Josh Maldonado-Santiago learned early on that nothing would ever be handed to him. From blue-collar beginnings in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, to the threshold of a Penn State degree and an officer’s commission in the U.S. Air Force, every success in Maldonado-Santiago’s life has been achieved through two guiding principles: hard work and sacrifice.

“Between Penn State and the military, I’m part of something bigger than I thought I would be,” said Maldonado-Santiago. “That’s a good feeling. I push myself so hard because I don’t want to lose it. I’ve come a long way to get where I’m at right now, and I’m not going to jeopardize it by slacking off.”

READ MORE about how Maldonado-Santiago has made the most of his Penn State experience to build a bright future serving his country at impact.psu.edu.