Daily Archives: September 6, 2018

HHD Undergraduate Newsletter Sept 6 2018

NEW ITEMS
  • Did you get a flag from your professor about a class? Go see your adviser and talk to your professor! Students who need assistance with a class, a paper or other tutoring support can get it for free from Penn State Learning.  Guided Study Groups and tutoring is available for free to all Penn State students.  Visit https://pennstatelearning.psu.edu/ for more info. Our HHD Honor Society is also offering peer tutoring. If you would like to be contacted by an Honor Society tutor complete this short form: https://survey.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eYdjrEx8PiKhJOd
  • HHD STUDENT COUNCIL MEETING, MONDAY SEPT 10, 7 PM, 359 HHD BUILDING. Student led panel on “What I Wish I Knew About Internships Before I Did One”, information on committees and opportunities to serve as co-chair of committees, and food (come try some Insomnia Cookies!)
  • The Associate Dean’s Student Advisory Board (SAB) is a group of students selected to assist the Health and Human Development Student Council and the College of Health and Human Development by providing an organized voice for student issues and concerns. Student Advisory Board members are selected through an application process (application is attached and can also be found in 5 and 10 Henderson and in department offices). The selection tries to ensure that the Student Advisory Board is representative of all the college’s educational programs, as well as important other student characteristics (e.g., racial and ethnic diversity, Penn State campuses, Schreyer Honors students and more). Applications are due Sept. 14 by noon and students selected for the SAB will be notified by Sept 17. The first monthly meeting of the SAB is Sept 24 at 6 pm.
  • The College of Health and Human Development is seeking student volunteers to be members of our Academic Standards Committee. Students serve with faculty as hearing board members in cases of grade disputes, academic integrity violations, and related academic issues. Student volunteers must be available for a training on September 26th; 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. in 304 Health and Human Development Building. Interested students should send an email to Heather Zimmerman at hdh3@psu.edu.
HHD HIGHLIGHTS
  • Reminder to ALL HHD Student Organizations–Mandatory Student Organization Officer Trainings. To maintain active status of your organization, you must attend mandatory trainings and complete all other requirements by Monday, September 10, 2018. See https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/involvement-student-life/student-organizations/training-development/mandatory-officer-training
  • HHD Healthy Start: Do you have questions about how to manage your student loan? How to manage your money? Come to a “Workshop on Financial Literacy“. Henderson 014 Thu, September 6, 4:30pm – 5:30pm Financial Literacy Overview – Focused on helping first-year students get off to good start–budgeting, student loans, and more
  • HHD Healthy Start: “Early Adversity and Intervention: Effects Over Time”, The 2018 Child Study Center’s Lois Bloom Lecture By Mary Dozier, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology and Unidel Amy Elizabeth du Pont Chair in Child Development, Director of Clinical Training, University of Delaware
    • Dr. Dozier will consider the effects of different types of early adversity on children’s functioning, and factors that affect children’s ability to recover behaviorally and biologically following adversity. The types of adversity considered will include parental neglect, maternal opioid dependence, foster care, and orphanage care. An intervention, Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC), has been developed and adapted for parents of young children who have experienced these various forms of adversity.  Recent findings from our randomized clinical studies will be presented, highlighting brain and behavioral outcomes from middle childhood. Thursday, September 20, 2018 4:15 p.m., Nittany Lion Inn, Assembly Room (open to students and public)
  • FALL CAREER DAYS ARE COMING: https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/career/fairs/fall HHD encourages all students to take advantage of the opportunity to meet future employers and to gain great career preparation skills. Learn all about the FCD and the many workshops Career Services has to help students get ready: https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/career/fairs/fall/student 
  • HHD students trying to arrange a Meeting with your Assigned Academic Adviser: You can view their availability and schedule an appointment through their Starfish calendar (login here: http://sites.psu.edu/starfishinfo/). For directions on how to schedule an advising appointment, please visit http://sites.psu.edu/starfishinfo/user-roles/student-users/
  • The Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State will partner with the College of Health and Human Development and Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders to present “Let’s Dance,” a movement workshop. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28, on the lawn of Ford Building. People of all ages are invited to attend the one-hour workshop at the corner of Park Avenue and Allen Road. Participants do not need to register in advance and should wear comfortable clothing. No dancing or singing experience is required. Parking for the workshop is available at the Nittany Parking Deck. For information about the movement workshop, contact Medora Ebersole at 814-863-6752 or mde13@psu.edu.
