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Who are the First-Year Peer Assistants?

First-Year Peer Assistants (PAs), are upper division students who serve as navigation guides throughout your first semester. PAs provide first-hand knowledge of what it means to be an HHD student and are trained to provide you with resources to help you be a successful college student.

PAs will work closely with you in your PSU14 First-Year Seminar course. They serve as co-facilitators in the classroom and also assist with a variety of first-year engagement activities throughout the academic year. Already registered for your PSU14 course? Find your class in the list below and read about all of our First-Year Peer Assistants!

Find

Last Name
Tue 10:35-11:25 - Kelly Webb
Summary Statement

I’m from Washington, Pennsylvania. In my free time I’m usually playing pickleball or finding something to do with my friends. My favorite spot to study on campus is the student center in 10 Henderson. 

Department
  • First-Year Peer Assistant
Summary Statement

I'm from a small town in the Poconos called Jim Thorpe, PA. I'm a Health Policy and Administration major and am involved in HPA-related clubs on campus. In my free time, I like to go to the gym, watch movies/shows, and hang out with friends.

Department
  • First-Year Peer Assistant
We 2:30-3:20 - Terry Cummins
Summary Statement

I'm from Washington, DC. My favorite class so far has been NUTR 251. My favorite spot on campus is Alumni Pond.

Department
  • First-Year Peer Assistant
Mo 12:20-1:10 - Laurie Mclaughlin
Summary Statement

I'm from Altoona, PA and enjoy spending most of my free time with family and friends, watching new movies, hiking, teaching, and reading. My favorite classes are CSD 442 and CSD 311.

Department
  • First-Year Peer Assistant
We 10:10-11:00 - Shawnee Kelly
Summary Statement

I’m from Dallas, Texas. Some of my favorite classes are KINES 100, HDFS 249N, and KINES 492W. I love to do Pilates and hang out with my friends. You’re most likely to run into me at the BBH building which is my favorite study spot. 

Department
  • First-Year Peer Assistant
Mo 11:15-12:05 - Thomas Knarr
Summary Statement

I'm from the San Francisco Bay Area! My favorite classes so far have been PLSC 291 & KINES 77. I enjoy playing club water polo and I love meeting friends to study in the library Starbucks.

Department
  • First-Year Peer Assistant
Th 10:35-11:25 - Jeff Kukitz
Summary Statement

I’m from San Diego, California. Some of my favorite classes are CSD 147 & 230, Psychology, and HDFS. I love to do yogalates in the IM building, or take a walk to the Arboretum! My favorite spot to study on campus is the Chambers building.

Department
  • First-Year Peer Assistant
We 10:10-11:00 - John Valentik
Summary Statement

I love to watch and play hockey, and I am in the campus gyms basically everyday. Some of my favorite classes are KINES 200, 201, 202, and 384. I also practically live in Henderson so come say hi!

Department
  • First-Year Peer Assistant
Tu 9:05-9:55 - Kelly Webb
Summary Statement

I’m from a small town north of Boston, Massachusetts called Swampscott. Some of my favorite classes are Phonetics, ENG 128N and HDFS 129. I love to walk around campus, read, and workout at the Hepper Fitness Center near West!

Department
  • First-Year Peer Assistant
Fri 11:15-12:05 Liz Lasher
Summary Statement

I’m from Montgomery, New York! My favorite classes include Intro to Audiology and Intro to Creative Writing. I love to write and listen to music in my dorm or at the library. My favorite study spot also happens to be the library (its so pretty!!)

Department
  • First-Year Peer Assistant
TH 4:40-5:30 - Dennis Shea
Summary Statement

I am from Boca Raton, Florida. I enjoy playing basketball and golf. My favorite place on campus would have to be the IM building due to the amount of different things there is to do.

Department
  • First-Year Peer Assistant
W 9:05-9:55 - Kathleen Raupach
Summary Statement

I’m from Morris County, New Jersey. My favorite classes have been NUTR251, STAT200 and KINES403 and my favorite study spot on campus is the AG Engineering Building. In my free time I love to work out at the IM or give tours to prospective students!

Department
  • First-Year Peer Assistant
We 11:15-12:05 - Marc McCann
Summary Statement

I am from Long Island, New York. I love trying cafes around campus and watching reality TV shows. My favorite memory at Penn State was being front row at my first White Out game. 

Department
  • First-Year Peer Assistant
We 11:15-12:05 - Thomas Knarr
Summary Statement

I'm from Long Beach, California. My favorite spot to study on campus is in the stack of the library because I can focus and get all my work done! I love being outside, staying active, and traveling!

