Jacob Albright Scholars
JACOB ALBRIGHT SCHOLARS 2024
In 1982, Albright College established the Society of Jacob Albright Scholars to encourage and acknowledge sustained academic achievement.
Students who have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.85 or higher and who have completed at least half of their coursework at Albright College are granted life-time membership into this distinguished community of Jacob Albright Scholars. On Sunday, May 5, 2024, 35 new members from the Class of 2024 were inducted into this academic society.
Kevin X. Aguila
Areas of Concentration: Game and Simulation Development
Faculty and Staff Comments: Kevin knows what he wants and is committed to accomplishing it. His spontaneous artwork and attention to detail will take him far toward his goals.
Madeline A. Albright
Areas of Concentration: Accounting, Sustainable Business
Honors, Awards and Accomplishments: Dean’s List (2020-2023); William and Mary Dearden Business Administration Scholars Award: Accounting (2024)
Future Objectives: Pursue the CPA exam.
Albright Inspiration: My parents and so many professors: Dr. Obazee, Dr. Palmer, Professor Junikiewicz, Professor Schott, Professor Katz, Dr. Rice, and Dr. Couchman,
Cherished Memory: I loved helping fellow students study for exams.
Faculty and Staff Comments: Madeline is, of course, an excellent accounting student. She is always on top of her work and strives to do her best. Madeline is always a pleasure to have in class! We are looking forward to seeing Madeline continue to grow her Accounting knowledge as she begins her career with RKL. Madeline is an impressive student who has the hallmarks of a scholar. We are looking for Madeline to get her CPA, Masters and join our Faculty in the future!
Jordan L. Brown
Areas of Concentration: English and Secondary Education
Campus Organizations and Extracurricular Activities: Sigma Tau Delta, president (2022-2024); Student Success Center peer tutor (2022-2024)
Departmental Activities: Sigma Tau Delta (2022-2024); PSEA (2021-2024)
Honors, Awards and Accomplishments: Dean’s List (2020-2024); Patricia Shearer Mertz Teaching Award (2023); RC Douds Memorial Scholarship (2023); Albright College Presidential Scholarship (2020-2024)
College Achievements: I have had successful student teaching experiences at Conrad Weiser High School and Reading’s Southern Middle School.
Future Objectives: I am getting my secondary English teaching certification to become a high school English teacher.
Albright Inspiration: Lesley Goodman has been my biggest inspiration in both my own education and my future career as an educator. She is the most dedicated professor I have ever worked with and she has taught me a lot about connecting with students while also pushing them toward their full potential.
Cherished Memory: I’ll always value the friends I found at Albright. The things I’ll miss the most are dinner table conversations, late night study sessions, game nights, and walking/driving around with my friends.
Faculty and Staff Comments: You have been a pleasure to work with in our Student Success Center peer tutoring program. Your patient and thoughtful approach to peer tutoring has been so welcoming to our students and your peers. We are grateful for your expertise as a peer tutor and appreciate your dedication to helping the tutoring program thrive. Thank you!
A part of me wishes I could stop Jordan from graduating and just keep her in my classes eternally. But she will do amazing things in the world, so I will reluctantly allow her to receive her degree and move on.
Lillian K. Carney
Areas of Concentration: Psychology and Early Childhood Education
Campus Organizations and Extracurricular Activities: Student Pennsylvania State Education Association, vice president (2021-2024); Writing Center tutor manager (2022-2024); Student Success Center peer tutor (2021-2024)
Departmental Activities: Psi Chi (2022-2024); psychology, teaching assistant (2022-2024)
Service: Student Pennsylvania State Education Association, Eastern region president (2023-2024); United Way of Berks Ready-Set-Read (2021-2024)
Honors, Awards and Accomplishments: Dean’s List (2020-2024); Warren L. Davis Scholarship (2020-2014); Patricia Shearer Mertz Teaching Award (2023-2024); ACRE recipient x2 (Interim 2023, Summer 2023)
Future Objectives: I will assume the position of the Director of AMAZING programs, a childcare center while I continue my master’s degree in special education at Albright and continue on to receive my doctorate of education in the future.
Albright Inspiration: My twin brother, Thomas. It is in his memory that I have found the inspiration to learn, and the drive to never stop.
Cherished Memory: Meeting my dearest friends in class who grew my love for education and helped me to create countless memories that will last a lifetime.
Faculty and Staff Comments: Lily’s exceptional academic performance, where she has one of the highest GPAs in the Psychology Department is quite commendable. Her commitment extends beyond psychology as evidenced in her active engagement in scholarship within her co-major of education.
As an avid researcher, Lily has participated in both ACRE projects and senior thesis work within the Psych Department, exploring diverse and interesting topics. Notably, her involvement in an ACRE project delved into the intricate dynamics of narcissism and relationship threats on mood and partner closeness. While she could have seamlessly continued this work for her senior thesis, Lily chose to broaden her research horizons, embarking on an entirely separate project while concurrently pursuing an education internship. Her senior thesis examines the influence of perceived free will on prosocial behavior in children and the project investigates how the belief in free will or determinism changes growth mindset, academic performance, and attitudes of young children. She has presented her work at the Eastern Psychological Association professional conference and has been accepted to present at the local HECBC conference.
In addition to her outstanding academic record, Lily’s excellence in psychology and education is demonstrated by her work serving as a TA for several different professors in the Psych Dept. for our most rigorous courses in Statistics and Research Methods. She is an extremely dedicated and responsible TA, and our students really benefit from her assistance.
She has set her sights on pursuing further education through the Albright education M.A. program, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to advancing her knowledge and skills in the field. Additionally, she is poised to take on the role of Director at Amazing Sports & Activities — a children’s organization, where she will undoubtedly bring her passion for education and leadership to inspire young minds. Professors who have observed her teaching can attest to the amazing job she does, particularly in her interactions with kindergarten children, and she stands out as one of the most promising, organized and ambitious student teachers in our community.
