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April 28, 2020

Study Abroad/Internships Effected by COVID-19

Dear Paterno Fellows,
 
I hope that you and your families are safe, and healthy. I recognize that many of your plans have been disrupted by the travel bans, stay at home orders, and social distancing protocols put in place to flatten the Coronavirus curve. Many of you are justifiably concerned about the academic consequences of cancelled internships and study abroad programs. I want you to know that the PFP program is here to work with you. For anyone who had an internship or study abroad experience cancelled, we will ask that you propose an alternative experience that can substitute for the lost experience. We cannot replace what is lost, but we can substitute a new experience in their place. Perhaps there is an online course you can take that is based in another country or in another language. Perhaps there is an important service that the community needs and you are uniquely positioned to render. Perhaps there is a pressing academic question that you can explore through an independent study. Perhaps there is a non-traditional internship that takes place virtually. Perhaps...perhaps...perhaps. The world more than ever demands creativity, and I know that our Paterno Fellows are nothing if not creative!
 
Before beginning this new and exciting project or experience, I ask that you tell us which experience you have lost due to COVID-19, and write up a brief description of your proposed plan of action that you submit to me for review. Once I’ve signed off, the way forward will be paved and you can continue to work towards fulfilling the requirements to graduate as a Paterno Fellow!
 
Some good news: if you were abroad for five weeks before returning home, you have met the study abroad requirement! Go to the PFP database and add a note telling us the dates, duration, and location of your study abroad, and mark it Claimed Satisfied. If fewer than five weeks, you can add time abroad from an embedded course, or propose a creative solution for the remaining time. Likewise, if you completed 150 hours at your internship before it was terminated, your requirement is fulfilled. If your internship is on your transcript, make a note in the database of how many hours you completed; or if not on your transcript, submit our Non-Credit Internship form to document your full or partial experience.
 
Jeremy David Engels
Director, Paterno Fellows Program

Yoga/Meditation with Honors -- CANCELLED for April 29

Do you miss our Lunch with Honors speaker series? We do too! We're using our LwH time slot for Yoga taught by PFP Director Jeremy Engels every Wednesday in April. Sign in at 12:15 to catch up with each other, and enjoy class from 12:30 to 1:00. See you there! https://psu.zoom.us/j/910700916

Expanding Empathy Panel Discussion

April 29, 1:00-2:30 p.m. on Zoom

An expert panel discussion about how to think about empathy in the time of COVID-19 also is being added. Each panelist will talk about their work and how it might relate to the current pandemic. Additionally, they will take questions from the audience as time permits.

Does empathy encourage others to engage in distancing and help others in need during this crisis? Can empathy be exhausting in a large-scale crisis like this? What are the moral dilemmas that people may face in this crisis, and what kinds of extraordinary altruism have we seen and might we expect to see moving forward?

More details... and to register...

Career Conversations: Careers in Law Enforcement

April 29, 7:00 p.m.
All Liberal Arts majors are invited to participate in this Career Conversations series. This week will feature Christian Fishel, Captain, State College Police Department. Read more about the presenter. Participate via Zoom.

Virtual Book Club: How Democracies Die

May 20, 7:00 p.m., and May 21, Noon

The book How Democracies Die, written by Harvard political scientists Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, examines the factors that lead democratic governments to slide into authoritarianism. It is a New York Times bestseller with good reason — it makes a clear and compelling argument that you do not need a Ph.D. to understand. The book also discusses how people who are passionate about democracy can work to defend it, and the role that each of us has to play as a democratic citizen.

Join the McCourtney Institute for Democracy for a discussion about the book and the state of democracy in the U.S. and around the world. Discussions will be led by Chris Beem, the Institute’s managing director. He taught an undergraduate seminar based on the book during the first half of the spring 2020 semester.

RSVP by May 15 at: https://democracy.psu.edu/virtual-book-club
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/961253434309960/

Spring 2020 Alternative Grading for PFP Aspirants

With the implementation of Penn State's optional alternative grading for spring 2020, aspirants are asking how this will effect their PF entry requirements. We have updated our website with notes specifically for this semester. 

Generally, all students -- aspring or admitted -- may decide on a course-by-course basis whether to opt for the alternative grade to receive credit for honors courses and to maintain the required 3.4 (or 3.5) GPA. Honors courses with a letter grade of C or higher or with the alternative SAT grade will count toward the required number of honors credits. Aspirants should consult the website to review honors credits requirements for entry after two, three, or four semesters, and to see if additional coursework is required for your intended major of honors.

We will check your entry requirements as usual at the end of the semester to see who has met entry requirements, and send those names to Schreyer Honors College for admission some time in June. You do not have to apply! Make sure your intended major of entry is correct in the PFP database; if incorrect, or if you have any questions, please contact PaternoFellows@psu.edu.

