The Baroness Joanna Shields, a Penn State alumna who earned a degree in public service in 1984, is returning to University Park to share her life’s journey with students and discuss how technology is challenging sociopolitical systems and security. Her lecture, co-sponsored by the College of the Liberal Arts and the Student Programming Association, will take place at 8 p.m. Oct. 24 in the HUB-Robeson Center's Heritage Hall. The event is free to current students, with limited seating to the public based on availability.
During her visit, Shields will be honored by Penn State as an Alumni Fellow — the highest award given by the Penn State Alumni Association. She will also be one of eight College of the Liberal Arts alumnae participating in Penn State Women: Leaders of Today and Tomorrow. The event, scheduled to take place Oct. 25 and 26, brings together recognized leaders in finance, technology, business, and public service for a panel discussion and one-on-one meetings with students from all majors across the University.
The story goes like this: A young lady from a small town is the first in her family to go to and then graduate from college. While in school and working part time, she writes a business plan for a small company that opens the door to professional opportunities not only on the other side of the country, but also on the other side of the globe. Eventually, she finds herself living in London and working for one of the largest, most recognized companies in the world.
But the story doesn’t end there. The young lady is persuaded by the British prime minister to help make the United Kingdom a digital powerhouse, all while making the internet and the world a safer place — especially for children. She accepts the challenge, and so impressive is her work that she is appointed an officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) and named a Life Peer in the House of Lords.