Slippery Rock University

Carrington Williams found her purpose at Slippery Rock University through leadership, service, belonging and mentorship. When she first came to SRU, Williams was unsure of her exact direction, but with the help of mentors in the campus community, she is now set to graduate next month as an experienced leader, ready to pay her inspiration forward and empower others through nonprofit service. Williams, a senior dual management and interdisciplinary studies major from Verona (Neighborhood Academy HS), benefited from experiences in and out of the classroom at SRU.

Through hands-on research and attentive faculty mentorship, two Slippery Rock University students are advancing their careers while also helping provide cleaner, more efficient systems for global water safety and the treatment of wastewater. Rachell Lajara Flores, a junior civil engineering major from Philadelphia (First Philadelphia Prep HS), and Van Westbrook, a civil engineering major from Pittsburgh (Mount Lebanon HS), are conducting research into wastewater mixing, particularly how easily different disinfectants move through infected water. This research is being conducted under the close mentorship of Sajad Hamidi, associate professor of engineering. Funding for this research came from a $1,500 grant from SRU's Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities Grant Program.

When Elsie Eason transferred into Slippery Rock University, she knew that she wanted to teach. A nursing major at her previous school, Eason had a close friend at SRU who pushed for her to come to The Rock to study education. "I wanted to become a teacher for a lot of reasons," said Eason, a senior special education major from Pittsburgh (Bethel Park HS). "I see children as so impressionable, and we need more kind, well-rounded people, so I think teaching young kids allows you to make a difference in how people think and view the world for the rest of their lives."

What began as a summer internship at Westinghouse Electric became a career launchpad for a Slippery Rock University student. Nathan Sharp, an SRU senior dual physics and mechanical engineering major from Wexford (Pine-Richland HS), took advantage of real-world engineering experience this through his internship at Westinghouse Electric in Cranberry Township and turned into a job offer. Sharp spent his summer in the fluid systems department at Westinghouse, tasked with technical writing projects that required a very particular style of writing. In his previous semesters at SRU, Sharp had taken courses on technical writing and fluid systems analysis, which prepared him well for his work at Westinghouse.

Audiences have two opportunities to experience Nick Payne's "Constellations," performed by the Slippery Rock University Theatre Department for its inaugural second-stage performance, which is the department's new program to offer smaller productions off the University's main stage. Showings will be hosted Nov. 1 in the Stoner East Black Box Theater with a 2 p.m. matinee, followed by a 7:30 p.m. performance. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for students and can be purchased at sru.edu/tickets or in person at the ticket counter up to one hour before each performance.

Critical Writing is the kind of class Slippery Rock University students don't face alone. The required general studies class lends itself to collaboration and fast fellowship among classmates. But three students who transferred to SRU this year are ahead of the curve when it comes to making connections -that's because they come from the same family. Jason Rabold and his son, Sabastien, and daughter, Calliope, share not only a surname but also class notes, study tips and a journey as transfer students.

Slippery Rock University senior Alexa Rivero is driven to help people express themselves in ways that words alone cannot. Through an internship with Creative Citizen Studios, Rivero gained hands-on experience and refined her vision of how she can help others by combining art and psychology. Rivero, a senior art major from Uniontown (Laurel Highlands HS), worked one-on-one with adults with disabilities to express themselves through art during her three-month summer internship at CCS. For more than a decade, the Pittsburgh-based art studio has hosted weekly art classes, workshops and exhibits to bring people of all abilities together, primarily working with artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

A Slippery Rock University art major earned an award to have her artwork displayed in SRU President Karen Riley's on-campus residence. Veronica Yeschke, a senior from West View (North Hills HS), earned the President's Student Art Award in Residence for the Fall 2025 semester. Each semester since Fall 2023, an SRU art student has their art selected for display in the president's on-campus residence by a committee of SRU Art Department faculty members. Yeschke's acrylic painting of one of her personal lamps, titled "My Beautiful Lamp," represents warm emotions and symbolism associated with her home. Her ceramics on display, titled "The Bigger Picture," represent the appreciation of a larger image or goal, with the smaller ceramics fitting into a larger, tiered cross-section ceramic.

Driven by a passion to protect others and make a real impact in the field, a Slippery Rock University student turned classroom lessons into life-changing experience through a summer internship. Nathan Thompson, an SRU senior safety management major from Sewickley (Moon HS), spent this summer serving as a site safety intern at Blattner Energy in Buckeye, Arizona. A significant portion of Thompson's time in this internship was spent in the field, meeting and checking on crews. "Visibility as a safety professional is important for relationship building," Thompson said. "Blattner values safety and has a really caring company culture. Safety posters aren't just slapped on the walls for show there."

