Our Executive Board
Executive Director
Grace Hatchard
Grace is a 3rd year student studying Psychology with a minor in Women's Studies and Labor and Human Resources from York, PA. On campus, she is also involved in Presidential Leadership Academy, an intern at the Student Engagement Network, and a member of Lion Ambassadors. She joined State of State her first year as a member of the Community Engagement Committee and then served as the Community Engagement Director last year
Internal Director
Hope Steger
Hope is a fourth-year student from Baltimore, Maryland, double majoring in Political Science and Criminology with a minor in Ethics. This is her second year as a State of State member and last year she served on the Content Committee. Outside of State of State, Hope is a Lion Ambassador and the Chair of the HUB-Robeson Center Advisory Board.
New Memebership Director
Jillian Ranko
Jillian is a 4th year student from Butler, PA and is studying Community, Environment, and Development with a minor in International Agriculture. She is passionate about agriculture and has published articles advocating for the industry. She has previously served as the Pennsylvania Alpaca Princess, Pennsylvania 4-H State Council President, and member of the Pennsylvania Farm Show Junior Committee. She is also currently a Press & Digital Media Intern for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Last year, Jillian completed the Disney College Program, where she worked in Walt Disney World as a Character Attendant for 6 months. She has been to 5 countries and is planning to travel abroad this spring and summer. Jillian loves serving Penn State as a Lion Ambassador and she is a sister at Delta Theta Sigma social-professional agricultural fraternity as well as an executive member of the Penn State Disney Club.
Content Director
Megan Lavelle
Megan is a 3rd year student from Colonia, NJ. She is studying biomedical engineering with a focus in biomechanics. At Penn State, she is involved in Lion Ambassadors where she serves as a committee director. Megan is also a Penn State tour guide, a member of the Society of Women Engineers, and a dancer relations committee member for THON!
Content Director
Vivian Kase
Vivian is a senior from Berks County majoring in geography with a certification in justice, ethics, and diversity in space. Alongside State of State, she is an active member of Lion Ambassadors, EMS Ambassadors, THON, and Empowering Women in Law.
Partnerships Director
Ben Pawlowski
Ben is a Third-Year Student studying Supply Chain and Information Systems with a minor in Information Systems Management. Ben is from Pittsburgh, PA, and is involved in other organizations such as the Supply Chain Management Association, Sigma Chi Mu Tau National Honors Society, and Penn State Lion Ambassadors. Ben recently joined State of State at the beginning of the fall semester.
Community Engagement Director
Joseph Armanini
Joseph is a junior studying Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Biomedical Engineering. He is also involved in the Humanitarian Engineering and Social Entrepreneurship (HESE) program, working to create bioacoustics solutions for Kenyan farmers. Outside State of State and academia, Joseph serves as a Lion Ambassador, THON Dancer Relations volunteer, Relay For Lifer, and active supporter of Atlas benefiting THON.
Marketing Director
Brianna Figueroa
Brianna (Bri) is a junior Marketing and Film Production major at Penn State University from River Vale, New Jersey. She is also involved in other organizations such as CHAARG, Vole, and Delta Kappa Alpha, and has been a part of State of State since the 2022-2023 school year and was a part of the Marketing Committee! She is very excited to work hard towards an impactful and successful conference in the spring!
Operations Director
Matt Buchanan
Matt Buchanan is a Third-Year Student studying Supply Chain and Information Systems with a minor in Economics. Matt is from North Salem, NY and is involved in multiple organizations throughout campus. Along with State of State, Matt is also a part of Lion Ambassadors and Student Philanthropy Network.
Technologies Director
Sam Waters
Sam is a Third-Year Student from Yardley, PA who is studying Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations. Sam is also involved with organizations such as Lion Ambassadors, in which he is the Technology Solutions Assistant. Sam joined State of State for the fall of 2023.