UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Two Penn State students have been recognized as recipients of the 2024 Outstanding Adult Student Award, demonstrating exceptional skill at balancing multiple roles, serving as role models for others and achieving academically.
This year’s recipients were Tyler Colon, an architecture major, and Brittany Keenan, studying nutritional sciences. Both were identified as exceptional adult learners and student veterans at University Park that have overcome obstacles while furthering their education.
“These stellar adult students make a real impact tackling real world problems and modeling student success,” says Leslie Laing, director of Adult Learner Programs and Services and the founder of the Adult Learner Opportunity Fund. “Brittany and Tyler have served their country and now serve our campus community. Having been an undergraduate adult learner myself it gives me great pleasure to be able to recognize these two as Outstanding Adult Student Award winners.”
Colon began at Penn State in fall 2022 after serving in the U.S. Army for five years. During his time with the military, Colon worked as a military working dog handler who helped guard the U.S. president while in Egypt. While at Penn State, Colon has been recognized as an exceptional leader who is actively involved with the American Institute of Architectural Students. He volunteers his time as a speaker, sharing his story with others, and has continually shown a positive attitude and passion for collaboration both inside and outside of the classroom.
Keenan is pursuing an integrated undergraduate and graduate degree program in nutritional sciences while at Penn State. Keenan works as a teaching assistant and does research in the Cognitive Neuroscience Eating and Obesity Lab. After retiring from the U.S. Navy after serving for a decade, Keenan has made an immediate impact on the campus community. She serves as the president of the Penn State Veterans Organization, a Student Veterans of America fellow and a member of the vice president for Student Affairs’ Student Leadership Roundtable. Keenan volunteers as a member of the Anti-Hunger Club and the Veteran Bridge Program which helps other veterans transition to college life.
Both award nominees were honored during an awards luncheon on April 11 by Adult Learner Programs and Services, a unit in the division of Student Affairs, that works to support the over 1,800 adult and veteran learners at University Park.
Grants for the award recipient are provided through the Adult Learner Opportunity Fund. To support the next generation of adult and veteran students, please consider making a donation to the fund by calling 1-888-800-9163 or making a gift online.