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January 5, 2021

Collegiate Laws of Life Essay Contest

The eighth annual Paterno Fellows Collegiate Laws of Life essay contest is now open! Our purpose is to encourage Penn State undergraduate students to explore ethical values and intercultural issues, and their talent for expressing their views in writing.

Answer the question, "What is the purpose of a university?" in 800 words for a chance to win up to $500. Submission deadline: January 21, 2021 

For details and to enter...

Rhetoric of the Civil Rights Essay Contest

The Center for Democratic Deliberation is sponsoring an essay contest based on the Rhetoric of the Civil Rights and Voices of Democracy projects. The purpose is to encourage greater familiarity with discursive events in the United States that have congregated around the African American Freedom Struggle. The contest is open to any undergraduate student at Penn State and includes cash prizes for the top three essays. Submission deadline: March 13, 2021 For details...

Liberal Arts Career Week

January 25-29, 2021

Mark your calendars for Liberal Arts Career Week, January 25–29. We will be hosting career-related virtual events for Liberal Arts students, including networking opportunities, employer and alumni office hours, workshops focusing on graduate school, gap year, mentoring, and more. This is your chance to develop skills and network with professionals to support your future career path!

Game Night with Liberal Arts Ambassadors

Wednesday, January 27, 7:00 p.m. EST

To kick off the start of the spring semester, join the Liberal Arts Ambassadors for a fun night of Skribbl.io! Put your drawing skills to the test for a chance to win a Creamery gift card! No drawing skills are required. Register here for the Zoom link.

McCourtney Institute for Democracy virtual events

Register for upcoming virtual events hosted by the McCourtney Institute for Democracy. Zoom info will be provided upon registration. For full calendar and to register...

Thursday, January 28, 4:00 p.m. ET
DONNA SHALALA: THE FUTURE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY

Political leader and scholar Donna Shalala will join us to discuss the relationship between the Democratic Party’s moderate and progressive wings, and what it means for American democracy moving forward.

Shalala has more than 40 years of experience as an accomplished scholar, teacher, and administrator. She served as President of Hunter College of the City University of New York from 1980 to 1987 and as Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 1987 to 1993. More info...

LA 197 Juvenile Justice Law and Policy (1 cr)

This Paterno Fellows seminar focuses on the criminal justice system as it pertains to juveniles, often referred to as the "juvenile justice system." The course sits at the intersection of psychology, behavioral health, sociology, political science, and law. 

Juveniles exist in a unique role in our society. Their bodies and minds are still developing; hormonal changes, peer pressure and influences, as well as mental development all impact their behavior and responses to stressful situation. This has resulted in courts viewing juveniles as unique and therefore aiming to rehabilitate juveniles rather than punish them. Therefore, this seminar aims to be holistic in the short time we have together. It will give you a small sampling of juvenile justice issues ranging from developmental, educational, intersectional, and racial issues that may impact youth who have system contact. A brief history of the juvenile justice system will be provided on the first class to provide context to our work. We will also discuss a few seminal cases in juvenile law that will provide experience for the skills needed in law, policy, graduate, or social work schools.

This is a 1 credit ethics course that will meet on Mondays from 4:30-6:30pm for six mandatory meetings: Jan. 25, Feb. 1, 7, 15, 22, and Mar. 1, 2021.

Spring 2021 courses by Students Teaching Students

Students Teaching Students is a collection of official, student-led courses about unique academic topics. All courses count as electives unless otherwise stated and are open to all students in every college.

BA 397-001: Act Now for a Sustainable Future
3 Credits • Mixed Mode • Mon and Wed, 4:00 - 5:15 PM
Designed and taught by Maddy Mitchell and Paterno Fellow Nora Van Horn
 
CED 497-002: The Impact of Drug Cartels on Development in Rural Latin America
1 Credit • Remote • Mondays, 10:10 - 11:00 AM
Designed and taught by Maria Camila Cepeda
 
EDUC 197-004: Supporting Students’ Mental Health
1 Credit • Remote • Tuesdays, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Designed and taught by SaraGrace Kimball
 
ENGL 197: Unpacking the Cultural, Ethnic, and Racial Diversity in Disney Films
1 Credit • Remote • Wednesdays, 2:30 - 3:20 PM
Designed and Taught by Kay Adetiba
 
MUSIC 297-002: Music and the Mind: An Introduction to Music Psychology
1 Credit • Remote • Mondays, 11:15 AM - 12:05 PM
Designed and taught by Annie Liu and Sam Rothermel
 
RLST 197-001: The Roman Liturgy Since 1900
1 Credit • In-Person • Wednesdays, 7:05 - 7:55 PM
Designed and taught by Paterno Fellow Victor Fuentes
 
THEA 497-008: American Musical Theatre History: From 9/11 to COVID-19
1 Credit • Remote • Wednesdays, 3:35 - 4:25 PM
Designed and taught by Freddie Miller
 
WMNST 197-001: B.B.W.: The Miseducation and Underrepresentation of the Big Black Woman
1 Credit • Remote • Fridays, 1:25 - 2:15 PM
Designed and taught by Lyra Stubbs

PLSC 297 (1 cr) Democratic Erosion

Tuesdays, 3:05-4:20 p.m. via Zoom
Instructor: Chris Beem, McCourtney Institute for Democracy Managing Director
 
Many have argued that the world has entered a time of democratic erosion. This course will examine the patterns by which such erosion commonly occurs: how do democracies transition into authoritarianism? The course will examine the framework developed in the book How Democracies Die by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt. More info...

