Liberal Arts Experiences

Each Liberal Arts Experience is unique

But they all share similar traits: a sense of curiosity and exploration, a desire to learn and grow, and a yearning to make the world a better place. Experience some of that “experience” yourself through the stories of our students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Student Experiences

Read stories about our students making a difference on campus and in the community, and their experiences inside and beyond the classroom.

Receiving academic scholarships has been a huge support during my time at Penn State. It’s allowed me to focus on my goals and take advantage of all the opportunities here without constantly worrying about finances.

Jedily Alvarado

Grad ResearchInternational StudentPublic Policy

Halima Binte Islam

’25

Public Policy (master's degree)

One of the highlights of her time at Penn State has been the opportunity to engage in hands-on research. Halima is especially focused on projects related to digital inclusion and AI privacy policy. She is currently conducting a systematic review on smartphone ownership in developing regions, exploring how access to technology can empower communities.

Academic Scholarships

Tyler Hoppe

’25

Political Science

Psychology

Political Science

Psychology

Tyler is thankful for the funding he has received throughout his time at Penn State. “Fortunately, I’ve been awarded multiple scholarships from Penn State, the National Federation of the Blind, Team See Possibilities and the American Council of the Blind, enabling me to pursue my continued education,” he said. “Coming from a family unable to afford college funding or loans, I comprehensively apply for every scholarship I qualify for each semester to sustain my education and collegiate success.”

Academic Scholarships

Kara Stover

’26

Criminology

Psychology

Criminology

Psychology

Financial support from Academic Scholarships allowed Kara to focus on her studies and her work with a local fire company, rather than holding additional jobs. “I genuinely do not know what I would do without them.”

Academic Scholarships

Cherish Graham

’26

Psychology

As a repeat recipient of the Virginia “Jake” Coskery Craig Trustee Scholarship, Cherish said she is thankful for the funding she has received from the College of the Liberal Arts. “It has been a huge blessing to me, my family, and just a great financial support in that sense. I am really grateful for that. I always look forward to writing a letter to Mrs. Craig every year, since it is a continuous scholarship.”

Academic Scholarships

Igor Latsanych

’25

Political Science

International Politics

Political Science

International Politics

Igor received academic scholarships and enrichment funding, allowing him to devote more time to his studies and extracurriculars. “The time provided and the pressure relieved by the funding allowed me a lot more time to concentrate on my personal and professional development.”

Career Enrichment Network

Nathan Noel

’25

Psychology

Sociology (minor)

Psychology

Sociology (minor)

Through resume review events and one-on-one career coaching with Career Enrichment Network staff members like Dayna Wenger and Lauren Granese, he was able to refine his graduate school application. “Lauren Granese was especially helpful with my personal statement. The network played a huge role in my application process.”

Grad ResearchInternational StudentPublic Policy

Halima Binte Islam

’25

Public Policy (master's degree)

Academic Scholarships

Tyler Hoppe

’25

Political Science

Psychology

Political Science

Psychology

Academic Scholarships

Kara Stover

’26

Criminology

Psychology

Criminology

Psychology

Academic Scholarships

Cherish Graham

’26

Psychology

Academic Scholarships

Igor Latsanych

’25

Political Science

International Politics

Political Science

International Politics

Career Enrichment Network

Nathan Noel

’25

Psychology

Sociology (minor)

Psychology

Sociology (minor)

Grad ResearchInternational StudentPublic Policy

Halima Binte Islam

’25

Public Policy (master's degree)

5,500

undergraduate students

800

students participating in out-of-classroom experiences

870

graduate students

1,500

undergraduates met with a career coach

events hosted by the Career Enrichment Network

of students identity as a member of a minority group

Most diverse college at Penn State University Park

Majors of Our Students

76%

social sciences

13%

humanities

languages

area and interdisciplinary studies

Faculty and Staff Experiences

Read stories about our faculty and the amazing work they do examining the past in order to make meaningful changes in the present that lead to a promising future, and the incredible staff who are so deeply committed to student, faculty, and alumni success.

Faculty Research

Hil Malatino

Associate Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Philosophy

Joyce L. and Douglas S. Sherwin Early Career Professor in the Rock Ethics Institute

Associate Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Philosophy

Joyce L. and Douglas S. Sherwin Early Career Professor in the Rock Ethics Institute

While conducting research, Hil Malatino, came to the realization that a vast trove of archival documents devoted to trans history had yet to be unearthed and analyzed by contemporary scholars. That insight led Malatino to conceive the project, “Widening the Arc of Trans History: Archival Research for Public Storytelling,” which recently received a $500,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Faculty Research

Martha Wadsworth

Professor of Psychology

Martha received a new five-year $5.5 million NIMH grant to expand her BaSICS program (Building a Strong Identity and Coping Skills), which helps middle schoolers manage chronic stress through evidence-based strategies.

Faculty Research

Karen Bierman

Evan Pugh University Professor of Psychology

Karen’s decades-long work—including the Head Start REDI (Research-based, Developmentally Informed) initiative—demonstrates the lasting impact of evidence-based programs designed to strengthen school readiness in young children. This early support connects to better outcomes in adolescence. 

