Global learning is an ongoing process of developing knowledge, skills, and a worldview that goes beyond personal experience thereby considering how the global interacts with the local. This process prepares learners to collaborate across differences, working on complex questions and developing culturally informed and responsive solutions to enhance the well-being of the global community.

Associate Professor of English and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Andrea Adolph has been a faculty member at Penn State New Kensington since 2012.  She teaches writing and literature classes, as well as a range of general education classes.  As a Global Learning Faculty Fellow, she brought a focus on Vietnamese and first-generation Vietnamese-American women writers into her ENGL 194 class; this aligned with the New Kensington campus's Country of Focus program for 2025-26.

Andrea Adolph: Presentation: To view this presentation, you will be redirected to another webpage. Click "open" in the upper right hand corner and then click "open in app". You must have a Penn State email address to view the presentation.

Associate Teaching Professor of Human Development & Family Studies

Roxanne Atterholt is an associate teaching professor in Human Development and Family Studies at Penn State. Since joining the university in 2013, she has been committed to creating an engaging and inclusive learning environment that extends beyond the classroom. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes that learning is a lifelong process shaped by both content and delivery. She prioritizes active learning, critical thinking, and real-world application, fostering in her students not only knowledge but also the confidence to make meaningful contributions in their communities and professions.

Roxanne Atterholt: Presentation: To view this presentation, you will be redirected to another webpage. Click "open" in the upper right hand corner and then click "open in app". You must have a Penn State email address to view the presentation.

Assistant Teaching Professor of Engineering

I am an Assistant Teaching Professor of Engineering at the New Kensington campus. Prior to coming to Penn State, I worked as a human factors engineer in the nuclear industry. Most of my current work focuses on climate resilience and adaptation with electric power systems, where I integrate these topics across the project-based courses that I teach.

Courtney Cole: Presentation: To view this presentation, you will be redirected to another webpage. Click "open" in the upper right hand corner and then click "open in app". You must have a Penn State email address to view the presentation.

Assistant Teaching Professor of Biobehavioral Health

I teach a variety of health courses, including global health, in the Bio-Behavioral Health Program at PSU New Kensington and Greater Allegheny. I bring into my classes my medical and public health expertise, and a strong humanistic perspective that sees people and life everywhere in the world as equally valuable and extraordinary. In my experience, when students of diverse backgrounds learn together about human health in a global framework, they come to discover that all the people share one home - the world, and one aspiration - a dignified and meaningful life. 

Alina Bodea Crisan: Presentation: To view this presentation, you will be redirected to another webpage. Click "open" in the upper right hand corner and then click "open in app". You must have a Penn State email address to view the presentation.

Associate Teaching Professor of Management

Kaitlin Farnan: Presentation: To view this presentation, you will be redirected to another webpage. Click "open" in the upper right hand corner and then click "open in app". You must have a Penn State email address to view the presentation.

Director of Undergraduate Studies; Mechanical Engineering

Sachin Gore is the Director of Undergraduate Studies and an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University. He has B.S. and M.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Penn State and an M.B.A. from Drexel University. He has 18 years of experience in industry and 10 years of experience in entrepreneurship and small business ownership. Sachin is passionate about student success and providing students the opportunity to experience global engagement and perspective in preparation for their engineering careers.

Sachin Gore: Presentation: To view this presentation, you will be redirected to another webpage. Click "open" in the upper right hand corner and then click "open in app". You must have a Penn State email address to view the presentation.

Associate Teaching Professor; Center for Engineering Outreach and Inclusion

Dr. Lauren Griggs received her B.S. in Engineering Science from The University of Virginia and her Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). She joined Penn State 2019 and is currently an Associate Teaching Professor, Director of the Multicultural Engineering Program and Director of the Clark Scholars Program. Her passion lies in mentoring through meaningful career discussions and helping students gain confidence, build inclusive environments and succeed in their chosen degree fields. 

Lauren Griggs: Presentation: To view this presentation, you will be redirected to another webpage. Click "open" in the upper right hand corner and then click "open in app". You must have a Penn State email address to view the presentation.