Summer Language Institute

Learn a new language and explore a new culture this summer! Choose from courses in: Arabic | Chinese | French | German | Hindi | Italian | Japanese | Korean Latin | Russian | Spanish
 
At the 2020 Penn State Summer Language Institute, you can immerse yourself in a lively, culture-rich program to advance your speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. All courses will be offered remotely! You can earn up to 12 credits in just eight weeks of intensive learning (varies by language). Courses are open to undergraduate and graduate Penn State students, as well as academically motivated high school students. More info…

Women's Activism Courses

The College of the Liberal Arts recently kicked off our yearlong theme for 2020, Moments of Change: A Century of Women’s Activism. If you are interested in women’s activism, take a look at some of the courses offered during the fall 2020 semester that highlight expertise in related areas.

CAS/PLSC 209: Democratic Leadership (1 cr)

Thursdays, 3:05 - 5:05 p.m., 351 Willard Building
This course introduces students to deliberative democratic theory and encourages them to reflect on effective strategies for changing governance and society, with an eye toward participating in the McCourtney Institute for Democracy's Nevins Fellows program. The course is open to students in any year and include the opportunity to complete an internship at an organization that promotes or supports democracy. 
For more info...

Ethics Courses

Check our website for courses you can take to meet the PFP Ethics requirement. New courses are added as departments alert us of their offerings, or as students bring them to our attention. Students must complete 3 credits in ethics (one 3-credit course, or a series of 1- or 2-credit courses) before graduation.

PFP Service/Leadership Requirement

Fellows are expected to take on a leadership role or offer volunteer services to a community of their choice totaling at least 50 hours during their college career. Participants in the Presidential Leadership Academy automatically meet this requirement. To document a leadership or service experience, download the Leadership or Service Documentation Form; complete and submit it using the contact information on the form. Hours may be reported as they are completed for short-term projects, or after the minimum time is met for long-term experiences.

Call for Nominations: Paterno Fellows Best Thesis Awards

Submission Deadline: Extended to May 1

The Paterno Fellows Program will present two Best Thesis Awards: one for a thesis in the social sciences and the other for a thesis in any field of the humanities. Each prize carries a $500 award. A faculty panel will make the selections based on the originality of the project, the rigor of the research, and the clarity of presentation. Students must have met all PFP graduation requirements to be eligible. (If you are not sure of your student’s PFP status, please inquire at PaternoFellows@psu.edu.)

To nominate a thesis, or to self-nominate, we must receive the following by Friday, May 1:

Students who self-nominate are responsible for requesting input from the faculty adviser.

Please direct questions to PaternoFellows@psu.edu.

University Libraries Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis Award -- Deadline extended to May 1

Applications for the University Libraries’ annual Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis Award are open to all spring graduating Penn State students and recent graduates from the previous summer and fall who have completed an undergraduate thesis. The winner will receive $1,250, and awards of $750 and $500 will be presented to the second- and third-place recipients, respectively. More info...

NEW SCHEDULE:
Deadline for submission– Friday, May 1
Top three chosen/students notified – Friday, May 22
Presentations and awards – Friday, May 29 at 1 PM by Zoom

Research Assistants Sought for Children, Media, and Conflict Zones Lab

Opportunities for Summer and Fall 2020 – Summer Application Deadline: May 2,2020

The Children, Media and Conflict Zones Lab, created through the Rock Ethics Institute Children, Youth, and Media in International and Global Conflict Zones Initiative, explores how media may be used to play meaningful roles in conflict zones. Given that demographically, children and youth are most impacted by armed conflict, the initiative and lab focus on exploring best practices for using media (as artifact, intervention, and content) to aid and empower children and youth. More information about the lab may be found here: https://bellisario.psu.edu/research/centers/children-media-and-conflict-zones-lab,
 
The lab is seeking Research Assistants (RAs) for 2020-2021 to work in the Children, Media and Conflict Zones Lab. The current application cycle applies to Summer 2020 and/or Fall 2020, though interested applicants may also apply early for Spring and/or Summer 2021. Selected applicants will assist with projects exploring (1) the role media may play in helping or empowering children and youth in conflict zones internationally, (2) how refugee youth use media technologies to navigate their education, displacement, and conflict within global human rights contexts, and/or 3) how media interventions influence conflict zones and/or refugee children’s political opinions, inter-group attitudes, and/or age them biologically.

More info...

Deadline for Chapel Executive Internship Program extended to May 1

The deadline for the summer 2020 Chapel Executive Internship Program has been extended to May 1. Liberal Arts students participating in a summer internship in business or the private sector are encouraged to apply for $5,000 in enrichment funding. Visit our website for eligibility requirements, application instructions, and other important information.

Spring 2021 Study Abroad Funding -- First Priority Deadline May 1

Interested in studying abroad in spring 2021? Submit your application by the first priority deadline: May 1. The spring application cycle has three deadlines: May 1, July 15, and September 10. First Priority Application Deadline: May 1. Search spring study abroad programs. Please note that these plans are contingent upon the status of the COVID-19 pandemic and with the safety of students, faculty, staff, and community members in mind.

Summer Internship Enrichment Funds Applications -- Priority Deadline May 1

Are you participating in an internship this summer? Apply for Liberal Arts Enrichment Funds. Visit our website for application instructions, important updates on summer awarding, eligibility requirements, and frequently asked questions. Please note that we may require additional confirmation from your enrichment site before awards can be made. Priority Deadline: May 1. Final Deadline: June 1.

