Penn State World Campus alumni spotlights

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State World Campus graduates create lasting impact across the globe. These proud Penn State alumni earned their degrees online and continue to make a difference through their careers, leadership and personal achievements.

Penn State World Campus is spotlighting alumni whose stories demonstrate the transformative power of online learning. These Q&A spotlights are a part of “40k alumni: 40 stories celebrating 40,000 graduates,” a series marking the milestone of more than 40,000 Penn Staters earning their degrees online through Penn State World Campus.

George Gouin, Nia N. Maye and Krist Ricardo Matthew are three examples of alumni who are making an impact using their Penn State online education.

George Gouin: Advancing his career

George Gouin had more than 20 years of experience in the Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) industry and wanted to further advance his career. He said he knew his experience would carry him far, but needed a broader, more strategic perspective to earn a position in executive leadership.

He enrolled in the Penn State Online MBA program — a decision which, he said, proved to be a wise investment. Just over a year after earning his MBA online through Penn State World campus, he was promoted to chief operating officer at Mason Investment Advisory Services Inc.

“The MBA program has given me a new perspective on leadership and strategy. It opened my eyes to the diverse functional areas of a company and the leadership required throughout,” Gouin said. “Collaborating and learning alongside professionals from different fields made the experience meaningful and exposed me to new challenges and perspectives to evaluate.”

Read Gouin’s full Q&A on the Penn State World Campus Alumni and Friends website.

Nia N. Maye: Using her education to serve others

Nia N. Maye trusted Penn State World Campus for her educational experience while serving full-time and active-duty in the U.S. Navy.

Maye has served for more than 22 years, today working as an environmental health officer. She leads preventive medicine operations, ensuring force health protection through environmental surveillance, water testing, and occupational health assessments for deployed and garrison forces.

Earning a master's degree in project management helped make Maye a competitive candidate for a scholarship program which enhanced her training and allowed her to commission, she said.

“My master’s degree experience sharpened my leadership, risk management and strategic planning skills,” Maye said. “Penn State gave me the confidence and tools to lead with impact.”

Maye said her Penn State experience showed her real-world applicability of multiple project management methodologies which have helped make real change.

Read Maye’s full Q&A on the Penn State World Campus Alumni and Friends website.

Krist Ricardo Matthew: Enhancing sustainability and paying it forward

As a working adult, veteran and immigrant, Krist Ricardo Matthew wanted to advance his career and decided to go back to school. He enrolled in classes at local colleges, he said, but a conversation with a professor at Penn State changed his trajectory.

Matthew earned a bachelor of science degree in energy sustainability policy in 2019 online through Penn State World Campus.

“As an immigrant from Trinidad and Tobago, I have faced challenges that many may never fully understand — navigating uncertainty, dedicating myself to military service and higher education to earn my citizenship, and working tirelessly toward the American dream,” Matthew said.

His work is more than just a profession, he said — It’s a belief that access to sustainable solutions should be available to everyone.

“Since graduating from Penn State, promoting energy efficiency has become my way of paying it forward — helping homeowners make informed decisions that lead to real financial and environmental benefits," Matthew said.

Read Matthew’s full Q&A on the Penn State World Campus Alumni and Friends website.

A Penn State education online

Penn State World Campus has been offering a Penn State education online for more than 25 years and is consistently recognized as one of the top institutions for online learning in Pennsylvania and the country.

Through World Campus, Penn State today offers a comprehensive selection of more than 200 degree and certificate programs.

Learn more about the success of these graduates on the World Campus Alumni and Friends website.