Hey y’all! My name is Paige Rishel, and I am a Schreyer Scholar studying Public Relations and History, with minors in Digital Media Trends and Analytics and, hopefully, Deaf and Hearing Studies.

Why UPUA? Simple. I want to make a change at Penn State. While I have not been involved in UPUA, I believe this adds to the strength of my campaign. I offer a fresh, outside perspective.

I hold my values close to my heart, and if you come to me with concerns or you want to see change at Penn State, I will be your voice. You can reach out to me anytime with concerns, and I will treat them as if they are mine. I care about making Penn State a better place, and to do that, every voice needs to be heard.

What do I stand for? I am paying for my own education, so I understand the cost of college firsthand. I will stand behind efforts to make education more affordable. I have been in the workforce since I was 14, and I’ve held three jobs at Penn State while maintaining academic success. With the rising costs of education, I will support programming that maximizes the value of your tuition.

As a Schreyer Scholar who likes to do it all, I have personally been affected by the 19+ credit fee. Why should students have to pay extra fees when they know that taking more than 19 credits could help them achieve further success?

As someone studying Deaf and Hearing Studies, I stand behind accessibility. I am taking ASL as my world language credit, and I want to ensure that ASL remains an option for world language credit. I fully support the creation of the minor and want to share the importance of Deaf culture and why it’s vital to continue this program.

I stand behind Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. As someone who relies on the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity and its programming for a safe queer space on campus, I understand how scary it can be to belong to a marginalized community right now. I will advocate for funding inclusive programming that fosters a sense of belonging for all.

Yes, this is ambitious. How will I ensure I deliver results? This past summer, I worked at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as a Media Relations Intern, where I met tight deadlines, worked on crisis communications impacting security, and spearheaded an FDA campaign for HIV treatment. This fueled my passion for THON and the research community.

In the Schreyer Honors College, as a Strategic Communications Intern and Scholar Assistant, I’ve delivered 15+ events, shared vital information, and introduced students to residence life, sports, arts, and Penn State’s many opportunities.

I am confident in my ability to be fully transparent and serve the students at Penn State University. It would be an honor to serve as an At-Large Representative for the 20th Assembly and lift the voices of those who need to be heard most.

Please reach out at par5574@psu.edu!