  • Students interested in research opportunities with faculty can learn more about working with faculty at the Research Opportunities web site. Information on funding for research related travel, grants for research and more is found there. Students can see a list of faculty and projects looking for undergraduates to be involved, searching by college, key word: https://undergradresearch.psu.edu/searchByLocation.cfm.
  • Take a Professor to Lunch (or Coffee or Ice Cream): The HHD Dean’s Office will pay for lunch, coffee, or ice cream for up to five HHD students and one HHD faculty member at any one of the University’s on-campus eating establishments. As one of the most popular colleges at Penn State, we know how hard it can be to get to know your professors in our majors. But, we also know our faculty are wonderful people, and would love the opportunity to get to know you.  The charge card has a set monthly limit, so call early in the month to reserve your place. Each HHD student is eligible to participate once per semester; faculty may participate as often as they are asked! http://hhd.psu.edu/undergraduate-education/take-professor-lunch 
INFORMATION
STUDENT SUPPORTS
  • Students who need assistance with a class, a paper or other tutoring support can get it for free from Penn State Learning.  Guided Study Groups for challenging classes started Aug 22nd. Tutoring starts Aug. 27.  Visit https://pennstatelearning.psu.edu/ for more info
  • Get your fitness in gear. There are many ways you can choose to get healthy and have fun at Penn State. Learn about classes and opportunities: https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/campusrec/fitwell
  • If you are an undergraduate international student, Penn State’s EPPIC (English for Professional Purposes Intercultural Center) provides a wide array of workshops to help students improve their communication skills.  To learn more about their programs and services visit: http://www.eppic.la.psu.edu/services Upcoming workshops:
  • All students at Penn State, including HHD students, can seek specialized advising on the health professions at the Health Professions Advising Center. The center provides advising on preparation for medical or PA school, interviewing, personal statements, medical missions, and gap years.  Students considering medical, dental, podiatry, and physician assistant professions must attend a Med Prep or PA Prep group advising session prior to meeting one-on-one with PreHealth Advising. Learn more about their group sessions and advising resources at  http://science.psu.edu/premed/advising Upcoming sessions include:
    • Health Professional School Interviewing Learn about different interview formats and practice your skills Monday, September 17, 5:30-6:45pm in 103 Bank of America Career Services Center
    • Med Prep: First-year and sophomore students exploring medicine, dentistry, and podiatry will be familiarized with the coursework, experiences, and skills these health profession schools require of their applicants. Wednesday, September 19, 6:00-7:00pm in 62 Willard
  • LifeHacks are group workshops to help students manage stress, improve sleep or adjust to college life.  All sessions are open to all Penn State students and no appointment is necessary. Time: 4:00 to 5:00pm Locations: Mondays (402 Student Health Center); Tuesdays: (204/205 Student Health Center). See https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/health-wellness/psychological-counseling/life-hacks-caps for a full schedule. Upcoming LifeHacks:
    • Monday 9/11 and Tuesday 9/12: This Moment: Mindfulness for Modern Life
    • Tuesday 9/18   Easy Does It: Wisdom for Managing Stress
  • Group Counseling Discussion Groups at CAPS: visit https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/health-wellness/psychological-counseling/counseling-services/group-counseling/current-groups to find groups and see meeting dates.
    • Highlighted Group: Women of Color EmpowermentThis is a biweekly, open discussion group for Women of Color. This is open to both graduate and undergraduate students. The goal is to provide a supportive space for Women of Color on a majority white campus to explore what this means for them (with regard to identity, relationships, and more), to empower and enhance their voice, and to fully embrace their Penn State experience through academic excellence and relationship-building. This group is held at the Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) in Grange Room 315.Wednesdays (Biweekly), 4:30-6:00 p.m. For dates and details: click on this link
  • As part of Penn State’s ongoing commitment to strengthen student financial literacy, Penn State’s Sokolov-Miller Family Financial and Life Skills Center supports students through education and training. To learn more about how they can help students, visit financialliteracy.psu.edu.
