Slippery Rock University

The safety management student organization at Slippery Rock University was chosen as the best in the nation. SRU was recognized by the American Society of Safety Professionals with the Outstanding Student Section of the Year award, June 15-17, at the ASSP's conference in Anaheim, California. With more than 6,500 safety professionals attending the conference, this recognition marks a momentous occasion for SRU's safety management program, reflecting the constant effort from students, faculty, alumni and industry partners involved. Representing the ASSP student section at SRU was Jillian Stahl, a junior safety management major from Pittsburgh (Fox Chapel HS), who attended the conference.

Slippery Rock University alumna Lydia Seaton, '26, recently achieved national recognition through the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) for her creative work. Nominated by Patrick McGinty, associate professor of languages, literatures, cultures, and writing, Seaton's psychological fiction piece "Kintsugi" was named a finalist and earned an honorable mention in the AWP Intro Journals Project.

Some lessons can only be learned by stepping beyond the classroom and into the world. For Slippery Rock University student Shaina Overcash, a sophomore biology major from Greencastle (Greencastle-Antrim HS), as well as 18 other SRU students, were able to experience this firsthand as they embarked on a faculty-led study abroad program to Ireland, discovering new cultures, lifelong friendships and a global perspective.

What began as a difficult transition to college became a story of resilience, collaboration and community for Slippery Rock University graduate Angelina Guerrera, '26. Through her leadership in Alpha Kappa Psi, Guerrera found a place to belong at SRU while also helping cultivate a supportive environment where fellow students could grow and connect.

A Slippery Rock University student is conducting forward-thinking research that offers new solutions for bioremediation at acid mine drainage sites in western Pennsylvania. Gianna Kraus, a senior biology from Murrysville (Kiski HS), completed genetic analysis research at SRU in their project titled "Investigation of Metal-Resistant Bacteria from Acid Mine Drainage Environments."

Slippery Rock University has announced its dean's list for the Spring 2026 semester. The dean's list consists of SRU undergraduate students who earned an adjusted semester grade-point average of 3.5 or higher, based on a schedule of at least 12 newly attempted and earned credits.

Ignited by his passion for building and science, Jacob Cerra is launching water rocket research to new heights at Slippery Rock University. Cerra, a junior mechanical engineering major from North Huntingdon (Norwin HS), is constructing better water rockets using principles of physics that can be applied anywhere from middle school classrooms to the NASA space program.

Slippery Rock University is championing multicultural education through competition. Four SRU students earned first place in the statewide Frederick Douglass Institute Collaborative conference and debate tournament hosted at West Chester University last month.

By preserving important community stories and bringing local voices to a wider audience, Slippery Rock University student Josie Hart is demonstrating how student research projects can create a lasting impact beyond the classroom. Hart, a senior strategic communications and media major from Greenville (Greenville HS) recently completed a project that emphasized the importance of localized journalism in media writing.

A Slippery Rock University student is giving women in engineering on campus a space to form relationships with one another and with engineering professionals outside of the University. Martina Tatalias, a rising senior mechanical engineering major from Bethel Park (Bethel Park HS), is empowering women as president of a student organization, the Society of Women Engineers' SRU chapter.

Three Slippery Rock University students recorded music in professional studios while gaining valuable experience as part of an immersive research and production project this semester. Hannah Dunn, a senior music therapy major from High Bridge, New Jersey (Voorhees HS); Emily Wingrove, a senior music performance major from Uniontown (Laurel Highlands HS); and Brooke Jordan, a senior music education major from New Castle (Wilmington HS), visited and recorded at three professional studios in the Pittsburgh area, allowing them to experience the realities of the music recording industry.

A Slippery Rock University doctoral student emerged as a leader in occupational therapy through impactful research connecting oncology and patient care. Sophia Duncan, '23, '26 ODT, who graduated last week from SRU's Doctor of Occupational Therapy program, conducted research identifying levels of perceived preparedness among occupational therapists to treat cancer patients, as well as the barriers that come between cancer patients and referrals to occupational therapists.

More than 1,600 members of the Class of 2026 are ready to celebrate a major achievement: their graduation from Slippery Rock University. SRU will honor their hard work and success during four spring commencement ceremonies, May 8-9, at Morrow Field House: 6 p.m., May 8, Graduate Studies. 9 a.m., May 9, College of Education, College of Liberal Arts and Rock Life. Noon, May 9, Haverlack College of Business. 3 p.m., May 9, College of Engineering and Science and College of Health Professions.

Slippery Rock University students are engaged in the local community -- and one student has taken his involvement to new heights of leadership and collaboration. Justin Nowelle, a senior strategic communication and media major from Pittsburgh, has found purpose and impact as the founder of an organization, the Slippery Rock Community Library Friends Club. "As a civic leader on campus, it is my duty to connect students with opportunities, on and off campus for community service and engagement," Nowelle said. His experience as a civic leader started during his freshman year, when he applied for and received the Haverlack Good Citizen Scholarship before entering the Haverlack Civic Scholars Program.

A Slippery Rock University student is using her experience as a leading peer academic coach to help promote student success among first-year students. Riley Whitehill, a senior psychology major from Clinton, is a campus advocate for the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory, a nationwide assessment to gather information about learning and study practices and attitudes that is used by SRU's Center for Career and Academic Progress. "We want students to feel empowered to do things themselves," Whitehill said. "To have autonomy in their college decisions." The LASSI is a 60-item assessment of student's awareness about, and usage of learning and study strategies related to skill, will and self-regulation components of strategic learning.

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.