Penn State Women in Engineering Program (WEP)

WE DANCE in TODAY!! 🧡CHEERS & HAPPY WISHES to engineering "she-roes" dancing in THON! 🎉 ! 🤩🌟🥰 🌟😍🎊❣️ 💛
💚 Nidhi Panabakam – Jadhoom Dance Team
💛 Sonia Sane – Jadhoom Dance Team
🩷 Shannon Pinizzotto - IDC

WE DANCE in T-W-O!! 🧡Cheers to 2026 engineering "she-ro" THON dancers representing their orgs. 🎉 ! 🤩🌟🥰 🌟😎🌈😍🎊❣️ 💛
💚 Kiera Harger - SSAE
🩵 Bre Turner - SSAE
💛 Kiersten Williams - SSAE
🩷 Danielle Mueller - SWE
💜 Paris Pavilchik - SWE
❤️ Allie Bates - TPEG
💙 Ella MacDougal – Women’s Club Ice Hockey

WE DANCE in 3!! 🧡Cheers to engineering "she-roes" dancing in THON 2026 and representing their orgs. 🎉 ! 🤩🌟🥰 🌟😎🌈😍🎊❣️ 💛
💚 Grace Hartman - CHAARG
🩵 Sky Vertree – Club Cheer
💛 Nicole Pitt – Club Volleyball
🩷 Kylie Benner – Engr Ldrsp Soc.
💜 Addison Hill – FOTO
❤️ Ashleigh Tuite – FOTO
💙 Alexa Patberg - IEEE
💚 Graciela Graves – PLL
💜 Campbelle Boltz - PSR

🎊 Congratulations, May ’25 Grad, SHERRY ZHANG, Computer Scientist!

👩‍🎓 "My name is Sherry Zhang and I'm from San Jose, California. I am graduating with a B.S. in Computer Science and a minor in Mathematics. I was involved in the Women in Engineering Program (WEP) as a WEPO Participant, Mentor, and as Academic Facilitator with WEP Facilitated Study Groups (FSG). I also served as a Learning Assistant for CMPSC 131 & 132, first-year computer science courses. I was active in Association of Women in Computing (AWC) and served as AWC instructor for Girls Who Code, and Community Outreach Chair for IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu.

As an undergraduate, I conducted AI research, and last summer I enjoyed the opportunity to intern with Prudential Financial as a Software Engineer. Following graduation, I will return to Prudential Financial in New Jersey as a full-time associate. My career goal is to build technology that supports investments and personal finance.

🌟 My favorite PSU memories are everyday moments I shared with friends hanging out in our dorms, grabbing dinner downtown, and enjoying each other's company. I feel incredibly grateful to have met so many kind, driven, and supportive people who made my years at Penn State unforgettable!

💙 WEP professional development has had a lasting impact on my career. Through WEP, I learned how to prepare a top-notch resume, network with recruiters and professionals in my field, and speak with confidence.

💡 My advice is to know your worth but stay grounded. At times, I underestimated myself and held back. As a consequence, I missed out on valuable opportunities. Striking a balance between confidence and humility has been key to my growth.

🎊 Congratulations, May ’25 Grad, SHENANDOAH WINN, Biomedical Engineer AND Mechanical Engineer!

👩‍🎓"My name is Shenandoah Winn and I’m from Arlington, Virginia. I am graduating with a B.S in Biomedical Engineering and a B.S in Mechanical Engineering. I was a WEPO participant and served as an Academic Facilitator in WEP Facilitated Study Groups for engineering mechanics courses. I also served as Hospitality Cadet for THON, involvement manager for my sorority, and alumni & family relations chair for Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES).

I enjoyed a semester abroad in South Korea, where I made many treasured memories! I also participated in an engineering internship with LSINC Corporation in Alabama in 2024. Following graduation, I look forward to a future engineering role and my career decisions are in progress.

🌟 My favorite Penn State memories involve Penn State football games. I loved going to every single game and my first year whiteout against Auburn holds a special place in my heart! Seeing everyone in white and chanting, “WE ARE PENN STATE!” made me love our university even more! I also loved late-night studying sessions with engineering friends.