Penn State School of International Affairs spring 2021 electives

The following courses offered by the School of International Affairs are open to eligible seniors, IUG students, and Schreyer Scholars. Details for each course are on the linked flyer. Interested students are welcome to contact the faculty member directly for more information about the course.

Undergraduate students interested in taking an INTAF course should complete the following form and obtain the signatures of the SIA faculty member and their undergraduate academic adviser. Completed forms can then be emailed to the Graduate School at gesrecords@psu.edu.

Optional Alternative Grading during remote learning

As was done in spring 2020, Penn State has implemented optional alternative grading for the fall 2020 semester. Students may decide on a course-by-course basis whether to opt for the alternative grade. Please consider possible impacts on graduate/professional school applications or employment before choosing the alternative grade, and consult with your adviser about your decision. Honors courses with a letter grade of C or higher or with the alternative SAT grade will count as honors credits.
 
Aspirants should consult the Paterno Fellows website to review honors credits requirements for entry after two, three, or four semesters, to see if additional coursework is required for your intended major of honors, and how alternative grading will be incorporated into entry requirements. Admitted students have received guidance from Schreyer Honors College on this subject.

Study Abroad/Internships Affected by COVID-19

Paterno Fellows who had an internship or study abroad experience cancelled due to COVID-19 may 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; an important service that the community needs and you are uniquely positioned to render; a pressing academic question that you can explore through an independent study; or a non-traditional internship that takes place virtually. Before beginning this new and exciting project or experience, we 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 the director for review.
 
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.

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.

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.

Undergraduate Research and Fellowships Mentoring Events and Deadlines

For details and to register for events and to learn more about opportunities for undergraduate funding and research, be sure to check the URFM website.

Undergraduate Research
**All are co-sponsored with University Libraries
Jan. 20 - Research and You: Unpacking Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry 
Jan. 27 - Identifying Research Opportunities 
Feb. 3 - How to Explore Your Research Ideas: An Introduction to the Scholarly Conversation 

Competitive Opportunities for Graduate Study Around the Globe
** All are co-sponsored by Schreyer Honors College
Feb. 1 - Rhodes Scholarship 
Feb. 1 - Marshall Scholarship 
Feb. 2 - Mitchell Scholarship 
Feb. 2 - Churchill Scholarship 
Feb. 3 - Gates Cambridge Scholarship 
Feb. 3 - Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program 
Feb. 4 - Schwarzman Scholarship 
Feb. 4 - Yenching Academy Scholarship 
Feb. 5 - Unlocking Your Potential 
Feb. 5 - Applying for RMMC Campus Nomination 

Fulbright and Peace Corps Week
**All are co-sponsored by Education Abroad
Feb. 8 - Peace Corps Program 
Feb. 10 - Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Awards 
Feb. 11 - Fulbright Graduate Research Awards 
Feb. 12 - Fulbright Graduate Study Program Awards 

Deadlines
Jan. 11 - Boren Fellowship | Office Deadline
Jan. 15 - Udall Scholarship | Office Deadline
Jan. 15 - Gaither Junior Fellows Program | National Deadline
Jan. 24 - Erickson Discovery Grant Program | Campus Deadline
Jan. 27 - Boren Fellowship | National Deadline
Jan. 29 - Goldwater Scholarship | National Deadline
Jan. 29 - Astronaut Scholarship | Office Deadline
Feb. 2 - Truman Scholarship | National Deadline
Feb. 3 - Boren Scholarship | National Deadline

Erickson Discovery Grants application due January 24

The Erickson Discovery Grant program provides $3,500 toward expenses of a student-initiated independent project. Student projects of all kinds are welcome: the arts, engineering, humanities, sciences and social sciences. Projects should primarily be the student’s own work, but they can be related to the supervising faculty member’s research or scholarly interests. Grants can be used to cover living expenses and project costs. Read the story...

Apply for spring semester enrichment funds

Participating in an internship or research experience in spring 2021? Apply for Liberal Arts enrichment funds! Funding is available to support virtual, remote, and/or face-to-face enrichment experiences. All experiences and opportunities must follow federal, state, and University policies on health and safety as well as Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on physical distancing. The priority deadline is December 1. Details and application instructions available here.

Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship application open

The Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) fellowships assist undergraduate and graduate students in achieving competency in selected foreign languages and conducting research in related international and area studies. Applications are now open. Students in all fields of study are welcome to apply. Languages eligible for Penn State's FLAS Fellowships are Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Russian. Summer 2021 and Academic Year 2021-22. Application Deadline: 2/1/2021 For more info...

