UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Student marshals will represent the Penn State College of Health and Human Development and each department during the spring 2023 commencement ceremony.
Health and Human Development program marshals
Athletic Training
Winta Thompson, daughter of Fanny and David Thompson, of White Plains, New York, will receive a bachelor of science degree in athletic training. Thompson was a member of the Penn State Student Athletic Training Club, most recently serving as the group’s vice president. She also served as the Athletic Training Room chair for Penn State THON. She was a student athletic trainer for Penn State athletic teams in football, soccer, tennis and wrestling, along with serving as a trainer for State College Area High School.
Thompson was a recipient of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Research and Education Foundation Scholarship and the Pepsi Scholarship.
After graduation, Thompson plans to obtain certification as an athletic trainer and work in a hospital or physical therapy clinic or for a professional soccer team.
Biobehavioral Health
Alexandra Pino, daughter of Joseph and Natalie Pino, of Wilmington, North Carolina, will receive a bachelor of science degree in biobehavioral health. Pino was a member of Penn State University Remote Area Medical. She worked as a research intern for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and as an undergraduate research assistant in biobehavioral health and nutritional sciences. Additionally, she completed internships with the Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition, the North Carolina Columbus County Public Health Department, and the Penn State Clinic Intern Program.
Pino was a Schreyer Honors Scholar, and her thesis was titled, “Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices and Barriers to Achieving Optimal Nutrition in Indigenous Guatemalan Caregivers.”
In the future, Pino hopes to focus on global health nutrition for a world-wide organization, such as UNICEF or The World Health Organization.
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Julia Sultana, daughter of Joe and Lori Sultana, of Boone, North Carolina, will receive a bachelor of science degree in communication sciences and disorders. Sultana was a member of Penn State Harmony, most recently serving as rehearsal chair. She was a member of the Penn State National Student Speech Language Hearing Association, serving as the diversity liaison. She also worked as an undergraduate research assistant in the Cole Emotional Regulation Lab; the Speech, Language and Cognition Lab; and the Cognition and Language Learning Lab. Additionally, she served as a teaching assistant for CSD 311: Clinical Phonetics. She also was a THON committee member on the Dancer Relations Committee and the Special Events Committee, as well as a captain on the Family Relations Committee. Sultana also served as both a student mentor and as a job coach at the WorkLink program at Penn State.
Sultana was a Schreyer Honors Scholar, conducting the thesis project, “Effect of the SO(A)R Intervention on the Communication Functions of Children with Autism Using AAC.” She received the Jane B. Slep Honors Scholarship, President’s Freshman Award, and the University Park Provost Award.
Following graduation, Sultana will pursue a master’s degree in speech and hearing sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Health Policy and Administration
Taylor Jones, daughter of the late Thalia Jones, will receive a bachelor of science degree in health policy and administration with a minor in rehabilitation and human services. Jones was a member of Sisters on the Runway, most recently serving as treasurer, and volunteered at LifeLink PSU. Jones was a member of the American College of Health Care Administrators and served as a recruitment team leader and peer educator for HealthWorks. She also completed an internship with Penn State Health Promotion and Wellness. She was a recipient of the Giannopoulos Trustee Scholarship and received a nomination for the Francis Hoffman Award for Excellence in Writing.
Jones is enrolled in Penn State College of Medicine’s Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate Accelerated Master of Public Health (MPH) program and will attend graduate school at Penn State Hershey for an additional year to pursue an MPH degree.
Hospitality Management
Yan Tung (Yunice) Ip, daughter of Tat Shing Ip and Lai Sheung Tinna Hon, of Hong Kong, will receive a bachelor of science degree in hospitality management. Ip served as president of the Hong Kong Student Association and as the director of social media for the Elite League of Hospitality in Asia. She served as a global ambassador and an international student orientation leader for Penn State Global and was involved with the International Student Council. She also participated in THON as a member of the Dancer Relations Committee.
As a Schreyer Honors Scholar, Yunice Ip conducted a thesis project, “Customer Selection on Airbnb or Hotels: Perspective of Travelers Visiting Amusement Parks.” She was a member of Eta Sigma Delta Hospitality Honor Society and was a recipient of the Alumni Recognition for Student Excellence Award for Hospitality Management, the President’s Freshman Award, and the President’s Sparks Award.
