Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Mya McElhinney (Nursing)

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Today, we’d like you to meet Mya McElhinney.

Major: Nursing

Minors: Psychological Science and Sociology

Certificates: Child Development, Global Awareness, and Trauma Studies

Hometown: State College, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Irvin Kochel Leadership Scholarship, Barbara F. Junker Trustee Scholarship, Kochel International Scholarship for studying abroad.

Why she chose Behrend: I came to the campus and fell in love. I also wanted to play basketball, so that was a contributing factor. Though I didn’t play long, I loved Behrend, and the staff made me feel so welcome and supported.

Why she chose her major: Growing up, I was exposed to THON and the message of raising money for kids and families suffering from pediatric cancer. I was inspired and wanted to be that pillar of hope and support for people and make a difference in their lives.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Becoming a dancer at THON. This has been an aspiration and something I’ve wanted to do since I was a child. Behrend gave me that opportunity! I worked toward this goal for a few years and have served as Executive Director of Behrend’s THON Club.

Campus involvement: Behrend Benefitting THON, Student Nurses’ Association of Pennsylvania, Active Minds, Theta Phi Alpha, Behrend Panhellenic Council.

Study abroad in Italy: I studied abroad, which is unique for a nursing major. I moved to Florence, Italy, for two and a half months and I was immersed in the culture and traveled around Europe. I got to meet so many different people and fell in love with the environment. What made this experience even more unique is that I went on scholarship, thanks to Behrend. I really wanted to study abroad but did not know how I was going to afford it. Staff members helped me find a scholarship that helped me tremendously. This left me with a little money to spend and do educational activities. I became great friends with the owners of a local restaurant, who made me feel like an extension of their family. I wouldn’t trade that  experience for the world.

Her highest priority: To build a life that I’m happy and proud of. I want to become the person I’ve always wanted to be. I want to grow in friendships, relationships, and myself to become the best version of myself. Coming to Behrend, I was very unsure in my skin, and in the past two years I’ve grown and developed confidence in myself, and I have Behrend and the people I met along the way to thank for that.

Focus on the good: Your attitude dictates what you get out of life. There’s so much more to college than learning and complaining.

Advice for first-year students: Find yourself throughout your time here. I am not friends with the same people I was in my first year, and if I told my first-year self where I am today, I believe that she would be baffled. When you leave college, you are not meant to be the same person you are when you started.

After her graduation in May, Mya will work as a nurse at UPMC Shadyside Oncology.

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Jillian Mazzarese (Psychology)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2026 is ready to make its mark on the world. We’re proud of our students and all that they have learned and accomplished here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we will introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have conducted valuable research, pioneered innovation, overcome challenges, and engaged in college life in a big way.

Today, we’d like you to meet Jillian Mazzarese.

Major: Psychology

Hometown: Erie, Pennsylvania

Scholarship: Samuel P. Black, III and Susan L. Black Trustee Scholarship 

Why she chose Behrend: I chose Behrend because I had already earned credits through dual enrollment and I attended the LEADS (Learn, Explore, Advance, Discover, and Succeed) program in my junior year of high school. Behrend also has a great psychology program.

Why she chose her major: I chose to pursue a degree in psychology because of the COVID-19 pandemic. I saw how people were impacted, especially their mental health. Though I no longer intend to pursue the mental health side of psychology, I’m still interested in researching people’s cognitive processes and understanding how they think and perceive the world.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend:  Being able to pursue my own research in the language cognition research lab run by Dr. Erica Edwards, assistant teaching professor of psychology. My project looked at how humor may shape learning.

Campus involvement: Behrend Honors Program, member of Psi Chi (psychology honor society), and secretary of the Psychology Club.

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I graduated high school with 21 college credits already completed.

Her highest priority: Pursuing research and contributing to the field of cognitive psychology. I intend to get a master’s and Ph.D. in cognitive psychology.

Advice for first-year students: Talk to as many students as you can. People are just as nervous to talk to you as you are to talk to them. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to your professors and get involved in their research, as you never know what sort of opportunities it might open for you.

Parting words: I’d like to thank Dr. Daniell DiFrancesca, assistant professor of psychology. She was my first professor as a dual-enrollment student and, she gave me a sense of confidence I’ve carried with me throughout my college career. I would also like to thank Dr. Ewards. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without her, as she saw my potential and let me thrive in psychology.

