Liberal Arts Voices

Read the perspectives of our current students

Meet Kathleen Miller, Marshal for Classics & Ancient Mediterranean Studies

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Kathleen Miller is the daughter of Webb and Nancy Miller of State College, Pa.  A Schreyer Scholar, she is graduating with degrees in Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies and Comparative Literature and minors in Anthropology, English, History, and International Studies. Kathleen participated in four study abroad experiences in Egypt, Spain, and Greece.  She was co-founder and president of the Classics Club and volunteered with the Penn State Red Cross Club and Centre County PAWS.  Immediately after graduation, Kathleen will begin a master’s program in Creative Writing at Vermont College.

Escorting Faculty Marshal:  Mary Lou Zimmerman Munn, Associate Head and Senior Lecturer in Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies

By Robin Robinson

Meet Ashley Meeder, Marshal for Asian Studies

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Ashley Meeder is the daughter of Daniel Meeder of Erie, Pa. and Elizabeth and David Quinn of Stuttgart, Germany.  She is graduating with degrees in International Politics, Asian Studies, and International Studies and a minor in Chinese.  Ashley studied abroad in China and completed an internship with the Center for Global Studies.  She participated in Dance Marathon, was a member of the Penn State Chapter of Silver Wings, and volunteered with the International Student Services on campus.  After graduation, Ashley will join the Teach for America 2012 Memphis Corps.

Escorting Faculty Marshal:  Xiaoye You, Associate Professor of English and Asian Studies

By Robin Robinson

Meet Juozas Pocevicius, Marshal for Germanic and Slavic Languages & Literatures

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Juozas Pocevicius is the son of Angele Zoppetti of Latrobe, Pa.  He is graduating with degrees in Russian and International Politics, as well as a Business/Liberal Arts minor.  A recipient of the Ramadass Award, he is fluent in Lithuanian, Russian and German.  He studied abroad at St. Petersburg, Russia and was a scholar in the Strategic and Global Security Scholars’ Program.  Juozas completed an internship with Penn State’s International Center for the Study of Terrorism, served as a language tutor with Penn State’s Learning Center, and volunteered with both Dance Marathon and the Education Abroad Office. His post-graduate plans include working in the business field before pursuing a master’s degree in business administration.

Escorting Faculty Marshal:  Irina Mikaelian, Lecturer in Russian

By Robin Robinson

Meet Dylan Tuttle, Marshal for History

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Dylan Tuttle is the son of Stephen Tuttle of Warriors Mark, Pa.  A Schreyer Scholar, he is graduating with degrees in History and French and a minor in Political Science.  Dylan studied abroad in Dijon, France, and in Dakar, Senegal, where he studied international development and taught English to middle-school students.  He returned to Paris and Montpellier, France, to complete research for his honors thesis this year.  Dylan is fluent in French and has also learned elementary Wolof and German.  After graduation, he plans to pursue studies in urban planning.

Escorting Faculty Marshal:  Jonathan Brockopp, Associate Professor of Religious Studies and History

By Robin Robinson

Meet Jacqueline Ryan, Marshal for Communications Arts & Sciences

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Jacqueline Ryan is the daughter of Dr. Joan Ryan of Wallingford, Pa.  She is graduating with a degree in Communication Arts and Sciences and minors in Geography and in Science, Society, and the Environment of Africa.   A published author, Jacqueline studied abroad in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, where she taught in local schools and assisted with field research.  She completed internships with Ross Feller Casey, LLP, and with U.S. Representative Joe Sestak.  Jacqueline was a member of the Campus Beyond Coal Campaign, the Liberal Arts Mentor Program, and the Communication Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Committee.  In the fall, Jacqueline will begin law school at Villanova.

Escorting Faculty Marshal:  Stephen Browne, Professor of Communication Arts and Sciences

By Robin Robinson

Meet Charlee Redman, Marshal for French & Francophone Studies

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Charlee Redman is the daughter of Nancy and Charles Redman of Bethlehem, Pa.  She is graduating with degrees in French and English and a minor in International Studies.  A Schreyer Scholar, she studied abroad at the Sorbonne in Paris and completed internships with the Penn State University Press, the Music Review Blog Initiative at WPSU, and with Awareness Audiobooks in Bethlehem.   Charlee served on the staff of Penn State’s Problem Child literary magazine and was a tutor for both Penn State’s Learning Center and the Volunteers in Public Schools Program.  After graduation, she plans to pursue a doctorate in English literature.  

Escorting Faculty Marshal:  Willa Silverman, Professor of French and Jewish Studies

By Robin Robinson

Meet Rachael Green, Marshal for English

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Rachael Green is the daughter of Brian and Nancy Green of Ivyland, Pa.  A Schreyer Scholar, she is graduating with a degree in English.  Rachael studied abroad in Ireland, participated in research projects with faculty members, and completed an internship with the Center for American Literary Studies.  She was a SAT tutor/instructor, a blog writer for the Liberal Arts Undergraduate Studies Office, and a volunteer with Dance Marathon.  In the fall, Rachael plans to begin a graduate program at the University of Delaware. 