💙Being a WEP Academic Facilitator helped me with grow in confidence and gave me so many valuable connections!

💡 My advice is to get involved! Meet as many people as possible in clubs and WEP! Don’t be afraid of a poor grade and use your network to get the help you need to recover!

🎊 Congratulations, May ’25 Grad, LUCY TRAUB, Chemical Engineer!

👩‍🎓"My name is Lucy Traub and I’m from Northbrook, Illinois. I am a Schreyer Scholar graduating with a B.S. Honors degree in chemical engineering and a minor in environmental engineering. I have been very involved with the Women in Engineering Program as WEPO participant, Envoy, and Mentor for two years. I served as Academic Facilitator in WEP Facilitated Study Groups for three years leading CHEM 110 study groups. I was also involved in Penn State Curling Club, Chabad, and Penn State Outing Club.

I enjoyed two opportunities to study abroad including a Maymester in Singapore, and a full semester doing research in Leuven, Belgium. I also participated in summer undergraduate research in material science at Northwestern University, and a summer engineering internship at Molson Coors. After graduation, I plan to travel before starting a full-time role.

🌟 My favorite PSU memories are moments shared with friends, especially weekly board game nights!

💙 I truly attribute most of my undergraduate success to WEPO and WEP. WEPO not only set me up for success with first year mentorship, FSG groups, and networking opportunities, but it also helped me find a home on campus and build lifelong friendships.

💡 My advice is to become friends with women in your classes! You will be spending a lot of time together, and it makes late night studying so much more fun. Plus, you might even meet your future lifelong friends and roomies!

🎊 Congratulations, May ’25 Grad, STACI SINGER, Mechanical Engineer!

👩‍🎓"My name is Staci Singer and I’m from Washington Township in New Jersey. I will graduate with a B.S. in mechanical engineering! I held Society of Women Engineers (SWE) leadership positions as Director of Equity Recruitment where we welcomed accepted students to PSU College of Engineering. I was involved in WEP as a WEPO participant and Mentor, and as an Academic Facilitator in WEP Facilitated Study Group program. In those roles, I enjoyed giving back to our WEP community that helped me so much. I also served as a Learning Assistant in a technical writing course for mechanical engineers, and as member engagement chair of a THON special interest organization, Mack Madness. Following graduation, I am excited to begin my career as a manufacturing engineer at Veeco, a company that manufactures processing system equipment for the semiconductor industry.

🌟A favorite Penn State memory was my first THON weekend. It was joyful and rewarding to see how our Penn State community impacts others.

💙 My WEPO participant experience gave me a head start in my college career. I engaged in engineering research and internships because of WEP Wednesday guidance. WEP Facilitated Study Groups (FSG) helped me succeed in challenging classes, and I became a FSG leader. In that role I improved my communication skills and became more confident. The WEP community helped me see I was not alone as a woman in engineering at Penn State and that I have what it takes to complete an engineering degree. The WEP support network was invaluable during my college experience!

💡 My advice is to take advantage of as many opportunities that Penn State has to offer. You can study abroad, develop hands-on skills at the Learning Factory, join student organizations inside and outside engineering, choose an academic minor, and more! You are not alone on your engineering journey. Build your support network including WEP, engineering friends, mentors, faculty, and advisors. These great supporters and advocates will help you succeed throughout your college career.

🎊 Congratulations, May ’25 Grad, OLIVIA SHAW, Computer Scientist!

👩‍🎓 "My name is OLIVIA SHAW, and I'm from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I am graduating with a B.S. in Computer Science and two minors in Statistics and Cybersecurity Computational Foundations. I have been involved in the WEP community as WEPO participant, and as Academic Facilitator for Math 230 in the WEP Facilitated Study Group (FSG) program. I also served as Association of Women in Computing instructor for Girls Who Code, and as secretary of Rubik's Cube Club. I was involved in the Asian American Christian Fellowship, and worked as concession staff at almost every home PSU football game. Following graduation, I will begin my career as a Technology Development Program Associate at PNC Bank in Pittsburgh!

