Slippery Rock University

Audiences will have four chances to see Slippery Rock University's stellar cast of student performers during this semester's musical production of "THE PROM," Nov. 20-22. Winner of the Drama Desk Award for Best Musical, this original Broadway production, directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw, expertly captures all the humor and heart of a classic musical comedy with show-stopping musical numbers that resonate with audiences of all ages. Showtimes and dates are 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 20, 21 and 22, as well as 2 p.m. on Nov. 22. All performances will be in the Performing Arts Center, Miller Theater.

A Slippery Rock University graduate student and mother of four is ready to make a new impact in the world by becoming a teacher. Natalie Goodman, a secondary education major from Chicora (North Hills Christian HS), is resuming her career path in education 10 years after she earned her bachelor's degree and started a family. Goodman is in her final semester of SRU's Master of Education program, earning certifications in math and science. She is already contributing to the lives of students in the community as a student teacher in the Karns City Area School District.

Olivia Kaminski found success at Slippery Rock University by experimenting in the lab and with her career options. A 2025 graduate with a bachelor's degree in biology, Kaminski is now a graduate student in SRU's physician assistant studies program who was shaped by her research opportunities as an undergraduate. "The opportunities are so endless," said Kaminski, a native of New Castle (Laurel HS). "Even though Slippery Rock is a smaller school, the smaller experiences lead to bigger ones."

Slippery Rock University is a destination for future construction management professionals to build their careers and make meaningful strides in an industry where opportunity abounds. As the daughter of construction company executive, Katya Miller has firsthand knowledge of her potential impact and realizes the possibilities in what is considered a nontraditional path for women. "Ever since I was a little girl, I've always wanted to be kind of the one that stood out in a positive way," Miller said. "Coming to SRU will help me fulfill my dream of being a woman in a male-dominated field."

Tahjgere Morgan knows what it means to persevere. He also knows the difference a supportive community can make. Morgan, a Slippery Rock University junior cybersecurity major from Erie (Collegiate Academy HS), exemplifies both while developing into a leader on campus. "For people coming into college, it can be hard to acclimate to the environment," said Morgan, who attributes SRU's Jump Start program as a big part of his success. Jump Start is a peer mentor-based program operated in SRU's Office for Inclusive Excellence that provides a supportive, inclusive and empowering environment for first-year students as they navigate the academic and social transition to college. Jump Start offers workshops and social activities, as participants are paired with upperclassmen and faculty mentors.

Slippery Rock University students showcase their talents on stage as the SRU Theatre Department presents "Sweat." First premiering on Broadway in 2017, "Sweat" is written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage. Set in Reading, Pennsylvania, in 2008, the play tells the story of a group of down-and-out factory workers struggling to keep their lives afloat, unaware of the financial devastation coming in the near future. "Sweat" is based on Nottage's thorough research and interviews with residents of Reading, making the play a topical reflection of America's economical past and present. At SRU, the show will feature guest director Malic Maat, a 2015 SRU graduate. Performances will be Oct. 23, 24, 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m.; and Oct. 25 at 2 p.m. in the Stoner East Black Box Theater.

Service is part of the culture and community at Slippery Rock University. One example is the First Year Day of Service event hosted by the Haverlack Civic Scholars, Sept. 19, at the Smith Student Center. "In order to have community, you need to be community," said Emma Stasiak, a junior management major from Windber (Windber HS), who transferred to SRU this year. "That's what service is to me. Being the community that other people need."

Slippery Rock University student Megan Evans recently had her artwork positioned on a coveted display on campus: at residence of SRU President Karen Riley. Evans, a senior art major from Zelienople (Freedom HS), is the winner of the Fall 2026 SRU President's Student Art in Residence Award. Since 2023, SRU art faculty have selected student art for display in the foyer of the president's home where guests attending special events can enjoy the work.

Campus walkways at Slippery Rock University have transformed into public art galleries this month as SRU hosts its sixth annual "Windows of Slippery Rock University" community exhibit. Among the featured art is a creation by Talia Curry, a senior art major from Pittsburgh (North Hills HS), who was selected to participate in the exhibition for the first time. "Knowing that a bunch of students have seen my work makes me feel really connected to the community," Curry said.

Preparing students to become leaders in their fields is a core component of many programs at Slippery Rock University. Among the students who have experienced that development is Payton Sciere. Sciere, a senior early childhood education and special education major from Pittsburgh (Avonworth HS), credits the University for giving her the experiences necessary to become an effective and impactful teacher after spending time with leadership training organizations at SRU and student teaching programs through her major.

Two Slippery Rock University music education majors earned national recognition this summer, representing the University at the 2026 Modern Band Summit, a highly selective gathering of music educators and student leaders from across the country. Keira Mayhue, a senior from Altoona (Altoona HS), and Ethan Aeschbacher, a senior from Midland (Western Beaver HS), were invited to serve as collegiate ambassadors for SRU at the event, July 22-24, in Fort Collins, Colorado, where they gained hands-on industry experience and networked with professionals.

Owen Durka embodies what it means to support students through community and connection at Slippery Rock University. Durka, a junior industrial and systems engineering major from Charleroi (Charleroi HS), is a community assistant in Rhoads Hall, one of SRU's traditional-style residence halls. He values the campus community that led him to enroll and thrive at SRU.

Slippery Rock University students like Birtukan Hartman are learning what it means to be leaders with confidence and character. Hartman, a junior marketing major from Jersey Shore, is being shaped by her involvement on campus as a group leader for the Audience of One faith-based student organization, secretary of the American Marketing Association chapter at SRU, and as a member of women's track and field and cross country teams. "SRU has positioned me for success and given me the confidence to become a leader," Hartman said. "One of our sayings on the cross country team is that anybody can be a leader. It's about stepping up, and it doesn't have to be a big deal-it can just be that you're nice, or you have a light about you. Being on a team helps me put others before myself and encourage them."

At Slippery Rock University, undergraduate students gain valuable research experiences and drive innovation working alongside faculty. Cooper Alleman, a junior chemistry major from Slippery Rock (Slippery Rock HS), is benefiting from this first-hand through an in-depth research project into alpha-synuclein, a protein found in the human body primarily within brain neurons. Alleman's project, titled "Probing Binding Dynamics of Alpha-Synuclein by a Novel Histidine Label and Electron Spin Resonance," is under the direction of Jessica Sarver, an SRU assistant professor of chemistry. The pair's study focuses on probing the membrane binding dynamics of alpha-synuclein, which are proteins that help facilitate the chemical transmission of signals in the brain. The misfolding and clustering of these proteins are also linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's.

A Slippery Rock University faculty-student research team made waves in the field of esports research. Emma Pruett '26, who graduated in May with a degree in English writing, worked throughout her college career with Seth Jenny, an associate professor of exercise science and a leading expert in esports, before recently publishing research as co-authors.

Dakharee Mann gained a behind the scenes look into one of golf's biggest tournaments at Oakmont Country Club. Mann, a Slippery Rock University sophomore sport management major from Harrisburg (Susquehanna Township HS), experienced first-hand the inner workings of the U.S. Open tournament through an internship with USGA Pathways. The 10-day internship, on location in Oakmont during the U.S. Open earlier this month, gave college students the opportunity to learn to every facet of the $84 billion golf industry. Mann was one of 24 interns selected from a pool of more than 750 applicants.