Penn State Harrisburg announces spring 2026 student marshals

MIDDLETOWN, Pa. — Penn State Harrisburg has selected six graduates to serve as student marshals at the spring 2026 commencement ceremony. The students will bear the banners representing each academic school and, together with the faculty marshals, lead the graduating students during the ceremony processional.

Student marshals were selected based on their GPAs (grade point averages) from among students eligible to graduate. Other criteria considered included engagement with the academic school and the college, involvement in research, involvement in leadership activities, and faculty recommendations.

The spring 2026 student marshals are:

School of Behavioral Sciences and Education

Jenna A. Frey, bachelor of science in communication sciences and disorders

Frey, of New Tripoli, Pennsylvania, earned a cumulative 4.0 GPA, making the Dean’s List every semester, and received the President Walker Award, President Sparks Award, and the Evan Pugh Scholar Award for academic achievement. On campus, Frey worked in the Admissions Office and as a resident assistant, and she served as a peer mentor in the Career Studies program, providing academic and social support to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Frey, who also minored in human development and family studies, was the vice president of the campus chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association, after being active with the club for several years and leading community service efforts.

For two years, Frey worked with Tara McCarty, assistant professor of communication sciences and disorders, as an undergraduate student research assistant investigating augmentative and alternative communication design for individuals with multiple disabilities. She co-presented a research poster at the annual convention of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association in Washington D.C., earning special recognition as a poster selected for a Centennial Session award, and presented at the Pennsylvania Speech-Language Hearing Association convention. After graduation, Frey will attend DeSales University to pursue a master’s degree in speech and language pathology.

Frey will be escorted by faculty marshals Tara McCarty, assistant professor of communication sciences and disorders, and Weston Kensinger, teaching professor of biobehavioral health.

School of Business Administration

Abishek Mahat, bachelor of science in cybersecurity analytics and operations

Mahat is graduating with a 3.98 GPA. Originally from Pathari, Nepal, Mahat moved to the United States as a child and lived in Erie, Pennsylvania, before moving to Harrisburg, where he attended Dauphin County Technical School. He studied in the web development and design program for four years, learning to design and build dynamic websites using various programming languages. While in high school, he started working as a co-op intern at the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, where he still works today. In that role, he helps build interactive web-based training videos for over 10,000 state employees.

Throughout his time at Penn State Harrisburg, he has focused on academic excellence, personal growth and developing the skills necessary to succeed in the professional world. He said his experiences inside and outside the classroom have strengthened his leadership, analytical thinking, and commitment to continuous improvement. Mahat is currently working on three home lab projects to further advance his cybersecurity skills and abilities.

Mahat will be escorted by Andrew Morrow, associate teaching professor of cybersecurity, and Jody Salsman, lecturer in accounting.

School of Humanities

Hannah Gorrell, bachelor of humanities in English

Gorrell, of Palmyra, Pennsylvania, is graduating with a cumulative GPA of 4.0 and completed the English secondary education option. She said she is passionate about helping young learners grow as people, connect with and enjoy literature, and develop a voice and skill for communicating with writing. She completed her student teaching at Lower Dauphin High School, where she polished her teaching skills and established positive connections with students and faculty. Gorrell is a member of the Capital College Honors Program, and she published her thesis on political gender performance and staged plays in the English Renaissance.

Gorrell is a member of Sigma Tau Delta, the English Honor Society, and is the recipient of the Evan Pugh Scholar Award, the Analytical/Scholarly Research and Writing Award, and the Excellence in Secondary Education Award at Penn State Harrisburg. She volunteered at the Palmyra Public Library, helping with the summer reading program and encouraging children of all ages to continue developing their reading habits. In addition to student teaching and volunteering, Gorrell had the opportunity to study abroad in Ireland during the summer of 2023. Gorrell intends to teach in the area after graduation and pursue a master's degree in library and information science.

Gorrell will be escorted by Emily MacLeod, assistant professor of English, and Russell Kirkscey, associate professor of English and technical and professional writing.

School of Public Affairs

Makayla Smith, bachelor of science in criminal justice

Smith, of Spring Lake, North Carolina, is graduating with a cumulative GPA of 3.95. A Capital College Honors Program student, she also earned certificates in Undergraduate Research Readiness, Inclusion and Equity Advocacy, and Graduate Assistant Teaching through Penn State, and she is taking graduate coursework through the Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate (IUG) program.

Following her involvement with a police-related Research Experience for Undergraduates project, Smith, who also minored in psychology, focused her undergraduate honors thesis on police appearance policies regarding police uniforms and regulation frameworks, research supported by the Penn State 2025 Erickson Discovery Grant. She presented her preliminary findings at the 2025 American Society of Criminology meeting in Washington, D.C. and on campus at Research Day 2025, and she was recognized with the James M. Ruiz Criminal Justice Scholar Award. Smith also serves as a student auxiliary officer with the Penn State Harrisburg University Police and volunteers with the campus food pantry. During academic breaks, she volunteers at an elementary school.

Following graduation, Smith will remain at Penn State Harrisburg to complete a master’s degree in criminal justice, and she plans to remain active in research, teaching development, and service within the community and criminal justice field.

Smith will be escorted by Jennifer Gibbs, associate professor of criminal justice, and Shauntey James, assistant teaching professor of criminal justice.

School of Science, Engineering, and Technology

Rebekah Daley, bachelor of science in biology

Daley, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania is graduating with a 4.0 GPA, was named to the Dean's List multiple semesters, and received the President Walker Award.  She has been actively engaged in clinical research at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center through the Emergency Medicine Research Associate Program and the Department of Emergency Medicine, where she has contributed to IRB-approved studies focused on patient care, adolescent mental health, and emerging medical technologies.

Daley has demonstrated leadership and service as treasurer of the Health Sciences Club and as an undergraduate peer mentor, supporting students in academic planning, research involvement, and professional development. Her commitment to community engagement includes volunteer work with UNTO Humanitarian Ministries and Ronald McDonald House Charities.

In addition to her academic and service contributions, Daley has developed clinical experience as a medical assistant at Patient First Urgent Care and as a nationally certified pharmacy technician with CVS Pharmacy. Following graduation, Daley intends to pursue medical school and a career as a physician.

Daley will be escorted by Purnima Neogi, assistant teaching professor of biology, and Oscar Lopez, associate teaching professor of mathematical sciences.

J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School

Shelley Morrisette, doctor of philosophy in American studies

Shelley Morrisette, a native of Currituck County, North Carolina, received a bachelor’s degree and MBA from Old Dominion University and then began a 20-year business career at the Gallup Organization. At Gallup, Morrisette was engaged in numerous projects, including creating new survey sampling techniques, launching the high-technology division and Gallup International where he worked in over 65 countries around the world. Morrisette also received his master’s and doctorate degrees in economics during that period. In 1992, Morrisette left Gallup and launched his own firm,  Morrisette Research, which conducted high-technology research and consulting for several industries including telecommunications, biotechnology and energy. He sold the company in 2002 and moved to Shippensburg University, where he launched the entrepreneurship program.

Morrisette spent the past 24 years teaching and mentoring young entrepreneurs in Pennsylvania. In 2016, he enrolled in the American Studies program at Penn State Harrisburg. He has written numerous papers on 20th Century American culture. His dissertation investigates the history of the LPGA organizational effectiveness and culture. He is writing on a book on the inter-war years (1919-39) and the economic and cultural changes that occurred.

Morisette will be escorted by John Haddad, professor of American studies, and Mary Zaborskis, associate professor of American studies and gender studies.