Following graduation, Ip intends to become an event planner and found her own company.
Human Development and Family Studies
Jennifer Harris, daughter of William McKissick Jr., of Castleton, New York, and Claire Mann, of West Henrietta, New York, will receive a bachelor of science degree in human development and family studies.
Following graduation, Harris will pursue a master’s degree in social work either at SUNY Buffalo or Syracuse University. After graduate school, Harris plans to work as a medical social worker.
Kinesiology
Victoria Suhy, daughter of Joseph and Mindi Suhy, of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, will receive a bachelor of science degree in kinesiology. Suhy was a member of the Kinesiology Club and was a Penn State Campus Recreation Certified Personal Trainer. She also was a research assistant in the Exercise Prescription Lab and the Exercise Psychology Lab.
Suhy was a member of the Health and Human Development Honor Society, the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society of Penn State, and the National Honor Society of Leadership and Service. She was a recipient of the President’s Freshman Award and a two-time recipient of the Evan Pugh Scholar Award.
Following graduation, Suhy will continue her education at Penn State to pursue her master’s and doctoral degrees of science in kinesiology in the Psychology of Physical Activity area of emphasis while working with Danielle Downs, professor of kinesiology and obstetrics and gynecology, in the Exercise Psychology Lab.
Nutritional Sciences
Anna Santoro, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Santoro, of West Hartford, Connecticut, will receive a bachelor of science degree in nutritional sciences. Santoro served as the health and wellness chair for Phi Epsilon Kappa and the small group coordinator for CHAARG. She also was a member of the Student Nutrition Association.
Santoro was a recipient of the Evan Pugh Scholar Award in her junior and senior years, the Nutrition and Dietetics Alumni Society John E. Smith Outstanding Senior in Nutrition Award, and the Genevieve P. Ho Award in Nutrition.
After graduation, Santoro will complete a dietetic internship and pursue a master’s degree with a focus on clinical nutrition.
Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management
Leann Piekut, daughter of Brian and Kimberly Piekut, of Irwin, Pennsylvania, will receive a bachelor of science degree in recreation, park, and tourism management. Piekut spent her first two years at Penn State Greater Allegheny, where she worked as a Lion Ambassador, served as senator for the Student Government Association, and participated in the Alternative Spring Break Club and completed a service trip in Puerto Rico.
At University Park, she has served as vice president of the Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management Student Society. She participated in the Guest Activities Practicum, which included an embedded travel component focusing on increasing students’ understanding and appreciation of the guest experience. She has worked as a front desk agent at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center for two years and after her first year was promoted to front office student supervisor. She also completed an activities internship with Marriott Vacation Club at Legend’s Edge in Panama City, Florida, and she completed a sales and marketing internship with Tussey Mountain Ski Resort. Most recently, she completed a meeting and event planning internship with Penn State Conferences and Institutes.
Piekut was a recipient of the Fred M. Coombs Scholarship, as well as the President’s Freshman Award, Academic Achievement Award, President Sparks Award, Libraries’ Undergraduate Research Award, the Faculty Award for Academic Excellence in Health and Human Development, the Evan Pugh Scholar Award, and the Alumni Recognition for Student Excellence Award for Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management. She also joined Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education.
Following graduation, Piekut plans to participate in the 2023 Semester at Sea internship with Carnival Cruise Lines in the activities department, after which she will pursue a career in the cruise industry.
Reserve Officer’s Training Corp (ROTC)
Lea Lenker, daughter of Denny and Lisa Lenker, of Gratz, Pennsylvania, will receive a bachelor of science degree in biobehavioral health. Lenker most recently served as the executive officer for Penn State Army ROTC’s Bravo Company. She worked as an undergraduate research assistant in the ProHealth Research Lab and as an undergraduate teaching instructor for BBH 440: Principles of Epidemiology.
Lenker was a recipient of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution Silver ROTC Medal, the Outstanding ROTC Scholar Leader Vice President’s Award, and the American Legion Scholarship Excellence Award.
Following graduation, Lenker will begin her military career in the Pennsylvania National Guard Medical Readiness Detachment at Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. She plans to attend medical school in fall 2024.