2017 ATHENA Young Professional Award Nominees
We are thrilled to introduce the four nominees for the prestigious ATHENA Young Professional Award. These women have accomplished amazing things both at their respective universities and in our community. Take a few minutes to learn more about each one of these shining stars. Congratulations to all four women on their nominations and to Katlyn Walters on being the 2017 award recipient!
2017 ATHENA Young Professional Nominees, Shannon Holley (Mercyhurst University), Katlyn Walters (Gannon University), Emily Widomski (Edinboro University), and Carolyn Tome (Penn State Erie, The Behrend College), pictured with Tom Kennedy, ATHENA Awards Luncheon Keynote Speaker and Past ATHENA Leadership Award recipient.
Photo Credit: Jennifer White, Acacia Studios
Emily Widomski, Edinboro University
Emily is a student of Edinboro University, whose hometown is Erie, Pennsylvania. Emily is pursuing a Bachelor Degree in Education where she maintains a 4.0 GPA. Emily has served over 45 Edinboro Universty students as a Resident Assistant. She has been responsible for student safety and academic success. Emily goes beyond the job responsibilities of an RA, where she has participated in a wide variety of training sessions pertaining to students on the Autism spectrum, Black Lives Matter, cultural competency, counseling skills, assertiveness and confrontation skills. She has also served in the Exercise Science Club and as Vice President for Health and Physical Education Majors Club. Her involvement with Middle Level and Secondary Education Club has included serving as both Treasurer and President for this notable student organization. Her future plans include entering the Physical Therapy or Chiropractic Rehabilitation profession and continuing to share her passion for fitness, health, and personal excellence with others.
Emily is a student of Edinboro University, whose hometown is Erie, Pennsylvania. Emily is pursuing a Bachelor Degree in Education where she maintains a 4.0 GPA. Emily has served over 45 Edinboro Universty students as a Resident Assistant. She has been responsible for student safety and academic success. Emily goes beyond the job responsibilities of an RA, where she has participated in a wide variety of training sessions pertaining to students on the Autism spectrum, Black Lives Matter, cultural competency, counseling skills, assertiveness and confrontation skills. She has also served in the Exercise Science Club and as Vice President for Health and Physical Education Majors Club. Her involvement with Middle Level and Secondary Education Club has included serving as both Treasurer and President for this notable student organization. Her future plans include entering the Physical Therapy or Chiropractic Rehabilitation profession and continuing to share her passion for fitness, health, and personal excellence with others.
Katlyn Walters, Gannon University
*2017 ATHENA Young Professional Award Recipient
Katlyn is a graduate of Gannon University whose hometown is Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Katlyn served as the president of Students Against Violence Everywhere, where one of her duties was to educate new students about sexual and power-based violence. Under her leadership, SAVE organized large community initiatives to educate the public about violence, including Take Back the Night and the Walk to End Violence. She volunteered for Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority and Ichthi (which is a Catholic Faith Sharing Group). Katlyn has made the most of her learning opportunities while at Gannon, in addition to Katlyn receiving a B.S. in Psychology she also took advantage of international learning experiences studying in Thailand and Poland. Her future goals include obtaining a Ph.D. so that she can continue to educate and serve others.
*2017 ATHENA Young Professional Award Recipient
Katlyn is a graduate of Gannon University whose hometown is Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Katlyn served as the president of Students Against Violence Everywhere, where one of her duties was to educate new students about sexual and power-based violence. Under her leadership, SAVE organized large community initiatives to educate the public about violence, including Take Back the Night and the Walk to End Violence. She volunteered for Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority and Ichthi (which is a Catholic Faith Sharing Group). Katlyn has made the most of her learning opportunities while at Gannon, in addition to Katlyn receiving a B.S. in Psychology she also took advantage of international learning experiences studying in Thailand and Poland. Her future goals include obtaining a Ph.D. so that she can continue to educate and serve others.
Shannon Holley, Mercyhurst University
Shannon is a graduate of Mercyhurst University, whose hometown is Oakdale, PA. Shannon boasted a 3.85 GPA at Mercyhurst while balancing the demands of double majoring in Music and Music Education. While at Mercyhurst she earned many formal titles including president of Student Government, president of the Mercyhurst chapter of the National Association for Music Educators, co-chair of the Mercyhurst Laker Leader and iMU Orientation program, just to name a few. Shannon has focused her talents on bettering herself for the sake of bettering others. She takes every opportunity to make a positive change in her community which is exemplified by the more than 20 community service efforts and dozen leadership roles while at Mercyhurst. Her future plans include working as a teacher in Erie County.
Shannon is a graduate of Mercyhurst University, whose hometown is Oakdale, PA. Shannon boasted a 3.85 GPA at Mercyhurst while balancing the demands of double majoring in Music and Music Education. While at Mercyhurst she earned many formal titles including president of Student Government, president of the Mercyhurst chapter of the National Association for Music Educators, co-chair of the Mercyhurst Laker Leader and iMU Orientation program, just to name a few. Shannon has focused her talents on bettering herself for the sake of bettering others. She takes every opportunity to make a positive change in her community which is exemplified by the more than 20 community service efforts and dozen leadership roles while at Mercyhurst. Her future plans include working as a teacher in Erie County.
Carolyn Tome, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College
Carolyn is a student of Penn State Erie, The Behrend College whose hometown is Erie, PA. Carolyn is a senior and is pursuing a major in Communications. Carolyn is the Executive Director of the Lion Entertainment Board, the student run group whose focus is creating events as an alternative to drinking on the weekends. She is also a member of Gamma Sigma Sigma, the Service Sorority on campus, Carolyn has participated in many service efforts, including Alex’s Lemonade Stand, the American Cancer Society, the American Red Cross, M.A.D.D., the March of Dimes, and many others. Carolyn strives to make Behrend a better place for current and future students. Her future plans include looking for positions in the public relations/event planning realm. Ideally, to work for an organization that host events and fundraisers for the community.
Carolyn is a student of Penn State Erie, The Behrend College whose hometown is Erie, PA. Carolyn is a senior and is pursuing a major in Communications. Carolyn is the Executive Director of the Lion Entertainment Board, the student run group whose focus is creating events as an alternative to drinking on the weekends. She is also a member of Gamma Sigma Sigma, the Service Sorority on campus, Carolyn has participated in many service efforts, including Alex’s Lemonade Stand, the American Cancer Society, the American Red Cross, M.A.D.D., the March of Dimes, and many others. Carolyn strives to make Behrend a better place for current and future students. Her future plans include looking for positions in the public relations/event planning realm. Ideally, to work for an organization that host events and fundraisers for the community.