12 minute read
Professional Pathways
Bridging Communication and Advocacy: A Student’s LVC Journey
Many factors come into play when choosing a college, including academics, campus life, and career preparation. For Emma Saylor ’26, LVC stood out as the perfect fit for her ambitions.
“I focused on finding a five-year Speech-Language Pathology program during my college application process,” she recalls. “I was interested in LVC, Duquesne, La Salle, and Marywood University. But after touring the campuses and meeting professors, I felt LVC was the most holistic in its mission to support students in all capacities.” The College’s proximity to home was a bonus, enabling her to stay connected to family while experiencing the independence of campus life.
Saylor’s passion for Speech-Language Pathology was sparked during high school. “In my junior year, my three-year-old nephew received speech and behavioral services. I loved the idea of working with kids like him who needed a different type of support system.”
However, her academic journey took an unexpected turn when she enrolled in Race in the 21st Century, a First-Year Experience course taught by Dr. Catherine Romagnolo, Professor of English and Director of Social Justice and Civic Engagement.
“That class changed everything for me. I knew I needed to learn more about social justice.” What began as curiosity soon became a second major. “I kept taking courses in Social Justice and Civic Engagement, and at one point, I realized I was only a few credits away from completing the major. It was one of the best decisions I made.”
These two areas of study have deeply influenced her career aspirations.
“Cultural competency and rapport building are essential in my field,” Saylor explains. “Through my social justice courses, I’ve developed communication techniques that help me connect with people from different backgrounds. This skill set will be invaluable when working with speech patients.”
Her internship at Penn Medicine’s Lancaster General Health reinforced this perspective. “ Dr. Jeff Robbins, Professor of Religion, mentioned the opportunity and connected me with my on-site advisor, Hattie McCarter. From the start, the team welcomed me and gave me space to develop my skills.” She attended meetings and trainings and participated in a research project.
The experience opened her eyes to the challenges marginalized communities face in accessing healthcare. “I became much more aware of the barriers underserved populations face—socioeconomic status, housing, education, and language. All these factors influence healthcare access.”
Looking ahead, Saylor is committed to making a difference.
“I have interests in many career settings, but one thing is certain—I want to work with underserved populations, particularly those in lower socioeconomic communities.”
At LVC, she found not just a College, but a platform to bridge communication and advocacy—turning passion into purpose.
DiMatteo Holsinger Grant, Breen Center Lead Student to Texas
Choosing a college is often a critical step in shaping one’s future. For Edward Zellner ’25, LVC provided the perfect combination of academic excellence and athletic opportunities. “I found LVC while being recruited by Tim Mehl ’09 (Assistant Coach) and Charlie Grimes (Head Coach) to play goalie on the Men’s Soccer team. “I didn’t want to go to a big school, but rather a smaller one where the professors knew who I was.” Beyond athletics, LVC’s intimate class sizes, strong Economics program, and inviting campus sealed the deal.
“I enrolled as an Economics major, and after taking the required classes, I saw how important Business Administration could be to my résumé and degree,” said Zellner, who soon added the second major and a minor in Accounting. “My advisors told me what courses to take and how to fit them into my schedule. Without them, I wouldn’t have been able to complete two majors and a minor.”
The rigorous coursework also helped refine crucial skills such as communication and presentation. “I was always shy, but throughout my years at LVC, I embraced uncomfortable situations and learned to present effectively in front of a classroom.”
Zellner’s professional trajectory took a major leap with an internship at USAA in Texas, facilitated by LVC’s Edward and Lynn Breen Center for Career and Professional Development.
“Wally (Walter “Wally” Choplick ’12) helped me prepare a standout résumé. I also had a mock interview that was incredibly useful.” Securing the DiMatteo Holsinger grant (Steven J. and Wendie DiMatteo Holsinger Internship Fund) made it possible to intern at USAA’s San Antonio headquarters. “Every dollar helps when moving across the country, and I encourage all students to apply for these grants.”
