Alumni Mentoring Network
Health Care
Nish Pandya
Nish graduated from PSU in 2014 with a degree in economics. He is currently in the fourth year of his MD/MPH program at Thomas Jefferson Medical College. Nish intends on doing his residency in pediatrics and hopes to work in public health policy. He is currently interning with the Children Hospital of Philadelphia and serves as the director of medical student initiatives for the American Association of Pediatrics.
Josh Bram
Josh graduated from Penn State in 2016 with degrees in Biology (Genetics) and Immunology and Infectious Disease. He is currently in his third year of medical school at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. He is excited about the alumni mentoring program, and is happy to talk about anything from medical school to majoring in science to the good old times in Springfield and balancing club commitments and academics.
Caitlin Mingey, M.D.
Caitlin graduated from PSU (Schreyer Honors College) in 2011 with a degree in Biology and a minor in English. She then completed her Medical Degree at Sidney Kimmel Medical College (at Thomas Jefferson University) in 2015 and went on to finish her residency in Internal Medicine at George Washington University Hospital. She is currently practicing hospital medicine and teaching medical students in Washington DC.
Sonya Khurana
Sonya graduated from PSU in 2007 and then went off to medical school at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. Sonya completed her orthopaedic surgery residency at New York Medical College in Valhalla, NY, and is currently a hand surgery fellow at the University of Miami.
Melissa Augustino
Melissa graduated from PSU in May 2013 and went on to earn her Doctorate of Pharmacy (PharmD) in May 2017 from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. Melissa is now a pharmacist in her second year of residency at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD and is specializing in Medication Safety.
Erika Exton
Erika graduated from PSU in 2018 with a degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Linguistics with a minor in mathematics. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Hearing and Speech Sciences at the University of Maryland, but would also be a great reference for anyone interested in CSD, Linguistics, or Psychology and Cognitive Science.
Haley Marttila (New)
Haley graduated from PSU in 2019 with a Biology Degree. She is currently applying to Physician Assistant Programs and hopes to matriculate in 2021. She credits THON, both Springfield and her time on an R&R Committee, with providing her leadership experiences that grew her skills as a leader and a team member. Most recently, she worked as a Chief Medical Scribe at CHOP Primary Care, a management role that calls on her to oversee the scribes at the CHOP Primary Care Network and Temple’s ER. Haley wishes she had a mentor during her undergraduate and is excited to act as a mentor for current Springfielders!
Avani Gandhi (new)
Avani graduated in 2020 from PSU with a degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, specifically the Molecular & Cell Biology option. Avani was an incredibly involved Springfielder, serving as Communications Chair and representing us on THON’s floor in 2020! She is currently attending medical school at the Drexel University College of Medicine!
Emily Smith (new)
Emily graduated from PSU in 2019 with a degree in Communication Science and Disorders. She is currently pursuing an Audiology Doctorate (AuD) at Syracuse University! She credits her work as a Paraprofessional/paraeducator for the State College School District for aiding her professional growth along with the Sign Language Organization, Audiology Club, and, of course, Springfield!
Sciences
Sarah Bevilacqua
Sarah graduated from PSU in 2017 with a degree in Chemistry and a minor in Statistics. After 20 years in State College, Sarah moved to the other side of the country to pursue a PhD in Chemistry at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). At Caltech, she is developing lighter and longer lasting batteries. Her lab is also collaborating with NASA to send batteries to Venus! In her free time, Sarah takes advantage of living in the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains and goes on hikes that inevitably end at one of the many food trucks around town.
Mark Goldy-Brown
Mark graduated from PSU in 2014 with a major in Biology and a minor in Spanish. After leaving Happy Valley, he joined the Peace Corps and worked in Peru for three years doing environmental work. Having recently returned from the Peace Corps, Mark is enjoying time at home and has begun his job search. Mark intends on pursuing an environmental management, environmental science or MPA program for the 2019 school year.
Kari Hartbauer
Kari graduated from Penn State in 2015 with a degree in Psychology. She now lives in the DC area and works for Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic, which grants the wishes of children battling critical illnesses in the areas of DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.
