HARRISBURG, PA — On May 8, 1,082 students will graduate from Harrisburg University – and that means there are 1,082 reasons to be #HarrisburgProud.
This milestone is a reflection of our faculty’s dedication, talent, and commitment to student success. It’s also a glimpse into a brighter and more hopeful future for the Commonwealth and the country; by distinguishing themselves in their studies, these students have set themselves up for a lifetime of success in exciting and critical fields.
As we celebrate Commencement 2025 and the Twentieth Academic Year at Harrisburg University, let’s take a moment to feel gratitude for the incredible impact we have as a community.
To mark this historic day, a few members of the Class of 2025 have volunteered to share their stories with us. This is your day … and we couldn’t be more excited to share it with you! Congratulations to every 2025 HU Graduate!
Sydney Dawkins
Major: Interactive Media, User Experience Design Concentration
Plans After Graduation: My plan after graduation is to continue working my full-time position at Hershey Medical Center.
How has your time at HU helped you get to where you are now? My time at Harrisburg University has given me both the technical skills and the real-world experience I needed to grow as a UX Designer. From working on hands-on projects to collaborating with diverse teams, I’ve learned how to think critically, adapt quickly, and apply user-centered design principles in meaningful ways. The support from faculty and opportunities to work with real clients prepared me to confidently take the next steps in my career.
Is there anyone you would like to thank? I would like to thank my friends, family, and my beloved partner Zachary for always supporting me and my decisions even when I switched my major. My gratitude extends to my professors for their constant encouragement, valuable feedback, and for challenging me to push my creative boundaries.
Lydia DiEppa
Major: Interactive Media, Advanced Media Production Concentration
Plans After Graduation: I have been working full-time with Commonwealth of PA since “graduating” in December 2024.
How has your time at HU helped you get to where you are now? All the staff made my time at HU so enjoyable, from events to just chats in their offices or halls. The genuine care the staff has really pushed me to continue and stay passionate about what I love to do.
Is there anyone you would like to thank? I would like to thank Professor Palmer and Rebekah from Career Services for all their support and encouragement. They truly helped me out in my last semesters, and were the reason I applied to the internship that landed me a full-time job.
Camryn Hayward
Major: Advanced Manufacturing
Plans After Graduation: After graduation, I will be working for Voith Hydro, a company known for its contributions to hydropower and sustainable energy. I will likely be assembling scale models of hydraulic turbines and testing them in controlled lab environments.
How has your time at HU helped you get to where you are now? My time at HU has helped me develop skills related to every aspect of this job. In addition, my work on special projects, my internship, and my participation on the HU Aquaponics Team have been valuable in preparing me for my first full-time position in the industry.
Is there anyone you would like to thank? I am especially grateful to my family for their lifelong support; to my professors in the Advanced Manufacturing program, Professor Williams, Professor Zigner, and Professor Rissler, for their leadership, instruction, and mentoring; and to my classmates for everything we learned from each other through group projects and for making this journey so enjoyable.
Courtney Jacobs
Major: Esports Management, Production & Performance
Plans after graduation: After I graduate, I plan to continue developing and growing within the social media space, as well as continuing my journey in esports marketing.
How has your time at HU helped you get to where you are now? My time at HU helped me find a strong passion and identity for professional gaming and social media. Before I came to HU, I was struggling to identify what and who I wanted to be and what I wanted to do. At HU, I was able to gain different opportunities and experiences that helped shape who I am today.
Is there anyone you would like to thank? I would like to thank my wonderful parents for being there for me during my college journey. I would like to thank my boyfriend Safdar Jenkins, who was there with me from the very beginning and supported me through my academic career. Lastly, I’d like to thank my professors, Dr. Jennifer Metz and Tom Screech, because they were a very positive source of encouragement and mentorship for me, as well as helping me out with many opportunities.
Michelle Luna Victoria
Major: Business Administration, Digital Marketing Concentration
Plans after graduation: I will be working full-time as a Social Media Manager for Harrisburg University! I am excited to continue working with HU’s Marketing and Communications team and growing HU’s digital presence.
How has your time at HU helped you get to where you are now? Having previously gone to a large state school, going to a small school like HU has helped me in so many ways. I have been able to make connections with professors and staff, which connected me to opportunities such as creating our Admissions Instagram, @Go2HarrisburgU, and gaining real-life experience working with the university’s marketing department. Being able to share what HU has to offer, as well the amazing accomplishments of our students, has truly been the highlight of my time here. I’ve also been able to come out of my shell and meet such great people that have become mentors and friends.
Is there anyone you would like to thank? I have so many people I would love to thank, in no particular order. I would like to thank my Student Success Advisor, Jordan Lentz, for supporting me and helping me succeed academically. Going back to school was an adjustment, but her encouragement and guidance always made me feel confident in the decisions I was making for my academic path. I would also like to thank my Admissions Counselor, Brian Morris, as well as the Financial Aid Office, for making it possible for me to go back to school and continue to pursue my goals without the additional stress. The Counseling Center deserves special recognition as well, as they provided a safe place for students to navigate personal challenges so that they can continue to succeed in college. To HU’s Marketing and Communications team: from the start, you all made me feel welcome, supported, and never treated me like “just an intern.” Being trusted with my ideas and getting to take on real projects empowered me to be a better professional in the marketing field, and I am excited to continue to work with you all full-time. Last but not least, I would like to thank my family and friends here in Harrisburg and back home, for their endless support.
Melaija Marshall
Major: Integrative Sciences, Biology Concentration
Plans after graduation: After graduation, I plan to complete my internship over the summer, then move back home with my family and take a well-deserved break.
