Lead & Engage Student Programs
The Schreyer Honors College is serious about offering a great academic experience to our Scholars, but you should also expect to learn a ton outside the classroom. From participating in Scholar-led organizations to volunteering at our signature events, we know you will find a way to make a difference in the Honors College and campus communities.
Browse Student Organizations
Yearly Traditions Signature Programs
Held Each Fall Mark Luchinsky Memorial Lecture
The Mark Luchinsky Memorial Lecture was endowed by family and friends to honor the memory of Mark Luchinsky, a University Scholar and biochemistry major who died on January 18, 1995, at age 20.
Through this lecture series, the community gathers to honor Mark's memory through support of a speaker who exemplifies intellectual honesty, personal integrity, and joy in learning.
2025 Luchinsky Lecture Leadership Unscripted: The Power of Improvisation Featuring Michele Dunleavy — Educator, Choreographer, and Performer with special guest musician Eric Ian Farmer
- Monday, October 20, 2025
- 7:30 - 8:30 PM
- Freeman Auditorium, HUB-Robeson Center
Join the Schreyer Honors College for an evening with Michele Dunleavy, professor of dance and Penn State Laureate 2024-2025 who will share how a lifelong dedication to the practice of improvisation prepared her for the work she does now in accessible and inclusive dance and theatre. The evening will include performances by Dunleavy and Eric Ian Farmer as well as some audience participation.
This event is free and open to the public. A free ticket is required for admission. A livestream link will be available for Commonwealth Campus Scholars.
Dunleavy is an award-winning educator, choreographer, and performer. She is a faculty member in the musical theatre program at Penn State where she teaches tap and jazz dance techniques and contributes original choreography for Penn State Centre Stage. Professionally, she has choreographed and performed extensively throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and her choreography has been presented in Chicago, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, New York, Maryland, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. Dunleavy's choreography lies at the intersection of sound and movement and includes projects such as Steel Valley Rhythms (SVR), a percussive dance piece that investigates the connections between place, memory, and embodiment as experienced by generations of Pennsylvania iron and steelworkers.
Dunleavy is actively engaged in making dance and theatre more accessible and inclusive. She recently worked on the world premiere of Indescribable with Phamaly Theatre Company, a disability affirmative organization based in Denver. Since 2016, Dunleavy has been leading Let's Dance!, an all ages, all abilities, community dance workshop sponsored by the Center for the Performing Arts at University Park, and she currently volunteers with the For Good Troupe, a local organization providing performance opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome.
Please note that no backpacks, food or beverages are allowed in the auditorium.
Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations or who have questions about physical access may contact Donna Meyer in advance of the program. An American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter will be present at the event.
2024 Ainissa Ramirez Scientist, Author, Science Evangelist
2023 Elizabeth Nyamayaro Humanitarian, Author, Special Advisor to the United Nations
2022 John Quiñones Author, Broadcast Journalist, Motivational Speaker, and host of ABC's What Would You Do?
2021 Leland Melvin Engineer, Educator, former NASA Astronaut, former NFL wide receiver
2020 Jeanine Staples Professor of Education and African American Studies
2019 Peter Hudson Willaman Professor of Biology
2018 John Kaag Author and Professor of Philosophy, UMass Lowell
2017 Susan Russell Associate Professor of Theatre & 2014-15 Laureate, Penn State
2016 Marke Dickinson Marketing Professional
2015 Christian M. M. Brady Former Dean, Schreyer Honors College, Penn State
2013 Casimer DeCusatis CTO, IBM System Networking & Strategic Alliances
2012 Sean Misko Special Adviser to the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan
2012 Farnoosh Torabi Money Coach, Author, Financial News Correspondent
2011 Jill Jayne Rock Star Nutritionist
2010 Marybeth Long Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense
2009 David Han Associate Professor of Surgery & Radiology, Penn State College of Medicine / Program Director of the Vascular Surgery Fellowship, Penn State Hershey Medical Center