Lily, you have been an amazing tutor for the Student Success Center and tutor and tutor manager at the Writing Center. We appreciate how you jump in where needed, take time to work thoughtfully with tutees, and really show your passion for the field of psychology. Your attention to student needs and expertise in psychology and writing show a mastery of tutoring. The TikTok videos you helped create are witty and informative.
Evan W. Chittick
Areas of Concentration: Game and Simulation Development and Music Production
Faculty and Staff Comments: Evan has emerged as a leader in his cohort with a laconic easy style and a friendly sense of humor that others respond to. His gifts and commitments will back this quality to launch him along his chosen trajectory.
Victoria R. Dyer
Areas of Concentration: Political Science and Legal Studies
Campus Organizations and Extracurricular Activities: Admission Student Ambassador (2022-2024), School of Professional Studies Student Enrollment Representative (2023-2024)
Departmental Activities: Epsilon Nu/Pre Law Society (2020-2024), Pi Sigma Alpha/National Political Science Honor Society (2023-2024), Albright College Honors program (2020-2024)
Honors, Awards and Accomplishments: Albright Presidential Scholarship (2020-2024), Brogan Scholars Endowed Internship Fund, Dean’s List (2020-2024)
College Achievements: I did an internship with McAllister & Quinn in Washington, D.C. I presented my honors thesis project on incarceration rates in PA and OH at the Midwest Political Science Association Conference in Chicago this year.
Future Objectives: I plan on attending law school in fall 2025 to study environmental law.
Albright Inspiration: Dr. Henceroth has helped me with lots of my projects while at Albright, especially my honors thesis project. He also encouraged me to present my research at the Midwest Political Science Association Conference.
Cherished Memory: I would say the opportunity to do the internship in DC through the Brogan Scholarship is my most cherished memory. I was able to live in DC for three months and make connections, which wouldn’t have been possible without the scholarship.
Faculty and Staff Comments: Tori was a Brogan scholar and showed true career and leadership development during her experience in DC and speaking to interested students about the experience.
I greatly enjoyed watching Victoria grow in her research capabilities, which culminated in an honor’s thesis and a presentation of her work at the largest Political Science conference which was held in Chicago. I look forward to seeing her continue her passion for Public Law and the legal system after she graduates from Albright.
Jason C. Eidle
Areas of Concentration: Psychology and Evolutionary Studies
Departmental Activities: Psi Chi (2022-Present); Psychology Department Lab Assistant (2022-2024)
Honors, Awards and Accomplishments: Dean’s List (2021-2023); Albright College Dean’s Scholarship (2020-2024); ACRE recipient (2023); Presenting at HECBEC (2022); Presenting at HECBEC (2024); Presenting at EPA (2024); Psi Chi EPA Regional Research Award (2024)
Future Objectives: I plan to continue in psychological research and hopefully continue my education as well to obtain a Ph.D. in clinical psychology.
Albright Inspiration: All of my psychology professors have inspired me the most throughout my time at Albright.
Cherished Memory: My most cherished memory from my time at Albright is working alongside Dr. Susan Hughes on our ACRE which evolved into my senior thesis.
Faculty and Staff Comments: Jason’s excellence as a student of psychology is demonstrated in several ways. His academic performance is nothing short of stellar, having one of the highest GPAs of all psychology students. Beyond mere grades, Jason continually stands out as one of the strongest students in each class, characterized by his inquisitive and thoughtful engagement with course material.
In addition to his academic achievements, Jason has made significant contributions as a teaching assistant for the department. He has served as an outstanding TA for several different professors in the Psychology Department for our most rigorous courses in Statistics and Research Methods. Multiple professors laud his diligence, reliability and conscientiousness as a TA, highlighting his invaluable support to both faculty and students alike.
Jason is an active researcher having participated in a summer ACRE in 2023 with Dr. Susan Hughes regarding predicting break-ups from attractiveness and perceived availability of alternate partners. He continued and expanded upon this work for his senior thesis. He presented this work at the Eastern Psychological Association and was impressively awarded the esteemed 2024 Psi Chi EPA Regional Research Award. He also presented his work at the local HECBC conference and will share his findings during Honors week.
Dakota L. Ford
Areas of Concentration: Accounting
Departmental Activities: Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society (2023)
College Achievements: Dean’s List 2020-2023
Future Objectives: I am currently pursuing my master’s in business, focusing in accounting and data analytics through Albright College.
Albright Inspiration: I am the proud father of two daughters — Averi, 5-years and Vienna, eight-months. They are why I pushed myself to be the best version of me I can be, to set an example for them that hard work pays off, no matter the stage of life you are in.
Trudy Obazee and Andy Junikiewicz were two professors that pushed me to thrive. They saw something in me I didn’t see in myself, and guided me toward a career path in accounting, which lead me to where I am today.
Cherished Memory: Learning to work with my peers in a remote and long-distance setting after COVID. Seeing how the staff and students came together was inspiring.
Faculty and Staff Comments: Dakota has been a fabulous SPS student. He is a pleasure to work with, is very responsive and always helps others. Thank you for always bringing great energy and ideas to our online classes. We are very grateful for your insight and dedication as you manage full-time and family. We look forward to what lies ahead for him in graduate school.
Laurel A. Gingrich
Areas of Concentration: Fashion and Communications (Digital Media and Journalism)
Campus Organizations and Extracurricular Activities: Swim team (2020-2024) Field hockey team (2020-2024) Track and Field team (2022-2024) Fashion Lion magazine (2021-2024); Lion Diplomats (2021-2022)
Departmental Activities: Albrightian (2022-2023)
Honors, Awards and Accomplishments: Deans List (2020-2024), MAC Swimmer of the Year (2023) NFHCA Division III National Academic Squad (2020-2023), NFHCA Division III Scholars of Distinction (2021-2023), All-MAC Academic Team (2023), HECBC (2023-2024)
Future Objectives: I plan to obtain a master’s degree in business next year and following that to enter the fashion industry. I plan to travel as much as possible and explore different countries.
