Clark Scholars Alumni

Cohort 1

Emily Baker

Emily Baker is from West Chester, Pennsylvania. She enjoys reading, cooking, watching TV shows and movies, and traveling. Baker will earn a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering and a minor in entrepreneurship and innovation. In the summer of 2022, Baker interned at Schramm, Inc. as a CAD design engineer intern. During the summer of 2023, she interned at Intel Corporation as a process engineer intern in Phoenix. After graduation, Baker will join Intel in Arizona as a full-time process engineer. During her time at Penn State, Baker studied abroad in Como, Italy; participated in THON; and served in the Engineering Ambassadors program.

Advice for Clark Scholars: "Take advantage of all this program and Penn State have to offer. Step outside of your comfort zone and challenge yourself. The four years will go by so much faster than you think. Embrace the journey. Stay curious. Stay passionate. Study hard. But don't forget to have fun along the way."

Matthew Cimafranca 

Matthew Cimafranca is from Queens, New York. He enjoys reading, visiting museums, and traveling. Cimafranca will earn a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering and a minor in entrepreneurship and innovation. In the summer of 2002, he completed an internship at Volvo Group as a base engine intern. During the summer of 2023, Cimafranca interned at DOW Chemical as a hardware discipline engineer. Upon graduation, Cimafranca will continue with DOW Chemical as a hardware discipline engineer in Houston. During his time at Penn State, Cimafranca studied abroad in Lima, Peru and Berlin, Germany and held various general body and executive board member roles in the Multicultural Engineering Program, National Society of Black Engineers, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, and the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers.

Advice for Clark Scholars: "My advice for Clark Scholars is that everything happens for a reason and to figure out what that reason is if you don't know it. I believe that there are qualities about us that made us Clark Scholars and things that we are passionate about that we can further pursue."

Alexis Collins

Alexis Collins is from Bel Alton, Maryland. She will earn a bachelor of science in aerospace engineering and a minor in entrepreneurship and innovation. In the summer of 2022, she participated in an internship at Clark Construction as a summer associate in Baltimore, Maryland. During the summer of 2023, Collins interned with Pratt & Whitney as a hot section design engineer in Hartford, Connecticut. Upon graduation, Collins will join Pratt & Whitney's position rotational program as a hot section design engineer in West Palm Beach, Florida. During her time at Penn State, she studied abroad in Peru and was involved with Engineering Ambassadors and the College of Engineering  Engineering Student Tour and Resources group.

Advice for Clark Scholars: "Take advantage of the community aspect of the Clark Scholars Program as much as you can. I have met lifelong best friends from this program and our support of one another has truly impacted each of our individual successes.  

Emmanuel Hernandez

Emmanuel Hernandez is from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. His hobbies include reading, exercising, and playing video games. Hernandez will earn a bachelor of science in computer engineering major. He participated in a research program at Georgia State University doing 360-degree video processing for object capture during the summer of 2022.

Advice for Clark Scholars: "Start your minor requirements early and make sure you are on top of your gen-eds. If you need help with anything, reach out to your fellow scholars, especially older scholars because they have probably already experienced what you are experiencing now." 

Leeann Runkle

Leeann Runkle is from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Her hobbies include painting, reading, and LEGO® building. She will earn a bachelor of science in biomedical engineering. Runkle participated in research at Penn State for four years working in the Regenerative Engineering Lab. In the summer of 2022, she interned at Corning, Inc., working as a manufacturing technology and innovation intern. Upon graduation, Runkle will continue her education at Penn State by pursuing a master's degree in biomedical engineering. While at Penn State, she attended the Northeast Clark Scholars Program Conference; studied abroad in Lugano, Switzerland, working on designing an app with international teams; and was involved with the Engineering Peer Advising Leaders program and Engineering Leadership Society.

Advice for Clark Scholars: "Don't be afraid to ask for help. You might feel shame or embarrassment for needing help, but there are so many people at Penn State and beyond that are want to help, you just have to be brave enough to ask."