PFP Student Programming Grants

Paterno Fellows are encouraged to apply for Programming Grants for One-Time Events or Sustained Discussion / Reading Groups. Successful applications will enhance students’ education, ignite an interest, or make students consider a topic more deeply. For details, see: pfp-student-programming-grants/

Internship Opportunities

Nittany Lion Careers is Penn State’s single-system recruiting platform. You will be able to use Nittany Lion Careers to: search and apply to internship and job opportunities; upload your resume for review, schedule an appointment with a Career Enrichment Network staff member to help with your career development; view upcoming events; and more!

Your Blurb Here

Are you involved with a local service group that is open for new members? Send your blurb to PaternoFellows@psu.edu and we’ll publish it here. Please include a brief description of your mission, expectations, information sessions/meetings, how to join, etc.

College of the Liberal Arts selects spring 2020 student marshals

19 of the 24 students who will represent the College of the Liberal Arts as student marshals for Penn State’s 2020 spring commencement activities are Paterno Fellows. Student marshals are chosen for their outstanding academic achievement and their contributions to liberal arts student life. Read the story...

Each of these student marshals will be featured on Penn State News. As their stories are published, we'll add links here. All marshals are listed below, and Paterno Fellows are indicated.

College of the Liberal Arts: Awaly Diallo, PF
African Studies: Noelia Ortiz-Landazabal, PF
Anthropology: Audrey Arner, PF
Asian Studies: Aimee Pizarchik, PF
Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies: Charissa Skoutelas, PF
Communication Arts and Sciences: Daniel Zahn, PF
Comparative Literature: Siobhan Leonard, PF
Criminology: Erin Doolin, PF
Economics: Evan Toomey, PF
English: Caitlin Conway, PF
French And Francophone Studies: Loren Baseler, PF
Germanic and Slavic Languages And Literatures: Maria Badanova, PF
Global and International Studies: Erin Baumgartner, PF
History: Aileen McKinstry, PF
International Politics: Panini Pandya, PF
Labor and Employment Relations: Cory Steinle, PF
Philosophy: David Witmer 
Political Science: Andrew Bernstein, PF
Psychology: Lena Becker, PF
ROTC: August Pasquale
Sociology: Leah DeLancey
Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese: Christopher Abraham, PF
Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies: Clara Miller
World Campus: Matt Solovey

Scholar builds thesis on inclusivity in advertising and empathetic storytelling

Paterno Fellow Jordan Pietrafitta's thesis focuses on diversity, inclusivity, and sustainability in advertising campaigns in the fashion industry.

“My research has led me to see the flaws companies have in advertising, but also how good it can be when they actually uplift and represent different people.”

Read the story...

Better Know a Paterno Fellow

Paterno Fellows are participating in internships, study abroad, research, and more! Read about their experiences here.

We want to hear from you! Submit your story for publication here.

FEATURED STUDENT:

Katherine Howarth, '22 PF International Politics and Security and Risk Analysis
Political Science Research Assistant

What are you doing after graduation?

Want to share your post-graduation planswith us? We'd love to hear from you! Let us know if you're attending grad school, joining the Peace Corps, starting a new job, etc. Send an email with your photo to lanetwork@psu.edu to tell us your news!

A message from Liberal Arts Advising

With the University’s decision to shift classes online, the College of the Liberal Arts advising staff wanted to let you know that they are still available. Starting immediately, and until in-person classes resume on campus, all advising appointments will be held via Zoom. Please read through this information thoroughly to ensure you know how to best connect with advisers in the College of the Liberal Arts.

Schreyer Scholars should continue to communicate with honors advisers by email or by other previously established methods.

Virtual appointments available with the Career Enrichment Network

Liberal Arts students can schedule virtual career coaching appointments with our staff through Nittany Lion Careers. When you request the appointment, make sure to:
1. Select a career coach with ‘(Liberal Arts)’ next to their name;
2. Note that it is virtual;
3. Indicate if you prefer to speak via phone or video. If phone, provide your number in the ‘Additional Information’ section. If video, look for a follow up email from us confirming the appointment with further instructions.

How can I describe the Paterno Fellows Program on my resume?

Paterno Fellows Program, College of the Liberal Arts
Honors Program including advanced academic coursework, thesis, study abroad and/or internship, ethics study, and leadership/service commitment

Updating your info in the PFP database

Update the PFP database as you complete your Paterno Fellows requirements. You are responsible for marking them “Claimed Satisfied” or turning in the appropriate documentation forms. You should update the requirements you’ve met as you complete them. Please do not wait until your graduation semester. We need time to approve your submissions and mark them “Satisfied.” For further instructions, see the PFP website.

Liberal Arts Alumni Mentor Program

Network with Penn State Alumni! Apply to the Liberal Arts Alumni Mentor Program. Students are matched with alumni working in their field of interest; mentors help with networking, interview prep, and more. Applications are open year-round. More information can be found here.
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