Alumni and Student Stories

I chose Penn State DuBois because it's close to home and a small campus community. My favorite thing about the campus is making new friends and how nice the staff is. I also really enjoy being able to work on my own business and help others with their marketing. Thank you everyone at Penn State DuBois!

I came to Penn State DuBois because it was close to home but also because it’s a small campus and more opportunities. I love that there are events everyday of the week. When I can find the time to go I usually enjoy whatever is planned for the day.

I've wanted to be a criminal psychologist but I'm thinking about changing that. I'm exploring other possibilities for criminal justice jobs.

I started at Penn State DuBois because I was able to take advantage of the high level that Penn State offers while also staying close to my family. I made the change to University Park to pursue an Energy Engineering degree, but realized it was not the place for me. I chose to come back to DuBois because of the atmosphere the DuBois campus offers. I have no doubt I'll have a great career in Engineering because of my Penn State degree. 

My favorite memory at Penn State DuBois was the Alternative Spring Break trip to West Virginia. I was able to learn about the history of coal in the region and how they're looking towards a sustainable future.

Penn State DuBois was 30 minutes from home and I was interested in commuting to save money. While visiting campus for the first time, two people stood out to me who were incredibly kind, helpful, and welcoming. Unbeknownst to me at the time, I would end up working with both of them in various capacities as a student and professional. I was in awe of how much the campus had to offer students. After this day, I felt confident Penn State DuBois was the right place for me. 

I have been working for PASSAGES, Inc., a sexual violence advocacy agency, since I graduated college. I am currently the Prevention Education Coordinator, so I oversee, coordinate, and help facilitate the prevention education programs and trainings that our agency provides in Clearfield, Jefferson, and Clarion counties.

Through a grant, I co-created an anti-bullying curriculum called Respect Diversity that aims to decrease bullying behaviors and increase positive bystander intervention for junior-senior high school students. My role at PASSAGES, Inc. wears many hats, as I also provide medical advocacy, attend community awareness events, assist in the training of our wonderful volunteers, and much more.

The best thing I ever did as a student was sign up for the Alternative Spring Break trips. From The Navajo Nation, to West Virginia, to Washington D.C., I will always cherish the relationships I made and lessons I learned while on these service trips.

I had a rough start to college. I was in a new town and away from my family without them being in the same building as me for the first time. It was scary. I was studying a major that I thought I wanted to do but I was unhappy, stressed and homesick. At the end of the year, I failed out and came back home.

I felt so much better, but I knew that I had to go back to school. Penn State DuBois was the closest college to me that offered the major that I wanted to study, Occupational Therapy Assistant. I tried tried again and realized it wasn't for me. I knew that I wanted to help people, but I wasn't sure how.

I had a friend ask me what I was doing and I didn't have an answer for him. He pointed me to the Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) family and I fell in love. I felt at home, the professors, the students, we were like a little family throughout all the classes. What really drew me to Penn State DuBois is the campus's ability to make you feel as if you belong and you're doing the right thing for you. The support within the campus is wonderful, the professors know you by name, and are willing to be by your side through your college years.

Not only are the faculty wonderful, there were always events to attend during common hour (a time daily where there are no classes) that were my favorite part about the campus.

I graduated in December of 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in HDFS with a certificate in Chemical Dependency. I started with CenClear in January of 2023 as a school based Behavioral Health Technician. The school that I work at was able to obtain a grant that allowed behavioral health therapists to work with kids in their classroom to help students who struggle with behaviors, social, and communication skills. We also do home sessions to support the parents in skills in the home setting as well as support within the community setting.

I always knew that I wanted to help people, but did not know how I wanted to pursue this interest. After doing a college visit back in 2017 as a high school senior to Penn State DuBois, I was almost certain that I was sold and that Penn State DuBois is where I wanted to be. The convenience also of being able to commute only 30 minutes to campus every day was a big factor in why I loved the campus so much as I did not want to leave home.

Once deciding that Penn State DuBois was the right fit for me I went ahead and applied and was accepted fairly quickly. After being enrolled for 3 semesters, I realized that the degree I was studying was not my calling, I started researching other options for me at Penn State DuBois. I soon stumbled upon Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) and realized it was more geared towards what I wanted in a career as I could help so many people within this field in so many different aspects. After realizing this I quickly changed my major from to earn a bachelor's in HDFS.

