Through hands-on experiential learning opportunities with Penn State’s Next Generation Leadership Academy, political science student Kylie Hickoff connected classroom knowledge with real-world public service experiences.
Impact Stories
The latest news and information about Penn State Outreach and its impact on the Commonwealth.
Justin Lee, who graduated from Penn State in summer 2026 with a degree in kinesiology from the College of Health and Human Development, spent part of his time as a student intern with JASI, part of Penn State Outreach.
Penn State senior Julian Vitaglione, a French major in the College of the Liberal Arts, spent two years interning at Neo-Terra, a Grow Biointensive® mini-farm in the State College area.
The K-12 Sustainability Summit connects educators with University experts and resources to explore practical approaches to sustainability education and school-based environmental initiatives.
What started as a spontaneous internship application became the beginning of a meaningful career for Sadie Wilhelm. As a student in Penn State’s Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, Wilhelm joined Penn State Outreach hoping to explore her passion for creativity, storytelling, and marketing. Along the way, she discovered new opportunities, built lasting relationships, and gained experiences that helped shape her personally and professionally.
This fall, during Pumpkin Fest, hundreds of pumpkins transformed The Arboretum at Penn State into an autumn wonderland with hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns and colorful displays.
Students, faculty, and staff are invited to hear firsthand how internships, research, service, and other experiential learning opportunities have helped Penn State students develop skills, explore career paths, and apply their learning beyond the classroom.
The theme for the 2027 show is “Iconic.” The plants, objects, and other elements used should reflect the people, research, history, and experiences that have shaped Penn State. As part of that effort, the Arboretum is inviting the entire Penn State community to help tell the University’s story through a “Call for Objects.”
For more than three decades, Penn State’s Diane Sinkus has helped Pennsylvania’s child support professionals navigate complex cases, learn new systems, and build the skills they need to better serve families.
Pittsburgh Connect is designed exclusively for Penn State students who are eager to explore career opportunities and develop connections in the Pittsburgh job market. The event is free and open to all students regardless of campus, year, or major.