UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Jessica Gorgas has been selected as the Penn State College of Education's student marshal for the summer 2019 commencement ceremony, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Aug. 10 at the Bryce Jordan Center on the University Park campus. Gorgas selected David Gamson, associate professor of education (education theory and policy), to escort her as the college’s faculty marshal.
Gorgas, from Glenshaw, will graduate from the Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate Program with a bachelor of science in education and public policy with minors in history and sociology, as well as a master of arts in education theory and policy. Gamson and Dana Mitra served as her academic advisers.
A member of the Schreyer Honors College, Gorgas was active during her time at Penn State, serving as as a D.C. Social Justice Fellow through the College of Education, a learning group leader at Shaver's Creek Outdoor School, and a resident assistant in an on-campus residence hall. She also was an active member of THON.
In addition to her work with the Shaver's Creek Outdoor School, she worked as a remote intern for a Schools of Opportunity project; a Nevins Fellow in Pittsburgh with the office of Mayor William Peduto and the Pittsburgh-based organization Art of Democracy; and as a unit counselor for Camp Conshatawba in Johnstown.
Gorgas also earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor awarded by the Girl Scouts of the United States of America. Her project with the Girl Scouts was focused on introducing young children to music by creating a concert designed specifically for preschool and elementary-aged children.
Gorgas' parents, Tim and Nancy; her younger brother, Donovan; and boyfriend, Kyler Sonney, all plan to attend the ceremony.
Following her graduation, Gorgas will be seeking a job in social service, advocacy and nonprofit work in the education field, with particular interest in social justice and equity issues.