Chloe Kramer, Opening Doors for Opportunity
With the return to State College and University Park for the start of the academic year, students pack what they think they will need to be successful for the year and in their progression toward graduation. RPTM senior and recent intern Chloe Kramer has packed experience in the field and incredible academic performance in her bag of tools on her path to success.
Originally from Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, Chloe came to Penn State after falling in love with the campus. Like so many other students, she knew of Penn State’s reputation both nationally and internationally as a top-notch university. “Everyone I know who went to Penn State talked about the network and the reputation,” said Chloe.
Starting in high school, Chloe joined the lifeguard staff at Morey’s Piers and Beachfront Water Parks. Located in Wildwood, New Jersey, Morey’s Piers is a combination amusement park and water park located on the boardwalk in Wildwood and North Wildwood. Family owned and operated since 1969, the attraction and destination has 100+ rides and waterpark features. With that experience in the amusement industry, it made sense to seek out Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management as a major when she was exploring options in DUS. “There were RPTM alums who worked at Morey’s. Hearing them talk about the program and what is offered fell into everything I was looking for.”
In the six (6) years of experience that Chloe gained at Morey’s Piers, she wore a variety of hats. She’s been a lifeguard, a human resources intern, an aquatics supervisor, and this past summer to complete RPTM 495A (internship) to meet the degree requirements in RPTM, she assumed the role of Head Aquatics Supervisor and Lead Trainer. In that role, she was one of the 14 supervisory roles that oversaw 200 lifeguards including training and supervision, as well as policy enforcement and safety management.
When asked what advice she would give to new RPTM students coming into the program, Chloe offered this. “Never say ‘No’. You don’t know what doors might open for you.” In saying yes to experiences, Chloe has filled her tool bag with a variety of additional experiences.
Starting at Penn State’s Altoona campus, Chloe was a member of the Penn State Altoona Softball team. She was an active participant in THON on both the Altoona and University Park campuses. She has been a member of the Blue-White Society since coming to Penn State. She has been actively involved in the RPTM Student Society (RPTMSS) as event planner and Student Success Center programmer. She participated as a counselor for Outdoor School, the residential camp program for 5th grade students facilitated by Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, Penn State’s affiliate nature center.
To expand on her experience at Morey’s Piers, she also completed an event management internship with Penn State Athletics and works at the Bryce Jordan Center in guest services.
Chloe has been awarded the Presidential Award for Academic Excellence and the Marjorie Smith Award while at Penn State.
In Spring of 2024, Chloe participated in the “Paris course” which was developed by Dr. Kristin Thomas. Dr. Thomas and the students in the course traveled to Paris with an eye to event planning for the Paris Olympics. Course activities included meeting and talking with locals to learn about how they were preparing for the largest sporting event in the world. “That experience was very valuable – and fun,” said Chloe. “I met so many new people.”
Chloe will graduate in December with her RPTM degree in the Commercial Recreation and Tourism Management option as well as a Sports Studies Minor and the Meeting and Events Management Certificate.
“I don’t know what I want to do after graduation yet,” said Chloe. “Maybe something with tourism and travel? Maybe the cruise industry?” Without a doubt, with Chloe Kramer’s outstanding academic performance and robust resume, she has packed what she needs to be successful.