How has your time at HU helped you get to where you are now? My time at HU has helped me grow both socially and mentally. I’ve always been shy and reserved, but being here has opened me up to new friendships that I truly cherish. HU is all about challenging your understanding of complex topics and encouraging you to apply what you’ve learned to your everyday life. I’ve gained so much knowledge and had the privilege of learning from professors who genuinely want to see you succeed.
Is there anyone you would like to thank? I would personally like to thank Dr. Jackson and my family. Dr. Jackson has been incredibly supportive and understanding, and I wish him nothing but the best as I move forward. My family has been my biggest support system, pushing me to become a first-generation college graduate. Family means everything to me, and I can’t wait for them to see me walk across that stage. I’m excited to celebrate this huge milestone surrounded by so much love and support!
Bradlee Metzger
Major: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Plans after graduation: My current plans are to get an entry-level job in my field or as closely related as I can get. I have some potential opportunities with Johns Hopkins University working as an assistant primate keeper, another at Precise Labs Inc. working as an animal care technician for the United States Army, and at the Maryland Zoo working as a horticulturalist. After that, I plan on going for a master’s degree in either zoology, wildlife conservation, or entomology.
How has your time at HU helped you get to where you are now? I would not be the same man if I didn’t go to HU. HU has taught me so many skills and has reinforced so many preexisting ones. I have been given many opportunities that I never thought possible. I have found a passion for teaching, I have traveled out of the country, and I have been able to help so many people’s lives inadvertently by working at the university’s greenhouse and through my internship. It is really amazing to be a part of something bigger than yourself and to be able to help people. I would not have been able to do this if I didn’t go to HU.
Is there anyone you would like to thank? I would like to thank Dr. Rachel Fogle for taking the chance on me and seeing the potential that I had. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be able to be in the position I am now, working in the greenhouse and teaching. I would also like to thank Joseph Tetreault for being an amazing boss and always helping me when I needed help with advice involving work and post-graduation stuff. (As well as being a funny guy.) I would also thank Erica Ward for allowing me to branch off into other types of work such as lab safety. And finally, I want to thank the people at Experiential Learning for helping me make my resume look amazing for my future jobs that I am applying for. I would not have the job opportunities I have without them.
Nyicia Morgan
Major: Integrative Sciences, Biology Concentration
Plans after graduation: Take a gap year, then off to Med School in 2026.
How has your time at HU helped you get to where you are now? The intimate class sizes really helped me get the help I may have needed and engage with faculty like I may not have been able to do at other universities. Also, the time I spent on projects allowed me to do my own research and get familiar with the work and experience. Though it was hard sometimes, I really value that, as we can’t get the same experience at many larger schools.
Is there anyone you would like to thank? I would like to thank my mom, family, friend/roommate since freshman year in ROM 106 (Esther P), my advisor, Dr. Yiben Wang, and my academic advisor, Dr. Catherine Santai.
Gideon Olufemi-Ajayi
Major: Environmental Science & Sustainability
Plans After Graduation: Go into the workforce, could return to grad school a few years down the line.
How has your time at HU helped you get to where you are now? HU has helped shape me into the man I am today. I’ve gained meaningful experience in my field of study and learned from the best professors.
Is there anyone you would like to thank? Special thanks to Professor Fogle and Professor Sarvis; they’ve been very crucial to my academic and professional development.
Esther Popoola
Major: Biotechnology, Medical Biotechnology Concentration
Plans After Graduation: I plan to pursue a career in genetic counseling and continue building experience through research and patient care.
How has your time at HU helped you get to where you are now? My time at HU was deeply impactful, especially the opportunity to participate in hands-on research that challenged me. Serving as a student leader helped me connect with a diverse group of people and solidified my desire to work closely with others in a meaningful way. These experiences gave me the confidence to pursue my goals and affirmed my passion for a career in genetic counseling.
Is there anyone you would like to thank? I’d like to thank my professors, especially Dr. Maddox and the professors from the INSC program for their mentorship and support; my boss in the Admissions Office, Kelly Griffith, for her encouragement and guidance; and my incredible friends (shout out to Nyicia Morgan) and family who supported me through all the ups and downs.
Rosy Rivera
Major: Forensics, Crime Scene Investigation concentration
Plans after graduation: After graduation, I plan to go into the workforce.
How has your time at HU helped you get to where you are now? HU has equipped me with analytical skills, practical expertise, and problem-solving abilities that are essential for navigating my career and personal growth. It also fostered resilience, discipline, and valuable connections, laying the groundwork for opportunities ahead.
Is there anyone you would like to thank? I am thankful for family and friends for their support, as well as Professor Wise and Professor Yeakel for teaching me all I know!
Laura Silvers
Major: Advanced Manufacturing
Plans after graduation: Full-time job at First Level Inc., which specializes in manufacturing microelectronics.
How has your time at HU helped you get to where you are now? Going to Harrisburg University helped me gain the skills and experience I needed to get a full-time job straight out of college.
Is there anyone you would like to thank? I’d like to thank my aunt and uncle for helping me achieve my goals and my whole family for their support.
Thank you for sharing your stories with us! We can’t wait to see what you do with your skills and experience. Congratulations to these graduates as well as every member of the Harrisburg University Class of 2025!
ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY
Harrisburg University was recently recognized by US News & World Report as one of the nation’s most innovative colleges. HU is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is a private, nonprofit university offering bachelor’s and graduate degree programs in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, nursing, and other health science fields. For additional information about HU’s affordable, demand-driven undergraduate and graduate programs, please call 717.901.5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu. Stay updated by following Harrisburg University on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X (Twitter).