Escorting Faculty Marshal:  Sanford Schwartz, Associate Professor of English

By Robin Robinson

Meet Lauren Perrotti, Marshal for Spanish, Italian & Portuguese

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Lauren Perrotti is the daughter of Maureen and Joe Perrotti of Springbrook, Pa.  A Paterno Fellow and Schreyer Scholar, she is graduating with degrees in Spanish, Italian, and Global Studies and a minor in Linguistics.  Lauren studied abroad in Todi, Italy, and traveled to Granada, Spain, to collect data for her work with the Partnership for International Research and Education.  She was a research assistant for the Sony eReader Project and for the German Language Acquisition Lab.  Lauren was president of the Liberal Arts Undergraduate Council, director of the Liberal Arts Envoys, and a member of the Liberal Arts Academic Integrity Committee and the Lion Ambassadors. In the fall, she plans to begin a graduate program in Spanish Linguistics.

Escorting Faculty Marshal:  Paola Giuli Dussias, Associate Professor of Spanish, Linguistics, and Psychology

By Robin Robinson

Junior Year

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Messy desk
Originally uploaded by Inkyhack

Everyone says “junior year is your hardest year,” and you know what? Everyone is right. This is because junior year does not only include taking classes and trying to get good grades. Junior year also includes: looking for internships, building your resume, fulfilling academic requirements, taking 400 level classes, acing them (in some cases), getting a job and in my particular case, transitioning to the University Park campus while also planning a study abroad program.

I feel like something about the system does not let freshmen and sophomores, especially at the commonwealth campuses, know about the resources available to them. When I look back at my last two years at Penn State, I realize I was eligible to have applied for the Honors College earlier, I did not know I could study abroad, and the list goes on. I am aware that the University Park campus provides many opportunities for its students. But, it would have been great to have been aware of them beforehand. As a result, I found myself rushing to complete study abroad applications while trying to balance my academic and extra-curricular workload.

After running around like a headless chicken in January to complete my application, I finally received word that I was accepted into Oxford University to study abroad. As happy as I am about this now, I cannot so quickly forget how much easier things would have been had I known about these resources earlier. Perhaps I could have begun planning for this experience in my freshman year at the commonwealth campus I attended. Following the acceptance you would think everything has been fine and dandy, rainbows and ponies, but think again. There has been paper work up to my neck as I try to apply for scholarships, secure more letters of recommendation, etc. In addition to that, I continue to be very active in the organizations I am involved with on campus. I am also beginning to think about preparing for and taking my LSATs, finding a summer internship (which I am still working on), and shutting an eyelid for at least an hour a night. I am taking four Political Science classes, three of which are 400 level, one writing intensive by academic standards, another simply writing intensive by my standards (scholarly essays due weekly). And let’s not forget the unexpected: my wisdom teeth chose to come in recently, so I’ll need to be taking those out soon and that will keep me off my feet for a bit. (As if I wasn’t short on time as it was).

I have elaborated on this series of time-consuming and stressful issues going on in my life not as a means of scaring any freshmen or sophomores reading this, or to just vent online, but I want to emphasize the importance of planning ahead, asking questions and taking advantage of your resources. I am lucky that my credits allow me to study abroad next semester, but you cannot base your career on luck. I find it very necessary to talk to professors and staff around campus about the opportunities PSU has to offer. There are counselors, advisers and a number of people in the Career Services building to help plan your future. There are even more resources available in the Student Affairs office in the HUB to help you get involved, see if you qualify for scholarships, etc. I have heard seniors say they wish they had begun thinking of applying to Law School in their junior year. I cannot imagine how rushed they must feel trying to figure everything out in their senior year and I would not want to be in their shoes.

Junior year can be smooth-sailing if you either a.) plan ahead or b.) leave everything for your senior year. My suggestion would obviously be the former. Though after reading the first two paragraphs of this blog entry it may seem like I am taking on too much this year (and I just may be!) I would rather deal with these issues sooner than later. I would rather take my 400-levels now and find a balance between all my other obligations. So to my fellow juniors going through what I am going through: “This too shall pass.” And to my dear freshmen and sophomores: Plan ahead!  And finally to my noble seniors: Good luck to you in everything you do. You are almost at the finish line!

WELCOME BACK!! Is Study abroad in your future??

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Welcome to the 2010-2011 school year at the College of the Liberal Arts!

Lots of things on your mind, I know – but if you’re thinking about applying this year for study abroad next year, it’s not too soon to get info!  I am Dr. Jennifer Wagner-Lawlor, director of CLA Study Abroad Programs, and I will be offering information sessions for LA majors throughout this semester–so keep your eye on this blog, and on announcements from the Undergraduate Studies office!

THIS WEEK, you can start thinking about study abroad by attending:

Welcome Week ‘Study Abroad 101’

When: Wednesday, August 25th, 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Where: Global Programs Lounge in 410 Boucke Building (across the street from the HUB)

Why:  Get the basics on how to get started on finding the right program for you, whether you want to go for a semester, a year, or just a short summer term!

Questions about study abroad??  Email me at jaw55@psu.edu

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