September 2023
Penn State Hazleton new student orientation (NSO) leaders Alberiluz Alcantara, Nicholas Pajovich, Richard Ray and Jessica Tineo have been named students of the month for September.
As student leaders for NSO programming, the group helps familiarize first-year students with campus and helpful resources. The group also participates in other events geared towards incoming students.
"They represent the class and character of our student body and establish a standard for our incoming students,” the group’s nominator wrote.
Director of Academic Services and Retention Karen Sofranko and Student Advocacy Specialist Karen Beruck, who work closely with the orientation leaders, said the group’s efforts so far this academic year have been invaluable to the Advising and Career Center and campus as a whole.
"Nicky, Ricky, Jessica, and Alberiluz are excellent student leaders with great communication and interpersonal skills,” they said. “They helped first-year students with campus resource information, foster a stronger sense of belonging, and a commitment to student success. They continue to be excited this semester to have the opportunity to inspire, motivate, and assist students to provide a rewarding and supportive experience at Penn State Hazleton.”
Alberiluz Alcantara, a fourth-year student majoring in computer science, said she was grateful to be able to introduce prospective students to the campus.
“Penn State Hazleton has so much to offer,” she said. “I wanted to be able to share that with incoming students so they can get the most out of their experiences here.”
Pajovich is a second-year student from Berwick who plans on majoring in engineering. He became an orientation leader to ensure students had the same experiences and support he had, he said.
“It's an honor to be recognized, but I'm very thankful to even be helping these students out,” he said. “Helping others is something that I hold dear to myself.”
Ray, a second-year mechanical engineering major from Weatherly, said he was humbled to receive the award.
“I'm very appreciative of my family and friends who continually helped me through my time at Penn State Hazleton,” he said. “I’m also appreciative of all the staff and faculty who have aided me with wisdom and advice to guide me towards my goals. Without them I could not do what I do.”
A criminal justice major from Hazleton, Tineo is in her final year at Penn State Hazleton and plans to graduate this fall. She said since enrolling at Penn State Hazleton as an adult learner, she found the support system she needed to earn the degree she always wanted.
“I’ve been trying to be more involved on campus now that my time there is coming to an end, and I want to feel like I am making an impact,” she said. “In becoming more involved on campus, I've gotten to know faculty and students better than just familiar faces I see in the hallway, and it feels good to know I have friends on campus.”
October 2023
Gabriel Bragg, a fourth-year student majoring in business marketing and management, has been named Student of the Month for October.
According to his nominator, Bragg is a dedicated member of the Penn State Hazleton student body, as evidenced by his roles as Student Government Association president, member of the Penn State Hazleton Lion Ambassadors, and intern in the campus Strategic Communications Office.
“Gabe exemplifies the qualities of a responsible and engaged citizen, consistently seeking ways to contribute to the betterment of our campus community,” wrote Bragg’s nominator. “His self-efficacy and dedication to these areas has not only enriched our campus but also inspires his peers to strive for similar levels of excellence.”
His nominator added that he has exhibited significant personal growth since arriving on campus, showing an ability to adapt to new challenges and go outside his comfort zone.
Bragg said he was proud to receive the award but was sure to give credit to those who supported him and help him succeed in his various roles.
“There are many people who help me do the work that I do and many others who are also deserving,” he said. “Honestly, I am just lucky I get to work with likeminded people that are all trying to better campus the same way that I am.”
Bragg is originally from Grahamsville, New York, and is a graduate of Tri-Valley Central School. He has three siblings, including a younger sister, Lorna, who also attends Penn State Hazleton.
November 2023
Ámbar De La Rosa, a first-year student majoring in psychology, has been named Student of the Month for November.
According to her nominator, De La Rosa is an active leader on campus and an involved community member. This is proven by her leadership as president of LatinX Culture Club, her involvement with the community with events such as the Peace Chalk event at the Hazleton Art League and creating pins for Day of the Dead events.
“She is not only a motivated, organized, diligent, and involved student, but she is also a leader in the Latinx Culture Club,” wrote De La Rosa’s nominator, adding that she actively works with students who need extra help with their pronunciation and their Spanish presentations.
