September 2022
Penn State Hazleton Lion Ambassadors (LAMBS) include, front row, from left: Jewel Newbern, Nicholas Pajovich, Cristal Nader, Emily DeLorenzo and Yokaira Concepcion. Second row, from left: Kendall Lobb, Mildred Sanchez Macea, Destiny Angel, Heather Lorah, Kahlan Ciardullo, Tori Fox, Matt Janson, Ayrton Auman and Julia Benjamin.
The Penn State Hazleton Lion Ambassadors have been named students of the month for September.
The Lion Ambassadors were nominated for their devotion and exceptional work to help Penn State Hazleton provide campus tours to prospective students and their families, according to their nominator.
“In many ways, these students are the face of our campus and devote a great deal of their time and energy to the job,” their nominator wrote.
The Lion Ambassadors are a chosen group of outstanding students who, as a club, promote Penn State and its interests and goals among current and future students, alumni, and friends.
The club is led by President Matthew Janson, a second-year student from Bloomsburg, and Vice President Destiny Angel, a second-year student from Pottsville. The rest of the members include:
Ayrton Auman, Tamaqua; Mya Batista, Bronx, NY; Julia Benjamin, Drums; Gabe Bragg, Grahamsville, NY; Hagen Carroll, Nescopeck; Kahlan Ciardullo, Brownstown; Alexandra Clemente, Miami, FL; Yokaira Concepcion, Hazleton; Emily DeLorenzo, Bloomsburg; Jacques Demosthene, Drums; Tori Fox, Hazleton; Sarah Gottstein, Drums; Mary Holmes, Danville; Kendall Lobb, Pen Argyl; Heather Lorah, Ringtown; Cristal Nader, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; Jewel Newbern, Philadelphia; Nicky Pajovich, Berwick; Gretchen Pucklavage, Hometown; and Mildred Sanchez Macea, Hazleton.
The Lion Ambassadors said they were grateful and honored to learn they had been named students of the month because it shows how much hard work they put in for prospective students and their families.
“Being one of the student representatives for our campus and being able to share my own Penn State story with families to convince them to choose Penn State has helped me grow as a student and as a person,” Janson said.
October 2022
Tori Fox, a sophomore from Hazleton majoring in Physical Therapist Assistant and Rehabilitation and Human Services, has been named Penn State Hazleton’s student of the month for October.
Fox was nominated for her civility, community care and involvement. According to her nominator, she has leadership, guidance, involvement, dedication, creativity, and resilience as a member of the Penn State Hazleton campus community.
Fox volunteers as a Lion Ambassador, providing campus tours to prospective students and their families. She is also a member of the Campus Activity Board and Exercise is Medicine. Outside of Penn State Hazleton, she works part time at a local grocery in customer service.
Fox said she feels extremely grateful knowing that her hard work, commitment, and dedication is being recognized and appreciated.
“This award shows me that everything I am doing on campus is truly appreciated by staff and my professors,” she said.
Fox is a graduate of Hazleton Area High School.
November 2022
HAZLETON, Pa. — Destiny Angel, a second-year student from Pottsville majoring in Business Management, has been named Penn State Hazleton’s student of the month for November.
An extremely involved member of campus, Angel is vice president of the Lion Ambassadors, a captain of the Cheerleading team, a tutor in biology and psychology at the Student Success Center, a biology learning assistant, and a part-time employee at the Mary M. and Bertil E. Lofstrom Library. She also contributes to the campus Honors Program and Athletics Committee.
According to Angel's nominator, her attitude and achievements make her worthy of recognition.
"Not only does Destiny excel outside of the classroom, she also maintains a high cumulative GPA and has achieved Dean's List each semester," her nominator wrote. "Destiny always maintains a positive attitude and is a role model to other students. She deserves to be recognized for her in and out-of-classroom achievements."
"It's an honor to be chosen for Student of the Month for November," Angel said. "I'm grateful for all the opportunities I've been given as a Penn State Hazleton student and for all of the friends and professors I've met so far."
Angel is a graduate of Pottsville Area High School.
January 2023
Matthew Janson, a second-year student from Bloomsburg majoring in Health Policy and Administration, has been named Student of the Month for January.
Janson received multiple nominations for the award, with each nominator praising his academic performance in the classroom and his selflessness in helping others outside of the classroom.
“Working with Matt, I have also had the opportunity to observe that he is a thoughtful, active participant in the classroom who actively listens to presentations and discussions and shares his observations, experiences and expertise to enrich the classroom discussion,” one nominator wrote.
Another nominator commended Janson’s leadership and impact as president of the Lion Ambassadors.