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/

Apply for the 14th Korea-America Student Conference by January 10

The Korea-America Student Conference (KASC) is currently recruiting delegates for its 14th iteration which will take place in Seoul, Busan, and San Francisco from July 8th to July 30th. KASC is an academic, professional, and cultural conference that provides the next generation of student leaders valuable experience in engaging with US-Korea relations in addition to providing exposure to various broader issues in East Asia. KASC delegates will have the opportunity to engage in full and frank dialogue outside the traditional classroom setting and will hold roundtable discussions on the topics of Education; Pandemics and Public Health; Social Justice and Civil Society; and Soft Power and Hard Power. Delegates will meet with prominent leaders from business, government, and academia; engage in cultural and professional exchange in the United States and South Korea, and participate in forums that will better prepare them for their respective future careers. The estimated cost for participating in the conference is $3,500 for each delegate, which covers housing, food, and all conference-related programming.

Interested students can visit our website to learn more about the conference and apply here. The application is on a rolling deadline until January 10, 2021. Applicants will hear back from the executive committee within two weeks of submitting their application. KASC seeks to achieve a diverse delegation, and all majors, and academic levels are welcome to apply. The official language of the conference is English. No prior experience with Korean Studies or Korean Language is necessary. For additional information or questions, please reach out at kasc@iscdc.org.

University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) accepting applications 

The University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) is accepting applications for a variety of leadership roles, including nine specifically for first-year students: 
• Coordinator of Greek Registered Student Organizations
• Coordinator of Sustainability Registered Student Organizations
• Coordinator of Academic and Professional Registered Student Organizations
• Coordinator of Special Interest Registered Student Organizations
• Graphic Designers
• Organizational Historian
• Digitization Specialist
• Committee Coordinators
• Legislative Staffer
More info and to apply,,,

First-year students: apply to join the Presidential Leadership Academy by February 8, 2021

Established in spring 2009, the Academy is a three-year leadership development opportunity for a select group of 30 students. As Academy participants, these students will develop leadership fundamentals to thrive in an environment in which multiple dimensions of an issue are explored, diverse viewpoints are welcomed and heard, and a fully informed and respectful discourse ensues that leads to sound action.

Through the Presidential Leadership Academy, the curricular and extracurricular opportunities available through the Academy leads to further development of critical thinking abilities necessary for leaders to implement decisions with sensitivity to the circumstances that led them and the flexibility to rethink decisions and even change course along the way. A highlight of the Academy is a two-credit introductory seminar led by the President of the university.

For more info and to apply...

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!

Explore 40+ Liberal Arts student organizations 

If you missed the Virtual Involvement Fair, you can still learn about each of Penn State’s 1000+ student orgs by watching 90-second videos about each one. You can also learn about each of the Liberal Arts student organizations by visiting la.psu.edu/studentorgs.

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.

Congratulations to Fall 2020 graduates

The fall 2020 Penn State virtual commencement ceremony was held virtually at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 19. Watch the video of the ceremony and explore links to shareable digital slides for each graduate along with additional video messages on the commencement page.

Three Paterno Fellows served as fall 2020 student marshals:
Kelsey Bell, Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications
Kylie Dunmire, College of Information Sciences and Technology
Elijah Kelsey, College of Agricultural Sciences

Andrew Gavinet, Nakul Grover, and Timothy McDonnell graduated as Paterno Fellows as well. Congratulations, and best wishes to all!

Liberal Arts alumna pursues passions through her career

Awaly Diallo, ‘20 PF Sociology and African American Studies, has embarked on a career path that allows her to continue making a difference in the world. Diallo currently works as a paralegal for the Support Center for Child Advocates (SCCA), a non-profit in Philadelphia that provides legal assistance to abused and mistreated children. While going to law school and becoming a civil rights attorney has always been the plan, her current job experience has helped reinforce that dream. 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.

Stand Up Award nominations open through February 5

Nominations are now open for the Rock Ethics Institute's 2021 Stand Up Awards. This award honors Penn State undergraduate students who have demonstrated courage, fortitude, and ethical leadership by taking a stand for a person, cause, or belief. Award winners receive a $1,000 prize and will be honored at the 2021 Stand Up Awards ceremony on April 22.

Any faculty, staff, student, or community member can nominate a Penn State undergraduate student for the award. Undergraduate students from all Penn State campuses are eligible. The deadline for nominations is February 5, 2021.

Additional information about the Stand Up Awards, including profiles of previous honorees, can be found at StandUpPSU.com.

Navigating your career during COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic may be an unexpected detour on your journey to getting hired, but the Career Enrichment Network is here to help point you in the right direction and make sure you reach your destination! Our Get Hired website has tools to help you stay professional, connected, and motivated as you navigate your career during COVID-19.

Liberal Arts Alumni Mentor Program

Now more than ever, guidance and advice from experienced Penn State alumni is vital for career success. By joining the program, you can be matched with a Liberal Arts alumni mentor and get advice about your resume, job search, or internships. The program matches undergraduate Liberal Arts students with an alumni mentor working in their field of interest. Mentors provide guidance and advice about careers, academics, and professional development. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

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
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