After her graduation in May, Jillian plans to pursue a master’s degree and then a doctorate in cognitive psychology and become a psychology professor.

Tips for Great Cap-and-Gown Photos at Behrend

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By Heather Cass, Publications Manager, Office of Strategic Communications

Class of 2026, you’ve earned that tassle. Now let’s make sure you have the photos to prove it. Iron your gown (use a low temp!), grab some festive props (we suggest the “grad” and “2” and “6” balloons from Dollar Tree) and take a walk around campus.

Not sure where to stop? I’ve taken photos all over campus for more than sixteen years. I’ve got you.

Here are a dozen great photo stop spots:

  • The Penn State Behrend entrance sign (be careful getting there!)
  • On the path with Lilley Library in the background
  • Near any of the flowering trees that are now in bloom all over campus
  • In front of Glenhill Farmhouse
  • On the footbridge near Turnbull Building
  • At the Lion Shrine
  • At the Lion Bench
  • In Lilley Library
  • Leaning on a brick pillar in front of Metzgar Building
  • At the Mary Behrend Monument – trees are BLOOMING now!
  • Glenhill Gardens – Adirondack chairs/fountain
  • In front of/in the building/lab you spent most of your time
  • EXTRA CREDIT: Top of the Burke Parking garage at sunset!

Tips for Great Cap-and-Gown Photos

  1. Shoot in portrait mode but step back a little. Portrait mode blurs the background beautifully, but standing too close can make the blur look unnatural and chop off your cap or gown. Have your photographer take a step or two back and zoom in slightly instead of getting right up in your face.
  2. Turn your back to the sun. It sounds counterintuitive but having the sun behind you (making it your backlight) and using a shaded or open-sky light on your face prevents squinting and harsh shadows. Overcast days are actually ideal for photos — the clouds act as a giant softbox.
  3. Tap to expose on the face. On any smartphone, tap directly on the subject’s face on the screen before shooting. This tells the camera to expose for skin, not the bright sky or dark background — which is the #1 fix for photos where the person looks too dark or washed out.
  4. Take bursts, not singles. Hold down the shutter button to shoot a burst of photos, especially for candid or walking shots. Caps shift, eyes close, smiles go awkward — bursts give you 20 frames to find the one perfect moment instead of hoping a single shot lands.
  5. Mind the gown hem and posture. This one’s simple but often missed: before every shot, do a quick check — gown hem even? Cap straight? Shoulders back?

One request: Skip the glitter and confetti, please. #KeepBehrendBeautiful

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Kaitlyn Ezzone (Plastics Engineering Technology)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2026 is ready to make its mark on the world. We’re proud of our students and all that they have learned and accomplished here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we will introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have conducted valuable research, pioneered innovation, overcome challenges, and engaged in college life in a big way.

Today, we’d like you to meet Kaitlyn Ezzone.

Major: Plastics Engineering Technology

Hometown: Conneaut, Ohio

Scholarships: STEM Leadership Scholarship, Penn State Behrend Chancellor’s Scholarship

Why she chose Behrend: I chose Behrend because of the small class sizes, which allowed me to build relationships with my professors and peers. Additionally, I was drawn to the nature-filled campus that made being outside feel peaceful and safe.

Why she chose her major: When I first came to college, all I knew was that I wanted to pursue something in the science and engineering fields. By my sophomore year, I realized that I enjoyed the hands-on aspect of engineering more than studying the theoretical side. After talking with students and faculty in each program, I decided to switched majors from Polymer Engineering and Science to Plastics Engineering Technology. I’m so happy that I landed on this major, as I enjoy working on manufacturing machinery, robots, simulation software, and more.

Campus involvement: Plastics Club, Chi Alpha (a Christian ministry on campus), and STEM Leaders (a National Science Foundation-funded program to encourage the development of self-efficacy and the attributes necessary to succeed in STEM majors and careers).

Awards: Jake Boyle Memorial Award, first place in the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Blow Molding Student Design Contest, third place in SPE Rotational Molding Student Design Contest.

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I’ve been skydiving. I’ve completed a 21K Spartan Race and a HYROX Fitness Competition. Basically, if it involves adrenaline and/or fitness, I’m in.