Albright Inspiration: My professors have inspired my learning the most. Allowing for creative projects and papers where I could explore and learn my interests.
Cherished Memory: My favorite memories from my time at Albright stem from the friendships I made freshman year and through my sports teams.
Faculty and Staff Comments: Laurel served as an Alpha peer Mentor and helped students in Alpha-specific FYS classes by holding open sessions to talk about life at Albright and what it’s like to declare a major.
Laurel Gingrich is an exceptional athlete who is extremely hardworking. She was a three-sport athlete here at Albright College and was very successful in each of her sports. She commits herself fully to everything she does, whether that is sports or academics, or creating relationships with friends. She has a very bright future ahead of her and I am grateful I was able to spend her last two years of college with her.
Kennedy L. Greene
Areas of Concentration: Digital Studio Art
Campus Organizations and Extracurricular Activities: Agon: Literary and Arts Magazine, president (2020-2024); AM: Albright’s Arts Magazine, secretary (2023-2024); Domino Players (2023-2024), assistant stage manager for “The Big House” (2022), assistant stage manager for “Spring Awakening” (2023), model for Fashion Department show (2023), model for International Fashion Show (2023); “Tartuffe” front of house volunteer (2022)
Honors, Awards and Accomplishments: Student Employee of the Year (2021-2022); Honorable Mention in the Juried Art Show for “Your Skin is a Gift” (2023), Dean’s List (2020-2024), Women’s Auxiliary Scholarship (2022-2024)
College Achievements: In my time as an Albright student, I have done an internship with Tinder as a product design intern, and took on a talent management internship with the nonprofit organization INROADS, Inc.
Future Objectives: I am currently interviewing and searching for positions. I am also thinking about going for my master’s degree sometime in the future in either the digital arts or communications.
Albright Inspiration: Honestly, the entirety of the arts community. Everyone is so supportive from the faculty to the students. Even though I am a digital studio art major, I have gotten the opportunity to explore so many facets of the art world from theater to fashion to animation.
Cherished Memory: Each one of my memories meeting my friends from my friend group is cherished to me. I have built such a strong support group in my time here and it really feels like once I graduate, I will still have that community.
Faculty and Staff Comments: Kennedy revolutionized marketing at the ELCDC and had an impact on how many students now engage with our office.
Austin C. Gross
Areas of Concentration: Business Administration, Sport Management and Finance
Campus Organizations and Extracurricular Activities: Soccer team, captain (2022-2024); Dearden Honors Society (2022-2024)
Honors, Awards and Accomplishments: Dean’s List (2020-2024)
Future Objectives: Get my master’s degree in business; work in the finance industry or sports industry
Albright Inspiration: My professors and soccer
Cherished Memory: Friends and soccer
Julie L. Harbonic
Areas of Concentration: Biology
Campus Organizations and Extracurricular Activities: Biology Lab teaching assistant (2021-2024); Microbiology Lab teaching assistant (2023); greenhouse assistant (2021-2023); Environmental Campus Outreach Club (2023)
Departmental Activities: Alpha Epsilon Delta (2022-2024)
Service Activities: Friedens Church volunteer (2020-2024); Earth Day Cleanup volunteer (2016-2024); COVID-19 Clinic volunteer (2021)
Honors, Awards and Accomplishments: Honors program (2020-2024); Dean’s List (2020-2024); HECBC Undergraduate Research and Creativity Conference (2022); Nancy Ratajczak-Shuman ’60 Memorial Scholarship (2023); Senior Honors Thesis (2023); Presidential Scholarship (2020-2024); Albright Legacy Award (2020-2024)
Future Objectives: I plan to attend medical school and study to become a doctor.
Albright Inspiration: My mom has always been my biggest supporter and encourages me in everything I do.
Cherished Memory: Studying abroad in Costa Rica
Faculty and Staff Comments: Kind and confident nature radiates from her, making all those around her better. As a TA for our introductory biology labs, she was patient and comprehensive with our first-year students, helping them both better understand the material as well as gain the confidence needed to ask their own questions. As a student herself, she was excellent, not only garnering a comprehensive understanding of the material, but her ability to apply of the material to new situations was to a level far above her years. She immediately puts all those around her at ease, as her compassionate nature and quiet reassurance are like a big hug. She is going to be an amazing physician and make her patients feel truly heard and well cared for.
Olivia Trace Holeva
Areas of Concentration: Music Industry Studies and Religious Studies
Campus Organizations and Extracurricular Activities: Lion Records, president (2023-2024); Domino Players (2023-2024); Albright Choir and Acapella (2020-2022)
Departmental Activities: Theta Alpha Kappa (2024)
Honors, Awards and Accomplishments: SGA arts representative (2023-2024)
College Achievements: Creative Promise Scholarship (2020-2024); Dean’s List (2020-2024); ACRE recipient (2021); completed four undergrad internships: DoubleTree by Hilton (2021), Santander Arena (2022), Music Studio of Patricia Keith (2022), Park Road Presbyterian Church (2022); Recording Studio manager (2021-2024); ELCDC peer educator (2022-2023)
Future Objectives: Following graduation, I’ve accepted a full-time position at Park Road Presbyterian Church as the director of worship, communications, and student ministry. I plan to pursue graduate education in an M.Div. program.
Albright Inspiration: Dr. Midori Hartman, who believed in me before I believed in anything.
Cherished Memory: I’ve been thinking about this question for a long time, and I cannot decide. I consider that a good thing.