As a prestigious CFO Future Leaders Intern, Zellner worked on financial reporting. “A memorable experience was meeting with the CFO, CAO, and various directors. Hearing about their career paths was eye-opening.” The experience helped refine his career goals, ultimately leading to a job with S.R. Snodgrass after graduation.
“My work at USAA helped immensely in securing my full-time position as an internal auditor. I’ll work with regulatory compliance for banks, which ties directly into my previous experience.”
Looking ahead, Zellner aspires to excel in their auditing position and pursue a CPA license. “I want to stay in the financial world while maintaining the flexibility to continue being a soccer referee at higher levels.” Before fully entering the workforce, he has one last adventure: completing his Business Administration degree in Berlin, Germany. “I’m excited to be integrated into their culture for four months.”
From Classroom to Critical Care
Lannah Ulrich ’27 is building skills, networking, and preparing for her career through a part-time position as a Nursing Assistant in the Cardiovascular/Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital in Lebanon. Like an internship or job-shadowing program, this paid role is another example of how LVC students can gain valuable perspectives and hands-on experience in their chosen fields.
Ulrich, a Nursing major with a minor in Applied Spanish for Healthcare Professionals, says LVC’s close-knit community allows her to forge meaningful connections with professors and peers. She serves on the executive board of the LVC Student Nurses Association Program (SNAP) as the Class of 2027 Student Representative. It was through her involvement in SNAP that Ulrich found the job opportunity, enabling her to gain critical hands-on experience while pursuing her degree.
“The opportunity to gain hospital experience while in nursing school was an easy decision,” she said.
From an early age, Ulrich was drawn to nursing and making a difference in people’s lives during their most vulnerable moments. Her Nursing major allows her to explore the intricacies of the human body, and the minor helps her bridge language gaps and provide higher-level care to Spanish-speaking patients.
“Communicating with patients in their language gives them a voice. Eliminating the language barrier provides relief to patients, so they can focus on their recovery and communicate their needs or concerns. I have used my Spanish skills to a great extent while working in the Lebanon Healthcare System.”
As a Nursing Assistant working under Nursing Manager Bonnie Connor RN, BSN, Ulrich’s responsibilities range from routine tasks such as monitoring blood sugar levels and assisting with patient hygiene to more intensive care activities. One of her most impactful experiences involved performing CPR during a code situation. Ulrich says it solidified her commitment to pursuing a career in healthcare.
“Experiencing my first code in the hospital was quite nerve-wracking at first,” Ulrich recalled, “but the teamwork with the nurses, doctors, and other staff reassured me that I was competent in my skills. This is an experience I will never forget and was one of the key factors that confirmed I was meant to be a nurse.”
Ulrich’s long-term aspirations include becoming a Registered Nurse and working in an intensive care unit before pursuing a master’s degree to become a Nurse Practitioner. She credits LVC and her role at WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital for equipping her with the knowledge and experience to succeed.
Right Chord Striking the
LVC Music major Ethan Draper ’26 has turned his lifelong passion for music into a meaningful internship as an Organ Scholar at Market Square Presbyterian Church in Harrisburg.
Draper’s passion for music began early, starting with a choir at age four and progressing to piano lessons. The sound of the organ in church, however, captivated him. “Once I was tall enough to reach the organ pedals, I began formal lessons and instantly fell in love,” he said.
At LVC, Draper is immersed in campus and community activities. He is the Founder and President of the American Choral Directors Association Student Chapter and leads the LVC Organ Guild. He also serves as the accompanist for the College Choir and is a member of the Concert Choir. His work with the American Guild of Organists includes serving as Sub-Dean of the Harrisburg Chapter and as a member of the National Committee for Young Organists.
Draper selected LVC for its robust music program and welcoming faculty. Dr. Shelly Moorman-Stahlman, Professor of Music, and Prof. Tyler Canonico-Dilley ’14, Adjunct Instructor of Music and Minister of Music at Market Square, were instrumental in Draper’s development.
“Dr. Moorman-Stahlman’s persistent commitment to helping students achieve their goals is unmatched, and I credit much of my development as a musician—and the path of my career—to her guidance,” Draper said.