Advice for first-year students: 1.) Study with your classmates. Use each other’s strengths and weaknesses to learn and grow together. 2.) Ask as many questions as you need to. The faculty are there to help you, and they want to see you succeed. 3.) When you get assigned a group project, start working on it ASAP. Deadlines come up a lot quicker than you think, especially when you’re trying to juggle several peoples’ schedules.

After her graduation in May, Kaitlyn will work as a tooling engineer at Plastikos in Erie, supporting their precision injection molding manufacturing for the medical, consumer, and industrial sectors.

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Ben Greissinger (Chemistry and Polymer Engineering and Science)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2026 is ready to make its mark on the world. We’re proud of our students and all that they have learned and accomplished here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we will introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have conducted valuable research, pioneered innovation, overcome challenges, and engaged in college life in a big way.

Today, we’d like you to meet Ben Greissinger.

Majors: Chemistry and Polymer Engineering and Science (PES)

Hometown: Erie, Pennsylvania

Scholarship: Donald and Judith Alstadt Scholarship for Chemistry 

Why he chose Behrend: I grew up in Erie and attended many events at Behrend, including Science Olympiad, College for Kids, FIRST LEGO League, and sporting events. I knew I wanted to be a Penn State student, and the small class size at Behrend made it a perfect fit for me.

Why he chose his majors: As a kid, I always wanted to do some type of engineering. PES fits well because it incorporates chemistry, which is one of my areas of interest. Due to PES requiring several chemistry classes, I decided to add chemistry as a second major.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: I have been on the Dean’s List every semester. I’ve also done research with Dr. Michael Justik, associate professor of chemistry,  and have been part of two different poster presentations.

Campus involvement: Soccer intramural club, THON, Chemistry Club, Plastics Club, and Triangle Fraternity.

What makes him unique: I participated in Science Olympiad and FIRST LEGO League competitions at Behrend when I was in middle school. As a Behrend student, I’ve served as a judge for both competitions. It has been a cool full-circle experience.

What you’d be surprised to know about him: I’m an Eagle Scout—I started scouting in kindergarten and earned the Eagle rank during the COVID pandemic, with a project focused on community safety.

His highest priority: Getting my Ph.D. in chemistry with a focus on polymers and/or organic synthesis.

What he’s passionate about: I’m a big soccer fan. I’m part of an indoor rec league that plays weekly. I also love playing board games, like Catan, Wingspan, and Terraforming Mars,  with my friends and family. When I’m on campus and not in class, you can most likely find me in the lab. I love doing reactions and being in the lab doing research.

Advice for first-year students: Join clubs, try new things, and get out of your comfort zone. If someone told me in my first year that I would be in a fraternity, I would’ve told them they were crazy. But by joining, I’ve gained some of my best friends from college, as well as alumni connections that could lead to future job opportunities. In clubs you’ll find like-minded individuals that enjoy the same things you do.

After his graduation in May, Ben plans to attend graduate school.

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Dania Aziz (Computer Engineering)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2026 is ready to make its mark on the world. We’re proud of our students and all that they have learned and accomplished here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we will introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have conducted valuable research, pioneered innovation, overcome challenges, and engaged in college life in a big way.

Today, we’d like you to meet Dania Aziz.

Major: Computer Engineering

Hometown: Seremban, Malaysia

Why she chose Behrend: I chose Behrend because of its small campus and class sizes. It also offers many on-campus activities and club opportunities for people to get connected and make new friends.

Why she chose her major: I’ve been passionate about the behind-the-scenes construction of computers. When working on a small robotics project during high school, I was curious about how small components worked together with simple programming instructions. It truly inspires me to learn more about the science behind it.

Challenges overcome: My biggest challenge is definitely being 10,000 miles away from my family and friends and having to adjust to living in an unfamiliar country.

With a little help from my friends: Meeting new friends at Berend helped me get through the rough times in college and motivated me to do well in classes.

Campus involvement: Muslim Club Association (club representative), where I organized events for the Muslim population on campus.

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I have a twin sister. Our lives have always been on the same path. We went to the same school, were in the same dorm, and had the same friends. But when it came time to go to college, our paths separated.

What she’s passionate about: Aside from engineering, I’ve always been passionate about baking and editing. If I’m not traveling, I enjoy baking desserts such as Chocoflan, brownies, cookies, and Japanese creampuffs. If I’m traveling, I bring my camera with me, record videos, and enjoy doing the editing afterward.