Heading into my last semester I had no idea what kind of job I wanted following graduation so I went out on a whim and did a internship in workforce development where I helped individuals with substance use disorder take the right steps to finding employment and absolutely loved it. From this point I knew that I wanted to pursue something further in workforce so I applied for a youth talent development position working out of the Clearfield County PA CareerLink office and got the call to come in for an interview the same week and 2 days later was offered the job.

In my role I get to work with youth between the ages of 14-24 and help them to take the right steps in finding and obtaining employment. I also work with them on career readiness skills such as teaching them how to create a resume, how to apply for a job and how to be successful. My job is just as rewarding as I thought it would be and I wake up every day excited to go to work.

My favorite memory at Penn State DuBois would be any time that I got hang out with staff and friends in the library. Not only is college about the work but it is also about the friends you make while there.

If you are unsure about where you want to go to college, check Penn State DuBois out it cant hurt.

Penn State DuBois believed in my abilities and I was accepted after applying to University Park as my first choice. My favorite memory was my short time in Student Government Association (SGA). I had left the SGA to focus on my studies, but the work to try to benefit the University greatly inspired me.

When I was in high school, I was seen as a “comeback kid.” Every year, I would begin with poor, failing grades, but I would always recover to B’s, C’s, and the occasional A. 

Success in high school tennis led me another university on tennis scholarship. At the time, I was dedicated to Computer Science, and this university didn’t support the degree. This soon became my biggest regret as I did not do well in classes and nearly dropped out.

With a strong support structure after I switched to Penn State DuBois, I climbed from a 1.3 GPA to a 2.7, switching to Information Technology in my second year, once again becoming the "comeback kid." With my Information Technology degree at Penn State DuBois, I want to take the study into the business sector and work to become a project manager, and maybe even start a business in the tennis and general sports industry.

I graduated from the Penn State DuBois OTA Program in December of 2021. I work in the skilled nursing facility setting as a COTA in DuBois, PA, for the company Premier Therapy. After graduation, I passed my boards in March of 2022 and accepted a PRN position in April of 2022, which later transitioned into full-time employment at the DuBois Nursing Home.

While at Penn State DuBois, I was a full-time student-athlete. I played softball as well as went through the OTA program. The professors were very helpful in ensuring I succeeded while juggling being an athlete. I chose the OTA program at Penn State DuBois because of the proximity to my hometown and the small student-to-faculty ratio, making it easy to thrive and succeed. I know I can always contact my professors if I ever need help with anything as a program graduate.

Being a COTA is very rewarding as I can help the senior population gain their highest level of independence with everyday activities they enjoy!

I came to Penn State DuBois for the Occupational Therapy Assistant program and loved the smaller campus and the location. This program has a wonderful reputation, is nationally accredited, and the one-on-one dedication from the professors was one of my favorite things. 

Since I completed my degree, I've worked at a fast paced, neuro based in-patient rehab hospital in Pittsburgh, PA suburbs and have loved my career. I would love to see the OTA program continue to prepare students for careers as OTAs.

I chose Penn State DuBois because it was close to home and worked well for me as an adult learner. Our class worked very well together and most of us have kept in touch since graduating.

I worked close to home then began traveling through PA. I was hired in Lancaster after 3 years as a contract COTA/L. I did this for a few years and became an assistant DOR. I was then offered a DOR position at another facility and have continued as a DOR since 2018.

During COVID, the facility I was working at was a small non-profit SNF in a rural setting. We have very little masks and gowns during the worst and were actually wearing garbage bags to complete our treatments with residents. I contacted LuAnn Demi-Delbrugge, my professor, and I reached out for help with donations of gowns, masks, and gloves. LuAnn talked with her OTA students and they raised money to send us all the supplies we needed. What a blessing to be able to ask for help and be rewarded. We received more then enough from Penn State DuBois OTA students to carry us through the roughest weeks of COVID.

Stellar word of mouth from close friends who are alumni led me to the Penn State DuBois Wildlife Technology program as an additional degree option. I graduated from University Park in 2012 with hopes of becoming a Wildlife Conservation Officer.