She was nominated for her civility in and out of the classroom, her academic achievement as well as her community involvement.
De La Rosa said she was grateful and honored to receive this award and mentioned how nice it is to see that her hard work and sacrifices are appreciated and recognized on campus.
“I have been faced with many obstacles in this semester that have helped me grow into becoming a more determined person in achieving my goals,” said De La Rosa. “I really want to thank my friends and family who have supported me on this journey.”
De La Rosa is the mother of three boys and originally from the Dominican Republic. She graduated from Liceo Mauricio Baez High School and continued to attend Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo before moving to the United States in 2010.
January 2024
Isaiah Lewis and Joel Melo share Student of the Month Award honors for January.
Lewis, a first-year physical therapist assistant major from New Rochelle, New York, was nominated for his commitment to academic improvement and achievement over obstacles.
According to Lewis’ nominator, his performance improved significantly after he changed his major and began working more closely with faculty.
“Isaiah actively seeks assistance, demonstrating a commendable work ethic, and consistently achieves one of the highest grades in the class.” his nominator wrote. “His dedicated efforts and proactive approach have transformed his campus experience into a highly positive one.”
Lewis, a member of the campus’ Black Student Union organization, said the recognition is proof that hard work produces positive results.
“It feels great to be noticed,” Lewis said. “This award gives me a real motivation to keep working.”
Melo, also a first-year student, had a similar reaction to his award-winning academic performance.
“It’s an honor to be chosen for the Student of the Month award,” he 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. Everyone on this campus has been caring and helpful.”
Melo’s nominator noted that Melo, an architectural engineering major from Hazleton, has also shined outside of the classroom by serving as president of the Swim and Water Polo Club, student manager with the women’s basketball team, and volunteer firefighter and part-time Department of Public Works employee for the city of Hazleton.
“Not only is he a model student for others, but he is also an asset to our community,” his nominator wrote.
February 2024
Richard Ray, a second-year mechanical engineering major from Weatherly, has been named February student of the month.
Ray was nominated for his community care, involvement and academic performance. His nominator noted Ray has been active and involved in helping his peers since his first year at Penn State Hazleton, particularly in his roles of Math Dimension tutor and learning assistant (LA).
“In his role as an LA, he has made valuable suggestions to the instructor to improve the courses,” his nominator wrote. “As a current student in my course, Ricky always impresses me with his curiosity, pertinent questions and hard work. He always contributes to making our class more interesting, fun and informative.”
“For this opportunity, I had a ton of help from a lot of faculty and staff to make sure I was prepared,” Ray said. “Without the help of everyone, I definitely wouldn’t have been able to get to this position.”
This summer, Ray is looking forward to beginning an internship with General Dynamics Electric Boat, a company that designs and constructs submarines for the U.S. Navy. Ray will be interning at its main facility in Groton, Connecticut.
Ray will transition to the University Park campus in the fall to complete his engineering degree.
April 2024
Noah Kurian, a project and supply chain management major from Royersford, has been named student of the month for April.
Kurian, who will transition to Penn State Harrisburg in the fall to pursue his MBA, said receiving the award was the “cherry on top” of his experience at Penn State Hazleton.
“I am proud to be considered a Hazleton student, as I will miss the faculty, staff, and students,” Kurian said. “There are a multitude of people who have made an impact on my life at Hazleton, and therefore have created an experience that I will never forget at the campus.”
According to his faculty nominator, Kurian played an important role during a shared virtual business course between Penn State Hazleton, the University of Paris and the University of Zagreb.
Kurian served as an unofficial teaching assistant, helping the professor with technological aspects of the course while being conscious of interacting with the international students in attendance in a way that made them comfortable and reflected positively on Penn State Hazleton, his nominator wrote.
“Noah is a fantastic student who would be worthy of this award for numerous reasons, but his willingness to help me out - and his ability to be a great co-host - really made my life a lot easier this semester,” his nominator said.
In his spare time, Kurian serves as president of the Business Club and was governmental affairs chair of the Student Government Association before being elevated to head of senate. He is also an active member of the Game Club.