Jimmy Sek

Jimmy Sek is from Lansdowne, Pennsylvania. His hobbies include traveling, film photography, watching movies/shows, and fashion. He will earn a bachelor of science in industrial engineering. Sek participated in an internship at UPS in Seattle as an industrial engineer intern to calculate a return on investment by reducing premium service provider hours during the summer of 2022. Sek also participated in an internship at Accenture in New York City as a consulting development program analyst to perform learning modernization for a utilities client by building administrative documents during the summer of 2023. Post graduation, Sek plans to continue working for Accenture as an analyst in New York City. Sek studied abroad in Como, Italy where he learned about cross-cultural engagement and technical presentations. On campus, Sek was involved in The Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers, The National Society of Black Engineers, The Multicultural Engineering Program and The Blueprint Peer Mentoring Program. Some positions that he held were Vice-President, Treasurer, Communications Chair, Parliamentarian, and Lead Mentor.

Advice for Clark Scholars: "You made the sandwich. If you don't like the taste of the sandwich you made at Subway, just remember that YOU chose the ingredients. This quote should be an analogy for how you should utilize the resources and network provided by the Clark Scholars Program."

Khalil Stroman

Khalil Stroman is from Philadelphia. His hobbies include cooking, coding, and traveling. Stroman will earn a bachelor of science in computer science. During the summers of 2023 and 2022, Stroman interned as a data analyst at USPS OIG and PwC, respectively. While at Penn State, Stroman was active as an executive board member of the National Society of Black Engineers as the Conference Planning Chair.

Advice for Clark Scholars: "Don't forget that your extracurriculars can be just as important as your academics in college. Take advantage of all the opportunities you are given."

Summer Walker

Summer Walker is from Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Her hobbies include painting, rock climbing, and hiking. Walker will earn a bachelor of science in electrical engineering. In the summer of 2021, Walker worked for Clark Construction, LLC as an engineering intern. In 2022, she interned with Eaton Corporation as a power systems controls intern. Walker interned with Pepco Holdings in 2023 as a substation engineering intern. These experiences exposed Walker to the operations, strategic planning, workforce management, environmental impacts, and industry protocols involved when handling large-scale power systems. Upon graduation, Walker plans to continue working for Pepco as an engineer in Washington, D.C. During her time at Penn State, she has been involved with the National Society of Black Engineers as the 2023 major events director, the College of Engineering Diversity Roundtable as the 2022 and 2023 facilitator, and the Multicultural Engineering Program as a program coordinator in 2023.

Advice for Clark Scholars: "Try to find community within your cohort (as well as the others) and don't wait until it's too late to ask for help. As a Clark Scholar and Penn State student there are so many opportunities available for you to develop a skill, meet new people, try for a leadership position, or participate in events/programs. This can be very overwhelming, especially while trying to manage your coursework as well. Dr. Griggs is there to be a resource but so is your cohort. You can find the most loyal and genuine people if you are receptive to it. Additionally, on campus there are people whose sole purpose is to support you academically, professionally, mentally, or emotionally. Use those resources and ask for help right when you know you need it. It's ok to not know how to do something or admit you are struggling, but it's worse to recognize that and do nothing."

Gisselle Zuniga

Gisselle Zuniga is from Long Beach, California. She will earn a bachelor of science in civil engineering and a minor in entrepreneurship and innovation. Some of my hobbies include traveling and cooking. In the summer of 2022, Zuniga interned for Atknison Construction in Southern California as a structural engineer and in the summer of 2023, she interned for Kiewit Infrastructure in Chicago as a field engineer. Zuniga studied abroad in Peru where she immersed herself into the culture and learned more about some of the struggles faced in Peru. During her time at Penn State, Zuniga was involved in the Multicultural Engineering Program, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, and the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers. Upon graduation, she will be working full time as a field engineer with Kiewit Infrastructure in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Advice for Clark Scholars: "Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Do not get complacent, and always challenge yourself. Say yes to all opportunities and always look at the bright side. Remember to give back to your community and be grateful for the life-changing experience you have been given. Look out for your fellow Clark Scholars because these people will quickly become your family."

