UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Azniv Nalbandian will represent the Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies as a student marshal at the College of the Liberal Arts commencement ceremony on May 4. The Paterno Fellow and Schreyer Scholar is graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in women’s studies and Russian. She will be escorted by Jill Wood, teaching professor of women’s, gender, and sexuality studies.

During her time at Penn State, Nalbandian engaged in a variety of activities. She was a member of the Penn State Women’s Rugby Club team, where she formerly served as president and captain. Nalbandian also volunteered at Easterly Parkway Elementary School.

When reflecting on her experiences over the past four years, Nalbandian attributes her successes to her hard work as well as the relationships she has cultivated with professors.

“My liberal arts education taught me the power of knowledge. The ability to access such a highly esteemed education changed my life,” said Nalbandian. “As a first-generation college student, I will always remember that my roots and future successes are due to the commitment of each and every professor I’ve had the honor to work with.”

After graduation, Nalbandian plans to move to Denver, Colorado, to pursue her dream of playing in the Women’s Rugby World Cup. The event will occur in New Zealand in 2021. In addition to moving, she plans to apply to law school this coming fall.

To students in the College of the Liberal Arts, Nalbandian offers the following advice.

“I would advise students to take a variety of courses your first year because exposure is the best way to assess the direction of your academic career. Once you find something you love to do, the accolades and accomplishments will come once you find your passion,” said Nalbandian. “Also, build relationships with professors. I’ve been fortunate to foster relationships with my professors that I hope will last beyond my time at Penn State.”

This is the 13th in a series of stories on the 22 student marshals representing the College of the Liberal Arts at the spring 2019 commencement ceremony.