2008 Meena Bose Peter S. Kalikow Chair in Presidential Studies, Hofstra University
2007 Peter Klein Professor / Former CBS News Producer
2006 Richard Jewell & L. Lin Wood Centennial Olympic Park Bombing
2005 Jeffrey Ratner Chief of Staff, Mount Nittany Medical Center
2004 David Riley II Associate Professor of Architectural Engineering, Penn State
2003 Douglas Evans CEO, Kensey Nash, Inc.
2002 Wendy Kopp Founder & President, Teach for America
2001 Alan Block Professor of Administration of Justice & Jewish Studies
2000 Joe Paterno Legendary Head Football Coach, Penn State
1999 James Pawelczyk Assistant Professor of Physiology & Kinesiology / Payload Specialist, NASA's 1998 Neurolab Mission
1998 John Lowe Professor of Chemistry
1997 Kurt Angle 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist, Wrestling
1996 Harris Wofford CEO, Corporation for National Service / Former U.S. Senator
About Mark Luchinsky
The Mark Luchinsky Memorial Lecture Series was created in 1996 to remember and honor his character and contributions to life as a son, as an undergraduate, and, most prominently, as a young man whose life held much promise.
Mark Allan Luchinsky passed away on January 18, 1995, at the age of 20.
Mark graduated first in his class in 1992 from Thomas Jefferson High School in Pittsburgh. He then became a University Scholar at Penn State, majoring in biochemistry. He was also a member of the Penn State Golden Key Society and the Alpha Epsilon Delta Premedical Honor Society.
Although he was a science student, Mark loved the study of all subjects. He loved the classics, sports, poetry, history, geography, and sports. Even at his young age, he was known for intellectual honesty and personal integrity.
We honor Mark Luchinsky, his family, and his friends with this lecture series. He was truly "A light that shone briefly, but ever so brightly."
Held Each Spring Dilemmas of Democracy
The Dilemmas of Democracy Lecture was funded through a generous gift from Art and Betty Glenn. Art and Betty Glenn are loyal Penn State alumni. Art graduated with a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering in 1956, and Betty graduated with bachelor of science degree in home economics in 1957. Art is retired after a career at GE where he served as a vice president of multiple units. Art is a devoted volunteer and supporter of Penn State and the Schreyer Honors College. He served for many years on the External Advisory Board for the Honors College. Penn State honored Art as an Outstanding Engineering Alumnus in 1990, an Alumni Fellow in 1996, and a Distinguished Alumni in 2005.
2026 Dilemmas of Democracy A Conversation with Ayesha Rascoe
- Tuesday, January 20, 2026
- 7:00 PM
- Penn State Music Recital Hall
What is it like to report on the White House? What challenges face public broadcasting? You'll get the answers to all of these questions and more during Dilemmas of Democracy: A Conversation with Ayesha Rascoe. You'll learn how Rascoe's role as a journalist has impacted her understanding of democracy and politics, and how she approaches conversations with people she disagrees with.
This student-led conversation is free and open to the public. Claim your ticket through the Eventbrite website. A dessert reception and book signing will follow the discussion. A livestream link will be available for those who cannot join in person.
Rascoe is the host of NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday and the weekend host of Up First. She interviews politicians, entertainers, authors, and more about stories everyone should be discussing. Prior to being a host, Rascoe was a White House correspondent during three presidential administrations and was known for her sharp questioning during press briefings. Before joining NPR, Rascoe was a reporter for ten years at Reuters. She is a proud graduate of Howard University, an HBCU in Washington, DC.
Copies of HBCU Made: A Celebration of the Black College Experience, which was compiled and edited by Rascoe, will be available for purchase and signing at the event.
An American Sign Language interpreter will be present for the lecture. If you anticipate needing other accommodations, please contact scholars@psu.edu.
Past Lectures
2024 Eddie Glaude, Jr. James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor, Princeton University
2023 Timothy Snyder Richard C. Levin Professor of History, Yale University
Programs Throughout the Year Distinguished Honors Faculty Program (DHFP)
The Distinguished Honors Faculty Program (DHFP) offers Schreyer Scholars the opportunity interacting with Penn State faculty beyond the classroom, and beyond your major around important topics. From discussion over dinner to lab or gallery tour to concerts—DHFP events are two hours or less, sometimes with a “pre-read” (or a pre-view), and a great way to broaden your education. DHFP events are typically capped at ten students and will be advertised first to new Schreyer Scholars (regardless of entrance year). The DHFP is possible through the generous support of Art and Betty Glenn.