    • The Penn State Sokolov-Miller Family Financial & Life Skills Center is offering monthly webinars via Zoom throughout the 2018-2019 academic year. The webinars will be held every other Tuesday of every month starting in August, and are from 12:00 – 1:00 PM (Except December). To access any of these free webinars, please use the Zoom link provided below, no registration needed: https://psu.zoom.us/j/3845004052. Next Webinar: Tuesday, September 11, 2018 on Budgeting
  • Wellness Retreats Health Promotion and Wellness at Penn State will host full day (9 a.m.–4 p.m.) wellness retreats this fall. During the retreats, students will have an opportunity to engage in meditation, yoga, art and mindfulness activities, intuitive eating and more. Students must reserve space in advance by emailing promotinghealth@psu.edu, or by calling 814-863-0461. All retreats are free and lunch will be provided. The retreats will take place on campus in the Intramural Building or Pasquerilla Spiritual Center. Dates include: Saturday, Oct. 20 (must reserve spot by Oct. 12), Saturday, Nov. 10 (must reserve spot by Nov. 2)
MEETINGS, EVENTS AND INVOLVEMENT
  • The Council of Sustainable Leaders unites Penn State student leaders in sustainability. Their Showcases highlight work by Penn State faculty and others who are making a difference in sustainability. Events are on Fridays 12 – 1:30 pm and include lunch for RSVP’d guests. Information on all upcoming showcases can be found here: http://www.pennstatecsl.com/showcases-2018.html. The next Showcase is Dan Murphy, September 7, 2018, HUB 233AB, Beyond Icebreakers & Crosswalks: Retaining People, Talent & Potential in State College
  • Attention Penn Staters! Are you looking to get involved this year? Join PSU State of State! The final info session is September 11 at 7 pm in 267 Willard. Come learn about us and then apply for a committee! #LetsTalkPSU Founded in 2013, State of State is a student-run organization at Penn State University, committed to facilitating a dialogue within the university community about important Penn State-related issues. This dialogue culminates every year in a spring conference at which we bring together student, faculty, administration, alumni, and community leaders to speak about a variety of Penn State and State College topics, ranging from student life to mental health to town-and-gown relations. Our goal is to bring together passionate change-makers who can make our community stronger and more successful. 
  • Penn State Libraries’ Open House: In previous years, 96% of students participating in the Open House said that the event helped them to learn more about the Libraries’ many resources and physical spaces. September 6th, 2018 (Wed. and Thurs.). Drop-in any time between 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Don’t forget your Penn State ID! (required to complete the events)
  • Kick off the bountiful fall harvest season at the Student Farm’s third annual Harvest Festival. Campus and community members are invited to the farm from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 6 to experience live music, eat farm-fresh hors d’oeuvres and interact with members of the Student Farm Club and the Sustainability Institute. 
    • The Student Farm at Penn State is a one-acre diversified vegetable farm established in the spring of 2016, located near the intersection of Big Hollow and Fox Hollow roads. The mission of the Student Farm is to educate people about sustainable food systems, cultivate community and increase access to local foods on campus and in the community. Students can get involved in paid and for-credit internships, student-led research, food systems courses, the Student Farm Club, or volunteer on the farm!
    • Guests for the Harvest Festival are encouraged to bring their own lawn chair or blanket and are reminded to wear sturdy shoes. The event will be held rain or shine. Students and the campus community may get a ride to the farm via blue bus. Departures to the Student Farm will be at 5:30 and 6 p.m. from the Ag Administration Building (pullout area near Berkey Creamery). The bus will return guests to campus at 7 and 7:30 p.m. On-campus guests are also welcome to bike-pool to the farm together. The bike pool will meet at the seating area next to Berkey Creamery to depart at 5:10 p.m. Bikers should use Big Hollow Road to get to the farm, and don’t forget a light for the ride home as it will be dusk. For more information about this event, visit https://sustainability.psu.edu/spotlight/student-farm-celebrates-third-annual-harvest-festival
  • Be an Outdoor School Counselor! Penn State students can earn 2 credits by participating in Outdoor School (ODS) as cabin counselors. 