Lauren Doberstein
Lauren graduated from PSU in 2016 with degrees in biobehavioral health and psychology. As a student, she spent most of her spare time volunteering with Springfield, so when she discovered that it was possible to make a career out of fundraising, her path after college became clear. After completing the Penn State Division of Development and Alumni Relations Internship Program in the summer of 2016, Lauren dedicated a year of service to City Year - an AmeriCorps program with a mission to improve the graduation rate in low-income schools. She now works for The ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter, where she's responsible for planning fundraising events such as a 75-mile bike ride and various "Walks to Defeat ALS" in addition to managing volunteers and building corporate partnerships. Lauren loves connecting with Springfielders and will be happy to chat with anyone considering a service year or a career in fundraising/non-profit work!
Kellie Boyle
Kellie graduated from PSU in 2018 with a degree in biology with the genetics and developmental option. She now works in the manufacturing operations department of GlaxoSmithKline, a biopharmaceutical company. At GSK, she works to support the manufacture of a clinical supply of investigational biopharm molecules following FDA regulatory standards.
Emily Fisher (New)
Emily graduated with a BMB (biochemistry and molecular biology) degree from PSU in 2020. Currently, she is employed as a project manager at a Bio-Pharmaceutical testing company! She loves her job and describes it as “a great option for science majors who don’t necessarily work in a lab or go to grad school!” She has fond memories of her time at Penn State and is looking forward to connecting with current Springfielders!
Katie Walters
Katie graduated from PSU in 2020 with degrees in Biobehavioral Health and Child Maltreatment and Advocacy Studies. She is currently pursuing a Masters of Public Health Degree from Penn State, and is considering continuing her education to receive a JD (Doctor of Jurisprudence)! When she isn’t studying, Katie works as a Prevention Coordination for the PA chapter of Prevent Child Abuse. She credits her experiences in Springfield to leading her where she is now and is happy to talk to any member about them!
Business
Patrick Boynton
Pat graduated from Penn State in 2014 and spent two years working for the publisher of the Atlantic before starting law school at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He is currently in his final year before starting with Venable LLP's real estate group in Washington, DC.
Delia Carr
Delia graduated from PSU in 2016 with a degree in finance. She currently works in Asset & Liability Management Internal Audit at PNC. Her team is responsible for reviewing the capital and liquidity levels at PNC and the risk management processes surrounding them to ensure that if the bank or market experiences stress PNC would be able to remain a going concern.
Justin Glosner
Justin graduated from PSU in 2017 with his undergraduate and masters in accounting. He now works as an auditor for Ernst & Young with a focus on Financial Services clients, especially mutual funds, from their Arlington, VA office.
Vinay Ayala
Vinay graduated from PSU in 2011 with a degree in Finance. He now lives in NYC and works as an analyst for the hedge fund Surveyor Capital, where his main focus is to research public investment ideas. Prior to Surveyor, he worked at Morgan Stanley as an equity research associate and had various internships in asset management focused roles during his summers while at PSU. Main activities at PSU included the Nittany Lion Fund and Springfield (duh!).
Michelle Confer
Michelle graduated from PSU in 2008 with a degree in Kinesiology. She also has an MS in Biomechanics where she designed computer simulations of human walking and an MBA, both from UMass. Today she works for Capital One in product management, using that computer programming knowledge to build machine learning technology with a strategic focus.
Ian Confer
Ian graduated from PSU in 2006 with a degree in Accounting. He now works as an Operations Analytics Manager for McKesson's Medical Surgical division where he provides analytical support for warehouse and supply chain functions. His team develops the data and analyzes to help build the organization's distribution strategy and drive operational excellence in the warehouse network.
Grant Elledge
Grant graduated from PSU in 2014 and loved Happy Valley so much that he decided to start his own business in State College. Grant is the founder of UpGrade Tutoring, a tutoring service for Penn State students that offers exam reviews and individual or group tutoring services. Grant is open to bringing on interns, so if you are interested in the slightest, reach out!
Jon Tidd
Jon graduated from PSU in 2009 with a degree in Finance. He later got his MBA at Duke with a focus in Decision Sciences and Operations Strategy. He now works for Deloitte Consulting and builds Digital Manufacturing solutions. He's passionate about STEM and Invention and Entrepreneurship education and serves as a board member for the STEMIE Coalition.