Associate Teaching Professor of English

Michelle Kaschak is an Associate Teaching Professor of English at Penn State Lehigh Valley whose work focuses on preparing students to write, communicate, and think critically in an increasingly global and AI‑mediated world. As a Global Learning Faculty Fellow, she is redesigning an interdomain course in children’s literature to integrate global perspectives. Her scholarly and professional initiatives explore how students build trust in AI‑supported writing environments and how educators can use emerging technologies responsibly and equitably. 

Michelle Kaschak: Presentation: To view this presentation, you will be redirected to another webpage. Click "open" in the upper right hand corner and then click "open in app". You must have a Penn State email address to view the presentation.

Assistant Teaching Professor of Kinesiology and Assistant Director of Academic Affairs

Michelle Kurtyka is an Assistant Professor of Kinesiology and Assistant Director of Academic Affairs. She teaches a variety of general education courses and integrates global perspectives into her curriculum, including an international food resources assignment in her nutrition course. Passionate about travel and international experiences, Michelle focuses on helping students apply practical, globally informed knowledge to their everyday lives.

MichelleKurtyka: Presentation: To view this presentation, you will be redirected to another webpage. Click "open" in the upper right hand corner and then click "open in app". You must have a Penn State email address to view the presentation.

Associate Teaching Professor of Human Development and Family Studies

Dr. LaBuda received her Bachelor Degree in Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University. She received her Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology with a Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy from Chestnut Hill College. She received her PhD in General Psychology from Capella University. Dr. LaBuda’s research interests include: Collaborative Online International Learning.

MelissaLabuda: Presentation: To view this presentation, you will be redirected to another webpage. Click "open" in the upper right hand corner and then click "open in app". You must have a Penn State email address to view the presentation.

Assistant Teaching Professor of History

Nicole Mares is a historian of modern Britain and its empire. She is particularly interested in metropolitan perceptions of empire and its populations. While not working she enjoys being with her family, walking her dogs, running, and escaping to beautiful locales, including her favorite--Cleveland, Ohio.

NicoleMares: Presentation: To view this presentation, you will be redirected to another webpage. Click "open" in the upper right hand corner and then click "open in app". You must have a Penn State email address to view the presentation.

Director of Student Engagement and Associate Teaching Professor, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences

Karen T. Marosi is Director of Student Engagement and Associate Teaching Professor in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. Dr. Marosi works with students in identifying and accessing curricular and co-curricular activities suited to their personal goals and assists faculty in implementing high impact learning opportunities. She is the EMS liaison to student engagement activities across the university, directs the EMS Academy for Global Experience and the college’s signature pre-semester program TEEMS, and teaches a section of EMS first-year seminar that focuses on Sustainability.

Karen Marosi: Presentation: To view this presentation, you will be redirected to another webpage. Click "open" in the upper right hand corner and then click "open in app". You must have a Penn State email address to view the presentation.

Professor of History

Justin Nordstrom is Professor of History at Penn State Hazelton where he teaches the US and World history surveys and a specialized course on American food history.  His research and teaching interests focus on international perspectives, particularly regarding the “Special Relationship” between the US and United Kingdom from the First World War through the late twentieth century.  He has completed an EDGE program assignment, examining how British and American students react differently to the role of history in popular culture and how students view one another on different sides of the Atlantic.  Nordstrom is also planning his second Embedded Program trip with students to London in 2026.  He is the recipient of an Edge Influencer Grant and was selected as a 2025 Penn State Faculty Fellow by Penn State Global.

Justin Nordstrom: Presentation: To view this presentation, you will be redirected to another webpage. Click "open" in the upper right hand corner and then click "open in app". You must have a Penn State email address to view the presentation.

Data Analyst

Dr. Sarah Pierotti is currently the Data Analyst for Penn State's Nese College of Nursing, and she joined the Faculty Fellows Program when she was an Assistant Professor in Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) at Penn State's DuBois Campus. In addition to her new role in the Nese College of Nursing, she continues to be an Adjunct Instructor at the DuBois Campus. Sarah’s involvement with the Global Learning Faculty Fellows Program has focused on redesigning her EDGE Project that is part of her HDFS 397: Latine Families course. She enjoys continuing to learn about ways to grow cultural understanding and empathy in the classroom.

