Penn State World Campus students have been recognized for the leadership they have exhibited in their studies, in the community of online learners at the University, and in the communities where they live and work.
Penn State World Campus Student Affairs honored the recipients of its 2025 leadership awards at the Student Leadership Celebration and Recognition on April 11. The event was streamed online for those who could not attend in person.
Lindsay Zorn was the recipient of the Eric A. and Josephine S. Walker Award, which Penn State gives to an undergraduate student from each campus at the University. This is the second year the award has been given to a Penn State World Campus student.
In addition to the Walker Award, Penn State World Campus honored students with awards for outstanding leadership at the undergraduate and graduate levels, emerging leadership and inclusive excellence.
Penn State World Campus Student Affairs also recognized promising leaders in each student organization, several student organizations that demonstrate leadership, and faculty and staff members whose leadership has made a profound impact on the students they support.
"Our students demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities in and out of the classroom, and we are excited to recognize them for the efforts they have contributed to enriching their education and that of their fellow online learners," said Marly Doty, director of student affairs for World Campus. "We are truly fortunate to work with such exemplary students."
Here are the student award winners announced during the celebration:
- Lindsay Zorn, Eric A. and Josephine S. Walker Award
- Yuki Yamashita, Outstanding Undergraduate Student Leadership Award
- Abby Ruggiero, Outstanding Graduate Student Leadership Award
- Hope Samuel, Emerging Leadership Award
- John Furfari, Inclusive Excellence Award
During the celebration event, Student Affairs also honored students who were involved in activities that have given them the opportunity to develop their leadership skills. Students who participated in the following groups were also recognized:
- Student Programming Board
- World Campus Student Government Association
- Smart Track to Success mentors
- Affinity group leaders
- 2024 Penn State Summer Leadership Conference delegates
- Roz and Gene Chaiken Center for Student Success at Penn State World Campus peer guides
The following are the awards announced at the celebration.
Eric A. and Josephine S. Walker Award
The annual Eric A. and Josephine S. Walker Award recognizes an undergraduate student from each Penn State campus for possessing outstanding qualities of character, scholarship, leadership, and citizenship and for contributing to programs and services that positively influence fellow students and enhance the prestige and well-being of their campus and the reputation of the University as a whole.
The recipient, Lindsay Zorn, is majoring in psychology. Zorn is the president of the World Campus Psychology Club and an active member in other World Campus organizations such as Delta Gamma Chi, Psi Chi, and the Blue and White Society. She is also a research assistant with the Online Students of Psychology Research Laboratory.
A nominator praised Zorn as an “impeccable student, leader and community builder.”
“Lindsay’s leadership, organizational skills, and creativity have fostered an environment in which others are encouraged to learn,” a nominator wrote.
Outstanding Undergraduate Leadership Award
The Outstanding Undergraduate Student Leadership Award is presented to a current World Campus undergraduate student whose leadership has had a demonstrated impact on World Campus or their community, exemplifying the University’s values of integrity, respect, responsibility, discovery, excellence and community.
The recipient, Yuki Yamashita, is majoring in psychology.
Nominators praised her as an active member in student organizations, in which she is devoted to facilitating engagement and inclusiveness with members of the groups. Yamashita is the secretary of the World Campus AAUW chapter and she was the public relations chair for World Campus Benefitting THON. She was also the alumni relations director for the World Campus homecoming committee.
“As an active leader in multiple student organizations, Yuki has worked tirelessly to create welcoming environments for students of diverse backgrounds, ensuring that all voices are heard and valued,” one nominator wrote. “Her work is not just about holding positions — it’s about creating lasting impact through advocacy, engagement, and meaningful connection-building.”
Outstanding Graduate Student Leadership Award
The Outstanding Graduate Student Leadership Award is presented to a current World Campus graduate student whose leadership has had a demonstrated impact on World Campus or their community, exemplifying the University’s values of integrity, respect, responsibility, discovery, excellence and community.
The recipient, Abby Ruggiero, is pursuing a Master of Marketing in Marketing Analytics and Insights.
Ruggiero was praised for work on the World Campus Benefitting THON PR committee, as she took a leading role in promoting the organization before, during and after the event in February that brought together thousands of Penn State students from all campuses.
“I highly appreciate Abby’s dedication to the community,” a nominator wrote.
Emerging Leader Award
The Emerging Leader Award recognizes a World Campus student in the early stages of their involvement who has demonstrated significant leadership potential through impactful contributions to campus organizations or community initiatives. The recipient exhibits initiative, a strong work ethic and an ability to inspire others, even while holding a relatively new or informal leadership role within their organization.
The recipient is Hope Samuel, who is majoring in criminal justice.
In a letter to the award committee, Samuel detailed her leadership activities in her first two semesters as a World Campus student. She is co-chair of the Students of Color affinity group and the internal president of the Society of Law and Sociology at World Campus student organization. In this organization, she played a role organizing events to create engagement opportunities for and with fellow students. Samuel is a member of the World Campus Student Government Association and the AAUW.
Samuel is actively involved in her community in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She completed an internship with a law firm and is secretary of the Virgin Islands Youth Advocacy Coalition and co-chair of one of its projects that works toward achieving educational justice for children of the islands.
