2025 Alumni Achievement Award Recipients 

This award aims to recognize individuals who embody the spirit of Penn State Lehigh Valley by demonstrating excellence in their fields, displaying a commitment to community service, and upholding the values of our esteemed institution.

Marline Francois-Madden

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Dr. Marline Francois-Madden is a nationally recognized thought leader, Assistant Professor at Morgan State University, bestselling author of The State of Black Girls, licensed therapist, speaker, and researcher. She has over 18 years of experience in the mental health field and has become a sought-after expert in adolescent mental health and racial identity. Dr. Marline has shared her expertise at dozens of universities, colleges, community organizations, churches, and conferences. Mindfully intersecting the connections between black girls, policy, and mental health, Dr. Marline is a pivotal force who makes it her mission to create equity in black mental health with the astute awareness that equity and equality are not the same things. Dr. Marline holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Penn State University and a Master of Social Work from Rutgers University-Newark. She completed her Ph.D. in Family Sciences and Human Development at Montclair State University. She was named the 2020 Social Worker of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers and was recently honored on a Forbes Next 1000 List of Entrepreneurs. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Essence, ABC, CBS, WebMD, and dozen of media platforms regarding her expertise on the psychological well-being of youth. Dr. Marline is actively involved in her community and serves as a board member for several youth organizations. She resides in New Jersey with her husband and son.

Georgia Gonzalez '21

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Georgia Gonzalez has been making the most of her Penn State education and affiliation since graduating in 2021 from Penn State Lehigh Valley with a B.S. in Business Management and Marketing with a minor in Corporate Communications.

While a student at Penn State Lehigh Valley, Georgia interned with Sanofi (Contract Management Team). She also was active in on-campus activities, serving as President for the local Blue & White Society, Social Media Chair for Penn State Lehigh Valley Benefiting THON, and on the Campus Activities Board. She was honored with the Outstanding Student in Marketing/Management Award and as a graduation keynote speaker by the Fé Foundation, a community development initiative of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of the Lehigh Valley.

Georgia’s previous work experience includes participation in the inaugural cohort of the American Eagle Outfitters: AE Live Influencer program and working as a Social Media Specialist for Penn State Lehigh Valley from 2021-2023.

In her current role as the Social Media Manager for Penn State Outreach, Georgia leads social strategy, promotes digital storytelling, and monitors analytics for @psuoutreach on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. She manages the Outreach editorial calendar, creates multimedia content (graphics, photography, video, blogs) with an emphasis on accessibility and inclusivity, mentors student interns, and provides social media consultation for 20+ Outreach-affiliated accounts across Penn State.

A first-generation college graduate, Georgia still calls the Lehigh Valley home and is proud to represent the region through her work and continued studies at Penn State. Her role allows her to engage her passion for mentoring students and using social media as a tool for storytelling, community building, and accessibility. She is on-track to finish her Master’s in Marketing Analytics & Insights in 2026.

Dan Jalosinski ’20

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Dan Jalosinski graduated from Penn State Lehigh Valley in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Information Sciences and Technology and a minor in Security and Risk Analysis. He was recognized as the Outstanding Student of the Graduating Class by the College of IST, completing his degree with a perfect 4.0 GPA. During his time at Penn State Lehigh Valley, he was deeply engaged in campus life. He served as an assistant coach for the Men’s Varsity Basketball Team, mentored fellow students through his involvement in leadership programs such as Student Government and New Student Orientation, and was a finalist in the Fleming Institute Business Ethics Bowl Debates. His academic excellence was matched by his commitment to building community and representing the values of Penn State through leadership and service. Since graduation, Dan has built a career at the intersection of cybersecurity, data science, and artificial intelligence. He is currently Cyber Analytics Manager at Kenvue (formerly Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health), where he leads enterprise-wide analytics and AI initiatives to mitigate cybersecurity risks across insider threat, third-party risk, and AI security. His professional achievements include launching Kenvue’s AI Security Program, developing patented approaches to third-party risk management, and spearheading programs to enhance enterprise-wide resilience against evolving threats. Beyond his corporate career, Dan remains actively involved with Penn State. He serves on the Penn State Lehigh Valley IT and Cybersecurity Advisory Board, as well as the Business & Technology Advisory Council, helping to guide curriculum and mentor the next generation of Penn Staters entering the technology and security fields. A proud alumnus, Dan credits Penn State with shaping both his professional trajectory and his lifelong commitment to leadership, ethics, and innovation.

Saschelle Mandoza

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Saschelle Mandoza is a proud graduate of Penn State Lehigh Valley, Class of 2020, where her time as a student shaped not only her education but also her outlook on life. She often reflects on how the supportive campus community, encouragement from mentors, and opportunities to grow both academically and personally truly changed and even saved her life in more ways than one.

During her second-to-last semester of senior year, Saschelle was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer, a challenge that tested her strength, faith, and determination. Despite facing several surgeries and long periods of bed rest, she persevered by switching to online classes full time to complete her degree. Her resilience and leadership were recognized when she was chosen as the Penn State Lehigh Valley Class of 2020 Commencement Speaker, a moment that symbolized not only her academic achievement but also her courage in the face of adversity.