    • Outdoor School is a four-day, residential program for upper-elementary school students, run by Penn State’s nature center, Shaver’s Creek, and staffed by Penn State student counselors. It provides children with a positive, outdoor education experience as they learn about the natural world through hands-on lessons and guided exploration. 
    • Outdoor School has both a fall and a spring season. The spring season lasts typically six to seven weeks beginning in early April and ending in mid-May. The fall season is typically six weeks beginning, in late September and running through October. During their week of ODS, Penn State students must commit to being on-site 24-hours a day, typically from 1:30 p.m. on Monday through 3:00 p.m. on Friday, with free time on Wednesday or Thursday afternoon. 
    • You are responsible for working with your professors to make arrangements for missing classes. We can provide you with a letter explaining the program and its benefit to the community and to your Penn State education. You will need to be proactive in working ODS into your schedule. ODS is not an official excused absence. 
    • Visit https://www.shaverscreek.org/penn-state-students/outdoor-school/ to learn more about ODS and submit an application to be a Penn State counselor. Applications are due Sept. 7
  • The Marathon Read will again occupy Pattee Mall for a community reading event on Thursday, Sept. 13. The event’s theme is “Pages from 1968” and will commemorate 50 years since the watershed months of 1968, with resonant texts from that year, including Philip K. Dick’s novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” and works from Joan Didion, Gwendolyn Brooks, Alice Munro, Jorge Luis Borges, Susan Sontag, and Galway Kinnell. This year marks the seventh edition of the annual event, and students, staff, faculty and community members will read from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. It is free and open to the public. Food will be provided at points throughout the event, and readers will receive a T-shirt. Participants will read out loud for five-minute intervals. Special guests, including Sue Paterno and Penn State women’s volleyball head coach Russ Rose, will kick off the reading at 10 a.m. To learn more about the Marathon Read or to sign up to read, visit marathonread.psu.edu.
  • Students can gain leadership skills and grow their resume by serving on a board with the Office of Student Conduct, a unit of Penn State Student Affairs. Students interested in volunteering can learn more at https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/safety-conduct/student-conduct/get-involved-student-conduct
  • The Public Leadership Education Network provides seminars for female college students interested in leadership opportunities in policy fields, including health, advocacy, STEM, global issues, and more. Students can learn more about their seminars at:  https://plen.org/seminars/
  • Award-winning author, accomplished nature photographer and Penn State alumnus Tim Palmer will visit the University Park campus for a series of events on Sept. 12 and 13. 
    • He will be speaking from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept.12, at the Palmer Museum of Art on his recent book “Twilight of the Hemlocks and Beeches,” written to feature the beauty of hemlock and beech forests and to spread awareness of their decimation. 
    • He will also take part in a panel discussion at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 12 with other authors of nature books. The discussion will focus on the documentation of Pennsylvania’s natural environment and the importance of documenting nature in a variety of media, especially in the age of climate change, foreign pathogens and manmade threats to natural landscapes.
    • His final talk will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 13, in 121 Sparks Building where Palmer will discuss another recent book, “Wild and Scenic Rivers: An American Legacy.”
  • Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement (ATM) Thursday, September 13, 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Led by Andrew Belser, Professor of Movement, Voice, and Acting. ADRI Director and certified Feldenkrais Instructor Andy Belser will teach this series of Awareness Through Movement lessons. Each class features a different Feldenkrais exercise or “lesson,” and involves gentle movements, done slowly with minimal effort, while paying attention to your own experience. Registration is required for September 13: https://feldenkrais-atm2.eventbrite.com
  •  The Feldenkrais Method: Special Event with Master Trainer Carol Kress Thursday, September 6, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Led by Carol Kress, Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner and Master Feldenkrais Trainer. Carol Kress is a Master Teacher of the Feldenkrais Method and teaches in Training Programs around the world. She will lead this participatory workshop, which will include two Awareness Through Movement Lessons, along with discussions of Feldenkrais concepts and practice. Registration is required: https://feldenkrais-method.eventbrite.com
  • Are you interested in how the arts connect to health?  The Alliance for the Arts in Research Universities hosts a conference for faculty and students like you.  Learn more about their fall conference and student travel scholarships 
  • Parent and Family Weekend HHD Ice Cream Social, October 20, 11am-1pm, Hintz Family Student Center, 10 Henderson Bldg. Many HHD departments have events, too. See the full schedule of events and register at https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/department-directory/penn-state-parents-program/parents-families-weekend Registration is open now and closes on Sept. 30.
FUNDING AND SCHOLARSHIPS
  • Are you receiving a Federal Pell Grant recipient?  Need funding for study-abroad? The Gilman Scholarship offers funding for students receiving Federal Pell Grants to participate in study abroad programs worldwide. Attend an information session in person September 11, 2018, 11 am- 12 pm in 412 Boucke or register to participate remotely via Zoom here: https://psu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HeiO8D-2Rvu_TkSuT9K5kg
  • Info Session: DAAD and DAAD RISE: Learn more about funding for study, research, or internship at a German university participating in the German Academic Exchange Service. Register to participate remotely via Zoom here: https://psu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Q-lWHEA4QqiO4FZI1j8DUA Date: September 10, 2018, 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm4:00 – 5:00 PM in 311 Boucke
  • Land O’Lakes, Inc. is accepting applications for the Land O’Lakes Global Food Challenge Emerging Leaders for Food Security™ fellowship. In its fourth year, the program expanded to 11 eligible universities across the United States to draw a broad mix of skills and perspectives to agriculture. Students entering their sophomore year for the 2018-19 academic year are eligible to apply. The deadline is Oct. 10. Get started applying here:  http://foodchallenge.landolakesinc.com/about-the-program/eligibility-requirements/
  •  Inc.U Pitch Competition offers $30,000 in investment rewards for student startups: PennTAP (Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program has a grant that assists undergraduate students in their entrepreneurial company startup endeavors. PennTAP sponsors a “shark tank like” pitch competition called “Inc.U” to find the Top 6 Undergraduate student owned companies (undergraduates must own 50% or more of the company) to compete for $30,000+ in investment awards. The Top 6 companies (selected via an initial video pitch competition) – are then given the opportunity to pitch their companies to a distinguished panel of judges during an hour-long Inc.U television show called “The Investment.” (Click HERE for a link to see last season’s show)  The competition is open to all Penn State University undergraduates!  For more info see the video and other information at https://penntap.psu.edu/innovation/incu/ If students have questions or need additional information, contact Tim Kerchinski –  txk128@psu.edu – 814-865-4388.
  • The LGBTQA Student Resource Center offers multiple scholarships to Penn State students who are interested in and have shown a commitment to the Penn State LGBTQ+ community. Each scholarship has specific requirements for eligibility, including financial status, academic standing, and current and future involvement in the LGBTQ+ community on Penn State campuses. Scholarship Applications Open: August 20, 2018 and close December 14. Information at https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/campus-community-diversity/lgbtq-community/find-support-lgbtq-student/lgbtq-scholarships-and-awards
  •  MCAT Scholarships: There are four 100% scholarships for MCAT courses through Kaplan. Both need and merit will be considered by the Prehealth Office and other committee members in the determination of the awards. Scholarships can be used for In Person, Live Online, or Self-Paced courses. The scholarship must be redeemed by December 31, 2018, meaning you need to register for a class by that date. Deadline to apply is September 15, 2018. Awardees will be notified mid-October. To qualify, students should be at least 4th semester standing, and should have completed the majority of their coursework for the MCAT. Info at http://sites.psu.edu/sciadvising/mcat-scholarship/
  • The Morgan Academic Center (MAC) at Penn State is currently hiring tutors for the 2018-19 academic year.  The MAC is specifically seeking candidates from the College of Human Development and Family Studies for HDFS 129, HDFS 229, HDFS 239, and HDFS 249, however students from any major/program are encouraged to apply as other subject areas are also needed.   Tutors are paid hourly based upon status (e.g., undergraduate versus graduate student). This part-time position offers a variety of work options (days/times/hours) which fits nicely around academic schedules and other commitments of Penn State students.  Anyone who is hired this fall is eligible to continue employment as a tutor during future semesters. If interested, please complete an application and upload your cover letter/resume at https://psu.jobs/job/78459.  If you have any questions, feel free to email morgancenter@psu.edu or call 814-865-0407.