Advice for first-year students: If I could turn back time to my first year, I would have talked to more people and joined more activities on campus. Being an introvert kept me from reaching out until my junior year, when I started joining clubs. Better late than never! After her graduation in May, Dania plans to work in the semiconductor industry for five years and then pursue a master’s degree in computer engineering.

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Emily Warrene (Psychology)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2026 is ready to make its mark on the world. We’re proud of our students and all that they have learned and accomplished here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we will introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have conducted valuable research, pioneered innovation, overcome challenges, and engaged in college life in a big way.

Today, we’d like you to meet Emily Warrene.

Major: Psychology

Certificate: Child Development

Hometown: West Deer, Pennsylvania

Why she chose Behrend: I wanted to continue bowling at the collegiate level but at a Division III school where academics come first. Behrend was perfect—and just two hours from my home in Pittsburgh, close enough to visit but far enough for independence.

Why she chose her major: In my sophomore year of high school, I took an Introduction to Psychology class. I thought it was so interesting that I took AP Psychology in my senior year. After that, I realized that I loved learning about how the brain works, and I decided to make it my career path.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: My research project, “Development of Empathy Among College Athletes, Club Participants, and Non-Participants.” It was a year-long endeavor with numerous trials, errors, and hours spent trying to figure out how to conduct a successful project.

Campus involvement: Penn State Behrend Women’s Bowling, Lion Ambassadors (fundraising chair, 2025–2026), Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Community Outreach, Research, and Evaluation (CORE).

Awards: Penn State Behrend Athletics Rookie Award (2022–2023), AMCC All-Conference Sportsmanship Team (2023–2024, 2024–2025), Academic All-AMCC (2024–2025).

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I’d love to be a bowling coach in the future. I was injured in my junior year and couldn’t play for two months, and I found a love for coaching. Small adjustments constantly need to be made, and the reward is so high whenever you see the player succeed.

Child advocate in training: I have a passion for children who don’t have the voices to speak up about mental health. Working with CORE, I get to work with at-risk fifth- and sixth-graders and be a safe place for them to just be themselves. Watching a child open up and finally feel safe being who they are, even for just one hour a week, is extraordinary.

Advice for first-year students: Just say yes! I was extremely introverted and hated going out and meeting new people, but for a few months I said “yes” to everything and made some of my best friends doing so.

After her graduation in May, Emily plans to work in her field for a few years before attending graduate school. 

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Kylee Beers (Biology)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2026 is ready to make its mark on the world. We’re proud of our students and all that they have learned and accomplished here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we will introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have conducted valuable research, pioneered innovation, overcome challenges, and engaged in college life in a big way.

Today, we’d like you to meet Kylee Beers.

Major: Biology, Health Professions option

Minor: Psychological Science

Hometown: Clarion, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Phillips Scholarship for Schreyer Scholars, Dr. Ralph M. and Melanie R. Ford Trustee Scholarship

Why she chose her major: I’ve always been interested in how the human body works and how science can improve patient care. Growing up, I faced significant health challenges that required multiple surgeries. Experiencing healthcare from a patient’s perspective shaped my resilience and inspired my commitment to providing compassionate, patient-centered care.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Gaining hands-on experience through research, volunteering in healthcare, and serving as a teaching assistant for two semesters. I also helped lead the Campus Care Kits initiative through the Lion’s Pantry, providing personal hygiene items to students in need. Balancing all of this with my coursework taught me perseverance, time management, and reinforced my passion for healthcare.

Campus involvement: Scrubs Club, Biology Club, Campus Care Kits initiative (two years), research, volunteering in healthcare settings, teaching assistant, and Lambda Sigma National Honor Society.

What makes her unique: I think what makes me unique is the combination of my personal experiences, leadership, and academic work. Going through multiple surgeries taught me empathy and resilience, and mentoring as a teaching assistant strengthened my leadership and communication skills. Spending time with my family, our dogs, and volunteering at a rescue center for horses while helping kids with disabilities has taught me patience, empathy, and the importance of giving back—qualities I hope to bring into my future career in healthcare.

Advice for first-year students: Explore opportunities that match your interests and get involved early.  Take initiative in clubs or volunteer work. Build relationships with your professors and don’t be afraid to ask for guidance.  

After her graduation in May, Kylee plans to enter the Physician Assistant program at Carlow University in Pittsburgh.  

