Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Abby Tingley (Mechanical 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 Abby Tingley.

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Minor: Biomedical Engineering

Hometown: Union City, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: A. James Clark Scholars Program and Schreyer Scholar Program

Why she chose Behrend: I chose Behrend because of the many opportunities it offers both academically and athletically. There are not many programs where you can pursue a degree in engineering while also playing a collegiate sport, and that balance is something Behrend supports well. I was also drawn to the small class sizes and the chance to build one-on-one relationships with professors, which creates a welcoming environment to ask questions and access support. In addition, the opportunity to participate in undergraduate research was great. I was able to work on a project that combined my major in mechanical engineering with softball, one of my biggest passions, which made the experience even more meaningful and exciting.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: My research. I chose to study and compare the stress placed on the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in the elbow during pitching and throwing in baseball versus softball, using motion sensors and a whole lot of engineering. It let me dive deeper into pitching—something I’ve loved since I was eight years old—and turn that passion into an engineering project with real potential for injury prevention in both sports. I’ve spent countless hours working with Dr. Elisa Wu, professor of Mechanical Engineering, planning, testing, and analyzing every detail, and I’m incredibly grateful to the Behrend baseball and softball teams for being so willing to help throughout the process. After nearly two years of effort, it’s exciting to finally publish a thesis on a project that has meant a lot to me.

Campus involvement: Pitcher for the Behrend softball team, Schreyer Honors College, Society of Women Engineers (secretary and president), Behrend Engineering Ambassador (secretary and vice president).

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I worked in the Engineering Office in Burke Center for a semester. It was fun getting to see some of the “behind the scenes” work for Engineering Week, the planning that goes into senior design projects, and how everything stays on schedule. I also got to know some of the staff and learn more about what they do day by day.

At the Little League World Series: My experience in Behrend athletics allowed me to have the opportunity to represent Game Changer and Dick’s Sporting Goods at the 2025 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, this summer. I got to take my best friend (and catcher) Alexia with me, and we spent the week experiencing the excitement of the LLWS while serving as ambassadors for those brands. One of the best parts was connecting with so many young athletes who reminded me of myself at their age, full of big dreams and love for the game. It was a surreal, full-circle moment and an experience I’ll never forget.

Her highest priority: Getting out into the world, traveling, exploring, meeting new people, and soaking up as many experiences as I can. I want to gain new perspectives and experiences not just for adventure but to grow in my career and as a person. There’s something about stepping into someone else’s world that makes you appreciate your own even more. I also want to enjoy being young and curious, trying new things while I still have the energy to say “yes” to just about anything. Mostly, I want to collect stories—things that I can one day look back on and smile.

Advice for first-year students: Meet people. Ask the name of the person sitting next to you in class, say “hi” to the person you pass every morning on your way across campus, strike up those tiny conversations that feel small but end up having big impact. Meeting people opens doors you didn’t even know existed—like study buddies, new friends, random adventures, maybe even an internship down the line. At the very least, being the friendly face in someone’s day is a good thing. College is full of opportunities, but the best ones usually start with a conversation you were brave enough to begin.

After her graduation in May, Abby will work as a systems engineer at RoviSys Building Technologies in Aurora, Ohio.

Standout Senior 2026: Meet Vida Sevilla (Political 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 Vida Sevilla.

Major: Political Science

Minor: Crime, Law, and Psychology

Hometown: Montclair, California

Why she chose her major: I came here as a Criminal Justice major but switched to Political Science around my sophomore year. Growing up, I saw how harshly the world treats more unfortunate and marginalized communities. I wanted to be a part of fixing the way we see and treat these communities.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone a lot in my time here, so it’s hard to give just one example. However, my short time in the Behrend theatre community taught me so much about myself, and I’m beyond proud of myself for participating.

Challenges overcome: Being so far away from home and from my culture, every day can be a challenge, especially being a first-generation student. It’s hard to know if what I’m doing is the right thing. Despite my lack of guidance through life, I’ve come out the other side with the support of the friends I’ve made along the way.

Campus involvement: Alpha Sigma Alpha, executive board member of Panhellenic Council (vice president of Peer Accountability), and member of Studio Theatre/Theatre Club. Over the years I’ve been involved in a few other clubs and organizations, such as Behrend Political Science Society, Groundhog Club, Tone-Acious, Chamber/Concert Choir, and Alternative Spring Break.

What makes her unique: I’ve always viewed myself to be a lover of life. I love experiencing what the world has to offer, even when those things aren’t the most amazing or positive experiences.

What she’s passionate about: Doing what’s right, especially when it’s hard to do so. A lot of the time we find it’s easier to go along with the majority, but it’s important to give yourself a life where you don’t regret the things you should’ve done for the betterment of those you love rather than just for yourself.

Advice for first-year students: Above all else, don’t ever limit yourself to one path in life. Sometimes the world around you will want to push you toward its own standard of excellence—you need to find the strength within yourself to make your own standard. Dream big and loud! If you ever feel that your dreams are too big for this world, then shoot for the stars instead. Do not ever be sorry for what you do to make your dreams happen, just learn from it all.

After her graduation in May, Vida plans to move to New York City to become a criminal investigator.

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Alex Irwin (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 Alex Irwin.

Major: Biology

Hometown: Erie, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Council of Fellows Leadership Scholarship, Academic Excellence Scholarship, DeFrees Family Foundation Endowed Scholarship, Phillips Scholarship for Schreyer Scholars

Why he chose Behrend: I felt at home here. I could see myself going to college here and having success. The wonderful faculty and staff who were dedicated to my success even before I stepped on campus really helped me want to attend Behrend.

Why he chose his major: I’ve always been interested in the natural world, especially in how the human body works and functions.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Being elected president of Lion Ambassadors. To have the honor of leading an organization that has given so much to me was an immense privilege.

Challenges overcome: Learning how to say no and not over-commit myself. I’m very passionate about everything I do and want to be as involved as I can be, but I cannot do everything. I had to learn how to prioritize my time and only say yes to things I know I can put one hundred percent of my efforts into.

Campus involvement: Treasurer and president of Lion Ambassadors, treasurer and president of Science Ambassadors, treasurer and president of the Behrend Schreyer Council, member of the Student Facilities Fee Committee, and Resident Assistant for two years.

Award: Aaron Meehl Biology Award (Outstanding Rising Junior)

What you’d be surprised to know about him: People would be surprised to find out that I have a full-size skeleton sitting in the front seat of my car.

His highest priority: Having success and graduating from medical school. I want to become a successful physician.

What he’s passionate about: Helping others, which is what initially drove me to pursue a career in medicine. I want to make sure that everyone receives the quality care they need.

Advice for first-year students: Talk with your professors and form relationships with them. They are truly wonderful people who want to help you succeed. They have connections in your field and can help you apply for jobs or graduate schools.

After his graduation in May, Alex will attend medical school at the Penn State College of Medicine.

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.