Penn State Harrisburg to hold fall 2023 commencement Dec. 16

MIDDLETOWN, Pa. — Penn State Harrisburg will hold its fall 2023 commencement ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Giant Center in Hershey.

A livestream of the commencement ceremony for the benefit of graduates’ family members who may not be able to attend the ceremony in person will be available. For more ceremony details and the livestream link, visit harrisburg.psu.edu/commencement.

Vice president of emergency services for the Mount Sinai Health System and Penn State alumnus Robin Ferrer will serve as keynote speaker at the ceremony.

In his role as vice president of emergency services for the Mount Sinai Health System, Ferrer provides leadership and oversight for all the emergency departments in the Mount Sinai Health System. He oversees clinical operations, nursing and other administrative functions and is accountable for the effectiveness, efficiency and compliance of health care across the health system. He also leads efforts to implement a strategic plan that is aligned with the priorities that reflect contemporary emergency services.

Prior to joining Mount Sinai, Ferrer served as the director of operations and nursing for the New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. He began his career in 2004 at New York University, then transitioned to New York-Presbyterian Columbia/Columbia University in 2006. He was promoted to leadership roles within the organization, where he successfully led teams in improving quality, throughput, patient safety, employee engagement and culture.

Ferrer received a bachelor of science degree from Penn State and a master’s degree in nursing administration and a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in health care management from the College of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, New York. He also serves as an adjunct professor at the College of Mount Saint Vincent, teaching business and health care administration.

Ferrer is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Greater Hospital Association of New York and is a board-certified nurse executive. He was inducted recently as a fellow into the New York Academy of Medicine. Ferrer, his wife, Zuleika, and their two children live in New York City. Their oldest daughter is currently in her first year of studies at Penn State.

Grigorios Papachristos, of Downey, California, who will receive his bachelor of science degree in kinesiology, has been chosen to serve as the student speaker for the ceremony. Throughout his time at Penn State Harrisburg, Papachristos was involved in academic, athletic and volunteer activities on campus. He was founder and president of the Pre-Med Club. He worked as a peer tutor at the Russell E. Horn Sr. Learning Center. These experiences coupled with his hospital employment has led to his desire to pursue a medical degree.