During the 2024 election cycle, Cassil bridged the gap between civic responsibility and action by mobilizing a student-led initiative that registered over 400 new voters at °”ÍűTV. These efforts included leading non-partisan voter registration tabling efforts across campus and visiting classrooms to explain the voting process and help students register. To reach a larger number of voters, Cassil initiated and recorded public service announcements for °”ÍűTV’s campus radio station, .

Over the course of the fall 2025 semester, and ahead of Pennsylvania’s November Supreme Court and county elections, Cassil continued his campus voter registration and civic engagement efforts. In total, Cassil visited 18 classes and extracurricular clubs, including 15 first-year seminars, and recorded new public service announcements about Pennsylvania’s statewide and Snyder County elections. He also worked directly with Devin Rhoads, Snyder County’s elections director, to help ensure students’ voter registration forms and mail-in ballots were collected and received on time. These efforts resulted in nearly 100 new student voter registrations, as well as the registration of a professor new to the °”ÍűTV campus.

“The most meaningful aspect of this experience was the conversations I had with students about my efforts on campus. Students began asking me how they could get involved and help with voter registration themselves,” Cassil said. “This growing interest signals something special: a strengthening culture of civic engagement that I hope will persist on campus long after I graduate.”

Efforts continue overseas

Cassil’s work has been in his role as a Democracy Fellow for the Fair Elections Center’s Campus Vote Project, through which his commitment to civic participation continues to expand. This semester, he is studying abroad at Maastricht University in the Netherlands while continuing to serve as a Campus Vote Project Fellow. Countries across the European Union consistently experience higher voter turnout than the United States.

“I hope to study the electoral systems, norms and strategies that contribute to increased civic engagement and bring those lessons home,” he said. “By applying what I learn internationally to voter participation efforts in the U.S., I aim to find and implement tenable solutions to make voting and civic participation more accessible, for students and the population at large.”

Cassil was nominated for the award by Rhoads, University President Jonathan Green and Associate Professor of Political Science Rolfe Peterson.

“His efforts extend well beyond fulfilling program expectations — he embodies what it means to be an engaged citizen and a campus leader,” Peterson said. “What truly distinguishes Noah is his passion for service and his belief that every student’s voice matters.”

Cassil, of Silver Spring, Maryland, is a double major in political science and public policy. He is also in °”ÍűTV’s Honors program and served as the Honors Council president in the 2024-25 academic year.

Other °”ÍűTV students who have served as CVP Democracy Fellows include Meryl Czeponis ’25, James Gossert ’27 and Caleb Tyksinski ’24.

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Mack Moran ’26, a political science and public policy: international/development double major with a minor in economics, interned with the U.S. Department of Justice while James Gossert Jr. ’27, a political science major with a minor in the university’s Honors Program, interned in the Senate Majority Whip Office.

Moran’s and Gossert’s internships were facilitated through the Lutheran College Washington Semester, which is also one of °”ÍűTV’s semester-long Global Opportunities programs. Students taking part in the participate in 30-hour per week internships, academic classes and experiential learning opportunities. Housing is provided.

Moran interns with U.S. Department of Justice

Moran, of Millstone Township, New Jersey, interned with the Public Affairs division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Her responsibilities ranged from supporting public affairs specialists by maintaining the office’s social media presence and drafting public communications to conducting legal and media research. Though this meant she wore different hats every day, Moran was prepared for the challenge.

“My political science courses prepared me to draft policy briefs, analyze case law and understand the relationship between media and politics,” Moran said. “Those skills translated seamlessly into my internship and gave me confidence in adapting quickly to the work.”

Moran admitted that she first struggled to find her footing early on, but attributed her success to her coworkers’ welcoming demeanor and investment in her growth. Their insight about why she was chosen as an intern transformed the way she saw her job.

“I wasn’t chosen for this role because I had all the answers,” Moran recalled, “but because I showed the potential to learn. That perspective pushed me to embrace challenges, become unafraid to ask my supervisors questions that I thought might be silly, and to stay open to feedback.”

Moran embraced opportunities to see how the Attorney’s Office handles a mixture of federal and local cases, attend a press conference and participate in the LCWS Amazing Race Around D.C. geared toward helping participants learn more about the city in a fun, collaborative atmosphere.

Moran hopes to use the skills she gained through her internship — media research, policy communication and public engagement — to pursue a career in international relations and foreign policy.