“Through the Organ Scholar program, Prof. Canonico has imparted invaluable knowledge about church music and has played a pivotal role in my growth as an accompanist,
conductor, and future leader of a large church music program. The skills I gained under his mentorship will continue to shape my career for years to come.”
Draper’s internship began as part-time during the 2023–24 academic year and was extended to full-time during the summer of 2024. As Market Square’s inaugural Organ Scholar, Draper’s responsibilities include accompanying the Sanctuary Choir, playing liturgical music, and occasionally directing ensembles. He also manages administrative tasks for Arts on the Square, the church’s music and arts series.
Draper’s experiences at Market Square Presbyterian Church have solidified his career goals of becoming a full-time Organist and Director of Music for a large church music program. He also plans to pursue graduate studies to refine his skills further.
Through its dedicated faculty and opportunities like the Organ Scholar program, LVC’s Music Department provides students like Draper with the tools to thrive.
“LVC excels in guiding students toward their career goals,” Draper said. “The faculty’s local and national networks connect students with professionals in the field, helping them build valuable relationships for successful music careers.”
Design, Robotics, and Lifelong Learning
Emilie Whitewolf ’25 credits her LVC education and faculty mentorship for equipping her with the skills and confidence to excel at her recent internship at Carnegie Mellon University’s National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC).
Whitewolf initially chose LVC for the “quality and versatility” of the Digital Media (formerly Digital Communications) program, which aligned with her interests in graphic design and coding. After a conversation with Dr. Jeff Ritchie, Chair of Design, Media, and Technology, she was inspired to add an Interaction Design major.
“For someone like me, with many differing interests, this combination of degrees was perfect to keep me engaged with my learning while applying a wide range of expertise. I have used the competencies learned in both majors to enhance my school projects, personal projects, and most importantly, my work life,” Whitewolf said.
A self-proclaimed “overachiever,” Whitewolf later added two minors—Computer Science and Music—to her dual degrees. She’s also involved in diverse extracurriculars at LVC, such as performing with The Pride of The Valley Marching Band and acting in Wig and Buckle productions. She balances these activities with roles as a Writing and Peer Tutor, showcasing her commitment to academic and personal growth.
Whitewolf’s double major has provided her with a well-rounded skill set, blending design theory, digital tools like Adobe Suite and HTML/CSS, and hands-on applications of design principles. This diverse expertise set her apart during the competitive internship process at NREC. “My experience with CNC machines (laser cutters, 3D printers, routers, etc.) helped
me stand out,” Whitewolf explained. The interviewers valued her curiosity, motivation to learn, and varied interests.
At NREC, Whitewolf’s primary task was to redesign a website, a role that expanded to include project management, database interface development, and even preliminary robot design discussions. “I sought out extra opportunities by networking with anyone who would talk to me,” she said. Her initiative paid off, leading to a second internship as a Software Engineer at NREC, where she now designs and implements user interfaces (UI) using full-stack development techniques.
One particularly transformative project during her internship involved creating a working UI for an internal robotics project. “Those two weeks were the most fun and engaging of my summer,” Whitewolf said. The experience reshaped her career goals, steering her away from web design and toward a focus on human-computer interaction and robotics.
Another transformative collaboration is occurring through a class Emilie is taking with Dr. Ritchie this spring. The class partnered with Professor Jennifer “Jen” Kuntz ’03, Assistant Professor of Education, and her fellow LVC alumnus, Heather Woodbridge ’03, Chief Operating Officer at Harrisburg’s Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, to design an interactive exhibit for children ages 5-10, with secondary consideration for ages 3-5, that encourages fun, learning, and meaningful engagement.
This collaboration is particularly meaningful as it connects LVC students with a fellow graduate who is now at the forefront of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education in Central PA. Under Woodbridge’s leadership, Whitaker Center continues to create engaging, hands-on learning experiences that inspire the next generation.
Looking ahead, Whitewolf plans to pursue a master’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction, combining her passion for accessible UX with innovative technology. Reflecting on her journey, she emphasized the importance of continuing her education: “I truly believe that lifelong learning leads to a more fulfilling life.”