Brett Clark (new)
Brett graduated from PSU in 2019 with a degree in Finance. He currently works at Debt Capital Markets in New York City as an analyst. In his own words, you want bonds? He’s got them! He believes participating in the Nittany Lion Fund, Sales & Trading, and study abroad during his undergraduate years helped him get where he is today. He’s excited to connect with current members and answer any questions they may have!
Communications
Mary Chuff
Mary graduated from PSU in 2016 with degrees in Multimedia Journalism and International Politics. She works at WNEP-TV, a news station in a top 60 market, as an assignment editor, which means she coordinates between the crew in the field (photographers and reporters) and the producers in the newsroom. It's her job to figure out where the news is happening, send someone to go cover it and then relay that information to the producers. She also helps produce WNEP-TV’s weekend morning show. At Penn State she wrote and edited for the Daily Collegian and covered the 2015 Papal Visit with a group from PSU Comm Media. She also interned at SAE International and WPSU. If you ever need to know what waking up at 3 a.m. and working the morning shows at a TV station is like, she’s your girl!
Anna Pitingolo
Anna graduated from PSU in 2017 with a degree in broadcast journalism and a focus on sports communications. She now works in the athletics department at Saint Peter’s University as the marketing and communications assistant. Previously, she interned with Little League International, Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics and Fox Business Network.
Emily Duke
Emily graduated from PSU in 2016 with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations. She was well-prepared for a career in the events industry after previously serving as Springfield's Alternative Fundraising Chair. She currently works for Cvent, a company that provides software and technology for hotels and event planners. Emily works as a Project Manager for corporate events and conferences around the country, training clients and operating their event technology onsite.
Education
Marie Brulenski
Marie graduated from PSU in 2018 with a degree in Mid-Level 4-8 English Education. She currently works in the Souderton Area School District as a 7th grade English Language Arts teacher. Marie was heavily involved at Penn State, serving as the Vice President of the College of Education Student Council, President of the Mortar Board Senior Honor Society, Alternative Fundraising Chair for Springfield and Lion Scout Tour Guide. All of these organizations and leadership positions helped her become the confident leader that her students look up to everyday.
Caitlin Kushnir
Caitlin graduated from PSU in 2018 with a degree in Education and Public Policy and Education Theory. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Education Theory and Policy and working for the Eastern PA Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in the Student Series, which is a program that focuses on school fundraisers. As the Outreach Account Lead she recruits and guides schools through the fundraising process in Montgomery, Berks, Bucks and Chester county region. She also does fun things, like run assemblies for elementary students! THON was a massive inspiration for Caitlin to join the nonprofit sector. She also interned with the Penn State Division of Development and Alumni Relations in the Schreyer Honors College for the entirety of her senior year. This internship gave her experience and familiarity with fundraising in a professional setting.
Rachel Krott
Rachel graduated from PSU in 2017 with a degree in secondary mathematics education. She is now a high school math teacher in Montgomery County, MD as well as a private SAT/ACT math tutor.
Engineering
Taylor Blackford
Taylor graduated from PSU in Fall 2016 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He followed a non-traditional career path out of engineering and now works in Technical Sales as a Product Specialist for Tektronix/Keithley Instruments in Cleveland, OH.
Jackie Rowe
Jackie graduated from PSU in 2014 with a degree in chemical engineering. She is a project manager at a P&G manufacturing site in Mehoopany, PA and travels internationally to support global innovation. Basically, she finds fancier ways to make fancier diapers for a living.
Joe Tucker
Joe graduated from PSU in 2013 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Joe currently works for the US government as an Air Force Officer and government engineer.
Mitch Rosen (new)
Mitch graduated from PSU in 2019 with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. He is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree from UT Austin in Aerospace Engineering with a focus in Orbital Mechanics.
Emma Frost (new)
A 2020 PSU graduate with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Emma Frost currently works for Boeing Defense & Space in a developing helicopter program doing Reliability & Maintainability! Emma’s experience primarily in planes, trains, and rockets as she has also worked for GE Transportation, GE Aviation, Moog Space & Defense, and Pratt & Whitney. She believes the most helpful things she did at Penn State were Engineering Ambassadors, participating in a co-op semester, and continuously talking to recruiters. If you have any questions about any of the above, definitely reach out - she’d love to hear from you!