Inclusive Excellence Award
This award recognizes a student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and a deep commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging with the University, their organization or the broader community.
The recipient, John Furfari, is majoring in multidisciplinary studies. Furfari has been a strong advocate for first-generation students like himself, participating in several Penn State organizations and activities.
In a letter to the award committee, Furfari said his Penn State education has given him a platform to give back and create opportunities for others facing adversity.
“Every leadership role I’ve taken, every initiative I’ve pursued, and every voice I’ve amplified has been a way to turn struggle into strength, not just for myself, but for everyone I can impact,” Furfari wrote.
Furfari serves as an ambassador for Students United Against Poverty (SUAP), and he led a proposal to expand its partnership with the national nonprofit Out of the Cold. He was a panelist at Penn State’s First-Generation Student Support Summit in the fall 2024 semester and gave a presentation at the next summit this spring.
Furfari was also recognized nationally, with a 2024 President’s Volunteer Service Award.
Bachelor of Science in Business Inter Campus (BSBIC) Student Leadership Award
This award is presented to a student in the bachelor’s in business program who has demonstrated academic excellence, outstanding leadership, community engagement and workplace impact. This is the first year this award has been offered.
The recipient is Charissa Rivera.
A nominator said Rivera has consistently demonstrated strong leadership qualities in the online course environment by “fostering open communication, collaboration and mutual support.” Whether participating in group projects or contributing to class discussions, she leads with intention, inclusiveness, and thoughtfulness — qualities that elevate the learning experience for everyone involved. Her leadership also extends beyond the classroom.
Rivera has given back to her local community by volunteering at outreach events, mentoring high school students interested in clinical research careers, and taking steps to improve the internship experience within her department.
Organization awards
Penn State World Campus Student Affairs recognized three student organizations.
The World Campus Psychology Club received the Student Organization of the Year award. This award goes to an organization that has demonstrated leadership, innovation, engagement and impact on the campus community in fulfilling their organization’s mission. The club is devoted to diversity and inclusion, hosting meetings that align with those themes and values and fostering an environment that creates a sense of belonging among all students. The club proactively and regularly communicates with members and has a Microsoft Teams channel to facilitate dialogue. The club maintains a semi-annual newsletter and launched a merchandise shop to create a sense of community.
The World Campus chapter of the Blue and White Society received the New Beginnings Organization Award, which goes to a newly recognized or reinstated group that has established a strong foundation for success. The Blue and White Society is the student arm of the Penn State Alumni Association. The World Campus chapter previously went idle without a staff adviser, but once the role was refilled, student leaders joined the organization and were proactive in reinvigorating the club. It hosted a virtual professional development event and a networking event to bring together students and alumni.
The World Campus chapter of the Blue and White Society also received the Membership Engagement Award, which recognizes an organization that has prioritized the retention and active involvement of their membership. With 800 student members, the club is one of the largest student-led groups at the University. Its members supported the World Campus THON dancers and participated in two engagement fairs.
Faculty and staff awards
An academic adviser and two faculty members were recognized with awards for faculty and staff members who support Penn State World Campus students.
Terah Richardson received the Academic Adviser of the Year Award. The award is presented to an academic adviser who demonstrates exceptional dedication to guiding, supporting and mentoring students on their educational journey. A student nominated Richardson, citing her “unwavering encouragement and guidance” to stay on track with her studies through the student’s leaves of absence.
Will Horton, assistant teaching professor of biobehavioral health who also teaches for the online biobehavioral health bachelor’s degree, received the Organizational Adviser of the Year award. This award recognizes a faculty or staff member who demonstrates exceptional dedication, mentorship and support in guiding a club or organization. Horton is the adviser for the World Campus Active Minds club and the Biobehavioral Health Society. A nominator said his leadership style “strikes the perfect balance — offering guidance when needed while allowing us the space to make our own decisions and grow as an organization.” The nominator cited his strengths in fostering inclusivity, his care for the well-being of the members, and his mentorship.
The Educator of the Year award was given to Anthony Nelson, an associate professor of psychology in the College of the Liberal Arts and the director of psychology programs offered online through World Campus. This award recognizes a faculty member or instructor who exemplifies excellence in online teaching and demonstrates the ability to build community through inclusive and supportive learning environments. Nelson started the Online Students of Psychology Research Laboratory, which gives undergraduate online learners at Penn State the opportunity to work on research projects that align with their interests. A nominator said the lab provides online learners “invaluable opportunities to engage in research.”
Leadership development through Penn State World Campus
Penn State World Campus has been providing a Penn State education online for more than 25 years. It now offers a comprehensive selection of more than 200 degree and certificate programs.
Its online learners have many opportunities to develop their leadership skills through the programming offered by Penn State World Campus Student Affairs.
Students can gain leadership experience through numerous clubs and organizations. Penn State World Campus also hosts a student leadership conference, and students can apply to participate in the University's Summer Leader Conference, which World Campus will co-host at University Park in August.
Learn more about the leadership opportunities available to online learners by visiting the Penn State World Campus Chaiken Center for Student Success.
