UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Monica Pineiro will represent the Penn State College of the Liberal Arts as its college marshal at the summer 2024 commencement ceremony on Aug. 10 in the Bryce Jordan Center at Penn State University Park. Pineiro will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in classics and ancient Mediterranean studies and a minor in history.

Although Pineiro’s time at the University Park campus wasn’t long, she made a lasting impact through her journey to become the Liberal Arts college marshal. The Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, native began her Penn State career at Penn State Abington and later changed to the University Park campus for her final year. Her love of research and the uniqueness of the Department of Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies led her to Penn State. She felt that no other school offered such exceptional resources.

“The research available in the College of the Liberal Arts is amazing,” Pineiro said. “It is so extensive and immense and so helpful to have a huge library and resources at your fingertips.”

With a love of history and Greek mythology, Pineiro sought a program that would combine these passions with her reading and writing skills. After looking through the College of the Liberal Arts’ website, she discovered the classics and ancient Mediterranean studies major and was immediately interested.

“The Department of Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies here combines traditional teaching of classics with other subfields, which is something very unique to Penn State,” Pineiro said. “I got teachings in archaeology and anthropology on top of classics, so the material is presented in numerous ways to help get a different view of what we’re learning. I’ve learned that so much history is all interconnected, and I’m able to look at things from so many different perspectives now.”

Through her major, Pineiro had numerous opportunities to expand her studies beyond her immediate interests. She studied abroad in Rome through the Study Tour of Roman History and Archaeology offered by the Department of Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies where she discovered a new love of Roman studies. Additionally, she built relationships with the faculty who led the trip to support her through her studies.

Pineiro said the faculty within the College of the Liberal Arts were some of her biggest supporters throughout her college career. With a busy course schedule, she explained that her professors allowed her to feel connected to campus her final year.

“I could talk about my professors up and down,” Pineiro said. “Coming to the University Park campus, I was immediately taking 400-level classes that felt intimidating, but the professors made it so much better. You can just tell they’re passionate and invested in your growth. They’re very eager to expand your horizons and give you access to resources. The professors within the College of the Liberal Arts teach you not just to pass an exam — they teach you because they love learning and want you to take in all of the information.”

Pineiro’s enjoyment of working with faculty and her classics coursework led her to work as a teaching assistant for CAMS 45 Classical Mythology and an English as a Second Language tutor for the LitCorps Program at Penn State.

In addition to being on the Dean’s List every semester, Pineiro was awarded the President Walker Award and funding from the Paul B. Harvey, Jr. Memorial Fund, the Coleman and Margaret Herpel Scholarship, the Barbara Mae Croney Merritt Memorial Award, the De Jong Family Open Doors Scholarship and the Shine Scholarship in the College of the Liberal Arts.

Being selected as the Liberal Arts college marshal for summer commencement took Pineiro by surprise. After waiting several weeks, she discovered the news and was immediately astonished.

“I hadn’t looked at my phone in several hours, but when I picked up my phone, it was the first email there. My mouth dropped, and I didn’t think it was real,” Pineiro said. “When you’re an ambitious person, you always see what all of the options are for awards and honors, but I didn’t think I would get this one.”

Pineiro said that it was hard to find the words to explain the honor she felt in this position. After being tough on herself and setting the bar high, she said this recognition was the biggest affirmation she needed.

“It's acknowledgement — it's like a gold star,” Pineiro said. “It’s proof to me that if you say you can do something, you can seriously make it happen. It’s very affirming to be selected because it’s a reminder that I belong where I am.”

Upon graduation, Pineiro will study for the Law School Admission Test and prepare to apply to and attend law school.