Audiences will have five chances to experience the powerful theater performances that showcase the talent and passion of Slippery Rock University students, as the SRU Theatre Department presents Caridad Svich's "Red Bike." The play is a poetic journey through the American dream through the lens of an 11-year-old child's world-expanding experience of riding their very own, bright red bike. Shows will be hosted Oct. 17-22 in the Stoner Black Box Theater. Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 17, 18, 21 and 22 and 2 p.m. on Oct. 19. Tickets are available for $12 for students and $14 for general admission. Tickets can be ordered at sru.edu/tickets or in-person at the ticket counter up to one hour before each performance.

A Slippery Rock University safety management major broke into the oil and gas industry by gaining invaluable real-world experience. Emma Santom, a senior from Grove City (Grove City HS), was a safety and security intern this summer at Range Resources, one of the leading natural gas producers in the eastern United States with operation sites across western Pennsylvania. Santom examined and evaluated contract sites, looking for compliance in accordance with the safety culture of Range Resources. Some days required Santom to work from the Canonsburg office, but others had her on the building pads in person. "Every day was different," Santom said. "I enjoyed how I never really knew what I was in for each day."

For Slippery Rock University senior Bailey Kuhn, a lifelong passion for the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team turned into a career-defining opportunity behind the cameras of one of the NHL's most successful franchises. Kuhn, a strategic communication and media major from Volant (Grove City HS), worked as an onsite video producer and editor intern for the Penguins from May 29 to Aug. 8. Kuhn was tasked with recording and editing practices, press conferences and community events involving the NHL team. Kuhn also gained insight into the daily operations in various departments at the PPG Paints Arena

Morgan Woods made the most of her summer to channel professional development. Woods, a Slippery Rock University senior computing major from Pittsburgh (Baldwin HS), spent the summer as a data management intern at the First National Bank Corporation headquarters in Downtown Pittsburgh. FNB gave seasonal interns the responsibility of handling real member data. Woods' first task of the day was routinely merging duplicate records using a series of complex coding instructions, populated into grids. The process pinpointed errors that may have surfaced overnight, leaving the data manager to repair any discontinuities that could hinder company procedures further down the line.

Aidan Duez took a major step over the summer toward achieving his dream career as a professional actor. By making his professional debut in "STATIC" at the Scranton Fringe Festival, Duez is setting the stage for future success in the acting and theater industry. Duez, a Slippery Rock University junior acting major from Kingwood, Texas (Kingwood HS), joined a professional three-person cast for two weeks of rehearsal before performing July 31 in Scranton. The Scranton Fringe Festival is an annual celebration of the arts that takes over stages in more than a dozen venues in the Scranton area.

Krislyn Green never considered a career in the financial services industry, but after her 10-week internship with BNY this summer, she not only sees the industry as a possibility but as a reality. Green, a Slippery Rock University senior management major from Butler (Butler HS), first connected with BNY from a message on the recruiting and networking app Handshake, where a recruiter encouraged her to apply for the 2025 summer internship program at BNY's Mellon Center office in Pittsburgh. "I never saw myself working in the financial services industry, but I really enjoyed it and made several connections over the summer with professionals in the industry," Green said.

What began as a summer internship turned into a career path for Michael Powell, a Slippery Rock University chemistry major who will graduate next year with a job offer waiting for him in his dream career field. A senior from Mt. Joy (Manheim Central HS), Powell will join Metso as a laboratory operations technician upon graduating in the spring after completing a summer internship as a lab technician. Metso is a Finnish industrial company that provides sustainable technologies for aggregates, mining, recycling and metals refining. Throughout his three-month-long role in Metso's test center in York, Powell worked on projects ranging from sample preparation, laboratory inventory and integrating standard protocols for chemical reactions. Powell's work introduced him to collaborative global experiences, working with labs in Texas, California and even as far as a Finland and Brazil.

Jason Serbin spent his summer programming innovative quality assurance solutions for Pine Instruments in Grove City. Serbin, a Slippery Rock University junior computing major from Altoona (Altoona HS) began his relationship with Pine two summers ago at the suggestion of Sam Thangiah, professor of computing and security. Since then, Serbin worked as summer help in the company's IT department. Serbin said that while that position wasn't a role he preferred, it was necessary to get his foot in the door in hopes of getting to do the computer programming work he was interested in.

Angelena Russo discovered that even a study-abroad experience outside of her major could offer valuable insight into international business, marketing practices and cultural awareness. Russo, a Slippery Rock University senior marketing major from New Castle (Neshannock HS), was part of a short-term study-abroad experience in Italy, May 12-20, aimed at teaching 22 students how different cultures define wellness and integrated health practices. The program was was led by Alessia Zanin-Yost, associate professor and health sciences librarian, and Adaeze Aroh, assistant professor of public health sciences. Although the program focused on health and wellness professions, Russo, who is pursuing a career in digital marketing or marketing analytics, drew value from site visits of Italian health- and wellness-focused organizations.