  • The Undergraduate Fellowships Office is THE place to seek help in applying for nationally competitive fellowships and scholarships.  Learn more about their resources and look at their fellowship/scholarship database to learn more https://ufo.psu.edu/current-students
 College of HHD Research Seminars
  • Thursday, September 6: “Translational Science in the Era of Big Data”, Peter Elkin, MD; Professor and Chair, Dept. of Biomedical Informatics, University of Buffalo; CTSI B3 Seminar Series, 4:00 p.m. to  5:00 p.m. , 116 Henderson; registration requested: bit.ly/Elkintalk; co-sponsored by the Clinical and Translational Science Institute.
  • Monday, September 10: “Consequences of exposure to early adversity on the trajectory of brain development” Dr. Susan Andersen, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School. 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., 22 Biobehavioral Health; Host: Biobehavioral Health Department (814-863-7256).
  • Monday, September 10: “The Effects of Canola Oils on Lipids and Lipoproteins: Results from the Canola Oil Multi-Center Intervention Trial II,” Kate Bowen, Doctoral Candidate in Nutritional Sciences, 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., 005 Health and Human Development Building; Host: Department of Nutritional Sciences (814-865-3448).
  • Tuesday, September 11: “Bias, confounding, moderation and mediation”, Duanping Liao, MD, PhD; CTSI BERD (Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design) Seminar Series, 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. , 116 Henderson; sponsored by the Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI).
  • Wednesday, September 12: “Spending More on the Poor? A Comprehensive Summary of State-Specific Responses to School Finance Reforms from 1990–2014,” Kenneth Shores, Assistant Professor of Human Development and Family Studies. QuantDev Brownbag, 12:00 p.m. to 1:15p.m., 412 BBH; Host: QuantDev. 
  • Friday, September 14: “Lessons from Kidney Nutrition Trials, or “What My Son Told Me About Piano Practice,” Gary Calton, Ph.D., Scientific Director, Calwood Nutritionals, Sykesville, MD,  11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 127 Noll Laboratory; Host: Department of Kinesiology (814-865-7575).
  • Tuesday, September 18: “Individual Differences in Cardiovascular Risk among Bereaved Individuals”, Kyle Murdock, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biobehavioral Health, Penn State,  12:00 p.m. (NOON), 312 BBH; Contact: Ashley Linden-Carmichael (814-865-7177) or axc547@psu.edu 
  • Wednesday, September 19: “Center for Science and the Schools: Bridging Research & Education in STEM,” Kathleen Hill, PhD, Amanda Smith, M.Ed, Amber Cesare, M.Ed; 12:00 p.m. to 1p.m., Research Quality Assurance Lunchtime Lecture Series,  Zoom available: https://psu.zoom.us/j/649295413; Co-sponsored by the Clinical and Translational Science Institute and College of Medicine.
  • Thursday, September 20: “Statistical methodology for identifying risk factors that mediate genetic effects on opioid misuse,” Anne Buu, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Dept. of Health Behavior & Biological Sciences, University of Michigan, The Methodology Center Brown Bag Seminar, https://methodology.psu.edu/training/brownbags, 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., The Methodology Center Conference Room, 401 Health and Human Development Building, University Park, PA. Contact: Kate Guastaferro at kmg55@psu.edu.