David, a recent graduate of Penn State, is from Broomall, Pennsylvania. During his time at Penn State, he studied Political Science and Communication Arts and Sciences. David was involved in the Presidential Leadership Academy, Mock Trial, McCourtney Institute for Democracy, and The Gray Area Podcast. He chose Penn State because of the various academic and social opportunities it has to offer. Throughout his four years at the university, he gained a deep appreciation for the power of development and looks forward to aiding DDAR in providing exceptional college opportunities to students!

Abbas Bokhari is a senior from Marriottsville, Maryland majoring in Political Science with minors in Philosophy and Global Security. He chose to attend Penn State because of the large alumni network and the wealth of opportunities and resources that Penn State has to offer. Having previously served on UPUA’s Student Advisory Board on Student Poverty during the 2021-22 academic year and as an intern at the Lion’s Pantry during the 2022-23 academic year, Abbas has developed a strong passion for addressing student poverty at Penn State. He is also heavily involved with Penn State Liberal Arts Ambassadors having served as the organization’s Fundraising Chair during the 2022-23 academic year. In the following academic year, Abbas will continue serving as an intern at the Lion’s Pantry. He will also serve as a Facility Director for the Lion’s Pantry student executive board and the Administrative Chair for Penn State Liberal Arts Ambassadors. Being a DDAR intern is an exciting opportunity for Abbas to give back to Penn State and develop a deeper understanding for philanthropy and development at a large-scale.

Julia Briselli is a senior at Penn State dual-majoring in Communication Arts & Sciences and Philosophy with a minor in Ethics. Raised in Hershey, PA, Julia had many opportunities to visit Penn State to see her older sisters who are now Penn Stater alumni. She fell in love with the university and has been fortunate to take advantage of many of the opportunities it offers. Julia is a scholar in the Presidential Leadership Academy, Schreyer Honors College, and Paterno Fellows. She is also a member of Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society and Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. Throughout her time at Penn State, Julia has been involved as a leader in Ayuda Benefitting THON, a Prospective Student Tour Guide in Lion Scouts, and a Research Assistant in the CAS Department.

Kayla Clare is a senior at Penn State Harrisburg pursuing concurrent degrees in both Political Science and American Studies. Growing up in the Poconos, she has had the opportunity to participate in several service learning projects, including one with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, which sparked her passion for philanthropy. Kayla chose Penn State Harrisburg because of its outreach and proximity to the state capitol, where she was able to intern in the State Senate last year. This past year, Kayla has volunteered at her campus food pantry and was also recently inducted into the Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science honor society

Madison Dowdell is a senior in the College of Liberal Arts studying Psychology on the Business track. Being the first in her family to attend Penn State, she chose the University for its deep tradition and pride, as well as its alumni network and the community formed around it. Throughout her time at Penn State, Madison has spent most of her time as a student leader and has been dedicated to the mission of Penn State. Within the last three years, Madison has been involved in Harmony and Blue & White Society – the student chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association. During her time with Blue & White Society she has served as a chair member on the Campus Engagement Pride, Director of Membership Experience, and has just completed her term as President. She will serve as Vice President of Administration in the upcoming year. Her experience through Blue & White Society has introduced her to the Business world, specifically the development department.

Chryztina Harding-Graham has just recently completed her undergraduate studies with Penn State, receiving a degree in English with a concentration on Cultural and Literary Studies. Penn States emphasis on community building drew her to the school and once here she wanted to be a part of that. Throughout her college career at Penn State, she’s been a Resident Assistant for two years, as a Marketing Intern for the English Department, and Staff Operations Coordinator for Sovereign Magazine, a student run publication geared towards students of color on campus. Chryztina also had the opportunity to intern abroad in Paris, France through Penn State’s Perreault Fellowship program, where she worked in communications for a nonprofit organization.

Maddie Hindman is a senior and third-generation Penn Stater from West Chester, Pennsylvania. She is studying Political Science with a minor in Sociology and an enhanced minor in Civic and Community Engagement. Maddie is a Paterno Fellow and Schreyer Scholar following the IUG program to earn her master’s degree in Public Policy. Outside of academics, Maddie is involved with Un-PAC, an organization advocating for democracy reform, and Challah for Hunger, an organization fighting food insecurity on campus by baking and selling challah bread. Maddie enjoys breakfasts at the Waffle Shop with her family, baking with her roommates, getting tea at Webster’s, going to hockey games with friends, and reading a good book at the Arboretum.

Olivia Hitchingham is a senior studying Education & Public Policy with a minor in Child Maltreatment & Advocacy Studies. She is from Yardley, Pennsylvania, and chose to attend Penn State due to the community on campus and the countless opportunities available for students. She is involved at Penn State as the Event Manager for the Education and Public Policy Undergraduate Association, a campus tour guide through Penn State Lion Scouts, a volunteer tutor through the VIPS program at SCASD, and a Dancer Relations Committee Member for THON 2023. She was recently selected as the Local Engagement Captain for Donor and Alumni Relations- Development for THON 2024. Olivia hopes to apply what she learns to a career in non-profit work following her time at Penn State.