Gossert interns in Senate Majority Whip Office

Gossert, of Wernersville, Pennsylvania, enjoyed similar exposure to the nation’s inner political workings throughout his internship in the Senate Majority Whip Office, where he assisted with office tours, team meetings, compiling reports and managing projects.

Like Moran, Gossert found early on that his °”ÍűTV courseload helped him complete each individual task with ease — the development of his writing and management skills proved an invaluable asset to his daily work, while the critical thinking skills and governmental knowledge provided by his specific classes helped him understand why Congress operates the way it does. What he found most challenging was the volume of work.

“I only found out I would be interning in the Whip Office after accepting the internship’s offer,” Gossert recalled. “Initially, I was unsure of what that work would entail, but the staff’s guidance was crucial to my experience and ensuring its success.”

Gossert’s placement with the Senate Majority Whip’s Office was serendipitous as Gossert had met U.S. Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) as a high school student visiting Capitol Hill.

“Because of my interest in the complexity of Congress and political science, I knew that I would be interested in applying for an internship with his office in the future,” he said.

Gossert’s time in D.C. gave him profound insight into the governmental and legislative work that happens on Capitol Hill. He hopes to use his experience to pursue a career as a legislative aide or government affairs worker.

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Mentored by Carl Faust, associate professor of physics, Cree earned Best in Session for her poster Comparing Sliding versus Rolling to Determine Moments of Inertia of 3D Printed Cylinders.

“Everyone has heard Newton’s first law, an object in motion tends to stay in motion, but this concept can be difficult to visualize,” explained Cree. “We devised a lab in which cylinders with different mass distributions race down an incline alongside a block. By recording the angle at which the objects reach the bottom simultaneously, we can derive the inertia coefficient.”

Cree was among 14 °”ÍűTV students who presented faculty-mentored research at the symposium.

“Students have the opportunity to conduct research alongside faculty members as early as their first year at °”ÍűTV,” said Jennifer Carter, associate professor of physics. “This allows our students to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world problems, while building critical thinking, communication and collaboration skills that will serve them far beyond graduation.”

The goal of Cree’s research was to create an engaging and easily replicable lab activity for introductory physics courses. Her work is an extension of research started last summer with Faust.

“He lets me work through the roadblocks on my own while providing feedback and advice,” Cree said. “This has grown my confidence in my own abilities and my skills in problem solving. I could not have done it without the support of Dr. Faust and the entire physics department.”

Through access to the foundation skills, hands-on experience and the academic network at °”ÍűTV that led to her mentorship, Cree was able to use the skills necessary to portray her research effectively and ultimately win Best in Session.

“I am very passionate about the data I have spent two years collecting and love to share my results with others,” said Cree. “It is especially rewarding when people are just as excited about my research as I am. SVURS is a great opportunity to share research, gain new insight and meet fellow undergraduate students in various fields.”

Other °”ÍűTV faculty mentors and their students include:

• James Briggs, professor of psychology – Madison Spencer ’28
• Jennifer Carter, associate professor of physics – Isabella Parra ’26 and Sami Zain ’26
• Sophie Charvet, assistant professor of biology – Derick Blair ’28, Brynleigh Fehrenbach ’27, Ysabella Marin ’27 and Joy Smith ’27
• Jennifer Elick, associate professor and co-department head of earth & environmental sciences – Ainslee Binkley ’26 and EmmaLia Ciccarello ’27
• Siohban Fathel, assistant professor of earth & environmental sciences – Evan Heisler ’26
• Michael Parra, associate professor of chemistry – Ross Mahler ’28 and Gabby Wagner ’26
• Samya Zain, professor of physics – Eric Belfanti ’26

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Out of nearly 5,000 applicants, Dysico, a native of the Philippines, is among only 5% selected internationally for the event.

“This experience will allow me to represent °”ÍűTV on a global stage, engage with international peers and apply the skills I’ve gained from my coursework in a real-world diplomatic setting,” Dysico said.

Asia Youth International’s Model United Nations is an educational simulation in which participants role play as delegates to the United Nations. In these simulations, participants debate current issues on the UN agenda, aiming to find solutions through diplomatic negotiations.

Dysico describes himself as an intellectually curious individual with multidisciplinary interests. He is a triple major in mathematical economics, international studies and history who has been a frequent academic competitor as a °”ÍűTV student, including two model European Union simulations­ and as a member and president of °”ÍűTV’s chapter of Future Business Leaders of America.

