Leadership, Career, and Professional Development

The HHD Leadership Initiative, also known as the HHD Leadership EDGE Program is a product of the college's commitment to provide opportunities for students to develop core values, attitudes, and competencies that are the foundation of effective leadership. 

First-Year Peer Assistants (PAs) are upper-division students who serve as navigation guides throughout HHD students' first semester. PAs provide first-hand knowledge of what it means to be an HHD student and are trained to provide students with resources to help facilitate a successful transition to college.

All student organizations have a leadership structure of some kind, typically including a President, a Chair, etc. This a great way to take on leadership responsibility and exercise your leadership skills in anything raning from time management and organization to program development and fundraising.

Student Government is a great way to gain leadership skills and take an active role in improving the student experience at Penn State. 

The Summer Leadership Conference is a three-day conference that brings Penn State student representatives together from across the Commonwealth. Participants attend several workshops aimed at enhancing their leadership, citizenship, and networking skills. 

• NIH Summer Internship Program
• Penn State College of Medicine Summer Undergraduate Research Internship Program

The Health Professions Grad School Series is intended to provide students in their first, second, or third year with information on general program requirements, application timelines, and unique opportunities offered by the programs invited to present. 

All events are on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. on Zoom. Registration required. Click the links below to register.

• September 18, 2024: Medical School, Physician Assistant School, & Nursing School
  • Watch the recording from this event
• September 25, 2024: Speech Language Pathology & Audiology
  • Watch the recording from this event
• October 2, 2024: Physical Therapy, Athletic Training, Occupational Therapy, & Chiropractic School
  • Watch the recording from this event
• October 9, 2024: Nutrition, Public Health, & Health Administration
  • Watch the recording from this event
• October 16, 2024: Optometry, Dentistry, & Pharmacy
  • Watch the recording from this event

PSU Courses

• KINES 303: Emergency Recognition with Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR/AED Training
• KINES 403: Emergency Medical Technology (EMT) Training Course
• NURS 203: First Aid & CPR (HEARTSAVER CPR Certification)
• First Aid/CPR/AED Courses through Penn State Campus Recreation
• Patient Care Opportunities for Penn State Students (Pre-Health Advising)

CNA Training

• Pennsylvania Approved Nurse Aid Training by County
• CNA Certification Reciprocity by State
• Central Pennsylvania Institute
• Harrisburg Area Community College
• Bucks County Community College
• Community College of Allegheny County

Other Programs

• CapYear Academy Medical Assistant Training (CCMA Certification)
• Centre Life Link EMT, Phlebotomy, & Other Health and Safety Courses
• Red Cross Trainings (First Aid, CPR, AED, BLS/CPR)
• American Heart Association (BLS, Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support, Prediatric Advanced Life Support)