Alivia Jacobs is a recent summa cum laude graduate of Penn State majoring in Psychology with a minor in Deafness and Hearing Studies. She grew up in Altoona, PA and found her love of Penn State through her dad, who is also a Penn State alumnus. At Penn State she served as the president of the Jared Box Project Club and was a member of the Sign Language Organization. Throughout her four years, she has been heavily involved in THON as committee member and then in her final year as a Development captain. During her senior year, you could find her at the Moore Building where she was a research assistant in Dr. Arnett’s Sports Concussion lab. She also loves to sing and has sung the National Anthem at many Penn State sporting events. Alivia enjoys giving back to her community and has been involved in philanthropic work since she was young.

Raaheem Khondaker is a sophomore at Penn State. He is a part of the Schreyer Honors College and is pursuing a double-major in Economics and Finance. He chose to attend Penn State because of the endless opportunities and pride within the student body. During his first year, Raaheem was involved in the UPUA and cultural identity groups such as the Muslim Student Association.

Dani Lopez is a recent graduate from Penn State with a bachelor’s degree in Biology with a focus in Neuroscience. She is from Arlington, Virginia and is a first-generation college student and American. Dani decided to apply to Penn State to follow in the steps of her first ESOL teacher from elementary school. She served as the University Relations Director for Lion Ambassadors and was the president of Silver Wings during her time at Penn State. She was also a Millennium Scholar and participated in research.

Francesca Imani Mbibouth is a senior at Penn State Harrisburg. She is majoring in Health Policy & Administration with a minor in Biology. She was raised in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania but she also has a strong Cameroonian ethnic background as well. She has experience working as a caregiver for Patriot Homecare and is passionate about working in the healthcare field in the future. She is a member of the Programs and Activities Committee (PAC) which is tasked with planning activities and events for the student body. Imani is extremely grateful for the opportunity to learn more about philanthropy through the DDAR program. She’s excited to meet everyone involved.

Jazzmine McCauley is a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology at the Penn State Altoona campus. At Altoona, she is a student research partner within the Integrated Social Science Research Lab (ISSRL). Through this lab, she has presented and competed with multiple posters that cover a variety of important criminal justice topics at local and national conferences across the U.S., where she won awards. Jazzmine has also been twice published in different academic journals through her work in ISSRL. She is the President of the Criminal Justice Organization at Altoona, as well as Gamma Eta, the Altoona chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma (Criminal Justice Honor Society). During her free time, she enjoys traveling, being outdoors, and playing her violin.

Macy Miskiewicz is a senior from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is an Integrated Undergraduate/Graduate student, simultaneously working towards her B.S. in Biobehavioral Health and her Master of Public Health. She is also minoring in English and Sustainability Leadership on the Humanistic Track. Here at Penn State, Macy works for the Sustainability Institute as Senior Program Coordinator for the EcoReps Program. In her spare time, she also waitresses at Olive Garden, writes for Her Campus online magazine, and enjoys community service activities with the Health and Human Development Honors Society.

Emma Olofson is a recent graduate of Penn State with a degree in Health Policy and Administration. Her freshman and sophomore year were spent at Penn State Altoona before she transferred to University Park. She is from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and chose Penn State due to the endless opportunities it has to offer and the universities renowned alumni network. Emma is also very passionate about THON and fundraising for Four Diamonds where she immediately became involved. Throughout her time at Penn State, Emma served as a Donor and Alumni Relations Captain for 2020, and a Fundraising Executive for THON 2021. She is also a member of the Health Policy and Administration Club. Emma joined the DDAR team with the hope of using this internship experience to further her career in non-profit sectors and gain a deeper understanding of philanthropy work.

Keely Reese is a recent graduate from Penn State’s Bellisario College of Communications with her degree in Public Relations and minors in Sustainability Leadership and Entrepreneurship & Innovation. She is from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and comes from a large Penn State family. She fell in love with the university because of the endless opportunities and the ability to create unique communities. Throughout her time at Penn State, Keely has been involved with THON, serving as a Family Relations Captain for THON 2022 and an OPPerations Captain for THON 2023. Additionally, she danced with Rince Na Leon, Penn State’s Irish Dance Team, worked as the EcoReps Marketing Director, and planned events for the Entrepreneurship Department. The DDAR internship was an opportunity for Keely to dive deeper into philanthropy in new settings and further develop her communications skills.

Kennedy White is a senior at The Pennsylvania State University in University Park, Pennsylvania. She is majoring in Public Relations in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications with a double minor in Communication Arts & Sciences and Data, Media, Trends, & Analytics. She expects to graduate in December 2023. From Hershey, PA, she has always been familiar with Penn State and the school spirit. She came to Penn State excited about the many doors that it will open for her. Throughout her time here, she has been involved in CommRadio, Project Paws, and Blue and White Society. In September 2022, she started working at LionLine which inspired her love to work in development and fundraising and to connect with alumni. Kennedy is excited to work with the DDAR team and continue doing what she loves.