-
Health and Human Development
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
About
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
COVID-19 Response
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Return to Research
Explore
-
Return to Teaching
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
- Creative Approaches to Teaching: Where to Start
- Adapting to Mixed-Mode, Remote, or Web-Based Teaching and Learning
- Assessments and Academic Integrity
- Policy and Safety Updates
- Technology and Library Resources
- Resources to Assist Faculty and Staff Support Student Welfare
- Remote Teaching and Learning
- Contact tracing in the classroom
- Supporting students in quarantine and isolation
-
Additional Resources and References
Explore
- Acknowledgement of Risk
- Travel Guidelines
-
Return to Research
- Environmental Health
- Overview of the College
- Meet the Dean
-
News and Events
Explore
-
Events
Explore
-
Profiles
Explore
-
Diversity and Inclusion
Explore
-
Awards
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
College Awards
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Carol Clark Ford Staff Achievement Award
Explore
-
HHD Faculty Sustainability Award
Explore
-
Joyce Hopson-King Diversity Achievement Award
Explore
-
Ann C. Crouter Early Career Faculty Award
Explore
-
Evelyn R. Saubel Faculty Award
Explore
-
HHD Alumni Society Excellence in Teaching Award
Explore
-
Leadership in Outreach Award
Explore
-
Evan G. and Helen G. Pattishall Outstanding Research Achievement Award
Explore
-
Pauline Schmitt Russell Distinguished Research Career Award
Explore
-
Carol Clark Ford Staff Achievement Award
-
HHD Alumni Society Awards
Explore
-
College Awards
-
Commencement
Explore
- Employers and Industry
- Our Valued Partners
- History
-
Strategic Plans 2014-19
Explore
-
Strategic Plan 2021-25
Explore
- Subscribe, Listen, Learn: College Podcasts
- Donate
- Contact
-
COVID-19 Response
-
Undergraduate
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Getting Started
Explore
-
Majors and Minors
Explore
-
Honors Program
Explore
-
Advising
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Academic Integrity
Explore
- Academic Progress
- Advising Resources
-
Change of Campus
Explore
- Declaring a Major/Minor
-
Enforcement of Recommended Preparation
Explore
- Learning Support
- Petitions to University Policies and Procedures
-
Policies and Procedures
Explore
- Schedule an Appointment with Your Adviser
-
Undergraduate Adviser and Student Handbook
Explore
-
Contact
Explore
- Dean's List
-
Academic Integrity
- Student Organizations
-
Student Profiles
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Biobehavioral Health
Explore
-
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Explore
-
Health Policy and Administration
Explore
-
Hospitality Management
Explore
-
Human Development and Family Studies
Explore
-
Kinesiology
Explore
-
Nutritional Sciences
Explore
-
Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management
Explore
-
Student Research
Explore
-
Biobehavioral Health
-
Study Abroad
Explore
- Take a Professor to Lunch
-
Financial Aid and College Scholarships
Explore
-
Leadership Initiative
Explore
-
Summer Session
Explore
- Dean's Welcome Meeting
- Parents and Family Association
-
Visit and Apply
Explore
-
Contact
Explore
-
Discover HHD
Explore
-
Career and Professional Development
Explore
-
HHD Instagram Ambassadors
Explore
- Undergraduate Research Grants
- Undergraduate Activities and Events
-
Getting Started
-
Graduate
Explore
-
Alumni
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Events
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Alumni Virtual Events
Explore
-
Distinguished Alumni Speaker Series
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
- 2021 - Derrick Campana
- 2019 - Ariel Clatty
- 2018 - James Fitzgerald
- 2018 - Susan Robinson
- 2017 - Janet Rosenzweig
- 2015 - Scott M. Smith
- 2014 - Mark McCamish
- 2013 - Patricia Hillkirk
- 2012 - Jill Jayne
- 2011 - Robert E. Hillman
- 2010 - Joanne Finegan
- 2009 - Mario Lafortune
- 2008 - Mary Ellen Clark
- 2007 - Wendy A. Owen
-
Alumni Virtual Events
-
Biobehavioral Health
Explore
-
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Explore
-
News
Explore
-
Get Involved
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
- Alumni Awards
-
Mentor a Student
Explore
-
Join an Affiliate Program Group