Faculty and Staff Comments: Olivia brought career development to Lion Records to make sure her peers were thinking about their future after Albright.
Olivia’s work is a refreshing combination of praxis and scholarship. She has written original music as well as erudite essays. She clearly cares deeply about religion and religious studies.
Olivia embodies the spirit of hustle, dedication, and passion that has defined the most successful artists and entrepreneurs in the music industry. She serves as a beacon of inspiration to students across the arts, serving as Lion Records president, SGA arts representative, gigging singer-songwriter, and critical thinker interested in the connections between music and religion, among everything else she’s involved with.
Daniil Artemovich Imanov
Areas of Concentration: Political Science
Campus Organizations and Extracurricular Activities: Alpha Epsilon Delta, treasurer (2023-2024); American Chemistry Society (2023-2024); Pi Sigma Alpha (2024)
Service Activities: COVID-19 volunteering in Russia (2020)
Honors, Awards and Accomplishments: Dean’s List at Albright (2022-2024); Albright Presidential Scholarship; Penn State College of Medicine, Primary Care Scholars program (2023); High School Gold Medal; Keck Graduate Institute, Clinical Genetics and Bioinformatics Summer program, Claremont, CA (2023).
Future Objectives: To attend graduate school, so I can help people with their health.
Albright Inspiration: Coming to U.S. as an immigrant, I not only enrolled in complex scientific courses, but I also had to study them in a language foreign to me. But I was able to get a GPA 4.0 despite the difficulties of immigration, adaptation and events taking place in the world. I also took an active part in shadowing and scribing health specialists, and was selected to undergo biology summer research at KGI. Most of all, I am inspired by the opportunities that America and Albright College provide for students. I am inspired by the freedom of speech and freedom of expression that is encouraged in Albright, as well as my faculty who are here to help their students.
Cherished Memory: Looking back, my most cherished memories are the biology and chemistry courses. They took many long nights and training, but I saw that my hard study paid off, and the knowledge I gained strengthened my passion for science. I also really love the campus in the spring when it turns into a garden, especially the Magnolias near the chapel.
Emily P. Johnson
Areas of Concentration: Fashion and Communications – Journalism
Campus Organizations and Extracurricular Activities: President’s Student Advisory Council (2023-2024); Fashion Lion, co-editor (2023-2024); The Albrightian, editor-in-chief (2023-2024); Club Vogue, (2022-2024)
Service Activities: Reading Public Museum intern (2024); Primadonna Zine, writer (2023-2024); Best of Berks, writer (2023); NYFW volunteer (2022, 2023)
Honors, Awards and Accomplishments: Dean’s List (2022-2024); ACRE recipient (2023); Ed Flagg and Cornelius Trayes Award in Journalism: Writing (2023); The Albrightian Contributors of the Year Award (2023); Presenter at American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (2024); Presenter at HECBC (2023, 2024); Presenter at The Beacon Conference; Winner of Communications/Media Studies panel (2023)
Future Objectives: My plan is to pursue fashion journalism. Also, because I have experience in editing for both The Albrightian and Fashion Lion magazine, I would love to continue working hands-on in publication design and serve as a fashion editor.
Albright Inspiration: My role as co-editor for Fashion Lion magazine has inspired my learning the most at Albright. I really enjoyed both contributing as a writer to the publication and collaborating with Stephanie Hegedus ’23 on designing the 2024 layout. While creating the layout with articles and photos was sometimes stressful, it was rewarding to see our vision come to life. Being able to have hands-on experience with a magazine publication and understanding the role of a fashion editor fueled my passion for pursuing a career in fashion journalism.
Cherished Memory: My most cherished memory is volunteering at NYFW in 2022, during my first year at Albright. At the time, I had just switched my major to a co-major in fashion and communications, and I had never attended a professional fashion industry event before. Having the opportunity to immerse myself in the industry, work backstage, and talk to models and event planners was fun, and it made me excited to pursue a career in fashion!
Harrison S. Jones
Areas of Concentration: Business Administration, Management
Campus Organizations and Extracurricular Activities: Football team (2020-2022), Men of Color Secretary (2022-2023), Men of Color vice president (2023-2024), President’s Student Advisory Council (2023-2024), Resident Assistant (2022-2024)
Departmental Activities: Dearden Honor Society (2022-2024)
Service Activities: Through Men of Color and involvement in Albright Christian Fellowship, I have volunteered with Feed My Starving Children (2023), Hope Rescue (2023), and the Salvation Army (2024)
Honors, Awards and Accomplishments: Dean’s List (2020-2024), Presidential Scholarship (2023-2024)
Future Objectives: Be in a position to give back to my family, community, and anyone who has helped me along my journey.
Albright Inspiration: The valuable experiences I was able to gain outside of the classroom.
Cherished Memory: I have a lot of memories from my time at Albright. Having to quarantine in Court for 14 days my freshman year. Playing tennis in the dark, at midnight, using badminton rackets which ended up breaking. Having a water balloon fight. Finally, the amazing people I was able to meet along the way will forever be in my memories.
Some of my favorite classes that I’ve taken at Albright College include History of the African Diaspora, Intro to Music, Intro to Music Theory, and Accounting 101.
Faculty and Staff Comments: Harrison S. Jones was an outstanding student in the Sports Law class I taught. He was not only a focused student, regularly participating in discussions on various issues and sharing excellent insights, he was also a pleasure to have in class because he is an engaging, friendly person with a great sense of humor.
Zycara R. Jones
Areas of Concentration: Arts Administration and Theatre
Campus Organizations and Extracurricular Activities
Honors, Awards and Accomplishments: Dean’s List (2021-2024); Recipient of eight drama badges at Albright on Merit Page (2021-2024); Irene Ryan Nominee for Kintsugi (2021)
College Achievements: ELCDC peer educator; Albright Theatre Costume Shop technician; Alpha program peer educator; Center for the Arts student Intern, Disney Sophomore Leadership program
Future Objectives: After graduation, I plan to complete my internship at the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival and hopefully earn an apprenticeship in Philadelphia as I am local and build up my experience to feel confident in my future careers.