Sarah Pierotti: Presentation: To view this presentation, you will be redirected to another webpage. Click "open" in the upper right hand corner and then click "open in app". You must have a Penn State email address to view the presentation.

Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering 

Dr. Mizanoor Rahman is an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Penn State Scranton. His research interests include collaborative robotics, mechatronics, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, intelligent control, product design and smart/intelligent manufacturing, ergonomics and biomechanics, and robotics-enabled STEM education.

Mizanoor Rahman: Presentation: To view this presentation, you will be redirected to another webpage. Click "open" in the upper right hand corner and then click "open in app". You must have a Penn State email address to view the presentation.

Associate Teaching Professor of Art and English

Dan Schank (he/him) is an Associate Teaching Professor of Art and English at Penn State Behrend in Erie, PA. Schank received his BFA from Temple University's Tyler School of Art and his MFA from the University of California, San Diego. His work has been exhibited across the country in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Detroit, San Diego, Milwaukee, and New York. Schank has had solo exhibitions at Rebekah Templeton Contemporary Art in Philadelphia and the Erie Art Museum in Northwestern Pennsylvania.

Daniel Schank: Presentation: To view this presentation, you will be redirected to another webpage. Click "open" in the upper right hand corner and then click "open in app". You must have a Penn State email address to view the presentation.

Teaching Professor and Associate Director of HPA UG Professional Development

Diane has 24 years of teaching & policy experience; she leads undergraduate professional development & is a faculty advisor for key student organizations. Her work & interests focus on improving healthcare, HR, workforce retention, global health, & quality of work life. She is credentialed as a Certified Dementia Practitioner & Master Certified Health Educator Specialist; served on a hospital board, multiple state and local boards, contributed to research (ACTIVE Research Project) & publications, and co-authored Working Longer. She has four children, loves musicals, & line dancing.

Diane Spokus: Presentation: To view this presentation, you will be redirected to another webpage. Click "open" in the upper right hand corner and then click "open in app". You must have a Penn State email address to view the presentation.

Associate Teaching Professor of Cybersecurity 

Dr. Joseph Squillaceis an Associate Teaching Professor of Cybersecurity and a U.S. Fulbright Scholar from The Penn State University. He received his PhD in information systems (DISS) with a concentration in information security, and a Graduate Degree in Cybersecurity from the National Security Agency (NSA).  His research interests include privacy, cyberbullying, cybersecurity, cyberterrorism, cyber policy and governance, cybercrime, cybersecurity in artificial intelligence (AI), and critical infrastructure.  Joseph continues to collaborate internationally and has presented research in Hungary, Czech Republic, Austria, Bulgaria, and Poland.  Joseph is currently active as the PI in several research grants in both the US and EU totaling $3.5M+ in award funding.  Joseph can be reached at JMS10943@psu.edu.

Assistant Teaching Professor of Engineering

Dr. Xianfang Tan is an assistant teaching professor in engineering at Penn State Brandywine. In 2025, I participated in the Penn State Global Learning summer institute program and obtain the fellowship. My goal in Global Learning is to create a sustainable and inclusive learning environment that fosters innovation, collaboration, and lifelong learning to inspire and equip students to thrive in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

XianfangTan: Presentation: To view this presentation, you will be redirected to another webpage. Click "open" in the upper right hand corner and then click "open in app". You must have a Penn State email address to view the presentation.

Assistant Teaching Professor of English

Trisha Travers is an assistant teaching professor of English at Penn State Abington, where she teaches various writing courses. Her work before academia was in business and technical writing, utilizing some of the nascent online writing tools and platforms. She researches and writes about mis- and disinformation and how students make decisions about the credibility of sources that inform their written arguments. 

Trisha Travers: Presentation: To view this presentation, you will be redirected to another webpage. Click "open" in the upper right hand corner and then click "open in app". You must have a Penn State email address to view the presentation.