Slippery Rock University

Slippery Rock University is seeking a student trustee after Charli Severo has spent the last two years advocating for and speaking on behalf of students as a member of the University's council of trustees. Severo, a senior political science major from Albion (Northwestern HS), will conclude her appointment upon graduating in May and the deadline for students to apply to replace her is Feb. 27.

Serenity Williams embodies the importance of affordable higher education, not just as a scholarship recipient at Slippery Rock University but in her work supporting her fellow students on their financial path to pay for college and achieve success. "I'm a first-generation college student, so without the financial aid and scholarships that I've received, I definitely wouldn't be here today," said Williams, a sophomore psychology major from Johnstown (Ferndale HS). Wiliams can identify with many of the students she assistants through her on-campus job working in SRU's Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

A Slippery Rock University student achieved a unique display placement for her artwork-front and center in SRU President Karen Riley's on-campus residence. Samantha Toki, a senior dual art and strategic communication and media major from Windber (Windber HS), is the winner of the Spring 2026 SRU President's Student Art in Residence Award. Since Fall 2023, SRU art faculty select student art for display in the foyer of the president's home where guests attended special events can enjoy the work.

Eight Slippery Rock University students earned a coveted opportunity at one of the largest spectacles in sport by joining the staff that brought Super Bowl LX to life in Santa Clara, California, for more the than 90,000 fans attending the NFL's marquee event.

For a second straight year, students from Slippery Rock University who are preparing for careers in public relations were recognized by a Pittsburgh area professional association as the highest achieving students in the region. The Public Relations Student Society of America's SRU chapter, known as Rock PRSSA, was named the Public Relations Society of America Pittsburgh's 2026 PRSSA Chapter of the Year at the PRSA Pittsburgh Renaissance Awards on Jan. 29 in Pittsburgh. The rare back-to-back distinction for the chapter reflects its consistent performance and the applied, professional focus of SRU strategic communication and media program.

A Slippery Rock University student has eagerly seized opportunities to make her mark in SRU's proud and vibrant community. Jayden Williams, a senior strategic communication and media major with from Turtle Creek (Taylor Alderdice HS), went from describing herself as a very introverted upon arriving at SRU four years ago to now being an active leader involved in organizations like Queens, Black Action Society, the Frederick Douglass Institute, and as an employee of the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership."

The Slippery Rock University Dance Department presents its boundary pushing, cutting edge Emerging Artists Dance Concert with two shows, 7 p.m., Jan. 30, and 2 p.m., Jan. 31, at the Performing Arts Center's Miller Theater. Tickets are available for purchase for $15 at www.sru.edu/tickets. This unique concert is an important tradition in the SRU Dance Department, highlighting the choreography of SRU students and lifting up the creative voices of the next generation of dance artists. This year's concert offerings are the creations of junior and senior dance majors:

By engaging in student organizations and fostering a welcoming and supportive campus culture, Garrett Kristen has established himself as a resilient leader at Slippery Rock University. Kristen overcame early struggles and now serves on the executive boards of Green and White Society and the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, promoting campus traditions and opportunities for students to connect with one another. Kristen, a senior strategic communications and media major from Elizabeth (Elizabeth Forward HS), chose SRU because he values the small-town, tight-knit feelings evoked by campus and town alike that reminds him of his own hometown.

A Slippery Rock University student is exploring new ground and empowering those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) through a faculty-led research project. Natalie Krulac, a senior recreational therapy major from McKees Rocks (Our Lady of the Sacred Heart HS), is studying the effects that students' preferred music has on their focus and attention, examining potential coping strategies for those with ADHD and potentially decreasing excessive use of prescription drugs. Krulac's interest in research took root during a research-based course that she took with Betsy Kemeny, professor of recreational therapy. Krulac credits Kemeny as an important mentor in her time at SRU, supporting and encouraging her through her research.

Celebrating academic excellence and the dedication of high-achieving students, Slippery Rock University has announced its dean's list for the Fall 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.

A Slippery Rock University student is making a lasting impact on the lives of her peers by doing what she loves most - helping others. Haley Barner, a senior chemistry major from Sharpsville (Hickory HS), spent the fall semester serving as a mentor in FYRST seminar, SRU's one-credit course designed to help first-year students bridge the transition between high school and college. Barner was inspired to pursue a position as a FYRST mentor by the experiences that she had in her own FYRST seminar. Barner said that she thought so highly of her own FYRST peer mentor that she decided that she'd like to pay it forward by offering the same support to younger students. This led Barner to serve in the classroom under Ashley Loe, associate professor of chemistry, who was the very professor who ran the FYRST seminar that started it all for Barner.

A Slippery Rock University dance student was again featured on an international stage in New York City. Lauren Mortimer, a senior dual dance and early childhood education major from Butler (Butler HS), was one of 10 choreographers selected to have their work performed at the Nov. 16 Steps Beyond Foundation Choreography Lab. Mortimer performed a piece she choreographed at SRU titled "Breaking Barriers," honoring the resilience of working women. The showcase serves to present a variety of dance styles and expressions at the highest artistic merit level.

A Slippery Rock University student experienced what it's like to nurture the potential of local school-age kids by helping them avoid summer learning loss, all while having fun doing it. Dimajio Locante, an SRU sophomore secondary education major from Pittsburgh (Keystone Oaks HS), spent this summer as a lead counselor for Camp Batch, a summer camp program in Homestead for students in grades 3-10 run by the Best of the Batch Foundation, a nonprofit organization established by former Pittsburgh Steeler Charlie Batch.

