From supporting space missions to advancing pediatric cancer research to preserving insights of military leaders, Penn State alumni are making an impact in a variety of ways. With one of the world's largest alumni networks, Penn Staters can be found all around making a difference in corporate board rooms, government agencies, research laboratories, nonprofit organizations, creative studios and more.
One million Penn State degrees means there are one million unique Penn State stories. Below is a small sampling of some of the many ways Penn Staters are using their degrees to change lives, elevate impact and make a difference.
Before earning a bachelor’s degree in food science in May 2026, Katie Rupert, left, had secured a full-time position with Kraft Heinz Co., working in research and development, thanks to the education and experiences she gained in the College of Agricultural Sciences. “You don’t have to come from an ag background,” she said. “There is a community of people here who will embrace you and even though Penn State is a big place, I feel like I have the small-school experience with the benefits of going to a big university.” Credit: Penn State. All Rights Reserved.
Leon Smith, who earned a master of education degree (M.Ed) in instructional systems in 2005 and is currently an Advanced Placement U.S. History and African American studies teacher at Haverford High School in Havertown, Pennsylvania, has been named the 2026 National Teacher of the Year by the Council of Chief State School Officers. He is the second consecutive Penn State alum to win the award. Credit: Brett Sims/Council of Chief State School Officers. All Rights Reserved.
As an aerospace engineering major who earned her bachelor’s degree in 2021, Jung Eun Park jumped into undergraduate research with a faculty mentor at Penn State Abington. The experiences and relationships she developed informed her career path, which has taken her to the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab to the Silicon Valley. “I loved my research. It was very hands-on ... It taught me how to turn ideas into real systems," she said. "The projects gave me a broader sense of structures and materials, and that’s the path I wound up taking." Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons
Claribel Rivas, who earned a bachelor's degree in public relations in 2018, is senior social media manager at PBS Digital Studios, where she works with producers and local PBS stations to develop social media and YouTube strategies that connect audiences with engaging, educational content. She credits Penn State with giving her the confidence to pursue every opportunity. "As long as you have a vision, you can create it for yourself," she said. "Even when everything seems like it's going wrong, one day you'll look back and realize how it all worked out."Credit: Photo Provided. All Rights Reserved.
Jimmy Kroon, who earned his master of geographic information systems degree in 2011, conducts GIS (geographic information system) work on the Swan Lake Fire for a Wildfire Type 1 Incident Management Team. Kroon was recently named deputy secretary of the Delaware Department of Agriculture after a career shaped by geospatial work and public service. “[My degree in geographic information systems] gave me a way to bring those interests together through technical problem-solving tied to the environment and the world around us,” he said. Credit: Provided by Jimmy Kroon. All Rights Reserved.
Kate McClain, fourth from the left, is using the bachelor’s degree in biobehavioral health she earned online in 2023 to help advance pediatric cancer research at the Penn State College of Medicine. “I never imagined I would one day be on this side of THON, but I am truly honored and grateful to be doing this work — it has brought my Penn State experience full circle,” she said. “It is a dream come true to be able to work hard every day to improve the lives and futures of pediatric cancer patients across the world.” Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons
Jessica Sheets, who earned a doctorate in American studies from Penn State Harrisburg in 2020, works as an oral historian at the U.S. Marine Corps History Division at Quantico, Virginia. Sheets said her time at Penn State Harrisburg helped prepare her for her career by strengthening her research skills, attention to detail and critical thinking. Credit: Provided. All Rights Reserved.
Globally recognized marketing leader Jim Stengel, center, graduated with an MBA from Penn State Smeal College of Business in 1983, and this year was inducted into the Advertising Hall of Fame in recognition of an impactful career that has centered around helping companies live out their mission and purpose. “This journey to the Hall of Fame began at Penn State," Stengel said. "I discovered my career direction — and frankly my life direction — while earning my MBA at Smeal,” he said. Credit: Penn State. All Rights Reserved.
Penn State Behrend 1965 alumnus David Maynard, among many other career accomplishments, was part of the team that supported the Apollo 13 lunar mission — and one of the engineers that helped safely bring the crew of the lunar module back to Earth after an in-flight oxygen tank explosion. “The euphoria of getting that accomplished … that was something,” he said. Credit: Penn State Behrend / Penn State. Creative Commons
For the first time in more than three decades, a Penn Stater has earned one of science’s most competitive graduate fellowships. 2026 plant sciences alumnus Charlie Covin is one of only 19 students across the United States to be named a 2026 Hertz Fellow, reflecting his passion for research into mechanisms to improve food security, reduce pesticide use and help farmers adapt to climate change. “I'm most energized when working at the intersection of fundamental discovery and practical application,” Colvin said. Credit: Provided. All Rights Reserved.