Albright Inspiration: As an Alpha student at the beginning of my journey, Jeffrey Lentz had inspired me to pursue Theatre and later Arts Administration. My older brother had inspired me because no matter what, he was always there and supported me through everything I participated in at Albright.
Cherished Memory: My most cherished memory at Albright remains the end of the year block parties as I look forward to them every year with my friends.
Faculty and Staff Comments: Zycara is a wonderful peer educator who shined at events and helped students feel at ease when talking about careers and experiential learning.
Zycara is ready for any challenge and has carved out an exciting and versatile Albright Theatre career – we look forward to what’s next!
Marina Kase
Areas of Concentration: Fashion, Merchandising
Campus Organizations and Extracurricular Activities: club VOGUE member (2022-2024), NYFW backstage assistant (2022 & 2023), ISA member (2022-2024)
Departmental Activities: HECBC presentation “Promote Sustainable Clothing Lifecycle in Japan” (2024), Fashion Design Collection Presentation (2023), Trend Forecasting Exhibition (2024), Senior Project Presentation (2024) at Albright Fashion Showcase, model at AAUW Fashion Show (2023)
Honors, Awards and Accomplishments: Dean’s List (2022-2024), International Student Scholarship (2022-2024), Jacob Albright Scholar (2024)
Future Objectives: My future goal is to be a trend forecaster. However, since we do not have those systems or agents in Japan yet, I would like to bring back the methods and hope to start my own business utilizing what I have learned as an Albright fashion student.
Albright Inspiration: I dedicate this honor to my understanding parents. I was inspired by all my professors and peers. The teaching style was so different from the Japanese one, and more hands-on studies and activities were there. For me, this way was more valuable for the concrete understanding. Also, all the students here are so energetic and I have learned a lot from them. They motivated my attitude toward study as well.
Cherished Memory: My best cherished memory was that I could make a lot of international friends. If I stayed in Japan, I may not have had this opportunity. I really enjoyed the differences and similarities between us, and they gave me lots of ideas and inspiration. I would love to keep this friendship in the future as well.
Faculty and Staff Comments: Marina is a bright and engaged student who consistently impressed me in my courses. She possesses a remarkable intellectual curiosity and a strong work ethic. Further, Marina’s thirst for knowledge positions her for great success in her chosen field. Undoubtedly, she will excel in all of her future endeavors!
Joel W. Loos
Areas of Concentration: Math club, member (2021-2024), vice president (2024)
Honors, Awards and Accomplishments: Dean’s List (2021-2024), Mr. and Mrs. John C. Lanz ’37 Endowed Academic Award (2023), Classical Languages Department Latin Award: Advanced (2023)
Future Objectives: I hope to attend graduate school in mathematics after graduating from Albright.
Albright Inspiration: I have always been inspired by my professors, particularly those in the math department and my classical studies advisor, Dr. Hartman.
Cherished Memory: While I have always enjoyed my academic pursuits at Albright, spending time playing table tennis with friends has given me some of the greatest memories from my time in college.
Faculty and Staff Comments: It was an honor to have you in class. Your attention to detail, love of mathematics, and positive attitude will take you far in life. I am certain you have the skills and knowledge to be successful in graduate school. I look forward to reading the amazing new mathematical results that you will undoubtedly prove.
Joel is one of the brightest students the math department has ever taught. His insight goes far beyond the scope of the undergraduate curriculum. As a graduate student and future professor, he will make significant contributions to the field of mathematics.
Alexis M. Mahon
Areas of Concentration: Fashion, Design and Merchandising
Campus Organizations and Extracurricular Activities: Alpha Delta Pi, president, VP of philanthropy, VP of event management (2021-2024); Student Government Association, VP of finance and fraternity, sorority life representative (2021-2023); Lion Diplomats, VP of campus engagement (2021-2024); POP (2021-2023); Club Vogue, general member (2021-2024); Student Ambassador (2021-2022)
Service to the Community: Ronald McDonald House of Charities (2021-2024)
Honors, Awards and Accomplishments: Dean’s List (2020-2024), Presidential Scholarship (2020-2024), Gilman International Scholarship (2023), Eta Lambda Chapter Scholarship (2023), Beth Waters Leadership Fund (2022)
College Achievements: Study Abroad at University of the Arts: London College of Fashion for Fashion Social Media and Communications and has been published twice in Fashion magazines based in Spain and California
Future Objectives: To either stay in Pennsylvania or move to New York to further pursue my career in fashion creative direction/styling. Hopefully, one day to work for Vogue magazine.
Albright Inspiration: My mother. Even though she lives in another state, she constantly motivates and pushes me to do beyond what I may think I can.
Cherished Memory: Either being given the opportunity to study abroad in London or joining Alpha Delta Pi and meeting some of my forever friends.
Faculty and Staff Comments: Alexis’s ambition extends far beyond the classroom. While attending school, she is also working as a brand ambassador at trade shows, gaining invaluable experience and insight into the fashion industry. Her senior seminar capstone project, in which she has single-handedly produced and orchestrated photoshoots for all 2024 aspiring NYFW designers’ collections, showcases her exemplary communication and organizational skills as well as her passion for collaboration and her creative intelligence.
Joseph Martin
Areas of Concentration: Biology and Chemistry
Service Activities: Dedicated over a decade to volunteering with the Fivepointville Ambulance Service, contributing expertise and commitment to various roles. Demonstrated leadership through positions including committee chairman, vice president of the board, and most recently, assistant chief, embodying a steadfast commitment to the community’s well-being and emergency medical services.