🌟 My favorite PSU memory is participating in THON pep rally this semester. It was my first involvement in THON, and I enjoyed being part of the passion and enthusiasm of everyone involved. Seeing so many people across the entire campus unite for the same great cause gave me a new appreciation for our Penn State community.

💙 I found guidance and a welcoming community in WEP. WEPO helped me find my footing and connect with a network of accomplished women in fields like mine. Information and guidance given at WEP Wednesdays was very encouraging and inspiring for my personal and professional growth. In my second year, I was given the wonderful opportunity to facilitate a Math 230 FSG, which not only taught me so much about myself but also cultivated connections with my group members and with other facilitators. My experiences with WEP have been overwhelmingly positive, and I am very grateful for the wonderful resource the program has provided throughout my college experience!

💡 My advice is to seek out a trusted community. While being individually motivated and intrinsically driven is very important, problems can inevitably rise throughout college, and having friends to shoulder the burden of these challenges makes all the difference.

🎊 Congratulations, May ’25 Grad, AUDRA ROBINSON, Aerospace Engineer!

👩‍🎓"My name is Audra Robinson, and I'm from Nashua, New Hampshire. I am a Schreyer Scholar graduating with a B.S. Honors degree in aerospace engineering and a minor in Engineering Design. I've been involved with WEP as a WEPO participant, Envoy, and Mentor! I served as the President of Sigma Gamma Tau (Aerospace Honor Society) and as the Officer of Service and Development for the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). I also had the honor of dancing in THON for SWE.

As an engineering undergrad, I studied abroad three times in Germany, New Zealand, and Antarctica. I have been a Global Engineering Fellow since my second year, and this year was the Global Fellow Team Lead. I engaged in undergraduate research and completed my thesis with Dr. Eapen in coupled orbital mechanics. I enjoyed three professional internships with Pratt & Whitney, Collins Aerospace, and Lockheed Martin. Following graduation, I will begin my career in the RTX Engineering Leadership Development Program. My first rotation will be at Pratt & Whitney in Hartford, CT, as a Systems Engineer!

🌟 My favorite Penn State memories are dancing in THON and camping out for College Game Day with my friends!

💙 WEP gave me the confidence to approach employers and to go after what I wanted. With a community like WEP behind you, anything is possible!

💡 My advice to seek out opportunities. Take risks and ask questions to get where you want to go! And always believe that everything is going to work out.

🎊 Congratulations, May ’25 Grad, TAYLOR PIERCE, Computer Scientist!

👩‍🎓 "My name is TAYLOR PIERCE and I'm from Virginia. I am graduating with a B.S. in Computer Science and two minors in Mathematics and Engineering Leadership Development. I have been very involved in the Penn State WEP community as WEPO participant, Envoy, Mentor and Technology Lead (2024). I served as an Engineering Peer Advising Leader (EPAL) in the Undergraduate Advising Office. I was also involved with Association of Women in Computing (AWC) and THON OPPerations committee for 4 years.

I enjoyed a technology internship with Fannie Mae last summer. Following graduation, I look forward to my future career with Fannie Mae as a Technology Program Associate.

🌟 My favorite PSU memory was meeting my best friend for the first time on the same WEPO team. We both lived in Po***ck, so we decided to meet up the day before fall classes started. We walked all over campus to the HUB, Palmer Art Museum, and Arboretum and had so much fun getting to know each other!

💙 WEP contributed greatly to my undergraduate success and provided a community that supported me throughout the entire four years. WEP also gave me many great role models and mentors that I could reach out to for advice. I met some of my closest friends in WEP, and formed relationships that will last a lifetime.

💡 My advice is to take advantage of Penn State resources, and you will realize there are so many! Seek out your academic advisor and consider them one of your most important resources. I also recommend talking to an EPAL (like me!) in the Advising office for peer-to-peer academic advice.