After spending much time volunteering with the Pennsylvania Game Commission nearing graduation, I quickly realized I was not law enforcement. I found out that becoming a Wildlife Biologist, an option I was unaware even existed when I entered college, was what I really wanted a little too late. Instead of following my passions, I rerouted to a nursing degree. I will never regret acquiring a nursing license, however I look forward to embracing a professional career in wildlife that I know I was always meant to pursue.

For me, every day at Penn State DuBois is my favorite experience. I have learned more in 9 weeks than I have in an entire lifetime outdoors, and I could not be more interested in the information I am learning.

As an alumni of University Park, I cannot express enough how beneficial it has been for me to have this experience on a smaller campus, and how much richer the experiences have been as a result. I look forward to seeing each of my professors every day and appreciate their reliability and consistency.

I decided to attend Penn State DuBois after I toured the campus as a high school freshman. Their wildlife program has a great reputation that I wanted to be a part of. I was nervous coming to college after being homeschooled throughout my whole life, but Penn State DuBois made me feel at home and a part of the Penn State family.

Penn State DuBois has not only helped me academically but has given me the tools and knowledge needed to succeed in life. I have been able to participate in countless out-of-class opportunities which have strengthened many skills I possess, allowed me to network with industry professionals, and build my resume.

My favorite memory at Penn State DuBois is when my friends and I talked about wildlife and shared our knowledge to youth at the Family Fun Night. It was a fun time connecting with the community about something we love - wildlife!

I have always had a passion for the outdoors and after attending Penn State DuBois, I've honed that passion to the field of forestry. After graduating with my associate degree in wildlife technology, I plan to obtain my bachelor's degree in forest ecosystem management at Penn State University Park. With that degree, I want to become a forester and manage Pennsylvania's eastern deciduous forests for future generations.

I am a first generation college student and I chose the Wildlife Technology program because I would like to work as a park ranger for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). I'm enjoying becoming close with classmates and making new friends.

I am a firm believer that this program has provided me every tool I need to be a successful Wildlife professional. The incredible faculty and staff provide an ever flowing amount of opportunity for those who take it, which is a feat made more impressive by the small campus size. I feel my knowledge is advanced for the point of my career I am in, and it all thanks to the Wildlife Technology program at Penn State DuBois.

The first of many memories that come to mind was bird banding my freshman year. I was lucky enough to extract a rare Nelson’s Sparrow from the net. I was less experienced at the time, so I checked the book for identification. I was fairly positive it was one of two rare birds, so I told my professor and lead bander Emily Thomas, what I thought it was. She didn’t believe me, and my favorite memory was the elation and surprise in her face as she took the bird from the bag, and realized it was a bird she hadn’t banded in her 20 years of experience. That was a good day.

I am currently enrolled in my bachelor’s program at University Park for Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, so I have yet to directly use the Wildlife Technology degree to qualify for work. However, the faculty and staff of the program helped promote and prepare me for countless opportunities early in my career. Because of classes and techniques taught in the program, I have interned with Lyman Run State Park, Keystone Elk Country Alliance, and the Pennsylvania Game Commission in a span of two years. I was hired as a seasonal avian ecologist for the University of Georgia in the summer of 2023. The program also provided opportunities for undergraduate research, which I was able to present at the North East Fish and Wildlife Conference in 2023. Through my experience with bird banding in the program, I was accepted to, and am currently a board member for the Pennsylvania Society of Ornithology.

I had received a Bachelors degree in Geography and Planning in 2018 from Bloomsburg University and the Wildlife degree at Penn State DuBois pair perfectly with my bachelors degree. 

I can’t say enough good things about this program. The professors are amazing, they make sure you receive the best possible education you can. Classes and labs are hands on as often as possible, and we were outside as often as we could be. You receive practical field base experiences in classes and labs. If I had to choose to do it over again or not, I would choose to do it again every time.

It’s hard to pick a favorite memory or experience. The program is absolutely amazing, and the memories are ones that I will carry with me forever. If I had to choose one memory it would be traveling to the Everglades National Park over spring break in 2022. We went on hikes looking for birds, we saw alligators, we went to the beach, and we were able to go on a walk through an old cypress tree stand. It was an amazing week!

Before graduating from PSUD in May of 2022, I was offered, and accepted, a position as a Program Assistant working for the Natural Resource Conservation Service in the DuBois office.

When I first decided to go to college I knew that I loved wildlife, and the only career I could think of to work with animals was a veterinarian or zookeeper. During a Wildlife Tech visitation day I learned there are so many more career options and I decided before leaving that day I needed to be in that program.