Honors, Awards and Accomplishments: Dean’s List (2022-2024); Graduated summa cum laude from the Reading School of Health Science’s Paramedic program (2016), earning top clinical and academic honors.
Future Objectives: My goals are to excel in Penn State’s Physician Assistant (PA) education program as part of the PA Class of 2026 and obtain licensure as a PA. Looking ahead, I’m driven by my passion for science, and medicine, and my love for Christ to provide compassionate, evidence-based care, engage in medical mission work, and educate future providers and the community to foster a culture of equality in medicine and healthcare excellence.
Albright Inspiration: While I cannot attribute my inspiration to a single individual, I found the overall learning environment at Albright inspiring. From engaging in thought-provoking class discussions and hands-on lab experiences, I thrived within a collaborative atmosphere cultivated by small class sizes and approachable professors. This environment fostered a culture of curiosity and active engagement, continuing to inspire me in my passion for learning and to excel in my studies.
Cherished Memory: Long hours spent in the labs and time spent with other classmates studying for tests.
Jessica Nieves
Areas of Concentration: Business Administration
Service Activities: PA Food Bank volunteer (2022-2024); Big Brothers Big Sisters (2023); March of Dimes 2020-2024)
Honors, Awards and Accomplishments: Dean’s List (2021-2024); Ready for Success Scholarship Recipient (2022-2024)
Future Objectives: Continue to grow in my current position at the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency and contribute to our mission of providing affordable access to higher education for the students and families of Pennsylvania.
Albright Inspiration: The astounding support and encouragement provided by the professors at Albright has driven me to push my own boundaries, approach learning new concepts with an open mind, and taught me the importance of personal growth.
Cherished Memory: An accumulation of the interactions that I’ve had with my advisor and the program Chair of the Business Administration program have been my most cherished memories. They have provided me with support, guidance, and personalized encouragement to persevere through the challenges that come along with being an adult student with multiple priorities.
Hannah E. Phillips
Areas of Concentration: Mathematics and Secondary Education
Campus Organizations and Extracurricular Activities: Albright CSA Secretary (2023-2024); Albright peer tutor (2022-2024); supplemental instructor (2022-2024); Albright’s TExpL intern (2022-2024); Albright PSEA secretary (2022-2024); Honors humanities rep. (2022-2024); Board for Academic Affairs (2022-2024); Math Club vice president (2021-2024)
Departmental Activities: Math Club (2021-2024)
Service Activities: Schuylkill Valley substitute teacher (2021-current); Schuylkill Valley soccer coach and volunteer (2020-current); WK&S Kempton Railroad worker and volunteer (2008-present)
Honors, Awards and Accomplishments: Albright College Dean’s List (2020-2024); Riverfront’s John G. Bernheiser Educational Award (2023); Dr. Sarel P. Fuchs Secondary Education Award (2023); John C. Lanz ’37 Endowed Academic Award (2022)
Future Objectives: To teach mathematics at a local district and make a difference in my students’ lives.
Albright Inspiration: The mathematics and education departments at Albright College are absolutely phenomenal. The faculty continually goes above and beyond to ensure that their students understand the content and feel included. I long to one day make my own students feel the same way.
Cherished Memory: I absolutely loved the math tea times. It was nice to sit outside, watch the squirrels, and talk math while snacking. I also loved my time student teaching. My mentors were incredible and the kids were unforgettable.
Faculty and Staff Comments: It was an absolute joy to have you in class. Your constant positivity, dedication to learning, and hard work did not go unnoticed. I am confident you will be an excellent mathematics educator and make a huge difference in the lives of your students. (Dr. Ohlinger)
You have been a pleasure to work with in our Student Success Center peer tutoring program. Your willingness to lead supplemental Instruction, offer peer tutoring support, and your overall dedication to helping others process and understand material is commendable. You have shown a great level of responsibility and professionalism in your role as a student leader. Thank you for your commitment to helping your peers and our program!
Gillian H. Pierce
Areas of Concentration: Biochemistry, Public Health, Spanish
Campus Organizations and Extracurricular Activities: Lion Diplomats, member (20-22), VP of philanthropy (22-23), president (23-24); peer tutor for science and Spanish (21-22); Honors Committee: Events Coordinator (21-22); PSAC member (22-24)
Departmental Activities: Alpha Epsilon Delta, member (21-22), secretary (22-23), president (23-24); Tri-Beta, member (21-22), historian (22-23), vice president (23-24); Chemistry Lab TA (21-22)
Service Activities: Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science Judge (21-24)
Honors, Awards and Accomplishments: Dean’s List (20-24), ACRE recipient (22), American Chemical Society Award (2024)
College Achievements: I participated in the Atlantis program in the summer of 2023 where I shadowed doctors in Valladolid, Spain for a month. This experience allowed me to improve my Spanish speaking and confidence. I also had the privilege to observe procedures I had never seen before, deepening my excitement for my future career. I also was the student health and wellness intern for the Schumo Center where I helped create healthy initiatives and events for Albright.
Future Objectives: I am taking two gap years before applying to medical school which include re-taking my MCAT, along with gaining more clinical hours and shadowing opportunities. I want to become either a pediatric or trauma surgeon and I would love to work for Doctors Without Borders at some point in my career. I am looking forward to using my experiences and Spanish speaking abilities to make strides towards making healthcare treatment equitable for all.
Albright Inspiration: My family has inspired my learning while at Albright, even while being four hours away in Long Island, New York. They have supported me since day one and believed in me when I didn’t. My professors have also helped inspire my learning whether it be helping me get through a lab report, tailoring the education to me or providing me with research experience. They have helped make my Albright experience unforgettable and so valuable and I am extremely appreciative of them.
