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Student Services

Student Services
Student Services

Because success is achieved with 

a little support along the way

Liberal Arts is a community of people with a genuine interest in developing long-standing interpersonal relationships that help students succeed before and after they graduate. With this goal in mind, Liberal Arts Student Services connect students with the resources and opportunities they need to be successful. Our Student Services offices are all centrally located in Sparks Building.

Academic Advising

Academic Advising supports student success through a combination of in-person and virtual advising meetings. Students are encouraged to meet with their adviser at least once a semester to discuss courses, degree progress, education abroad, and more. Students can also meet with a peer adviser or the academic recovery specialist.

Academic Scholarships

Academic scholarships are a key piece to college affordability. Thanks to the generosity of our Liberal Arts alumni and donors, the College of the Liberal Arts offers need-based scholarships for students with at least one Liberal Arts undergraduate major enrolled at Penn State University Park.

Career Enrichment Network

The Career Enrichment Network is a resource for Liberal Arts students looking for career-readiness, international, and professional development activities. Students can meet with a career coach to discuss internships, education abroad, research, the Liberal Arts Alumni Mentor Program, and more!

I have received extensive support from the Career Enrichment Network through career coaching and workshops, as well as by taking the LA 103 professional development course this semester, which has been an amazing opportunity to learn more about beginning a career post-graduation.
Felicity Sarnoff, who is the Penn State College of the Liberal Arts as college marshal for the fall 2024 commencement ceremony, stands in front of trees and bushes at Penn State University Park.
Felicity Sarnoff

Chaiken Center for Student Success

The Chaiken Center for Student Success connects and guides students to the right resources and support they need—when they need it—in their academic journey. The Chaiken Center is a built-in community designed specifically for Liberal Arts students to connect to peers, support staff, and others providing resource information and friendly networking opportunities crucial to their college success.

Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity

The Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity supports the success of the traditionally underrepresented students in higher education. The office serves as a collaborative link with other University partners to support student success. The office helps students get involved through student organizations, research opportunities, education abroad experiences, and more.

Paterno Fellows Program

The Paterno Fellows Program is an innovative program offered jointly by the College of the Liberal Arts and Schreyer Honors College that encourages students to challenge themselves academically and distinguish themselves in areas traditionally associated with the liberal arts—ethics, service, and leadership; excellence in communication; and intercultural awareness.

Penn State student, Ima Bazan will graduate with a bachelor's degree in 2024.
Career Enrichment NetworkGlobal and International StudiesInternational PoliticsInternship

Ima Bazan

’24
International Politics
|
Global and International Studies
|
International Affairs (master’s)
International Politics
Global and International Studies
International Affairs (master’s)
With support from the Career Enrichment Network, both financial and social, Ima was able to land an internship with Justice Desk Africa in Cape Town, South Africa. The human rights nonprofit empowers everyday activists to fight gender-based violence and toxic masculinity and provide positive role models for individuals throughout South African townships. As part of his internship, Ima focused on the iNtsika yeThemba Project, which works with boys affected by gender-based violence.
Ethan Sten is the Penn State College of the Liberal Arts' fall 2023 student marshal.
Career Enrichment Network

Ethan Sten

’23
Psychology
|
Sustainability Leadership (minor)
Psychology
Sustainability Leadership (minor)
With enrichment funding support from the Career Enrichment Network, Ethan traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for the Society for the Study of Human Development conference. The funding covered conference fees, travel expenses and his hotel reservation. While there, Ethan presented one of his research projects from the Cole Development of Emotion Regulation Lab. Ethan also received enrichment funding to support an internship with Cornerstone Coordinated Health Care.
Nina Castillo Schoonewolff participated in the “Organized Crime in Curaçao” embedded program offered by the College of the Liberal Arts.
Academic AdvisingCareer Enrichment NetworkEducation AbroadGlobal and International StudiesInternational Politics

Nina Castillo Schoonewolff

’24
International Politics
|
Global and International Studies
International Politics
Global and International Studies
With support from her academic advisers and the Career Enrichment Network, Nina spent a semester studying in Milan, Italy. There she took courses in psychology, political science and Italian. “It was such a surreal experience. I was speechless getting to experience and appreciate all the architecture and history.”
Amanda Mohamed is the spring 2024 Liberal Arts college marshal.
Academic AdvisingCampus LeaderCareer Enrichment NetworkCivic and Community EngagementFirst-GenGlobal and International StudiesLabor and Human ResourcesPaterno FellowsSchreyer ScholarSpanish

Amanda Mohamed

’24
Labor and Human Resources
|
Global and International Studies
|
Spanish
|
Civic and Community Engagement (minor)
Labor and Human Resources
Global and International Studies
Spanish
Civic and Community Engagement (minor)
Graduating with three degrees, Amanda, the spring 2024 Liberal Arts college marshal, made the most of her time as an undergraduate student. Her love of learning took her abroad to Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Santiago, Chile, which in turn helped her land a human resources internship with First National Bank Corporation. On campus, she conducted research as a fellow for The Brain Tracking Lab and was a Lion Ambassador. Amanda is pursuing a master’s degree in higher education at the University of Maryland, College Park.
DanielZahn (1)
Career Enrichment NetworkCommunication Arts and SciencesEducation AbroadEnglishEnrichment FundingPaterno FellowsPhilosophyResearch

Daniel Zahn

’20
English
|
Philosophy
|
Communication Arts and Sciences
English
Philosophy
Communication Arts and Sciences
As a student, Daniel, a Paterno Fellow alumnus, participated in a linguistics research project in Bassila, Benin made possible by the Career Enrichment Network, where his research focused on everyday language use.
MitchellWooten (1)
Career Enrichment NetworkEconomicsPolitical Science

Mitchell Wootten

’19
Political Science
|
Economics minor
Political Science
Economics minor
Mitchell, a policy specialist for Google, advises current students to take advantage of Penn State’s career resources, including the Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network. Mitchell says his Liberal Arts education provided analysis tools needed to be an effective leader and communicator.
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