Department
  • First-Year Peer Assistant
TH 3:35-4:25 - Dennis Shea
Summary Statement

I'm from Charlotte, NC. Some of my hobbies include working out at the White Building, cooking, and watching football. I'm a tour guide on campus and I'll never say no to ice cream!!

Department
  • First-Year Peer Assistant
Tue 9:05-9:55 Liz Lasher
Summary Statement

I'm from a little outside of Pittsburgh, PA. Some of my favorite classes I have taken at PSU include ASL courses, CSD 442, and CSD 433. In my free time I love to go hiking, read, and workout.

Department
  • First-Year Peer Assistant
Tue 1:35-2:25 - Mitchell Smith
Summary Statement

I'm from South Jersey. My favorite classes so far have been BIOL 161, BIOL 164, and BBH 316. I love laying on the HUB lawn when it's nice out and going to football games. When I'm studying, I enjoy going to the Library on campus or Sowers off campus!

Department
  • First-Year Peer Assistant
We 3:35-4:25 - Marc McCann
Summary Statement

I grew up in Downingtown, about 1 hour west of Philadelphia. I love all forms of physical activity and competitive sport, so you can always expect to see me around any of the gyms, pools, or fields on campus.

Department
  • First-Year Peer Assistant
W 9:05-9:55- John Valentik
Summary Statement

I'm from Broomall, PA! In my free time I love to go for walks, paint, cook, and hang out with friends and family! My happy place is definitely down the beach in OCNJ! One of my favorite things about Penn State are the football games!

Department
  • First-Year Peer Assistant
Tue 9:05-9:55 Thomas Knarr
Summary Statement

Hi! I am Isabel Poorbaugh and I am from Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania. I enjoy hiking and reading, and my favorite spot on campus is the Arboretum!

Department
  • First-Year Peer Assistant
Tue 1:35-2:25 - Jennifer Fleming
Summary Statement

Hi everyone, I’m from Perrysburg, Ohio. Some of my favorite things to do on campus are to sit outside and do homework and go to the gym. My favorite classes so far are BIO 161 and NUTR 251. My favorite spot to study on campus is the HUB cafe! 

Department
  • First-Year Peer Assistant
Co-Director
Summary Statement

I am from Los Angeles, California. My favorite classes have been KINES 367 and 368 with Professor Zechman! I enjoy exploring campus and downtown and going to the gym. Favorite spot to study is the Henderson Building and the Sackett Building.

Department
  • First-Year Peer Assistant
We 11:15-12:05 - Liz Lasher
Summary Statement

I am from Freehold, NJ, about 25 minutes from the shore! I love going to the Arboretum on warm sunny days with my friends and grabbing some ice cream at the creamery (Death by Chocolate!!).

Department
  • First-Year Peer Assistant
Fri 9:05-9:55 - Kathleen Raupach and We 2:30-3:20 - Mitchell L.
Summary Statement

I'm from East Hanover, NJ. Some of my favorite classes include any and all things hospitality, including HM 101 and 242. I also loved taking FRNSC 100 as a General Education class too. I love to meet friends for coffee at Starbucks in the HUB.

Department
  • First-Year Peer Assistant
W 1:25pm-2:15pm - Niharika Sharma
Summary Statement

I'm from Northampton, Pennsylvania. My favorite spots on campus are the Arboretum, the library, and the Hintz Alumni Garden. I love spending time outside across campus and downtown. 

Department
  • First-Year Peer Assistant
Mo 10:10-11:00 - Terry Cummins
Summary Statement

I’m from Framingham, Massachusetts (25 mins outside of Boston)!! My favorite class is BBH 301W, which is bioethics. I’m a member of the CrossFit club here at Penn state, and also a THON chair for the club!

Department
  • First-Year Peer Assistant
Co-Director, Th 9:05-9:55 - Megan Owens
Summary Statement

I'm from Colver, PA! I love to run, workout, and lay out in the sun when I can. Some of my favorite spots on campus to relax or study in is in BBH or the Henderson building. One of my favorite places to eat is Hibachi Express/Mr.

Department
  • First-Year Peer Assistant
W 9:05-9:55 - Mitchell Lawson
Summary Statement

I'm from Hershey, PA. Some of my favorite classes are CSD 311 (Phonetics), CSD 451 (AAC), and my ASL classes. In my free time, I like to read, volunteer, and hang out with my friends!

Department
  • First-Year Peer Assistant
Th 10:35-11:25 - Megan Owens
Summary Statement

Hi! I’m from Bloomsburg, PA. My favorite classes so far have been NUTR 251 and HDFS 129! I like taking sunset walks around downtown and signing up for the Pilates classes on campus! My favorite place to study on campus is the HHD building by all the windows!

Department
  • First-Year Peer Assistant