Cherished Memory: My most cherished memory from Albright was my Spanish professor and advisor, Dr. Melendez, sharing the Atlantis program with me. She knows I want to become a surgeon and how important it is to use my Spanish to help eliminate the barriers of communication in healthcare. Therefore, after helping craft an independent study about medical Spanish with Professor Brown, I was ecstatic when she shared the details about the Atlantis study abroad program. My study abroad in Spain was everything I hoped for and more in terms of the experiences, language, culture, and people. The day I found out about the Atlantis program is definitely my most cherished memory.
Faculty and Staff Comments: Gill is a leader in every sense of the word. She was a leader in her classes, answering tough questions and working collaboratively with her peers to the betterment of all involved. Beyond the classroom, Gill is president of the pre-health honor society, Alpha Epsilon Delta, not only organizing events for the pre-health students such as lectures with chiropractors, PAs, and physicians as well as informational events such as activities fairs. She has also spearheaded many philanthropic pursuits such as Cards for Kids and updating the bulletin boards in Science Hall, making them more beautiful to look at as well as packed with useful information. She is a driven, passionate young woman and she is going to take the medical world by storm!
Hannah E. Plowmaker
Areas of Concentration: Business Administration, Marketing
Campus Organizations and Extracurricular Activities: Women’s Basketball (2020-2021); Student Government Association, communications director (2021-2023); Commuter Student Association (2021-2023); Business and Economics Club (2021-2022); Student Success Center peer tutor (2021-2023)
Departmental Activities: Dearden Honors Society (2021-2023)
Service Activities: Volunteer 6th grade girls basketball coach (2021-2022)
Honors, Awards and Accomplishments: Dean’s List (2020-2023)
College Achievements: General Education Committee (2021-2022); Enrollment Management Committee (2021-2022); Advancement and Communications Committee (2022-2024)
Future Objectives: My goals and future plans after my time at Albright include pursuing a career in marketing at New Holland Agriculture where I currently am employed as a commercial marketing campaign specialist. I hope to one day move my career into the food and beverage advertising and marketing industry. One long term goal that I have is to one day be able to lead a team using all of the leadership skills which I have learned at Albright.
Albright Inspiration: One thing that has inspired my learning while at Albright is the drive and caring nature of the professors which I have had the opportunity to meet while at Albright. These relationships which I have built with my professors, advisors and board members at Albright have taught me so many things both academically and professionally that they continue to propel me in my post-graduate learning. Thank you for taking the time to learn about your students and care about their success Matthew Bieber, Adam Owenz, Suzanne Palmer, Andy Junikiewicz, Ron Scheese, Jay Rajanthi and Daria Newfeld.
Cherished Memory: My most cherished memory from my time at Albright is from being on the Student Government Association Executive Board in 2022-2023. During the summer before our term, we attended a Student Government workshop in Florida. During this time, I had no idea that this group of six people would grow into some of the best friends that I have ever known, we cried, laughed and worked as hard as we could to better the student government association. To my Disney pals — thanks for making the time worth the tears.
Faculty and Staff Comments: You have been a pleasure to work with in our Student Success Center peer tutoring program. Your desire to help others succeed and ability to adapt to one’s needs is commendable. You have a supportive and uplifting attitude towards those you work and it has been beyond welcoming to our students and our tutoring program. Thank you!
Libni Marie Rivera
Areas of Concentration: Communications – Public Relations/Advertising, Theatre; French minor
Campus Organizations and Extracurricular Activities: POP (2021-2022); POP Steering Committee (2023); Overwatch B team captain (2023); Domino Player (2021-2023); Albright Improv (2020-2023); Commuter Student Association, member-at-large (2023); Admissions Ambassador (2022-2023); Honors program (2020-2023)
Honors, Awards and Accomplishments: Deans’ List (2020-2023); Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Nomination (2022); Professor Clyde Harding Award for Outstanding Scholarship in Communications (2022)
Albright Inspiration: Special thanks to my mama, who kept a roof over my head and meals on the table. She enabled me to focus on my studies and maintaining my grades. Special thanks to my father who was always there for me when I felt overwhelmed and ready to give up. He would help me relax and keep me motivated to keep going. Special thanks to my brother for giving me a great example to follow and being so willing to review my honors thesis before submission. And special thanks to my sister who was there when I was tired of my parents! <3
Cherished Memory: Although I like dancing, I dabbled in choreography for the first time for air bands in 2022 for the Domino Players … my first time ever choreographing a piece and performing it in front of an audience, and we placed second!
Tamia A. Robinson
Areas of Concentration: Psychology
Honors, Awards and Accomplishments:
Faculty and Staff Comments: Tamia is a diligent and reliable student who always puts forth effort in her work and frequently participates in class. You could tell she cares about her schoolwork and strives to excel in all that she does.
Sarah N. Robinson
Areas of Concentration: Computer Science and Classical Studies
Campus Organizations and Extracurricular Activities: peer tutor (2021-2024), tutor manager (2022-2024), Sigma Kappa Theta (2022-2024)
Departmental Activities: Senior Honors thesis (2023-2024)
Future Objectives: I have a job at a biotechnology startup lined up for after graduation, and I plan to go to graduate school at some point as well.
Albright Inspiration: My father, thinking about how proud he would have been to see me graduate from college.
Cherished Memory: Meeting my lifelong friends and interacting with faculty members and friends that have unconditionally supported me throughout my time here.
Faculty and Staff Comments: You have been a pleasure to work with in our Student Success Center peer tutoring program. Your patient and thoughtful approach to peer tutoring has been greatly appreciated by students and your fellow tutors. Thank you for always bringing an attentive and positive mindset to our meetings, trainings, and events. We are grateful for your ideas and contributions, and appreciate your dedication to helping the tutoring program thrive.
Sarah’s love of Latin and Classical Studies always shown through her work in the many classes she took with me, which made her a joy to have in the classroom.