While enrolled in the program I learned that my passion was teaching others through an experience offered within the program. From there I decided to pursue an education degree while working in the natural resource industry. While my career path has changed over the years, I still use the skills and knowledge I gained from my degrees on a daily basis both professionally and personally.

My favorite experience was a culmination of all the hands on activities, skills, and labs that were offered as part of my Penn State Experience. I was never a student that learns well from lectures. I, and many of my fellow classmates, learn best when we are living the experience and putting it all into practice like we did in the Penn State DuBois Wildlife Technology Program.

The relationships built in this program are long lasting, and the network of alumni is great. I am still very close to classmates, alumni I met during my time in the program as well as the instructors. In this program, you are a person with ideas and knowledge, not a number.

Penn State DuBois was close to home and offered one of the best wildlife majors in the area. I didn't plan on going to DuBois, however, until I went to the Wildlife visitation day. I left that day telling my dad, 'If I don't go here, I will cry.'

The wildlife program at Penn State DuBois will offer some of the most amazing hands-on experiences that you cannot experience anywhere else in Pennsylvania.

After completing my associate degree in Wildlife Technology, I decided to extend my education to a bachelor's degree. Throughout my years working on my degrees, I got some awesome internships with places like Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. I was a Watershed Intern and helped with stream habitat and health. I had an internship with DCNR at Kinzua Bridge State Park, where I was able to educate the public on the wildlife in the area and interact with hundreds of people daily. That internship allowed me to interact with people from around the world who came to see the tragedy of the Kinzua Viaduct.

My favorite experience at Penn State DuBois is honestly the friends that I made. Many of us are at University Park together and still making more memories, while others graduate and share their experiences with us through social media. It is incredible the different backgrounds we came from, but we all became friends.

I came to Penn State DuBois in the early 1980's for the Wildlife Technology program and absolutely loved it. One of my favorite memories is an overnight population study of deer in the Quehanna area and finding rattlesnakes there.

I continued my education at Lock Haven University with Bachelor's degrees in Biology and Secondary Education and completed a Masters of Science Education from Clarion University.

I am a retired teacher who used my degree as a volunteer in the ornithology area. I am a bird bander and was also President of PSO. I am currently using it full time as an environmental consultant for Western EcoSystems Technologies, Inc.

I know 2 of the educators in the program now and PSU could not have better, more caring people in those positions. Keely and Emily are top notch.

The Wildlife Technology Program at Penn State DuBois is highly regarded and was close to home. It is TOP NOTCH, and I recommend to anyone interested in a career in the outdoors, every chance I get. The faculty are absolutely incredible and passionate educators, and I can’t give them enough credit for making my time at Penn State DuBois such a beneficially challenging experience that shaped me into the professional I am today.

The hands-on labs, the outdoor opportunities we were able to participate in (for class, as well as outside of class), and the network of individuals in the field I was able to meet and keep connections with in my professional career were amazing. 

I continued on to complete my Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Science also.

My professional career has included serving as the General Manager for Wilds Sonshine Factory in Kane, PA, which is a Distillery/Event Venue/Gift Shop/Agricultural Education Center, all focused around PA Natural Recourses/Plants/Trees/ Wildlife and Agriculture. I have also been a Wildlife and Habitat Specialist for Greendale Farms in Kane, PA. It is a farming operation/ Wildlife Feed and Forage company that offers habitat consultation (wildlife management plans, forage plot installation, etc.).

I came to Penn State DuBois because it's the only Wildlife Technology program in the state and after receiving my Associate degree in Wildlife Technology, I continued to complete a Bachelor's in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences.

The professors I had went above and beyond to help educate and make sure the information was being understood for future field work. The lab sessions were very helpful and I loved the hands-on experience I received with my classes.

I am now a Wildlife biologist where I work in a military installation and my focus is butterflies.

I’ve always had a passion for the outdoors and wildlife and love Penn State. The wildlife visitation day prior to enrolling gave me a warm welcome and the people were great. All of the hands on learning we got to do as well as exciting volunteer opportunities such as owl banding, hawk trapping, working the Mosquito Creek Coyote hunt, etc., were excelelnt. I think this is a fantastic program that can lead to many exciting career opportunities.