View DHFP Faculty & Programs2025-26 Distinguished Honors Faculty
Sven Bilén Professor of Engineering Design, Electrical Engineering, and Aerospace Engineering Infrastructure in Space
What does it take to build infrastructure on the Moon and Mars, print housing in Alaska, or fabricate artificial reefs? This session will include a live demonstration of 3D concrete printing (3DCP), a discussion of NASA, DARPA, and HUD-funded projects using locally-sourced materials, and a broader conversation about sustainable construction, planetary limits, and human ingenuity. Dr. Bilén will describe how he has worked to get this technology “into the wild” by co-founding X-Hab 3D, Inc. Dr. Bilén will walk Scholars through the lifecycle of an innovation—from idea to prototype to launch. We’ll explore how to navigate the entrepreneurial ecosystem, what makes a technology/company fundable, and how students can get involved in startups and/or translational research. An overview of funding streams (such as SBIR/STTR) that I have leveraged to commercialize my ideas.
View Dr. Bilén's Event
Andrew Friesen Associate Professor of Kinesiology Berks Connections between Academics and Athletics a Berks Campus Exclusive
We will analyze moments of leadership and mental performance as they unfold. Following the experience, we will engage in structured debriefs—sometimes with guest coaches or sport science staff—to examine the psychological, emotional, and relational dimensions of leadership under pressure. Scholars can bridge these conversations to their pursuits in other high-performance settings including corporate, military, healthcare, and government.
Yubo Kou Assistant Professor and The Haile Early Career Professorship Having Fun in Video Games and Video Games Research
Do you have fun in video games? What kind of fun? How do we research fun in video games? And why do we do video games research? Video games are meant to be a place for fun but are also filled with toxicity, predatory monetization, and other safety concerns. We will talk about safety risks in video games, common safety measures, and involvement of various stakeholders such as players, game studios, and policymakers.
View Dr. Kou's Event
Jessica Menold Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering The future of creative problem solving: Where do humans fit?
The design and development of new products in the age of AI, focus on human-machine teams as well as the role of immersive technologies in the future of human interactions. Specifically we will focus on how teams solve problems in high-tech startups, look at decision making under extreme constraints, and discuss how AI is changing the way engineering teams work together. Cloud-based CAD software, Additive Manufacturing, and generative AI are fundamentally changing the way we design products, at this dinner we will discuss whether that is a good thing or cause for concern. Finally, we will discuss how AI can manipulate human behavior and the specific effects this might have on engineering teams and final products.
View Dr. Menold's Event
Michael Nelson Professor and Department Head, Political Science The Supreme Court and U.S. Politics
The Supreme Court has always been a focus of political controversy, going back to the earliest days of the United States, since its decisions impact so many aspects of American life. More recently, particularly in 2000 and 2020, the Court has been asked to adjudicate key questions about elections—in effect, to determine winners and losers. We will look at significant recent cases and what the Court might see in the near future, and discuss how Americans view the Court and its decisions.
View Dr. Nelson's Event
Dipanjan Pan Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Chair Professor, Nanomedicine and Professor, Nuclear Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering Artificial Intelligence Opportunities, Threats and Ethical Considerations
Dr. Pan will discuss the opportunities presented by AI and the threats presented by AI-based approaches in this program. The topics of discussion will include a) AI for various aspects of life, b) career opportunities in AI, c) ethical considerations. We will discuss a complex emerging issue, i.e., the sudden rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and the excitement and fear it engenders. The advancement of machine learning and AI tools create new possibilities in healthcare, education, innovation, arts and other areas. Despite this, large-scale adoption of AI cannot be envisaged due to concerns about safety, trust, computation power, job loss, ethics, etc.
View Dr. Pan's Event
Federica Pinelli Assistant Teaching Professor of Management & Organization Dinner, Decisions, and the Digital Age
In an age where artificial intelligence is reshaping how we connect, how does sharing a meal still influence trust, deals, and decisions? Imagine the year 2035, where human and AI systems make decisions together. We'll explore possible futures for society by designing new models of governance, community building, and problem-solving. Using scenario prompts, participants will consider who is included, who is left out, and how to ensure technology serves the public good.
