Online learners at Penn State World Campus will have new student leaders representing them in the 2024–25 academic year.
The elected members of the 6th Assembly of the World Campus Student Government Association were sworn in Tuesday, April 30, during a virtual ceremony that included remarks by Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi. Bendapudi is the first University president to attend a World Campus Student Government Association meeting.
With more than 19,000 students enrolled during the 2023–24 academic year, Penn State World Campus has one of the largest student bodies of online learners among nonprofit public research institutions in the country.
Mark Kennedy, a doctoral student in engineering, takes over the president role from Daniel Serfass. Kennedy is a retired Marine and a two-time World Campus graduate.
The vice president is Michael Shires, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in software engineering while on active duty with the Navy. Shires succeeds Jakeline Salan-Del Cid.
Bendapudi praised the members of the World Campus student government for the leadership they are showing by serving. Bendapudi also said online learning is an important way that Penn State provides an education, as many University Park students take online courses.
“I am proud of each and every one of you,” Bendapudi said. “I want you to know that this matters a great deal to us.”
Kennedy and Shires will lead the government in advocating for the interests and concerns of the student body of online learners who live in every state in the U.S. and 80 countries across the world. Penn State World Campus students voted online in an election in March for executive board positions and committee chair roles.
Prior to his election as president, Kennedy served on the World Campus Student Advisory Board. He is a two-time World Campus graduate, earning a bachelor’s degree in business and a master’s in software engineering.
“I look forward to working with the newly elected officers of the World Campus Student Government Association,” said Marly Doty, director of Penn State World Campus Student Affairs and adviser to the organization. “The 6th Assembly will have the opportunity to continue the efforts of the last assembly and to find ways to advocate for World Campus students in new ways.”
The World Campus Student Government was formed in 2019 to advocate for the needs of this unique student body and provide leadership opportunities for students to be recognized in the Penn State learning community.
The winners of the offices that will form the executive board of the World Campus Student Government Association are:
- Mark Kennedy, president
- Michael Shires, vice president
- Braden Fleagle, speaker
- Sonya Gelster, secretary
- Lydia Cowher, treasurer
The winners of the committee elections are:
- Ma Socorro Rovers, academic affairs committee chair
- Dane Sorensen, governmental affairs chair
- Lauri Accardi, marketing and communications chair
- Gina Bakey, student affairs committee chair
- Saleh Maghrabi, technology committee chair
Penn State World Campus offers a Penn State education online, with a comprehensive portfolio of more than 175 degree and certificate programs.
Students who attend Penn State through World Campus can get involved in a diverse array of student activities, such as the World Campus Student Government Association.
Learn more about the student government on the Penn State World Campus Student Center, a website for current students.