Cohort 2

Sarah Aikey

Sarah Aikey is originally from Milton. Aikey will earn a bachelor of science in chemical engineering. Her hobbies include reading, drawing, and hiking. During the fall of 2024, Aikey completed a co-op rotation with Phillips. During her time at Penn State, Aikey was a member of the Chemical Engineering Society. 

Advice for Clark Scholars: "College is a marathon, not a sprint. Don't forget to breathe and pace yourself. It's the moments when you feel like quitting that make the finish line worth crossing."

Jessi Altiero  

Jessi Altiero is from Northeastern Pennsylvania. Altiero will receive a bachelor of science in industrial engineering and a minor in engineering leadership development. She was a co-op student at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, where she inspected nuclear power plants and led a study on human factors using digital systems. On campus, Altiero served as president of Penn State Women in Nuclear, and she organized outreach events at the Penn State Breazeale Nuclear Reactor. She was also a member of Alpha Pi Mu, the industrial engineering honors society. Altiero studied abroad in Peru and Switzerland with a focus in the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. After graduation, Altiero will continue her work with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. 

Advice for Clark Scholars: "This part of your life is a postage stamp, so be sure to make it as fun, colorful, and full of life as you can!"

Tyler Hazlett

Tyler Hazlett is from Tamaqua, Pennsylvania. He will earn a bachelor of science in industrial engineering and a minor in entrepreneurship and innovation. At Penn State, Hazlett was involved in several clubs, including Club Golf, Ski Club, the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers, and the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, where he served as treasurer and vice president. He was also a Penn State THON chair, the world's largest student-run philanthropy benefiting pediatric cancer. For the past three summers, Hazlett participated in a study abroad program in Peru and completed an internship at Aurora Contractors as a field engineer and an internship as a project engineer with Skanska. 

Advice for Clark Scholars: "You live to learn, and you learn to live. Never be scared to take chances and try new things."

Stella Kibinda 

Stella Kibinda is from York, Pennsylvania. Kibinda will earn a bachelor of science in biomedical engineering with a minor in entrepreneurship and innovation. Kibinda participated in study abroad programs in Peru, South Korea, and Italy. Kibinda served as the previous programs chair and secretary for the National Society of Black Engineers, vice president and president of the Mighty Mu Eta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated, lead mentor for the Multicultural Engineering Program Orientation, and previous service chair and vice president for the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Kibinda has participated in research under Dr. Esther Gomez's lab, focusing on how the mechanical properties of a cell's environment influence histone modifications during epithelial-mesenchymal transition, which has resulted in her being a co-author for a published manuscript. Looking ahead, she is excited about continuing her studies to obtain a doctoral degree in biomedical engineering. She is eager to delve deeper into research, contribute to scientific advancements, and ultimately, drive the development of technologies that can revolutionize health care for the better. 

Advice for Clark Scholars: "Do not live in regret while in college. Do everything you are interested in, even if it is not in your realm. Do not pass up any opportunity and use your network to the max!"

Julia Kline  

Julia Kline is from Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Kline will earn her bachelor of science in engineering science; minors in engineering design, engineering leadership development; and engineering mechanics; and a certificate in international engineering. Kline completed five study abroad opportunities in various countries: South Africa, Italy, South Korea, Denmark, and Australia. During the summer of 2023, Kline interned with Ametek Hunter Spring as a mechanical engineering intern. During the summer of 2024, Kline interned with Oshkosh JLG as an Aftermarket Operations Intern. At Penn State, Kline was involved in biomedical ethics research through the Wagner Group, Penn State THON, Engineering Ambassadors, ESTARs, EON, and Club Cheerleading. Upon graduation, she will work full time to make magic through Walt Disney World Imagineering in Orlando, Florida. 