“When I represented Germany in the 2024 Mid-Atlantic EU simulation and the University of Pittsburgh Model EU earlier this year, a spark awoke within me due to how fun and enjoyable I found both simulations to be,” he said.

Dysico is spending the first part of his summer studying abroad at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan, before traveling to South Korea at the end of July.

“I’m excited to see how this opportunity will enrich my academic journey,” Dysico said. “I look forward to deepening my understanding of international relations, politics and public policy through this experience — and to applying the skills I gain beyond the classroom and in real-world settings.”

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At this year’s competition, both participants — Ulicny and Bailey Blaschak ’25 — were awarded scholarships for going above and beyond their work in the classroom. The judges determined that Ulicny presented the winning argument in the U.S. Supreme Court case Mahmoud v. Taylor, which asks whether public schools burden parents’ religious exercise when they compel elementary school children to participate in instruction on gender and sexuality against their parents’ religious convictions and without notice or opportunity to opt out.

Ulicny argued the respondent’s side, or the Montgomery County School District, which states that including reading materials reflective of LGBTQ ideas did not violate the petitioner’s constitutional rights under the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.

“The overall thesis of my argument was that, because of the precedent presented in numerous other cases, the failure of the case to meet the requirements of direct or indirect coercion, and the positive influence that inclusive lessons provide to classrooms, these stories and the removal of an opt-out policy from them did not violate the parents’ First Amendment rights,” Ulicny explained.

Ulicny is a legal studies major with a minor in management from Tamaqua, Pennsylvania. He is also a member of the pre-law and Honors programs, as well as the Student Government Association, Pre-Law Society and Theta Chi fraternity. Ulicny works in °”ÍűTV’s Leadership & Engagement Office and Department of Political Science, as well as the Union County Public Defender’s Office. After his undergraduate studies, Ulicny plans to attend law school before becoming a practicing attorney.

“I took away a wealth of new skills from this experience,” Ulicny said. “There are very few other experiences at °”ÍűTV like the Urey competition, and competing in the event allowed me to present arguments succinctly in a courtroom-like setting. It also taught me lessons in listening to others and creating compelling arguments.”

Blaschak is a legal studies major from Dillsburg, Pennsylvania. In addition to his academic pursuits, he was a four-year member of the football team. Throughout his time at °”ÍűTV, Blaschak has completed internships with the Union County Public Defender’s Office, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections’ Bureau of Reentry Coordination and Magisterial District Court 08-3-04, gaining hands-on experience in various facets of the U.S. justice system. Upon graduating in May, Blaschak plans to pursue a career in law enforcement, aiming to positively impact his community by serving as a police officer.

Scholarship participants were mentored by Bruce Ficken ’70, Ryan Gleason ’04 and Thomas Sutcliffe ’06.

Judges for the event were Amanda DiPolvere ’96, associate dean for enrollment, career development, planning & transition, Penn State Law; James Kleman Jr. ’98, senior deputy counsel of the Judicial Conduct Board of Pennsylvania; Judge Michael Piecuch of the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas for the 17th Judicial District; and District Judge Rachel Wiest-Benner ’97.

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“This day is emblematic of what sets a °”ÍűTV education apart — our emphasis on students applying their disciplines, synthesizing four years of learning and developing a signature project that reflects how they’ve critically integrated their education under faculty guidance,” University President Jonathan Green said.

Students engaged with the campus community through poster and oral presentations of their research, music recitals and art exhibitions.

To stand or sit?

Emily Erdman ’25, of Mifflintown, Pennsylvania, and Katherine Ausmus ’25, of Bel Air, Maryland, both psychology majors, studied the impact of posture on attention and mood by asking 28 °”ÍűTV students to complete reading comprehension and mood assessments in sitting and standing positions. Results indicated the students performed better and reported a better mood when standing.

“There are big implications for classrooms or working professionally regarding the use of ergonomic desks and how that can positively affect productivity,” Ausmus said.

After graduation, Erdman will continue to Indiana University of Pennsylvania to pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology with plans to pursue a career in in-patient pediatric care. Ausmus will advance to West Chester University to earn a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling with plans to pursue a career treating adults with acute mental health needs.

One of these darters is not like the others 


Scott Milligan ’25, an earth & environmental sciences major from Alloway, New Jersey, made use of the nearby °”ÍűTV River to study darters for his senior capstone project.

Darters are small, colorful freshwater fish that are known for their quick, darting movements — hence the name. Several species of darters can be found in the °”ÍűTV River and its tributaries in Pennsylvania, but not all darters are created equal.