Showcasing the outcomes of its commitment to student success, Slippery Rock University will honor graduates who have reached a pivotal milestone in their academic journeys by hosting its 2025 fall commencement ceremony, 11 a.m., Dec. 13, at the Morrow Field House. More than 530 students are eligible to graduate and participate in the ceremony. Graduate students and undergraduates from each of SRU's five colleges will receive their degrees in one ceremony.

A Slippery Rock University student has established herself as a forward-thinking, driving force for change in campus sustainability through her internship with Aramark, the University's contracted food service provider. Abi Lushefski, a senior geography major from Trucksville (Dallas HS), has led the charge to replace the regular plastic bags in campus dining facilities with a cornstarch-based alternative produced by Plastech, a manufacturer of environmentally friendly plastic-alternative products. Through implementing these bags, SRU will save 160,000 plastic bags from entering landfills and ecosystems and contributing to rising levels of microplastics in the environment and greenhouse gas emissions.

Eight seniors in Slippery Rock University's Bachelor of Fine Arts program are sharing the culmination of their college careers through capstone art projects at the Martha Gault Art Gallery Dec. 1-4 and 8-11. Featured artists for Dec. 1-4 are: Megan Anthony from Butler (Butler HS) presenting "Beneath the Surface" (photography). Emma Barrell from Hellertown (Saucon Valley HS) presenting "Hardly Working" (painting). Sarah Heary from Saint Marys (Saint Marys HS) presenting "The Shuffle and the Deal" (drawing). Carla Snodgrass from Petrolia presenting "Held Fragments" (metalsmithing). Featured artists for Dec. 8-11 are: Madison Bauer from Gibsonia (Deer Lakes HS) presenting "Welcome Home" (printmaking). Kimberly Dominguez from McKees Rocks (Montour HS) presenting "In Their Silence" (painting). Nathaniel Gabriel from Monroeville (Gateway HS) presenting "How the Water Holds You" (painting). Zoey Galat from Beaver Falls (Lawrence County Career and Technical Center presenting "Ask Me About My Grief" (photography). The Martha Gault Art Gallery is located at 108 Maltby Ave. and is all-accessible by parking and entry on Campus Drive near Rhoads Hall. Hours are Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Five senior civil engineering students at Slippery Rock University are making tangible change in the community through their capstone project. They are creating a plan to revitalize and improve the accessibility of Misty Hollow Residency, an outdoor space near Ellport for eco-centric artists and scientists to engage the public with their projects.

Student choreography and creative achievements will be on display as the Slippery Rock University Dance Department presents the Fresh Moves Dance Showcase Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. in the Stoner West Dance Studio Theater. The showcase will feature nine choreographed performances by current SRU dance students. Tickets are $10 for general admission and can be purchased online at sru.edu/tickets or at the Smith Student Center information desk.

Allison Taylor is gaining valuable experience contributing to a faculty-led research project that tests how gas is stored underground. Taylor, a Slippery Rock University senior petroleum and natural gas engineering major from Fremont, Ohio (Fremont-Ross HS), has spent the last two years researching under the guidance of Xindi Sun, assistant professor of engineering. They are testing how nanogels, which are tiny gel-like polymers that absorb and release materials, can be more efficient at storing gas in land reservoirs.

A Slippery Rock University student showcased her newly developed leadership skills when Slippery Rock University hosted the Association of Residence Hall Students (ARHS) Regional Leadership Conference, Nov. 7-8. The Campus Success Center was filled with nearly 300 students and advisers from more than a dozen regional universities, but for the ARHS chapter at SRU and organizers like McKenzie Kuth, it was a culmination of their leadership experience across campus. Kuth, a senior mathematics major from Leechburg (Kiski HS), originally chose SRU because of its notable history as a teacher's college and quality of education, something she scoped out as early as when she was in the eighth grade. But once she visited SRU, Kuth noted the vibrancy of the campus and the welcoming community. That experience motivated her to demonstrate those traits upon becoming an SRU student. She got that opportunity by organizing a conference on campus.

Bella Bartoletti is establishing herself as an accomplished, rising voice in her field thanks to her experience at Slippery Rock University. Bartoletti, a senior psychology major from Portage (Portage HS), took home the first prize for the Sloane Prize for Undergraduate Research in the Social and Behavioral Sciences category at the National Collegiate Honors Council Conference in San Diego, Nov. 6-9. Bartoletti's research focus is sports psychology, an area that is close to home for her as a javelin thrower on the SRU track and field team. The research that she presented at the conference focused on the relationship between psychological strain and depression in collegiate athletes, examining how factors of psychological strain, isolation and flourishing patterns predict depression among student-athletes.

Audiences will have four chances to witness the Slippery Rock University Theatre Department's production of "Into the Woods." This Tony Award-winning musical has become a modern classic since it first hit the stage in 1987, captivating audiences for almost four decades with its tale of wishes, family and the choices people make, all told through the entangled stories of characters from the Brothers Grimm's fairytales. Performances will take place in the Performing Arts Center Miller Theater at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 21, Nov. 22 and Nov. 23 and 2 p.m. on Nov. 23. Tickets are $12 for students and $15 for general admission. Tickets can be obtained at sru.edu/tickets or in-person at the ticket counter up to one hour before each performance.

The REACH program at Slippery Rock University gives students the opportunity to climb a rock wall, ride a zipline or complete a high ropes course, all without leaving campus. And students like Katie Weiner are right there, 25 feet above the ground, facilitating the experiences that take education literally to a higher level. Weiner, a junior early childhood and special education major from Levittown (Neshaminy HS), is part of the Campus Recreation student staff that runs the Outdoor Adventures programming, including the REACH program.

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.

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."