Student marshals will represent the Penn State College of Health and Human Development and each department during the spring 2024 commencement ceremony.
Biobehavioral Health
Hannah Donnell, daughter of Eric and Julie Donnell of State College, Pennsylvania, will receive a bachelor of science degree in biobehavioral health and a minor in child maltreatment and advocacy studies. Donnell was a leader for Penn State THON, serving on the dancer relations committee in 2022 and 2023 and as the dancer wellness captain for the committee in 2024, where she focused on improving health and safety practices for THON dancers and spectators. She was a four-year member of the Penn State Blue Band Majorettes and volunteered at Mount Nittany Medical Center, where she aided patients, physicians and staff in various roles across hospital departments. Donnell also served as a research assistant for the Thrive Study, which measured aspects of college students’ lives prior to, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Donnell received the Penn State Evan Pugh Scholar Senior and Junior Awards, the Penn State President Sparks Award and the Penn State President’s Freshman Award and was the recipient of the Reducing Disparities in Child Welfare Scholarship.
In the future, Donnell will continue medical research and plans to attend medical school to pursue a career in pediatric medicine.
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Maggie DeVito, daughter of David and Theresa DeVito of New Hope, Pennsylvania, will receive a bachelor of science degree in communication sciences and disorders (CSD). DeVito was a member of the Penn State chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association, most recently serving as vice president. She was also a member of Alpha Phi International Women’s Fraternity and the College of Health and Human Development Leadership Initiative. She worked in the Collaborative Language Use Lab as part of the Perceptual Learning Research Project and presented her research at the CSD Undergraduate Research Symposium.
DeVito was a member of the Health and Human Development Honor Society. She received the President Walker Award, President Sparks Award, Evan Pugh Scholar Junior Award and the University Park Provost Award.
Following graduation, DeVito will pursue a master’s degree in speech-language pathology at Temple University.
Health Policy and Administration
Alaina Burns, daughter of Ben and Gina Burns of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, will receive a bachelor of science in health policy and administration. Burns was a member of Apollo Benefitting THON, most recently serving as donor and alumni relations chair. She also served as treasurer of the College of Health and Human Development Ambassadors and was a College of Health and Human Development peer assistant.
Burns is enrolled in Penn State’s Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate Master of Health Administration (MHA) program and will attend graduate school for an additional year to pursue an MHA degree. Upon completion of the program, she plans to work in hospital operations.
Hospitality Management
Julia Boccella, daughter of Kevin and Kristi Boccella of North Wales, Pennsylvania, will receive a bachelor of science degree in hospitality management. She participated on the School of Hospitality Management THON team and was a member of Eta Sigma Delta, the International Hospitality Honors Society. In addition, she played Division III NCAA Soccer at Penn State Abington.
Boccella received the Philadelphia & Vicinity Club Management Association Intern Scholarship, Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association Educational Foundation Scholarship, American Hotel & Lodging Association Foundation American Express Scholarship and the Penn State Evan Pugh Scholar Award.
Following graduation, Boccella intends to work at the Union League of Philadelphia in the Private Events Department as the private events details coordinator.
Human Development and Family Studies
Yaffa Englander, daughter of David and Stephanie Englander of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, will receive a bachelor of science degree in human development and family studies. Englander was a member of the Health and Human Development (HHD) Student Council, working to improve the college experience for change-of-campus and transfer students. She was a research assistant for a now-published study on family mealtime routines and was selected to present at the Penn State Harrisburg Research Exhibition. She worked as a division head counselor at Camp Ramah Daron, implementing programming for campers and staff, and she interned at Evidence-based Prevention and Intervention Support, a key project of the Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center, where she developed evidence-based resources and provided technical assistance to Pennsylvania social service agencies.
Englander was a student leader for Chabad at Penn State and Penn State Hillel, where she facilitated engagement opportunities for the local Jewish community. Additionally, she was a Masorti Fellow, receiving a stipend to develop Jewish student life at Penn State, and was selected for the inaugural Health and Human Development Leadership Initiative. She received the HHD Alumni Society Student Excellence Award, the President Walker Award, and the Evan Pugh Scholar Senior Award. Following graduation, Englander looks forward to entering the workforce.
Kinesiology
Olivia Schoppen, daughter of Joseph and Doreen Schoppen of Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, will receive a bachelor of science degree in kinesiology. Schoppen was a member of the Kinesiology Club, serving as treasurer, THON member and vice president of programming. She was a LifeLink PSU student mentor, a College of Health and Human Development Alumni Society Undergraduate Representative and a functional human anatomy undergraduate learning assistant. She was also a member of Penn State CHARRG and the Health and Human Development Honors Society.
Schoppen was a recipient of the Penn State President Sparks Award, the Penn State President’s Freshman Award, the Paul S. Hagan Scholarship, the Class of 1922 Memorial Scholarship, the Marie Haidt Scholarship, the Fainor Family Award – Kinesiology, the R&R Watkins Memorial Scholarship and the Greater Pittsburgh Chapter of Penn State Alumni Scholarship.
Following graduation, Schoppen will attend Chatham University to pursue a doctorate in physical therapy.
Nutritional Sciences
Casey Ostrowski, daughter of and the late Pamela Ostrowski of Syosset, New York, and Kenneth Ostrowski and Bertina Capuano Ostrowski of Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, will receive a bachelor of science degree in nutritional sciences. Ostrowski worked as an Emergency Medical Technician for Penn State Emergency Medical Services and was a research assistant in the Micronutrients and Pregnancy Lab, investigating the relationship between maternal HIV and vitamin B12 status at delivery in Uganda. She was also an anatomy and physiology teaching assistant and a public speaking mentor in the Undergraduate Speaking Center, aiding fellow students in developing their public speaking and presentation skills. Ostrowski was an onsite coordinator for the Student Red Cross Club and a Promotions Committee member for the Remote Area Medical Spring Mills Clinic.
Ostrowski was a recipient of the College of Health and Human Development Undergraduate Summer 2023 Research Grant and the Doris A. Lane Scholarship.
Following graduation, Ostrowski will apply to medical school in pursuit of a career in emergency medicine.
Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management
Marty Brown, son of Marty Allen and Tammy Jo Brown of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, will receive a bachelor of science degree in recreation, park and tourism management (RPTM). He served on the Penn State Cru leadership team and co-emceed for its Thursday nights “Large Group” event.
Additionally, Brown was a member of Blue & White Society and assisted with the RPTM Student Society. He received a Renaissance Scholarship and graduated cum laude.
Following graduation, Brown plans to become a youth pastor, co-direct events and camps at Beulah Beach or obtain a job in sports where people and families are positively impacted.