Tessellated darters are native to and the most common darters in the °”ÍűTV River. Their more aggressive cousin banded darters are native to the Mississippi River but were introduced into the °”ÍűTV in the 1960s.

“The Mississippi River is a more intense ecosystem, so banded darters are more aggressive than their tessellated counterparts, which likely affects their behavior,” Milligan said.

To investigate this, he used a mock stream channel system at °”ÍűTV’s Freshwater Research Institute. Each section contained two fish in three pair combinations: tessellated and tessellated, banded and banded, and tessellated and banded, and had four substrate sizes available, from gravel to large cobble, with preference of substrate size observed over a two-hour trial. Milligan’s research indicated that tessellated darters alter their behavior when in the presence of banded darters by hiding behind larger substrate, likely adversely impacting their access to food and mating.

After graduation, Milligan will join Edge Engineering & Science in Houston, Texas, as a protected species technician.

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Fernando Dysico ’26, a triple major in mathematical economics, international studies and history with a minor in finance, and James Gossert ’27, a political science major who minors in the Honors Program, represented Germany at both events and debated topics relevant to the Russia-Ukraine war.

“I love a great challenge, and having to navigate and compromise with other delegates to achieve my country’s own interests presented the perfect challenge to test all my relevant skills,” Dysico, a native of the Philippines, said. “I also enjoyed getting to know the actual people behind the mask, as each and every participant provided their own unique perspective, knowledge and skillset that made the entire simulation all the more exciting.”

In the February simulation, Gossert of Reading, Pennsylvania, and Dysico focused on Ukraine’s recovery efforts amid the Russian-Ukraine war. While Gossert spoke on behalf of Germany, Dysico engaged with other delegates to negotiate actions and compromises for passing resolutions. Midway through, the two switched roles.

To prepare for the competition, Gossert and Dysico reviewed policy briefs and approached the topic by placing themselves within the shoes of German EU delegates.

“The simulation gave me the responsibility of engaging in policy and foreign affairs research in which I had to articulate my views on complex, multifaceted issues,” Gossert said. “This required me to not only have a better grasp on international issues but also be able to effectively communicate my opinions on intricate issues.”

Gossert plans to study in Washington, D.C., during the fall 2025 semester, which he hopes will help him identify his professional path. Dysico is considering pursuing a doctorate in economics, a career in diplomacy or becoming a political or economic analyst. Both say they want to pursue careers that allow them to identify and solve problems.

“I consider myself lucky to be placed in a university such as SU where I can pursue my unique interdisciplinary interests,” Dysico said. “Regardless of what career I may end up in, this experience helped in developing a wide range of different skills.”

°”ÍűTV model EU simulations

A model EU simulation is an educational exercise in which participants role-play as representatives of European Union institutions, such as the European Commission, European Parliament, and the Council of the EU. They debate, negotiate and make decisions on simulated EU policies or legislation, mimicking the real-life decision-making process of the EU.

“These simulations not only educate students on the functions of the EU, but they also help students develop skills in critical thinking, public speaking, negotiation, cooperation and diplomacy,” said Nick Clark, department chair and professor of political science at °”ÍűTV, “which are all skills that are more crucial than ever in today’s polarized political landscape.”

The Mid-Atlantic European Union Simulation Consortium was created in 1993 with three institutions — Gettysburg College, Millersville University and °”ÍűTV — and only 34 students. Since then, more than 1,500 students have participated in the event, and °”ÍűTV is the only university to have participated in the simulation every year. During the most recent event, °”ÍűTV students represented leaders from Germany, France, Spain, Finland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, and visited the German, Finnish and Dutch embassies.

There were three configurations of the European Union Council that met as part of the simulation. Each one elected a best speaker to win the Jim Blessing Best Council Member Award, named after °”ÍűTV Emeritus Professor of Political Science Jim Blessing. Two °”ÍűTV students won two of the three Blessing awards: Dysico and Justin Weychert ’26, a double major in environmental studies and political science from Lansdale, Pennsylvania.

The University of Pittsburgh’s Undergraduate Model European Union is an annual event that gives students a chance to learn about the workings of the European Union through preparation for and participation in a hands-on two-day simulation.

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Briggs’ lecture explores retrograde amnesia, which occurs when a person is unable to remember things from before a brain injury or illness. Traditionally, scientists thought this happened because memories weren’t properly stored or stabilized; however, this idea doesn’t explain why some forgotten memories can be recovered with the right cues.

