UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.— For Shan Wu, the College of Arts and Architecture’s spring 2026 commencement student marshal, the road to success was paved with opportunity and collaboration.
Throughout her time at Penn State as an undergrad, the triple-major in art history, Spanish and medieval studies leveraged opportunities and resources to produce an impressive resume while setting the stage for the next act of her career.
“There are so many students in the college that have outstanding academic achievements, and to be able to represent the college is such a huge honor,” Wu said. “A lot of my successes have come from being part of the college and with the resources given to me.”
Wu, who has built an academic path rooted in interdisciplinary exploration, also pursued minors in history, Italian and music studies. Her focus on medieval Spanish art and architecture grew out of a long-standing interest in art history and her background in Spanish language studies, she said.
Her research centers on cross-cultural interactions in the medieval Iberian Peninsula, particularly in León, Spain. Wu said she examines how artistic objects moved across political and religious boundaries, connecting Christian and Muslim regions as well as influences from across medieval Europe. Her work highlights the idea of a “global Middle Ages,” placing Iberian art within a broader international context.
In 2025, Wu received an Erickson Discovery Grant to conduct fieldwork in León, where she studied sites including the Basilica of San Isidoro. Wu said experiencing the architecture and artifacts in person shaped her research in new ways, which led her to the focus of her undergraduate thesis.
Beyond her research, Wu has taken on leadership roles as a public speaking mentor and undergraduate research ambassador. Through these positions, she said, she developed skills in guiding and supporting peers with varying levels of confidence and experience.
“It’s taught me how to work with different kinds of people, which is especially important as I prepare to leave undergraduate studies,” Wu said. “As a public speaking tutor, I work with students at different skill levels, and while not everyone feels comfortable with public speaking, finding ways to support and encourage them, rather than simply telling them what to do, has been really valuable.”
Among her many accomplishments, Wu said she is most proud of receiving the College of Arts and Architecture’s 2025 Golumbic Scholar Award in Humanistic Achievement. Her project featured an exhibition of her research, including multimedia presentations that explored cross-cultural connections in medieval Spain and topics such as female patronage and historical perspectives on conservation.
After graduation, Wu will continue her studies at the Courtauld Institute of Art in London, England, where she will pursue a master’s degree in art history.
Reflecting on her time at Penn State, Wu encouraged other students to take initiative and make use of available resources.
“Take every opportunity you see. It won’t always work out, but putting yourself out there is the best way to make the most of your undergraduate experience,” Wu said. “The college offers many resources and faculty members who are willing to help and support you, which can make a real difference as you grow in your field.”