UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Alumni Association has selected 17 recent graduates as 2023-24 Young Alumni Ambassadors.
The Young Alumni Ambassador program is a yearlong experience that enhances the connections between young alumni, the Penn State Alumni Association, and the University, and helps participants develop skills to become the University's future volunteer leaders. Participants develop into confident and capable leaders while motivating fellow alumni to engage with the University through volunteerism and membership in the Alumni Association.
The Young Alumni Ambassador program was developed in part through the generosity of Peter and Ann Tombros, who provided seed funding for a pilot initiative, followed by additional support, including a $25,000 gift that was matched by the Alumni Association to create a $50,000 endowment to help fund a portion of the Young Alumni Ambassador experience in perpetuity.
“It’s a great honor for us to continue our partnership with the Penn State Alumni Association and maintain the impact of the Young Alumni Ambassador program,” Peter Tombros said. “This program enhances the post-graduation experience for young alumni by connecting them to seasoned mentors, resources and group leaders throughout the country. This generation of alumni engages with Penn State and the Alumni Association in different ways, and we want them to be involved in shaping the future.”
The 2023-24 ambassadors were selected after an extensive interview process. December 2023 and spring 2024 graduates are encouraged to apply for the 2024-25 class of ambassadors when applications become available in April 2024.
This year’s Young Alumni Ambassadors are:
Madison Borkovich, class of 2023
Human-Centered Design and Development and Film Production
Borkovich graduated with dual honors from Schreyer Honors College and is pursuing a law degree at the University of Miami.
Halaina Bowers, class of 2022
Human Development and Family Studies
Bowers works at The Primary Health Network and is becoming a medical assistant. She serves as the secretary for the Penn State Shenango Alumni Society.
Renata Carlos Daou, class of 2023
International Politics and Broadcast Journalism
Daou is pursuing a master’s degree in data journalism at Columbia University in New York.
Nicholas Cedeno, class of 2023
Labor and Human Resources and Chinese
Cedeno works as an employee relations analyst for PIMCO in New York City, serving as a liaison between employees and human resources and overseeing benefits and compensation for several areas.
Martha Christino, class of 2023
Meteorology and Civil Engineering
Christino is a doctoral student at the University of Michigan Rackham Graduate School, focusing on combining climate and energy models to advance sustainable systems through low-impact energy technologies for a sustainable and equitable world.
Amy Garry, class of 2023
Secondary Education
Garry is an event assistant for the Office of Development Programs at the University of Pennsylvania.
Sydney Gibbard, class of 2023
Biomedical Engineering
Gibbard works as an associate for Boston Consulting Group in Philadelphia, consulting for clients in the health care and social impact fields.
Bayli Grossi, class of 2023
Industrial Engineering
Grossi is a junior industrial engineer with URBN in Lancaster, and served as resident director for the 2023 Pennsylvania Deaf and Hard of Hearing Summer Academy at the University Park campus. She is interested in pursuing mentorship and outreach opportunities in K-12 STEM education.
Dana Hallahan, class of 2023
Biology
Hallahan is currently assistant director of alumni relations for Penn State Brandywine.
Andrew Lapeire, class of 2023
Marketing
Lapeire is a territory sales lead for The Hershey Co., working with key decision-makers in various retail accounts to leverage Hershey’s products and win space and promotions on the sales floor.
Renata Proano, class of 2023
Biology
Proano works for Visionary Eye Doctors in Clarksburg, Maryland, as an ophthalmic scribe under the leadership of internationally recognized doctors and gaining clinical experience for medical school, where she hopes to learn more about ocular conditions.
Francesgladys Pulido, class of 2019; class of 2023 graduate
Higher Education
Pulido is the assistant director of the Center for Multicultural Student Services at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
Dhruv Shahane, class of 2023
Finance
Shahane works as an analyst at Lincoln International’s Valuation and Opinions Group in New York City, delivering accurate portfolio valuations to public, private company management teams and boards of directors.
Divisha Singh, class of 2023
Information Sciences and Technology
Singh works as a cyber risk and regulatory associate for PricewaterhouseCoopers in New York, helping clients assess and manage cybersecurity risks.
Megan Swift, class of 2023
Journalism
Swift is a news reporter for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, covering K-12 education and local politics.
Kara Wright, class of 2022
Biology
Wright is a technology transfer intern at the Penn State Office of Technology Management, creating engaging, nonconfidential summaries for Penn State innovations and helping to develop marketing materials.
Vivian Zangari, class of 2022
Education
Zangari is the student involvement coordinator at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, working to enhance the overall student experience by promoting and facilitating co-curricular activities, programs and organizations.