A breast cancer survivor, Saschelle has since turned her journey into a mission to inspire and uplift others. She is a published author, entrepreneur, and advocate for breast cancer warriors and survivors, as well as the founder and owner of Journey’s Quote Candles, a business dedicated to spreading light, love, and encouragement. Looking ahead, she is preparing to launch her second business, expanding her reach as both a creator and community leader.

Resilient, compassionate, and purpose-driven, Saschelle continues to live her life as a beacon of hope. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance, the importance of faith, and the ability to turn even life’s hardest battles into opportunities to inspire and empower others.

Kat McKitish 

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Kathleen “Kat” McKitish’s journey with Penn State began in 2006 at Penn State Lehigh Valley, continuing a proud family tradition. From the outset, Kat demonstrated a deep commitment to student engagement, becoming actively involved in THON and ultimately representing PSULV as a dancer in 2008. Her dedication to the Nittany Lion spirit extended beyond THON, as she served as a Lion Ambassador and supported her peers as an on-campus mathematics tutor. In 2010, Kat returned to PSULV to walk the commencement stage, earning a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

Following graduation, Kat relocated to Baltimore to begin her engineering career at Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE), where she focused on the design and maintenance of the electric transmission system. Over the next decade, she advanced professionally, becoming a technical expert in underground cable systems. During this time, she remained closely connected to Penn State, returning to campus as a recruiter for career fairs and continuing her involvement with THON through Hope Express and various Alumni Association activities.

In 2021, Kat embraced a series of transformative changes, including a move to Chicago, a new role at Commonwealth Edison (ComEd), and enrollment in graduate school. She earned a Master of Engineering in Data Analytics from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2023 and was subsequently promoted to Principal Engineer at ComEd.

In her current role, Kat leads investigations into failures within the underground distribution system and identifies opportunities for system and material improvements. She continues to embody the Nittany Lion spirit by mentoring early-career engineers and interns, and by actively participating in community outreach through volunteer initiatives and STEM education programs.

Outside of work, Kat enjoys exploring her new city, experimenting with new crafts, and spending time with family. She remains deeply connected to the Lehigh Valley, frequently returning to visit loved ones, most visits spent chasing after her two energetic nephews.

Noah Nealon 

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Noah is a 2016 graduate earning a degree in Finance and Minor of Economics from Smeal College of Business at University Park. Noah began his Penn State journey at Lehigh Valley as a first-generation college student after graduating from local Nazareth High School in 2012. While at the Lehigh Valley campus Noah became deeply involved in THON and was selected as 1 of the 2 dancers to represent the campus as a freshman. His sophomore year he was elected to be the THON Chair for the campus, and helped push the then fundraising record to $46k. Noah stayed involved with THON at University Park the following year as the Commonwealth Finance Liaison helping coordinate all incoming donations from the various campuses, and remained a Finance Captain senior year helping coordinate all incoming donations from the various University Park organizations participating in THON. While attending the Lehigh Valley campus Noah maintained a part-time job at Foot Locker, and upon graduating from University Park began his corporate career with them based out of their Harrisburg Office working with the accounting and finance team. A year later Noah relocated to their global headquarters in New York City and continued his career growth. Through COVID until today Noah is still based out of New York City but enjoys working remotely back in his hometown of Nazareth as a member of their Market Planning team focused on real estate development across North America. 
  
 Once Noah came back to the Lehigh Valley, he was eager to get more involved and now serves as a member of the campus Advisory Board. Noah enjoys staying connected to the campus, the university, and most importantly the students. Noah routinely participates in events held on campus and in the community such as the Young Alumni Networking Events and Food Shelter Volunteer Opportunities. Noah still stays connected to THON by supporting the Dance For A Cure event held each year and even maintains contact with the THON Family sponsored by Lehigh Valley from when he was a student. This past year Noah also partnered with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) to further support the cause in memory of his mother, Lisa, who passed away in 2016 shortly after he graduated. Noah is also a strong advocate for mental health after experiencing first-hand the effects of depression in the years that followed his mother’s passing. Noah is devout in his faith which he credits his recovery to and greatly values his family and friends who were there for him along the way. 
  
Outside of his involvement with various causes, Noah enjoys volunteering as a Freshman Football Coach at his alma-mater Nazareth, which he has done for the past 5 years. He routinely makes the drive out to state college to tailgate for football games utilizing the season tickets he has held since graduating. Noah prioritizes his health by staying active and takes advantage of any opportunity to be outside. He tries to squeeze in as many beach trips as possible over the summer, and on certain sunny days you may even catch him out and about riding his motorcycle. Noah keeps in touch with many of the friends he made while at Penn State, and even a few faculty and staff. Noah champions the Lehigh Valley campus as being a unique place where one can foster such long-lasting relationships. 
 
 

See past winners here