Penn State Behrend - School of Humanities and Social Sciences

06/01/2026

Students in the Toronto Study Abroad Program captured a group selfie alongside faculty member Dr. Robert Speel, as the city prepares to host World Cup matches next month—an exciting backdrop to an immersive global experience!

05/29/2026

A Day in the Life with Ashlynn Allgeier!

From setting up gear for the Harborcreek Township Meeting to gaining hands-on experience during a communications internship at First Alliance Church, and finishing strong by broadcasting a Behrend Volleyball game—this video showcases the fast-paced, behind-the-scenes world of media production.

Check out how passion, preparation, and creativity come together in this “Day in the Life” journey!

05/27/2026

Dr. Lena Surzhko-Harned’s latest article, “Russia's pared-down Victory Day parade tells a story: Away from the pomp, war in Ukraine is not going to Putin's plan,” is now published in The Conversation.

The piece examines how changes to this year’s Victory Day parade reflect broader developments in Russia’s war in Ukraine—and what they signal about the realities behind the spectacle.

Read the full article:

Moscow’s influence is Eastern Europe has been slipping of late, including with the loss of a stalwart ally in Hungary. The battleground, as ever, remains Ukraine.

05/22/2026

Students in COMM 406 – Electronic News Gathering and Editing put their skills into action by live‑streaming the Behrend Concert Band performance in McGarvey Commons. These photos capture behind‑the‑scenes moments as students managed live production and gained hands‑on broadcast experience.

▶️ Watch the full performance on Wintergreen Media’s YouTube page:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkbhAxKEtCk&t=208s

05/20/2026

🎓 Standout Senior 2026 🎓

Meet Vida Sevilla, a political science major featured in Penn State Behrend’s Standout Senior 2026 series. Vida’s story focuses on her experience studying political science at Behrend, the coursework and academic environment that shaped her interests, and the ways her time on campus prepared her to think critically about policy, leadership, and civic engagement as she approaches graduation.

📖 Read Vida’s full story on the Behrend Blog:

Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2026 is ready to make its mark on the world. We’re proud of our students and all that they have learned and accomplished here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, …

05/18/2026

Every semester, the Media & Communication department has a Senior Colloquium. At this event, students in the major present their work at the various businesses where they interned. They share their internship experiences with other Media & Communication majors, so they know what to expect when it’s their turn to intern. After their presentation, there is a short question-and-answer period with students and faculty.

05/15/2026

Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honors Society inducted new members during the spring semester.

Pictured from left to right: Dr. Maggie Shum, Beauregard Hernandez, Rylee Ogden, Rachel Pineo (president of Pi Sigma Alpha), Brooklyn Windsheimer, and Abby Napierski.

Congratulations!

05/13/2026

🎓 Standout Seniors 2026 🎓

Penn State Behrend is proud to feature Jillian Mazzarese, a psychology major, in the Standout Seniors 2026 series. Jillian’s story reflects her academic focus in psychology, the experiences that shaped her undergraduate journey, and how her time at Behrend supported her personal and professional growth as she prepares for graduation.

📖 Read Jillian’s full story on the Behrend Blog:
https://behrendblog.com/2026/04/27/standout-seniors-2026-meet-jillian-mazzarese-psychology/

05/11/2026

Congrats 2026 Grads!!!!

05/08/2026

The Communication Department, with the generous support of the Janet Neff Sample Center for Manners and Civility, held its Civil Tongue speaking competition recently. Students from sections of CAS100 - Effective Speech vied for the top three positions. The Civil Tongue contest is held in the Fall and Spring semesters during each academic year. The topic this semester was “Civility: What’s in It for Me?” The speakers were charged with addressing the following relevant issues:

- How does civility benefit individuals in a society?
- What profits accrue from my own civil behavior and that of others?
- What costs are exacted by uncivil behavior?

A panel of Media and Communication faculty evaluated the speeches and determined the first, second, and third place winners on the basis of which rhetors most skillfully addressed the topic and exemplified the best of the rhetorical arts.

Diego Claudio Colon and Regina Morales Tsuji delivered thought-provoking speeches responding to these concerns. Sengiyumva Mathias was awarded Third Place, Brayden Byham captured Second Place, and Sophia Ginader took First Place.