Briggs will discuss new research challenging the old theory, suggesting that the memories aren’t lost — just temporarily inaccessible.

Recipient of °”ÍűTV’s John C. Horn Award for Distinguished Scholarship and Creative Activity, Briggs’ scholarly interests in the environmental and neurobiological underpinnings of memory formation, memory retention and amnesia have resulted in several publications — including eight with undergraduate student co-authors.

Briggs earned his bachelor’s degree from West Liberty State College before going on to earn his master’s degree and doctorate from Kent State University.

The John C. Horn Award for Distinguished Scholarship and Creative Activity memorializes a former long-time member and chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the university. The award recognizes a faculty member for outstanding scholarship and conscientious service to the university, who is asked to present a public lecture in the following academic year.

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The Class: Anthropology of Surveillance, ANTH-301

The Professor: Shari Jacobson, sociology/anthropology

From cell phones to social media, rarely is there a moment when we are not under some form of surveillance. In the class Anthropology of Surveillance, students learn about the scope of surveillance and the methods that are used to collect information about and track everyday people, while also examining how constant surveillance affects individuals and society as a whole.

“Many of us have had that experience of saying something near our smart phone and an hour or two later noticing a related ad in a feed,” said Shari Jacobson, associate professor of anthropology and department head of sociology and anthropology. “We need to learn more about the degree to which our data are being scraped and then monetized — from our internet searches, our Ring doorbells, our ‘smart’ refrigerators, the license-plate readers we pass, the facial recognition technologies we consent to, the cell phone tower ‘pings’ we prompt, and the geofenced areas we enter — and decide whether all of this is appropriate for life in a democratic society.”

Students study specific topics of surveillance, such as personal privacy or surveillance in other countries, with the goal of learning how that topic relates to their personal lives. Students use the assigned readings and projects as resources while taking advantage of the small class size to facilitate discussions.

Jennifer Stahley ’25, an anthropology and history double major, said the course gave her the opportunity to engage in thought-provoking discussions about privacy, security and resistance strategies.

“My experience with this course will profoundly impact my academic and professional career,” Stahley said. “I’ll approach topics with a sharper lens for analyzing power dynamics, cultural implications and the ethical dimensions of systems and practices.”

Anthropology major Amanda Welde ’26, of Danville, Pennsylvania, found that the course expanded her critical thinking skills and knowledge base, and contributed to her decision to major in anthropology.

“We talked about all types of surveillance, but learning about how private companies collect our data to influence our actions changed how I view human behavior,” Welde said. “It led me to evaluate how my own choices have been shaped by corporate surveillance.”

Learn more about sociology and anthropology at °”ÍűTV.

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“Recent research on gender and politics argues that traditional ways of measuring gender — as simply male or female — are too simplistic,” Peterson said. “Some experts believe that when studying differences in outcomes like political ambition, we need a more refined approach to understanding gender.”

Peterson’s study, conducted in partnership with °”ÍűTV alumna Elizabeth Bosanko ’23 and Carl Palmer, of Illinois State University, explores how personality traits associated with gender, alongside gender identity, shape early interest in running for political office. The article, , was published in Political Research Quarterly.

The researchers analyzed survey data from 800 respondents, with women comprising 51.5% of the sample. They used the Bem Sex Roles Inventory to assess respondents’ identification with traits traditionally categorized as masculine, feminine or androgynous. This framework pairs traits like assertiveness, independence and dominance with masculinity; and nurturing, empathy and sensitivity with femininity.

Peterson’s team found that traits typically associated with femininity were linked to lower political ambition, while traits associated with masculinity significantly boosted political ambition, regardless of the respondent’s gender identity or sex.

“What is particularly notable about our findings is just how robust they were,” Peterson said. “Masculine traits, which are present in all people, strongly correlate with having thought about running for political office. It’s notable that while men scored slightly higher on masculine traits on average, the difference wasn’t large, and women also exhibited these traits.”

These results highlight the need for future research on political behavior to move beyond simplistic measures of gender and adopt more nuanced approaches, Peterson said. He is also interested in studying how different forms of encouragement — when and to whom it is offered — influence political ambition and how personality traits evolve across different life stages.

“There’s a clear difference between men and women when it comes to political ambition,” Peterson said. “Understanding this imbalance is critical, as it points to inequalities in opportunities and representation that extend to the country’s highest political positions.”

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