After graduating, I continued on at University Park and got a Bachelor’s degree in Forest Ecosystem Management. This career path led me to an internship with the PA Game Commission during my time in school. That ultimately led to a full-time forest technician job after graduating. I am now a forester for the Game Commission and love that I get to manage forests for wildlife habitat.

The Wildlife Technology program at Penn State DuBois set me up for the career that I wanted. I use all of the practical skills that I learned throughout the program in my position. I also very much enjoyed all of the field trips as part of the classes.

After completing the Associate's in Wildlife Technology, I continued on to receive a Bachelor's in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences. I currently work for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game as a Senior Wildlife Technician.

I felt well prepared for a career in wildlife after getting my PSU degree. My time at DuBois more than prepared me for the classes at University Park, and I use the skills and knowledge gained at DuBois every day. There are too many favorites to list, but the bonding experiences during the labs are at the top.

I work as a research associate for Wilkes University and manage an animal behavior and forest ecology research lab. We primarily study animal mediated seed dispersal and seed chemistry.

I also serve as the University’s Vivarium manager and coordinate our IACUC and all USDA protocols. In addition, I am the director of our Science In Motion program, supplying STEM support to local teachers.

When I first applied to Penn State, I wanted to do all four years at University Park but was placed in the 2+2 program. I originally chose DuBois because it was the closest one to where I live, but as time went on and new experiences and memories started to happen I'm glad I chose DuBois. If I had to do everything all over again, I would do it the same exact way because the atmosphere at Penn State DuBois is so lively and the staff and faculty are so amazing at what they do, even if it does get stressful at times.

My favorite experinece at Penn State DuBois is getting involved in activities and clubs around campus. This not only provided me with leadership skills but also provided me with meeting new people from different places. I would say that this experience at Penn State DuBois has shaped me into a better person that I might not have been if I had gone anywhere else.

I have always been into movies and TV shows ever since I was a kid. I was originally going to go to college for acting but then I decided to go with something I can use my creative mind, which is Film Production. I just want to be able to help people through their problems through film and music just like how movies and TV shows have helped me. With my Penn State degree, I am just hoping to get a job where I can do that and be able to make a difference in many, many lives.

If any high schooler or adult out there is thinking about going to college but doesn't want to go to a big campus, I would highly suggest coming to Penn State DuBois. I can tell you now, that you won't regret it. No matter if you do all four years here or just two, the experience and journey taken here at Penn State DuBois will make a difference in your life one way or another.

The great atmosphere here and the people i can bond with pretty easily as well as the golf team! I really enjoyed my time golfing here at PSUD! My favorite memory is between watching my boys on the baseball team win a national title and me winning my first golf tournament in college at Penn State Shenango!

After 3 years, and after my heart stopping twice in a terrible ATV accident, after 19 surgeries, and multiple skin grafts, I became a collegiate athlete and I personally want to thank Penn State DuBois for giving me that opportunity! Ken Nellis, Brandon Orsich and Mark Powell gave me an opportunity to play golf here for this lovely campus and I happily took it and ran with it! My teammates throughout the years have been awesome and there is absolutely no doubt that I had an absolute blast with them! So thank you everyone who made this experience just that much better!

I plan on moving to Knoxville, Tennessee every summer until I graduate from University Park to work down there for my dream job at Integrity! I would be designing back yards, golf courses, parks, etc.!

I really didn’t have a lot of money and going to Penn State DuBois enabled me to live at home and work the job the I had worked in high school. I was able to save enough money that my last two years at University Park was paid. I also had the opportunity to play Baseball and benefit from professors, who helped me tremendously with adjusting from high school to college.

The quality of education I received, the help and personal interest by faculty and staff, the people, the friends I made, sporting events and the friendships that have lasted to this day. The administration and the faculty that stuck by me when I was trying to get into law school and their continued support through my life to this day. Although I have lost my family through sickness and death, my associations with people that I encountered at the beginning of my journey are still with me today and for that I am forever grateful!

I’m currently an attorney in Warren, Pennsylvania after working as an attorney in Clearfield and DuBois for 25 years. I also do play-by-play for the Clearfield Bison Football team on wokw.com. I have worked since 1977 doing radio broadcasts for sporting events from Clearfield (WCPA/WQYX) to State College (WRSC/WQWK) and back to Clearfield (WOKW).