Faculty Research

Katie Burkhouse

Associate Professor of Psychology

Katie’s externally funded research explores behavioral and brain-based risk factors for youth depression with a focus on early interventions. She integrates methods such as electroencephalography (EEG), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and behavioral data. She currently leads two major grants from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), totaling more than $7.3 million, and is a collaborator on several other federally and state-funded projects including the $11 million State of Ohio Adversity and Resiliency Study. 

Faculty Research

Ricardo “Rico” Brooks

Assistant Professor of Industrial-organizational Psychology

Ricardo’s research explores multiple factors associated with workplace learning and development. His work will address a major gap in the field – that most employee learning is informal (about the individual), yet most organizations focus on organizational-centric approaches (what’s best for the organization).  

Faculty AchievementFaculty Research

Peter Arnett

Penn State Distinguished Professor of Psychology

Peter Arnett received Reitan Clinical Excellence Award from he National Academy of Neuropsychology. Recipients of the award are recognized for their long-term impact in the field of clinical neuropsychology.

Faculty Research

Hil Malatino

Associate Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Philosophy

Joyce L. and Douglas S. Sherwin Early Career Professor in the Rock Ethics Institute

Associate Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Philosophy

Joyce L. and Douglas S. Sherwin Early Career Professor in the Rock Ethics Institute

Faculty Research

Martha Wadsworth

Professor of Psychology

Faculty Research

Karen Bierman

Evan Pugh University Professor of Psychology

Faculty Research

Katie Burkhouse

Associate Professor of Psychology

Faculty Research

Ricardo “Rico” Brooks

Assistant Professor of Industrial-organizational Psychology

Faculty AchievementFaculty Research

Peter Arnett

Penn State Distinguished Professor of Psychology

Faculty Research

Hil Malatino

Associate Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Philosophy

Joyce L. and Douglas S. Sherwin Early Career Professor in the Rock Ethics Institute

Associate Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Philosophy

Joyce L. and Douglas S. Sherwin Early Career Professor in the Rock Ethics Institute

782 full-time faculty

325

tenured faculty

tenure-track faculty

374

non-tenure track faculty (full-time)

159

non-tenure track faculty (part-time)

122 Named and Distinguished Professors

named professors

Liberal Arts professors

distinguished professors

Sparks professors

early career professors and
career development professors

University
endowed fellows

Evan Pugh University
Professors

named deans chairs
and directorships

305

full-time staff

Alumni Experiences

Read stories about the incredible impact our alumni have on their alma mater, their professions, and the communities in which they live through their leadership, engagement, and philanthropy.

Funding from the Career Enrichment Network has allowed me to supplement the various experiences I’ve been lucky enough to receive both within and beyond academics.

Charis Liu

Academic Scholarships

Kara Stover

’26

Criminology

Psychology

Criminology

Psychology

Enrichment Funding

Hunter Steach

’26

Political Science

Hunter credits the Career Enrichment Network for making his internship in Washington D.C. possible through enrichment funding. “Washington, D.C., is notoriously expensive, and this funding lifted the financial burden off my shoulders, allowing me to fully focus on my career development.”

Enrichment Funding

Igor Latsanych

’25

Political Science

International Politics

Political Science

International Politics

Enrichment Funding

Noa Diggs

’26

Criminology

Noa supported her embedded program experience in Amsterdam through enrichment funding. “This program in Amsterdam was my first opportunity to participate in a learning abroad experience, and I am incredibly thankful and excited to have had the opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture and gain insights into how other countries approach complex social and policy challenges.”

Enrichment Funding

Emily Cotrufello

’25

English

International Politics

English

International Politics

“I always wanted to study abroad but was unsure if I would be able to financially. … It was one of the best experiences of my life.” Emily was able to study abroad as part of the Literary London faculty-led program, thanks to enrichment funding from the Career Enrichment Network.

Academic Scholarships

Tyler Hoppe

’25

Political Science

Psychology

Political Science

Psychology

Academic Scholarships

Kara Stover

’26

Criminology

Psychology

Criminology

Psychology

Enrichment Funding

Hunter Steach

’26

Political Science

Enrichment Funding

Igor Latsanych

’25

Political Science

International Politics

Political Science

International Politics

Enrichment Funding

Noa Diggs

’26

Criminology

Enrichment Funding

Emily Cotrufello

’25

English

International Politics

English

International Politics

Academic Scholarships

Tyler Hoppe

’25

Political Science

Psychology

Political Science

Psychology

Academic Scholarships

Kara Stover

’26

Criminology

Psychology

Criminology

Psychology

213

student/alumni mentoring relationships

100K

liberal arts alumni

760

donor-funded accounts in the college

$ 0 M+

provided in scholarships (2021–22)

$ 0 k

provided in enrichment funding last year

Liberal Arts Experiences

Each Liberal Arts Experience is unique

Student Experiences

Tyler Hoppe

Faculty and Staff Experiences

Martha Wadsworth

Alumni Experiences

Hunter Steach

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