IUP students learn, lead, and succeed with the support of the intensive teaching focus of our faculty and programs. Every academic department has many student success stories to share; here are just a few.
Liv/Ollie Martin
Growing up in Youngwood, Pennsylvania, Martin sometimes felt unsafe or unwelcomed. You can imagine Liv/Ollie’s sense of relief when she came to IUP and saw the huge pride flag that hangs in front of IUP’s Center for Multicultural Student Leadership and Engagement.
Steven Lomax
Steven Lomax, a native of Philadelphia, had planned to major in computer science in college, but he was unsure if it was the best choice for him. When he toured IUP, he learned about the University College and realized it might be a better fit.
Victoria Alao
Like a lot of first-year college students, Victoria Alao was intimidated when she was preparing to leave home for IUP. But then she received an email from IUP about the Crimson Scholars Circle, a program designed to help first-year Black and Brown students by bringing them to campus a week early, allowing them to adapt to their new surroundings and then begin their academic journey on the right foot.
Connor Daley
Connor Daley, a political science major from North Huntingdon, signed up for the Undergraduate Summer Opportunity for Applying Research (U-SOAR) program in 2021. Teaming with faculty member Terilyn Huntington, he researched, “American Political Polarization in an Age of Terror, ” in which he examined the fracture created by the 2000 United States presidential election, one he believes still exists in our country.
Abra Dadum
Although Abra Dadum, a chemistry major from Pittsburgh, learned a lot in her summer in U-SOAR as she worked on her research project, “Selective Oxidation of Alcohols in the Presence of Amines,” she says one of the best parts was working with her faculty mentor, Justin Fair.
Karley Richard
Research on its own can be worthwhile. But if it has a practical use that benefits a community, it’s even better. Karley Richard, a student in IUP’s clinical psychology doctoral program can attest to that.
Kiara Williams
During her time at IUP, Kiara Williams hasn’t always felt at home. But by attending a program that brought together Black IUP alumni and current students, Kiara was able to express her concerns, hear about the experiences of her predecessors, and meet some IUP faculty and administrators who were there to listen and offer support.
Maura King
Scholarships have enabled Maura King to do more than just go to college. They’ve allowed her to dive in and get a unique experience she knows will set her up for success.
Gabriella Giese
Gabriella Giese wanted more than a typical college experience of lectures, textbooks, and exams. She wanted to find a way to make a difference.