“He leads with enthusiasm and thoughtfulness and connects our campus with the greater Hazleton community,” wrote another nominator. “In October, Matt orchestrated the wildly successful Trunk or Treat, which brought community members to campus for a lighthearted and family-friendly event. In December, Matt led the charge in creating holiday cards to bring cheer to area nursing home residents.”
In addition to maintaining a 4.0 grade-point average, Janson works in the healthcare field as an air medical communications specialist/EMT for Geisinger. Despite his professional role, Janson remains committed to career development by participating in voluntary career-related events and one-on-one career counseling, his nominator wrote.
“Through and through, Matt Janson exemplifies the values of our Penn State community. It is a joy to work with him and I know he will continue to impact our campus and the community as he continues his education,” the nominator wrote.
Janson said he was honored to receive the award.
"I appreciate everything that my friends as well as staff and faculty do to make Penn State Hazleton special,” he said.
February 2023
Brittany Diaz, an adult learner from West Wyoming majoring in Physical Therapist Assistant, has been named Student of the Month for February.
Diaz is pursuing her Associate in Science in Physical Therapist Assistant degree while also working full time as a federal corrections officer. She previously earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies degree with a minor in Psychology from Penn State but wanted to return to college to broaden her career options.
“I’m seeking a more fulfilling experience out of life, so that’s why I decided to return to school and engage in the PTA program,” she said.
Diaz’s nominator for the award said Diaz is a hard worker who sets lofty goals for herself despite the responsibility of balancing roles as a full-time student and full-time professional. Her nominator added that Diaz is an excellent motivator who often rallies her fellow students to commit to their studies.
“A recent example of her work ethic and personal responsibility: her group received a grade of 6.5/10 on a recent assignment,” her nominator wrote. “She was understandably upset about this, but instead of complaining, she took the time to look over the questions again and figured out where they went wrong before I explained the answers in the next class.”
In addition to her studies, Diaz is also active in the campus Beauty Club. In her free time, she actively competes in United States Strongman events as is a personal trainer certified through the American Council of Exercise.
March 2023
Gisely Nunez, a fourth-year student from Shenandoah majoring in health policy and administration, has been named Student of the Month for March.
Nunez currently works as an engagement specialist for human services provider Service Access and Management Inc., a position she earned after joining the company through an internship facilitated by the campus health policy and administration program.
As part of the program curriculum, all HPA students must complete an internship in a healthcare-related setting, giving them valuable experience and contacts in the industry.
Nunez’s nominator for the award said Nunez deserves to be recognized for excelling in her internship and in the classroom.
“She is a committed student who meets deadlines, is fully engaged in class, and uses her creative talents to develop visually appealing presentations,” her nominator wrote.
Nunez said she was honored to receive the award and plans to use the recognition as motivation in her career going forward.
“Receiving news that I received Student of the Month for March was a wonderful surprise,” Nunez said. “This award reminds me that hard work does pay off and it feels great to know individuals recognize that hard work. I hope to continue reaching my future goals, and I will always look to this reward as encouragement.”
Nunez is a graduate of Shenandoah Valley Junior/Senior High School.
April 2023
A’nyah Jackson, a second-year psychology major from Philadelphia, has been named Penn State Hazleton student of the month for April.
Jackson was nominated for her academic performance, academic improvement, community care and involvement and overcoming obstacles.
“A’nyah faced several challenges last academic year that unfortunately impacted her academic performance. Family health concerns, being several hours away from family, and questioning her major, all contributed to a tough first year of college,” her nominator wrote.
Nevertheless, Jackson showed tremendous focus, determination and perseverance, her nominator wrote.
“She was open to trying new study strategies and suggestions to improve her academic performance and actively seeks feedback in her classes to help her learn,” according to her nominator. “She decided to change her major from Biology to Psychology and it’s been wonderful to watch her blossom and grow in her new major.”
Jackson said the health concerns within her family tested her resolve, but she was able to overcome the obstacles she faced thanks to the support of her mother and Academic Adviser Megan Hurley.
“She pushed me because she saw my potential,” Jackson said. “I wouldn't be where I am without her and my mother.”
Jackson’s nominator also noted Jackson’s contribution to building a community on campus through her organization of events as the president of the Women’s Empowerment Club, including a successful “Take Back the Night” event in April. She actively participates and assists with planning successful and well-attended residence life events with her resident adviser as well.
“I'm so thrilled and grateful,” Jackson said. “I love seeing my hard work pay off.”
Jackson is a graduate of Newark High School in Newark, Delaware.