Penn State Behrend - School of Humanities and Social Sciences

09/29/2026

Attention all students! Study abroad in London and Edinburgh during Maymester 2027!

From May 10–26, 2027, experience the culture and history of London, England, and Edinburgh, Scotland, while earning 3 credits for any major through Adulthood and Families (HDFS 249N or HDFS 397N).

🏰 Explore Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, Edinburgh Castle, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
📚 Take part in academic visits focused on topics including resilience, substance use, and child maltreatment.
🎭 Experience the London Eye, Tower Bridge, a theater performance, the Royal Mile, St Giles’ Cathedral, the Scottish Highlands, and more!

📅 Application deadline: January 20, 2027

Questions? Contact Professor Carol Cowan-Crawford at [email protected].

09/25/2026

A new partnership between the Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Community Outreach, Research, and Evaluation (CORE) at Penn State Behrend and Penn State’s Social Science Research Institute (SSRI) will expand research support, program evaluation, and community-engaged scholarship across the University. This collaboration strengthens opportunities for data-driven research and public impact.

Read more: https://www.psu.edu/news/social-science-research-institute/story/new-partnership-strengthen-research-connections-support

09/23/2026

Congratulations to George Looney, whose poetry collection, Conversations with the Visible: The Caravaggio Poems, has won the 2026 May Sarton New Hampshire Poetry Prize from Bauhan Publishing.

Selected from nearly 500 submissions, the collection was praised for its vivid reimagining of Caravaggio’s paintings and its powerful reflections on humanity, mercy, love, and mortality.

09/21/2026

🎨 Art and history come together in Mary Behrend’s Studio, where Penn State Behrend students are once again creating, painting, and learning in the same space Mary Behrend used as her art studio more than 80 years ago. Discover how this historic building has become a vibrant hub for creativity and artistic expression.

Read more: https://www.psu.edu/news/behrend/story/mary-behrends-studio-again-becomes-hub-art-instruction

09/17/2026

Durim Loshaj: Out of the Blue

September 18 – November 9, Kochel Hallway Exhibition Space (Penn State Behrend)

Opening Reception: Thursday, September 24, 5–7pm (Free and Open to the Public)
Durim Loshaj's meticulous, geometric paintings draw inspiration from the floral and botanical patterns he encounters in his immediate environment. Using a grid system designed in Adobe Illustrator, his studio practice examines the subtle color variations and unique contours found in nature.

Loshaj emigrated from Kosovo at age eight and has lived and worked in Erie ever since. His work has been shown locally at the 1020 Collective, Gannon University's Institute for Health and Cyber Knowledge, and Erie Arts and Culture. In 2019, the City of Erie commissioned him to design a series of vinyl wraps for utility boxes in Perry Square. Loshaj graduated from Mercyhurst University with a degree in Studio Art.

09/16/2026

Congratulations to Robert Speel, associate professor of political science at Penn State Behrend, on receiving the Inspiring Discovery Award! 🎉

Dr. Speel is being recognized for expanding civic engagement and learning opportunities through public outreach, student programs, and expert commentary on politics and elections.

Read more:

Penn State Outreach is pleased to name Robert Speel, Ph.D., as the inaugural recipient of the Commonwealth Commitment Inspiring Discovery Award for his work presenting to the community, authoring articles for publication, acting as a trusted media interview subject, and leading place-based learning....

09/14/2026

Congratulations to Michelle Cook, an assistant professor of special education at . She is the 2026 recipient of the Guy W. Wilson Excellence in Academic Advising Award!

09/10/2026

Elizabeth Hazen will be reading from her work in Metzgar Lobby at 6:00 on Thursday, September 17, as part of the Smith Creative Writing Readers Series. A reception will precede the reading, beginning at 5:30. The event is free and open to the public.

Elizabeth is a poet, essayist, and teacher. She is currently teaching poetry through the Goucher Prison Education Partnership. Her work has appeared in Best American Poetry, Epoch, Threepenny Review, Shenandoah, and other journals. She has published three collections of poetry: Chaos Theories (2016), Girls Like Us (2020), and The Sky Will Hold (2026). She lives in Baltimore with her family.

09/10/2026

Congratulations to Chris Shelton, associate professor of clinical psychology at . He is the 2026 recipient of the Council of Fellows Excellence in Research Award!

08/27/2026

Exceptional educators create learning environments where students feel supported, engaged, and empowered to succeed.

Dr. Mel Hardy-Skeberdis recently received a note of appreciation from a student who shared:

"I want to thank you for the way you made the class engaging and accessible to everyone. Your clear explanations and thoughtfully crafted assignments and lectures really helped me understand the material. I also appreciate how encouraging and approachable you were, which made me feel confident participating and learning."

We're proud to celebrate faculty like Dr. Hardy-Skeberdis who make a lasting difference through their dedication to student success. Thank you for creating an inclusive and inspiring classroom experience!