Three outstanding Slippery Rock University senior sport management majors have been selected for scholarships by the Stadium Managers Association Foundation. These awards are presented to only three students nationally who have made distinguished contributions in the areas of sport management and sport administration and all three recipients this year are from SRU. These scholarships provide more than just financial assistance to the chosen students, they also validate the work they have put forth while pursuing careers in sport management and administration.

When Thomas Freilino journeyed to Dublin, Ireland, with Slippery Rock University students, he knew he would be learning about how to become a leader. After all, the program was organized by SRU's Student Engagement and Leadership Office. What Freilino did not know was the insight he would gain from an SRU alumna

Abigail Zeglen gained hands-on experience this summer through an internship with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation in its geotechnical engineering department. Zeglen, a Slippery Rock University junior civil engineering major from Hastings (Cambria Heights HS), describes geotechnical engineering as the "backbone" of engineering as it emphasizes the relationship between the earth and the structures built upon it. Geotechnical engineers analyze subterranean conditions to ensure the safety of buildings, bridges, roads and other pieces of infrastructure that engineers work to create.

Nate Presutti is helping meet a need for music educators in the community by creating choir lessons at a low cost for use by high school music teachers. Presutti, a Slippery Rock University senior music education major from Clinton (West Allegheny HS), is recording six public domain choral pieces with local musicians and pairing the pieces with lesson plans as part of a summer research project.

Growing up in the Erie area, Abigail Nguyen has long had a passion for both conservation and art. As part of her summer internship, she brought those passions to children in her community. Nguyen, a Slippery Rock University junior biology major from Harborcreek (Harbor Creek HS), designed and led a free community event on July 29 centered on environmental awareness and hands-on learning for children through an internship with the Erie County Conservation District.

From partner lifts in a Leuven dance studio to witnessing primetime performances at the Kunstenfestivaldesarts, Abby Brubaker experienced Belgium through dance. She expected the study-abroad program to grow her skills as a dancer, but what she also found was a clearer picture of the career she hopes to pursue. Brubaker, a Slippery Rock University senior dance major from Lancaster (Lancaster Mennonite HS), joined a group of 21 SRU dance students May 12-21 in an immersive exploration of Belgium's modern dance scene. Led by Jennifer Keller, SRU professor of dance, and Lindsay Viatori, associate professor of dance, the program featured hands-on workshops, performances and cultural experiences in Brussels, Leuven, Ghent and Bruges, where the group expanded their dance repertoire while exploring Belgian culture.

Destined for Peru, Macie Johnson boarded a plane for the first time in her life. But she wasn't just traveling abroad - she was embarking on a life-changing journey for both herself and communities in need. Johnson, a Slippery Rock University junior biology major from Kane (Kane HS), traveled with 11 other students and Miranda Falso, associate professor of biology, to establish health clinics and provide community assistance to five low-income communities in Lima, the capital of Peru, from May 24 to June 1.

Students at Slippery Rock University have opportunities to establish a network and learn alongside professionals before they graduate. Victoria Mackalica and Emmalee Henthorn attended the American Society of Safety Professionals' Professional Development Conference and Exposition, July 22-24, in Orlando, Florida. Mackalica, from Butler (Butler HS), and Henthorn, from Slippery Rock (Slippery Rock HS), are both rising senior safety management majors who are members of the ASSP student section at SRU. Their travel expenses and conference registration were covered by SRU's Safety Management Department, and they received internship credit hours for attending.

Neva Lilla and Benjamin Porter are gaining valuable experience conducting research at Slippery Rock University to study grief and loss support groups with and without the use of therapy dogs. Porter, a senior social work major from Kittanning (Armstrong HS), and Lilla, a graduate student majoring in social work from New Castle (Central Mountain HS), are working with inmates from Crawford County Correctional Facility in Saegertown to perform group therapy sessions.

Many graduates of the park and resource management program at Slippery Rock University fulfill their dream of working for the National Park Service, but one SRU student is already getting a taste of the experience. Beau Fillion, a senior from Palmyra, New York (Palmyra Macedon HS), was selected for an internship at one of the NPS's most recognizable locations, Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Fillion is one of only three college interns working from May to August as an interpretive ranger at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota.

A Slippery Rock University student recently joined leaders from across the country in Washington, D.C., to voice the importance of music education. Nate Presutti, a senior music education major from Clinton (West Allegheny HS), won an award presented by the National Association for Music Education before meeting with lawmakers that included U.S. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania. During the NAfME's Collegiate Leadership Advocacy Summit, Presutti won the Collegiate Professional Achievement Award. Presutti was the president of the American Choral Directors Association, SRU chapter, for two years and is now the student organization's adviser.

Carmen Hay is conducting hands-on research at Slippery Rock University to help purify water using innovative techniques. Hay, a senior biology major from Connellsville (Connellsville HS), is taking samples from Wolf Creek near Slippery Rock to investigate the use of microbes while addressing water pollution.