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Remington Orange (Digital Media, Arts, and Technology)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2026 is ready to make its mark on the world. We’re proud of our students and all that they have learned and accomplished here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we will introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have conducted valuable research, pioneered innovation, overcome challenges, and engaged in college life in a big way.

Today, we’d like you to meet Remington Orange.

Major: Digital Media, Arts, and Technology (DIGIT)

Minor: Game Development

Hometown: New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Why he chose Behrend: My older brother went to Behrend for Plastics Engineering and recommended a major called “DIGIT.” I was like, “Numbers? No thank you!” Then I found out it’s not that kind of digit. I stayed at Behrend because in nearly every class, I was allowed to explore and learn for myself with the guidance of professors. That freedom to be creative is incredibly rewarding.

Why he chose his major: DIGIT aligned with everything I wanted from a degree but didn’t know existed. Little-to-no math? Yeah! Optional science? Sign me up! Every class was something I wanted to learn but didn’t know where to start on my own.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: I’m very proud of the work I have done at the VAR lab with Dr. Christopher Shelton, associate professor of clinical psychology. From 3D scanning equipment and building video game consoles to creating 360-degree virtual tours for industry partners, I’ve done more projects than I can count. In the process, I’ve learned a lot about working with industry partners, professional etiquette, and communication. I was given a lot of room to innovate and be creative and I’m grateful for all the opportunities I had through the VAR lab.

Campus involvement: CRU (Campus Crusade), where I served on the Servant Team. It’s been a great experience to have fellowship with fellow Christians whom I see myself being friends with long after I’ve graduated.

Awards: “Best in Show” in the Digital Art category for a short film at the Yahn Art Show and “Best in Class” for a game in GAME 250.

What you’d be surprised to know about him: I hate driving in the snow.

On finding peace after graduation: I’ve spent the last four years rushing everywhere to try and accomplish many things, but my next stage is to find peace in whatever I do and make time for God, myself, and my family.

What he’s passionate about: Creating for interaction. I love to create things that others or I can interact with. I appreciate art in all its forms, but it brings the inner kid in everyone out when you get to touch the art. I want to continue to create.

Advice for first-year students: Explore campus and Erie and the surrounding area. In the past year, I’ve learned about so many amazing places that I wish I had known about earlier. Do you know how much fun it is to ski or tube at Peek’n Peak? Did you know the Tom Ridge Environmental Center is like a mini-museum and it’s free? Did you know the Bicentennial Tower in Erie is free on the first Tuesday of every month?

After his graduation in May, Remington hopes to pursue a master’s degree in either a design field or a medical-related field. His dream is to create designs and digital environments for education, preservation, or medical assistance—and to work remotely while traveling.

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Ethan Callaghan (Project and Supply Chain Management)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2026 is ready to make its mark on the world. We’re proud of our students and all that they have learned and accomplished here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we will introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have conducted valuable research, pioneered innovation, overcome challenges, and engaged in college life in a big way.

Today, we’d like you to meet Ethan Callaghan.

Major: Project and Supply Chain Management

Minor: Finance

Hometown: Elizabeth, Pennsylvania

Scholarship: Lawrence and Elizabeth Held Scholarship

Award: Thomas H. Turnbull Award

Why he chose Behrend: I chose Behrend because of its tight community, opportunities in extracurriculars, and the phenomenal education.

Why he chose his major: I love to work with people and feel that I have a natural gift for leading groups of people and managing projects. I have a love for other cultures and the current trend of globalization made supply chain a perfect complement to my passion for project management.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: I have two: starting the new Peer-2-Peer support group run through Behrend’s Personal Counseling office and building up the esports program by establishing a sponsorship program and, with the help of a peer, connecting with a professional esports team.

Campus involvement: esports (president), Peer-2-Peer (co-founder), Chi Alpha (discipleship team leader), athletics photographer, Student Wellness Ambassador (founding member).

His highest priority: Continue growing in my faith and serving others, paying off debts, and working hard in my new position while learning as much as possible.

What he’s passionate about: Learning new things and growing in my faith and with others.

Advice for first-year students: Enjoy every moment and make the most of it. I’m about to graduate and would love to go back and do everything over again.

After his graduation in May, Ethan will join Wesco, a Fortune 500 supply chain solutions company, as a member of the Supply Chain Leadership Development Program.