At a time when many are questioning the value of a college degree, I find answers in the cutting-edge research that our faculty are conducting, and to which our students are making meaningful contributions. Whether it’s the synthesis of new high-entropy oxides for energy and high tech applications by J.P. Maria, Saeed Almishal, and their team, new insights on damaging hail production from Kelly Lombardo and Matt Kumjian, the innovative way Zhenlong Li and Guido Cervone are infusing AI into geographic information systems, Feifei Shi’s breakthrough technology to extract lithium from minerals, or Erin DiMaggio’s discovery from fossil teeth that Homo and Australopithecus co-existed, students are fully engaged in the research enterprise, from concept development, proposal writing, and project execution, to the impactful communication of those results.
While we strive to reduce the cost of a Penn State degree, we also focus on expanding such opportunities for our students to engage in research and outreach outside of the classroom, enhancing the value of an EMS degree. I know many of you benefited from these opportunities; let me know your story. And to those of you who facilitate these opportunities through your organizations or your philanthropy, many thanks!
I hope you enjoy the issue and I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
Lee Kump, the John Leone Dean