Academics

Shannon Walker named spring 2020 Education student marshal

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Shannon Walker has been selected as the College of Education's student marshal for Penn State's spring 2020 Commencement ceremony, which will be held virtually at 2 p.m. on May 9. 

Walker selected Efraín Marimon, assistant professor of education, to escort her as the college's faculty marshal. Stephanie Hopkins has served as her academic adviser.

From Furlong, Pennsylvania, Walker has been on the dean's list since fall 2016. She is graduating with a 4.0 GPA, with a bachelor of science in elementary and early childhood education and minors in special education, education policy studies and theatre. She also is in the Schreyer Honors College.

Walker was a first-grade student teacher from August to November 2019 at Strodes Mills Elementary in the Mifflin County School District. Her experiences there included teaching research-based curriculum; developing a writing unit and lesson plans for all subject areas; and participating in schoolwide and professional development training opportunities. She finished her student teaching abroad in Thessaloniki, Greece, where she assisted English teachers for grades one to 11. 

She also has been a Community Education Extended Learning support staff and a substitute teacher in the State College Area School District; a summer instructor at a community school musical theater camp in the Central Bucks School District; and a classroom support teacher at the Bennett Family Center on the Penn State University Park campus.

Walker has held leadership roles in the Student Pennsylvania State Education Association and the Penn State Thespian Society. She was a fellow for the D.C. Social Justice Fellowship in 2018. She also danced in THON this year.

After graduation, Walker plans to work in a public school as an elementary teacher. She also hopes to work with children’s theater programs, either in a school or community setting.

Program marshals are:

— Education and Public Policy: Emma Rohan, escorted by Kai Schafft, professor of education (educational leadership) and rural sociology

— Elementary and Early Childhood Education: Katherine Kosick, escorted by Kathleen Sillman, assistant professor of education; and Erika Felker, escorted by Paula Marden, instructor of education

Middle Level Education: Olivia Simoncic, escorted by Fran Arbaugh, associate professor of education (mathematics education)

Rehabilitation and Human Services: Brynn Parkin, escorted by Jessica Henry, assistant teaching professor of education

Secondary Education: Madisyn Aman, escorted by Al D’Ambrosia, instructor of education

Special Education: Stephanie Magnotta, escorted by Jeremy Moeller, assistant teaching professor

World Languages Education: Colin Murphy, escorted by Mindy Kornhaber, associate professor of education (educational theory and policy)

Last Updated April 21, 2020

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