News

Penn State Votes’ Ballot Buddy Block Party is a student-designed fun fair that offers nonpartisan civic education to encourage students to understand, embrace and exercise their “low effort, high impact” voting rights.

Britt Wray, a Stanford Medicine researcher who studies how climate change affects mental health, will visit Penn State University Park Oct.12-13 for a series of events culminating in a Sustainability Showcase keynote talk at 5:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Oct. 13, in 121 Sparks Building and online.

Penn State student Jansen Hoffard gained firsthand experience in transportation policy while living and working in Washington, D.C., this summer.

The 2026 Alumni Fellows returned to Penn State to receive the Alumni Association’s highest honor and celebrate their achievements, impact and connection to the University.

The Master of Public Policy program in Penn State’s School of Public Policy was recently granted accreditation by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA).

Students from Penn State’s University Park and Harrisburg campuses explored careers in public policy and government through networking opportunities, panel discussions and lightning-round talks during a career exploration event in Harrisburg.

On Sept. 15, Penn State’s Department of History held the “America 250: Let’s Talk History!” program, a daylong series of panel discussions and presentations reflecting on the country’s unique and complex origin story.

Penn State alumna Nia Smith helped establish the Liberal Arts Chaiken Center’s peer success coaching program, an experience that continues to shape how she supports others and approaches her career.

Penn State student Colleen McKenzie has combined her interests in forensic science and Spanish through research, education abroad and an internship in Spain.

From attending Penn State Football games as a child to watching his own children graduate and attend the University, John Barlett’s connection to the University spans a lifetime. His family’s story includes generations of Penn Staters whose experiences continue to shape his family’s connection to the University.

The Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence announced the recipients of the 2026-27 Curriculum and Instruction Renewal Program grants, designed for program-level renewal projects that align with the institute’s mission.

Penn State World Campus has launched new credentials in artificial intelligence (AI) and resources to bring AI into the virtual classroom as part of the University’s efforts to help prepare students and professionals for an AI-driven world.

The Liberal Arts Chaiken Center for Student Success is celebrating its fifth anniversary during the 2026–27 academic year, marking five years of helping students find community, build confidence and develop the skills and relationships they need to thrive at Penn State and beyond.

Penn State Sustainability’s Intersections Film Series will launch its 2026-27 season with a screening of “Hungry to Learn” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30. The film highlights the widespread issue of food insecurity among college students and its impact on student success, while also spotlighting emerging solutions.

The Population Research Institute and the Collaborative on Population Aging Disparities will host the Population Science Seminar Series this fall, featuring hour-long talks from scholars whose research examines population dynamics and the social forces that shape them. Seminars will take place on select Tuesdays from noon to 1 p.m. in the Susan Welch Liberal Arts Building, room 314.

Trusting News executive director Joy Mayer and project manager Mollie Muchna will accept the Brown Democracy Medal from the McCourtney Institute for Democracy and present a lecture from their forthcoming book, “The Transparency Imperative: Journalism, Trust, and the Future of an Informed Democracy,” on Oct. 8 at 4 p.m. in Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno LIbrary.