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Biobehavioral Health APG
Explore
-
Communication Sciences and Disorders APG
Explore
-
Health Policy and Administration APG
Explore
-
Human Development and Family Studies APG
Explore
-
Kinesiology APG
Explore
-
Nutrition and Dietetics Alumni Society (NDAS)
Explore
-
Penn State Hotel & Restaurant Society (PSHRS)
Explore
-
Recreation Park and Tourism Management APG
Explore
- Get Involved with an Affiliate Program Group
-
Professional Golf Management APG
Explore
-
Biobehavioral Health APG
-
HHD Alumni Society
Explore
-
Health Policy and Administration
Explore
-
Awards
Explore
-
Hospitality Management
Explore
- Kinesiology
-
Alumni Profiles
Explore
- Nutritional Sciences
- Alumni Magazine
- Career Resources for Alumni
- Update Your Contact Information
- Volunteer Leaders
- Donate
- Contact
-
Events
-
Research
Explore
-
Contact
Explore
-
Departments
Explore
-
Outreach
Explore
-
About
- Archived Newsletters
- Pennsylvania Nursing Home Administrator Training Program
- Scholarship Opportunities
Student Research Spotlight - Kysesen Maravich

Hospitality Management
Understanding employee behaviors is essential for a successful career in the human resources field, something Kysesen Maravich is well-positioned for, thanks to the opportunity to participate in a research project in the School of Hospitality Management.
A senior majoring in Hospitality Management and a Schreyer Honors Scholar, Maravich is investigating employee engagement, an area she feels passionate about.
Maravich is examining factors of the work environment that influence employee engagement in fun activities, as well as what variables that organizations can utilize to promote such activities to benefit employees. She is working under the guidance and mentorship of Michael Tews, associate professor of hospitality management.
“In the hospitality industry, there is an emphasis on good human resources,” she said. “I want to pursue a career in human resources, and am interested in studying human behavior, because ultimately, good performance at a company comes from within – from the employees. Understanding human behavior could help companies perform better.”
The goal of her study is to identify factors of the work environment that may strengthen or weaken employee engagement in fun activities, such as features of fun activities, organizational support, and individual differences in employees, according to Maravich.
“Using a sample of employees across multiple sectors of the workforce, I distributed surveys asking participants about their experiences at work,” Maravich said. “Ultimately, we hope to further our understanding of how individuals assess the purpose and meaningfulness of fun activities in their place of work.”
This project not only gives Maravich hands-on experience in the research world, but allows her to examine parts of the hospitality industry that could provide her with additional knowledge and insight when she enters the field, she said.
“I have a much broader understanding of the industry because of my research experience,” Maravich said.“Not only am I learning about the technical aspects of the industry through my undergraduate courses in the School of Hospitality Management, I am also learning about trends and current issues of the industry through my research.”
Maravich said she hopes her project will inspire future research in this area, and also help students see different ways they can enhance their undergraduate experience.
“I hope this research project serves as a platform to engage other students in looking at this work when learning and presenting to class, and also to pursue research of their own,” she said.
Maravich’s project was supported by a Smith Endowment from the College of Health and Human Development. She said the support allowed her to use tools and technology she wouldn’t otherwise have access to.
“Receiving research support means exploring all avenues of data collection,” she said. “I never felt limited about what I or my research team was able to accomplish. If you’re coming to Penn State in hopes of doing research you’ve definitely come to the right place. There’s so much support at Penn State to do research, including staff willing to work with you.”
“I’m so grateful for the faculty and staff in the School of Hospitality Management,” she added. “They are all so knowledgeable and all come from such a diverse background in the industry.”