New student organization champions diversity

Table of Contents

Message from Dean Peggy A. Johnson 1 Mission and vision statements 2 Scholars lending a hand during pandemic 3 New student organization champions diversity 4 Schreyer for Women impacting communities 5 The year in review 6 Student and alumni award winners 7 Assessment leads to defined student outcomes 8-9 Nursing student hopes to break damaging cycles 10 Scholar maps cancer-suppressing protein 11 Facts and figures 12-13 Semester abroad shows Scholar importance 14 of conservation Scholar researches humanitarian applications 15 of drones Honors College set path for Medtronic CEO 16 Alumnus using Oxford program to expand impact 17 Admissions director helping students find 18-19 their fit DHFP shows students another side of faculty 20 Data analyst uses numbers to tell stories 21 Founder’s influence inspires donors 22 Our boards 23 Brunings helping parents and families stay 24 connected

Credits: Creative Director: Wade Bennett Director of Strategic Communications, Schreyer Honors College Editor-in-Chief: Jeff Rice Public Relations Specialist, Schreyer Honors College Graphic Design: Jim Pryslak Photography: Steve Tressler, Pat Little, Jeff Rice, Kerry McCann, Michelle Bixby, Provided images Produced by the Schreyer Honors College Office of Strategic Communications Contact: 814-863-2635, shcpr@psu.edu

shc.psu.edu

 /PSUSHC  @pennstatehonors  /PSUSHC

Message from Dean Peggy A. Johnson

This year has been nothing if not remarkable! Our Scholars and staff have been learning and working remotely since spring break in March due to the corona- virus pandemic. Yet, in spite of what might be considered a major disruption, our Scholars, staff, faculty, and alumni have responded with creativity and determination that will surely impress you as you read these pages.

One year ago, Dr. Lynette Yarger joined us as our new Assistant Dean for Equity and Inclusion. The timing has proven to be fortuitous. In recent months, as people around the nation voice their desire for a more just society, our Scholars and Scholar alumni have voiced concern for diversity and equitable support of underrepresented students at Penn State and in the Schreyer Honors College. Dr. Yarger has been working tirelessly with student groups, including the Scholar Diversity Task Force and Minorities in Schreyer (see story on page 4), and the Scholar Alumni Society Board (SASB) to develop ideas and action plans that leverage the energy of this moment. The SASB has also formed a new committee that will focus on supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in our community. Together, and with a renewed commitment to these issues, we will continue to move the College forward to a place where everyone is welcome, recognized, valued, and supported. This is necessary change and it has the full focus and attention of my leadership team, the staff, and our partners across the University.

Some of you may befamiliar with the Penn State Fact Book, which includes statistics on admissions and enrollments for graduate and undergraduate stu- dents at University Park and the campuses. The statistics include the number of students enrolled at each campus and in each academic college, along with demographics in a variety of categories, including underrepresented minorities and international students. Unfortunately, the Schreyer Honors College is not represented in that composite for several reasons, including the fact that our Scholars are already counted in the data from the academic colleges at the University. Thus, we have added those statistics to the ‘Facts and Figures’ section on page 13 and will continue to do so in the future. For consistency, we have used the same categories that Penn State uses. We clearly have much work to do to increase the minority population in our College. In the meantime, and just as importantly, we must work harder to ensure that our underrepresented students feel welcome, included, and equitably supported.

I hope you will enjoy reading this issue of SCHOLAR: The Magazine of the Schreyer Honors College. Our mission and vision are embedded in everything our students, faculty, staff, and alumni do. They are the embodiment of the Schreyer legacy and I am so proud and honored to be part of this extraordinary community!

Peggy A. Johnson, PhD, F.EWRI Dean, Schreyer Honors College Penn State