Before earning a bachelor’s degree in food science in May 2026, Katie Rupert, left, had secured a full-time position with Kraft Heinz Co., working in research and development, thanks to the education and experiences she gained in the College of Agricultural Sciences. “You don’t have to come from an ag background,” she said. “There is a community of people here who will embrace you and even though Penn State is a big place, I feel like I have the small-school experience with the benefits of going to a big university.” Credit: Penn State. All Rights Reserved.
Leon Smith, who earned a master of education degree (M.Ed) in instructional systems in 2005 and is currently an Advanced Placement U.S. History and African American studies teacher at Haverford High School in Havertown, Pennsylvania, has been named the 2026 National Teacher of the Year by the Council of Chief State School Officers. He is the second consecutive Penn State alum to win the award. Credit: Brett Sims/Council of Chief State School Officers. All Rights Reserved.
As an aerospace engineering major who earned her bachelor’s degree in 2021, Jung Eun Park jumped into undergraduate research with a faculty mentor at Penn State Abington. The experiences and relationships she developed informed her career path, which has taken her to the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab to the Silicon Valley. “I loved my research. It was very hands-on ... It taught me how to turn ideas into real systems," she said. "The projects gave me a broader sense of structures and materials, and that’s the path I wound up taking." Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons
Claribel Rivas, who earned a bachelor's degree in public relations in 2018, is senior social media manager at PBS Digital Studios, where she works with producers and local PBS stations to develop social media and YouTube strategies that connect audiences with engaging, educational content. She credits Penn State with giving her the confidence to pursue every opportunity. "As long as you have a vision, you can create it for yourself," she said. "Even when everything seems like it's going wrong, one day you'll look back and realize how it all worked out."Credit: Photo Provided. All Rights Reserved.
Jimmy Kroon, who earned his master of geographic information systems degree in 2011, conducts GIS (geographic information system) work on the Swan Lake Fire for a Wildfire Type 1 Incident Management Team. Kroon was recently named deputy secretary of the Delaware Department of Agriculture after a career shaped by geospatial work and public service. “[My degree in geographic information systems] gave me a way to bring those interests together through technical problem-solving tied to the environment and the world around us,” he said. Credit: Provided by Jimmy Kroon. All Rights Reserved.
Kate McClain, fourth from the left, is using the bachelor’s degree in biobehavioral health she earned online in 2023 to help advance pediatric cancer research at the Penn State College of Medicine. “I never imagined I would one day be on this side of THON, but I am truly honored and grateful to be doing this work — it has brought my Penn State experience full circle,” she said. “It is a dream come true to be able to work hard every day to improve the lives and futures of pediatric cancer patients across the world.” Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons
Jessica Sheets, who earned a doctorate in American studies from Penn State Harrisburg in 2020, works as an oral historian at the U.S. Marine Corps History Division at Quantico, Virginia. Sheets said her time at Penn State Harrisburg helped prepare her for her career by strengthening her research skills, attention to detail and critical thinking. Credit: Provided. All Rights Reserved.
Globally recognized marketing leader Jim Stengel, center, graduated with an MBA from Penn State Smeal College of Business in 1983, and this year was inducted into the Advertising Hall of Fame in recognition of an impactful career that has centered around helping companies live out their mission and purpose. “This journey to the Hall of Fame began at Penn State," Stengel said. "I discovered my career direction — and frankly my life direction — while earning my MBA at Smeal,” he said. Credit: Penn State. All Rights Reserved.
Penn State Behrend 1965 alumnus David Maynard, among many other career accomplishments, was part of the team that supported the Apollo 13 lunar mission — and one of the engineers that helped safely bring the crew of the lunar module back to Earth after an in-flight oxygen tank explosion. “The euphoria of getting that accomplished … that was something,” he said. Credit: Penn State Behrend / Penn State. Creative Commons
For the first time in more than three decades, a Penn Stater has earned one of science’s most competitive graduate fellowships. 2026 plant sciences alumnus Charlie Covin is one of only 19 students across the United States to be named a 2026 Hertz Fellow, reflecting his passion for research into mechanisms to improve food security, reduce pesticide use and help farmers adapt to climate change. “I'm most energized when working at the intersection of fundamental discovery and practical application,” Colvin said. Credit: Provided. All Rights Reserved.