Kutztown University senior Ashley Gatto is one of 11 students across the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education enrolled in The Harrisburg Internship Semester (THIS) this fall. THIS is a prestigious program that offers invaluable firsthand experience in state government. Gatto will earn 15 credits toward her major while gaining invaluable experience working and living at the state capitol. Originally from Dingmans Ferry, Pa., Gatto is a 2016 graduate of Delaware Valley High School. Currently majoring in public administration at Kutztown University, she has earned the internship position within the state department of Environmental Protection. "A critical part of the State System's mission is to prepare students to be leaders in their communities and the Commonwealth," State System chancellor Dan Greenstein said. "Students who participate in THIS receive an unforgettable experience, making a direct contribution to workings of state government." More than 600 students from the State System universities have participated in THIS since the program began in 1989, each gaining valuable insight into the workings of state government at the policy-making level. Interns have worked with dozens of state agencies, as well as in the offices of the governor, the speaker of the House of Representatives and the attorney general. State System students interested in participating in THIS in a future semester may obtain information on the program by contacting their individual campus coordinator or their university's cooperative or internship office, or by calling the Dixon University Center at 717-720-4089. More information on the program can be found at: www.passhe.edu/this.

Kutztown University students Aleska Gonzalez of Allentown, Pa., and Eric Schulden of Fredericksburg, Pa., have been selected for a 15-week internship program, sponsored by Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education. Gonzalez is working for the Office of Public Engagement in the Office of Attorney General and Schulden is working for the state Department of Environmental Protection and Governor's Policy Office. The two are part of 12 students participating in The Harrisburg Internship Semester (THIS) program, which provides students the opportunity to work in all areas of state government while earning a full semester's worth of credits. THIS invites students from each of the State System universities to participate. Students participating in the program also will attend several academic seminars during their spring semester internship. Each of the students will complete an individualized research project as part of the program's requirements. Gonzalez is a senior public administration major, with minors in paralegal studies and political science. She is the daughter of Jeanette and Miguel Gonzalez and a 2013 graduate of William Allen High School. Schulden is a senior political science and paralegal studies major, with a minor in international relations. He is the son of Anton and Susan Schulden and a 2015 graduate of Northern Lebanon High School. More than 600 students from the State System universities have participated in THIS since the program began in 1989, each gaining valuable insight into the workings of state government at the policy-making level. Interns have worked with dozens of state agencies, as well as in the offices of the governor, the speaker of the House of Representatives and the attorney general. State System students interested in participating in THIS in a future semester may obtain information on the program by contacting their individual campus coordinator or their university's cooperative or internship office, or by calling the Dixon University Center at (717) 720-4089. More information on the program also is available at: www.passhe.edu/this.

Beth A. Alboucq of New Tripoli is working in the office of Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Mike Stack as part of a 15-week internship sponsored by Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education. Alboucq is a senior public administration major and paralegal studies minor at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. She is one of eight students participating in The Harrisburg Internship Semester (THIS) program, which provides students the opportunity to work in all areas of state government while earning a full semester's worth of credits.

Tyler Readinger, a senior music major from Birdsboro, Pa., has been awarded a conducting fellowship with the Allentown Symphony Orchestra. The Conducting Fellows Program supports the opportunity for promising conductors to hone their craft and enrich their musical experience through mentorship and participation in the Allentown Symphony Association's orchestral and community programs. The Conducting Fellows travel to the Lehigh Valley to work side by side with Allentown Symphony Music Director and Conductor Diane Wittry, in advance of and during the production of a Classical Series Concert. Along the way, they learn intricacies involved in assembling and leading a regional symphony. Fellows also meet with association staff in order to learn the range of activities necessary to operate a symphony orchestra. Their visit includes a stop at the exemplary community-based program, El Sistema Lehigh Valley.

Cheryl Vazquez of Ephrata is working in policy office of the state Department of Environmental Protection as part of a 15-week internship sponsored by Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education. Vazquez is a senior political science and German major at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. She is one of 11 students participating in The Harrisburg Internship Semester (THIS) program, which provides students the opportunity to work in all areas of state government while earning a full semester's worth of credits. THIS invites students from each of the 14 State System universities to participate. Vazquez is the daughter of Kevin and Nancy Vazquez and 2014 graduate of Ephrata High School. She and the other students participating in the program also will attend several academic seminars during their fall semester internship. Each of the students will complete an individualized research project as part of the program's requirements. More than 600 students from the State System universities have participated in THIS since the program began in 1989, each gaining valuable insight into the workings of state government at the policy-making level. Interns have worked with dozens of state agencies, as well as in the offices of the governor, the speaker of the House of Representatives and the attorney general.

Kristyn Rohrer, a sophomore sociology major at Kutztown University, will travel to Jordan this summer to complete a six week internship at Reclaim Childhood, a non-profit organization that operates a sports camp for refugee girls. Participants range in age from six to eighteen years old and are typically from the Syria, Iraq and Palestine areas.

Brandyn Hamilton of Washington, N.J., is working for the state Legislative and Policy Research Office as part of a 15-week internship sponsored by Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education. Hamilton is a senior public administration major at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. He is one of 11 students participating in The Harrisburg Internship Semester (THIS) program

Christopher Collins of Bath, Pa., is working for the Pennsylvania Department of State as part of a 15-week internship sponsored by Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education. Collins is a senior at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, where he is majoring in public administration and minoring in paralegal studies. He is one of 12 students participating in The Harrisburg Internship Semester (THIS) program, which provides students the opportunity to work in all areas of state government.

Christopher Erthal of Bethlehem is working for the Joint State Government Commission as part of a 15-week internship sponsored by Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education. Erthal is a senior psychology major at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. He is one of 16 students participating in The Harrisburg Internship Semester (THIS) program, which provides students the opportunity to work in all areas of state government while earning a full semester's worth of credits.

Dan J. Noon of Ashland, Pa., is working in the Office of House Democratic Whip Michael Hanna, D-Lock Haven, as part of a 15-week internship sponsored by Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education.

Charles Joseph Donovan of West Grove, Pa., is working for the state Board of Probation and Parole as part of a 15-week internship sponsored by Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education.

Deidgre Green of Philadelphia is working for the state Department of Revenue as part of a 15-week internship sponsored by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

Alexa Korber of Bernville is working for the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission as part of a 15-week internship sponsored by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

Fatimah Freeman of Philadelphia has been awarded an internship with the state Department of Health as part of a 15-week internship sponsored by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). Freeman is a senior public administration major and social work and political science minor at Kutztown University. She is one of 14 students participating in The Harrisburg Internship Semester (THIS) program.