Each year, sophomores in the Academy are asked to write and present policy papers as part of the Dean's Seminar course in the fall semester. These policy papers are completed as small group projects and are organized around a central theme provided by the Dean of the Schreyer Honors College and the Director of the Presidential Leadership Academy.
Groups present their final policy proposals during the last few classes of the semester to their classmates, the Dean of the Schreyer Honors College, the Director of the Academy, and various members of Penn State leadership who have been invited to sit in. With the leadership present in the room for those final presentations, it's no wonder that several of these proposals have been implemented!
2019: Sustainable Urban Planning
Students examined the topic of Sustainable Urban Planning for a second year, aligning their policies with the U.N. Sustainability Goals. Students also focused their policy proposals on State College.
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A Policy on Sustainable Business Practices in Penn State's Hetzel Union Building and Across Campus
Mariana Garcia, Aidan Neigh, Allie Ryave
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Building Automation Systems and Data Analysis
Norma Garcia, Aidan Lake, Ninad Mahajan, Christopher Unis, Kyle Wetzler
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Early Exposure to Education About Sustainability Through Required First Year Seminar Classes in Public High Schools
Emily Briselli, Katelyn Rudisill, Taylor Slusser, Maude Tarbox
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Implementing an Effective First-Year Seminar
Lauren Lipson, Kerry Abello, Yianni Efthymiou, Ellen Maple
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Reinventing the South Allen Street Promenade
Ezra Gershanok, Zachary McKay, Michael Miller, Charles Ryan, Cory Steinle, William "Billy" Young
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STEM Pals Policy Proposal
David Wagner, Xin Mei Ju Li, Sintoyia Shipapa, Natalie Cummings, Ilana Mosley
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Supporting the Lion's Pantry: Combating Food Insecurity at Penn State University
Siena Baker, Neel Mehta, Belle Biase, Emily Payamps, Akanksha Bhusari