View Dr. Pinelli's Event
Gonzalo Rubio Associate Professor, Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies Science before the Greeks: Why Mesopotamia Matters.
Join Dr. Rubio to discuss the nature of science before the Greeks. It is often assumed that the abstraction of theorems and scientific laws started in Ancient Greece. There is, however, an impressive number of astronomical, medical, and mathematical texts from Ancient Mesopotamia, which predates Greek science by about 2,000 years. The origins of Mesopotamian science may have been quite pragmatic. Astronomy was born out of a concern with eclipses, which were regarded as an omen of the king's death. Likewise, mathematics would have been first used simply to measure fields. Nevertheless, these practical concerns progressively built a large body of scholarship with a high level of intellectual sophistication. In fact, there are strong similarities between ancient science (in Mesopotamia and in Greece) and modern scientific research, both in methodology and in social context.
View Dr. Rubio's Event
Shomir Wilson Associate Professor of Human-Centered Computing and Social Information Stories from Research Abroad
People who study abroad or engage in research abroad often reflect on it as a transformative experience. Dr. Wilson will share stories from being a visiting researcher at three universities outside the US: Macquarie University in Australia, the National University of Singapore, and the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. His desire for adventures motivated each of these, but they also became assets toward his career goals. We will discuss how to prepare strong applications for funded travel experiences, and how to extract value from the rejections and uncertainty that sometimes follow.
View Dr. Wilson's EventTake Charge Leadership Opportunities
Leadership is a crucial part of the Schreyer Honors College mission. Leadership skills can be learned inside the classroom, but applied practice is important, too. Enhance your honors experience and develop your skills by taking advantage of these leadership opportunities.
Schreyer-Sponsored Organizations
Schreyer Affiliated Student Organizations are open to all students regardless of sex, gender, sexual orientation, race, or any other protected class.
The Behrend Schreyer Council (BSC)
BSC is a resource for the Schreyer Honors College Scholar community at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College and a liaison between Behrend Schreyer Scholars, other Commonwealth Campuses, and University Park. We serve as a forum for Scholars to share their interests, opinions, and recommendations. We foster the development of personal relationships among members in addition to offering leadership, academic, service, and social opportunities.
Gender and Sexual Diversity in Schreyer
Gender and Sexual Diversity in Schreyer (GSDS) was created to fit the needs of LGBTQIA+ Schreyer Scholars. GSDS intends to make the Schreyer Honors College a more inclusive environment by coordinating an alumni mentoring network, compiling mental and sexual health resources, and fostering cultural competency through collaborative outreach initiatives.
Schreyer for Women (SfW)
SfW is an organization dedicated toward the championing of women and non-gender-conforming individuals through opportunities for personal and professional development and community engagement. We are a space for Scholars to network, socialize, collaborate, and contribute to their community even beyond graduation.
Schreyer Honors College Student Council (StuCo)
StuCo acts as a liaison between groups such as University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA), Schreyer administration, and the Schreyer student body. Additionally, we help to market and sell all Schreyer merchandise, plan social events for Scholars, offer an avenue for Scholars to be involved in THON, plan service and philanthropic initiatives, and organize academic and career building events.
Schreyer Medical Team (SMT)
The Schreyer Medical Team is committed to building a community of pre-health students in Schreyer by hosting speaker events, panel discussions, visits to medical schools, and more. Our events are aimed to support Scholars in broadening their perspectives in medicine, learning about the application processes, and engaging in opportunities that support their success.
Other Opportunities
Funding for Student Programming Event Cosponsorship
Schreyer Honors College provides limited funding support for speakers, conferences and other outreach events. The College shares funding as equitably as possible across all requests; however, funding is not guaranteed. We cosponsor events that support student success and complement the mission of the College: "Academic Excellence with Integrity, Building a Global Perspective, and Creating Opportunities for Leadership and Civic Engagement."
Submit your request for cosponsorship using the form linked below. The deadline for a fall semester event is September 5 and the deadline for a spring semester event is December 5.
Cosponsorship Request Form