Slippery Rock University

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

The Slippery Rock community is more vibrant because of a group of Slippery Rock University students who left their mark, thanks to a collaborative project with a local business. Six art students painted a colorful mural on the wall inside the Fuzzy Monkey Coffee Co. located at 354 South Main Street, just across the street from SRU's campus.

Slippery Rock University has announced its dean's list for the Spring 2025 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.

Internships and clinical experiences provide college students the opportunity to apply their education and prepare for their careers. They are especially beneficial when they learn from professionals who were once in their shoes. Noah Novak is a perfect example. As a graduate student in Slippery Rock University's Doctor of Physical Therapy program, Novak is completing his clinical rotations at Precision Physical Therapy and Performance, an outpatient clinic in Allison Park that is privately owned and operated by two graduates of SRU's DPT program.

More than 1,600 students from the Class of 2025 are eligible to be recognized for graduating, as Slippery Rock University will conduct its spring commencement ceremonies, May 9-10, at the Morrow Field House in the following four ceremonies: 6 p.m., May 9, Graduate Studies. 9 a.m., May 10, College of Business. Noon, May 10, College of Education, College of Liberal Arts and Rock Life. 3 p.m., May 10, College of Engineering and Science and College of Health Professions.

Before donning their caps and gowns at commencement, seniors from Slippery Rock University's Bachelor of Fine Arts program showed off their artwork that was part of their capstone projects. Students displayed their artwork in a recent exhibition at the Martha Gault Art Gallery on campus.

Twelve cadets from Slippery Rock University's U.S. Army ROTC program will be recognized for their commissioning as officers with the rank of second lieutenant. They will be officially commissioned and take their oaths at a private ceremony on campus, May 9, before a public oath reading at SRU's commencement ceremonies, May 10, when they graduate and receive their bachelor's degrees.

Among the most outstanding research posters presented by honors students in the region was one from Slippery Rock University. Alexandra Caldwell, a senior psychology major from Scottdale (Geibel Catholic HS), was one of 10 students to earn the Poster Presentation Award at the Northeast Regional Honors Council's annual conference last month in Harrisburg.

Sewer cut and fill and resume writing were among the tasks won by Slippery Rock University students at the American Society of Civil Engineers' 2025 Mid-Atlantic East and West Symposium, March 27-29 at Penn State University. SRU students competed in surveying tasks, poster presentations and more against more than 500 students and teams from 21 universities.

A Slippery Rock University student received an award for his poster presentation at a professional conference. Charles Reilly, a freshman hospitality and tourism major from Export (Franklin Regional HS), earned an honorable mention for best student-led poster presentation at the 2025 NENA-CHRIE Conference, March 28-30, in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Ten Slippery Rock University students presented research at the 56thAnnual Meeting of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania University Biologists Meeting, April 5, at Commonwealth University, Bloomsburg.

Three Slippery Rock University students presented research at the Interdisciplinary Association for Philosophy and Religious Studies Conference, March 29, at East Stroudsburg University, including one that was recognized for the conference's best paper. Jordan Ensign, a senior dual English writing and philosophy major from Strongsville, Ohio (Strongsville HS), presented a critique of John Hick's Irenaean theodicy, which received the IAPRS prize for best paper.

Slippery Rock University engineering students can design and create innovative, hands-on projects in the 3D printing laboratory. One student was recently recognized for her work at a national conference. Jennifer Cichra, a junior mechanical engineering major from Renfrew (Butler HS), came up with an idea while hiking with her family in the Rocky Mountain last summer. She was using crampons on her boots to gain traction, but that's when she began to think like an engineer.

The culminating work of six Slippery Rock University Bachelor of Fine Arts dance majors will be presented in an inspiring, entertaining and passionate showcase of dance. There will be two shows of "Roots to Branches: A Senior BFA Concert," 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., April 26, in the Stoner West Dance Studio. Tickets are $10 for each show and they are available for purchase online at sru.edu/tickets.

Continuing to apply their classroom learning at some of the largest sporting events in the country, students from Slippery Rock University's sport management program worked at the 2025 NCAA Men's Final Four basketball games, April 5-7, in San Antonio, Texas.