Ally C. Santos
Areas of Concentration: Communications – Film/Video and Public Relations/Advertising
Campus Organizations and Extracurricular Activities: Writing Center (2022-2024); The Albrightian (2023-2024); Fashion Lion (2024)
Honors, Awards and Accomplishments: Dean’s List (2020-2024); Professor Clyde Harding Award for Outstanding Scholarship in English and Communications (2023); Presidential Scholarship (2020-2024); Albright Legacy Award (2020-2024)
Future Objectives: My goals for the future entail finding a job that is the perfect combination of communications and video. I’d like to continue traveling around the US and other countries.
Albright Inspiration: My friends and professors have inspired me the most while I’ve been at Albright. Their hard work and dedication made me want to keep pursuing my education and work for my degree.
Cherished Memory: Working at the Writing Center, I’ve met so many different people, some of whom have become my closest friends. I will cherish any of the moments where we just sat and did homework together or caught up with each other.
Faculty and Staff Comments: Ally, you have been a wonderful tutor and tutor manager at the Writing Center. You give our tutees useful, detailed writing coaching. Your expertise in communications writing and in PR/design for our promotional materials has been a real asset to center services. Thanks for your contributions to creative and entertaining TikTok videos!
Dylan M. Sokolovich
Areas of Concentration: Digital Communications, Visual Communication Design
Honors, Awards and Accomplishments:
Christopher J. Urban
Areas of Concentration: Game and Simulation Development
Althea Mae Welsch
Areas of Concentration: History, Holocaust Studies
Campus Organizations and Extracurricular Activities: Gamer’s Guild (2022-2024)
Departmental Activities: Phi Alpha Theta (2024)
Honors, Awards and Accomplishments: Dean’s List (2021-2024)
College Achievements: Honors Thesis and student gallery portraying death throughout history via the use of historical fiction and character design.
Future Objectives: Developing a career in archiving, pursue finishing my novel “Limbo,” and continuing to grow as a digital artist specializing in character design and illustration.
Albright Inspiration: My parents and the teachers within the history department being supportive of my ideas no matter how unconventional they are.
Cherished Memory: Having the opportunity to share and sell my artwork at Raioncon along with meeting like-minded creators.
Alainna D. Welty
Areas of Concentration: Arts Administration and Theatre
Faculty and Staff Comments: Lane is smart and most importantly intellectually curious. She is a joy to have in class and is unafraid to risk, fail, and risk again.
Fatima M. Zeiber
Areas of Concentration: Accounting
Alyssa L. Zerbe
Areas of Concentration: Art and Psychology
Campus Organizations and Extracurricular Activities: Psi Chi Honor Society, President (2023-2024), Advertising chair (2022-2023); Sigma Kappa Sorority, vice president of standards and values (2023), vice president of communications and operations (2022); Honors program, secretary (2023-2024)
Departmental Activities: Psi Chi Honor Society (2022-2024), Psychology Statistics and Research student lab assistant (2023), Psychology Department assistant (2022-2024)
Service Activities: The Walk to End Alzheimer’s (2022-2024), American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (2023)
Honors, Awards and Accomplishments: Dean’s List (2020-2024), ACRE recipient (2022), Academic Talent Grant in Art (2020-2024), Rittenhouse Advancing Lives Scholarship (2022-2024), Class of 1951 Scholarship (2020-2024), Philip Earl Riddle Memorial Scholarship (2020-2024)
College Achievements: Academic Learning Center tutor (2022-2024), Academic Learning Center tutor manager for social sciences (2023-2024), Total Experience Learning summer intern (2023), 13th Street Educational Partnership student tutor (2023-2024)
Future Objectives: I will be attending Marywood University from 2024-2026 to obtain my MA in art therapy. I plan on becoming a practicing art therapist.
Albright Inspiration: My biggest inspiration lies in striving to achieve a level of success and accomplishment that surpasses my origins.
Cherished Memory: The connections and friends I have made from my involvement on campus.
Faculty and Staff Comments: As president of Psi Chi, vice president of Sigma Kappa, and secretary of the Honors program, Alyssa not only demonstrates exceptional leadership but also exhibits her dedication to fostering positive environments within academic and social communities. Alyssa’s fundraising initiatives for mental health organizations and her planning of events like the “Pie for a Purpose” further underscore her dedication to the well-being of others and the broader community. Her active involvement in community service initiatives, particularly focused on Gerontology within Sigma Kappa as well as her contributions to TExpL and the 13th Street partnership, where she spearheads a weekly art club and helps design the large student-made murals, serves as a compelling testament to her ability of bringing psychology out of the classroom into the wider community.
Alyssa Zerbe’s academic achievements, including maintaining an exceptionally high GPA and consistently making the Dean’s List, further exemplify her commitment to excellence. Her extensive research experiences, including presenting at HECBC and a national conference in Washington, D.C., showcase her intellectual curiosity and dedication to contributing meaningfully to her academic field. Her efforts have paid off and she has been accepted to Marywood University’s art therapy clinical MA program.
It has been my sincere pleasure to work with Alyssa Zerbe in several roles at Albright College. During the summer of 2023, I first met Alyssa as she was an intern in the Total Experience Learning summer program. Later, during the spring semester, Alyssa was a student in the upper-level painting class I was teaching. In the time I have known her, I have appreciated Alyssa for her reliability in working with younger middle and high school age students, and I have also been impressed with the scale, depth, and technical abilities she brings to her studio practices.
You have been a pleasure to work with in our Student Success Center peer tutoring program. You have shown a great level of dedication and professionalism in your role as a student leader. Your patient and thoughtful approach to peer tutoring has been greatly appreciated by students and your fellow tutors. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and dedication in your role as a peer tutor and tutor manger. You will continue to share your positivity throughout your graduate program and art – enjoy!