership responsibilities.

Learn more about Kroon’s journey.

Together, these alumni highlight how Penn State World Campus supports working professionals in achieving their goals. Through flexible, high-quality programs, graduates are prepared to lead, innovate and make meaningful contributions in their fields.

Penn State World Campus has been offering a Penn State education online for more than 25 years. Find out more about how online learning works  on the World Campus website.