Advice for Clark Scholars: "Make the most of every opportunity during these four short years of college; before you know it, they'll be over, so fill them with memories you'll treasure forever."

Charles Nino

Charles Nino is from Roxbury, New Jersey. His hobbies include going to the gym, playing lacrosse, painting, and learning different instruments.  Nino will earn a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering. He was a member of the executive board for his fraternity and was involved with Penn State THON as a primary chair. In summer 2023, Nino participated in an internship at ALO Labs in New Jersey, where he practiced design and development with 3D models. In summer 2024, Nino completed a project management internship. 

Advice for Clark Scholars: "Winners never quit, and quitters never win."

Obiutodike Nnabugwu

Obiutodike Nnabugwu is from Baltimore City, Maryland. She will earn a bachelor of science in biomedical engineering with a concentration in medical imaging and devices and a minor in entrepreneurship and innovation. Nnabugwu was involved on campus as an Engineering Ambassador, teaching K-12 students about engineering through workshops; an EnviornMentor, where she mentored local high school students interested in STEM research, and undergraduate research. Since her second year, Nnabugwu had been investigating the effects of alcohol binge drinking on somatostatin expression in aged mice under the supervision of Dr. Nikki Crowley. She spent her summers abroad, participating in paid research experiences at Virginia Commonwealth University and Penn State. At Penn State, Nnabugwu studied abroad in Lima, Peru, and Como, Italy. She traveled to Kisumu, Kenya, to investigate potential ways to create a supplementary income for boda boda(motorcycle) drivers through soot production and repurposing. She completed an international internship in Grenoble, France, where she contributed to patient-specific computer models and simulations of the human tongue affected by tongue cancer. 

Advice for Clark Scholars: "Stay true to yourself no matter what, mistakes will happen, but don't let them break you, and live it up."

Hemin Rana

Hemin Rana is from Passaic, New Jersey. Rana will receive a bachelor of science in civil engineering with minors in engineering leadership development and entrepreneurship and innovation. He participated in the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers, the South Asian Student Association, and the American Society of Civil Engineers, enriching his campus life and professional network. Rana's academic journey was enhanced by studying abroad in diverse places such as Lima, Peru; Seoul, South Korea; Leeds, United Kingdom; Johannesburg, South Africa; San Sebastian, Spain; and Sydney, Australia. These experiences broadened his educational perspectives and deepened his appreciation for global engineering challenges and cultural exchange. 

Advice for Clark Scholars: "Take every shot you get, whether it’s a project, a trip, or just meeting new people. You never know what’ll change your path. Be curious, stay grounded, and back yourself."

Grace Wagner

Grace Wagner is from Port Matilda, Pennsylvania. Her hobbies include enjoying the outdoors, birdwatching, and spending time with her family and many pets. Wagner majored in Computational Data Science and minored in Engineering Leadership Development and Mathematics. During the summer of 2024, she participated in an internship at PPL where she worked on the distribution asset investment strategy team. After graduation, Wagner will join the PPL team in a business analyst role. 

Advice for Clark Scholars: "Figure out what your priorities are and always stand up for them. Prioritizing yourself, your priorities, and your needs is not selfish; it is healthy and necessary."

Jiabao Zhao

Jiabao Zhao will receive a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering and graduate from the Schreyer Honors College.  After graduation, Zhao will work with Dr. Kovalenko on the application of artificial intelligence in robotics as a research assistant at Penn State. During his time as an undergraduate, Zhao published a research paper "DESIGN OF HUMMINGBIRD-INSPIRED DRONE WITH TENSEGRITY STRUCTURE“ under Dr. Bo Cheng. In addition to research, he also had an internship with PennDOT on an autonomous driving system. Zhao served as the vice president of the Asian Student Fitness Club. In his free time, Zhao likes to play basketball, listen to music, and work out. 

Advice for Clark Scholars: "There is no substitute of hard work."