-
About
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
HHD COVID-19 Response
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Return to Research
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
- Process to Request Access to Campus Facilities
- Steps Required Before Returning to Campus
- Researcher Responsibilities
- Human Subjects Research
- University Guidance for Researchers
- Adjustments to Work Arrangements
- On-Campus Facility and Building Use
- Personal Safety Practices
- Returning to On-Campus Research Activities
- Undergraduate Research Experiences
-
Return to Teaching
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
- Creative Approaches to Teaching this Fall: Where to Start
- Adapting to Mixed-Mode, Remote, or Web-Based Teaching and Learning
- Assessments and Academic Integrity
- Policy and Safety Updates
- Technology and Library Resources
- Resources to Assist Faculty and Staff Support Student Welfare
- Remote Teaching and Learning
-
Return to Work
Explore
-
Additional Resources and References
Explore
- Center for Health Care and Policy Research Hours of Operation
-
HHD Hours of Operation
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
- Center for Childhood Obesity Research Hours of Operation
- Center for Healthy Aging Hours of Operation
- Center for Student Advising and Engagement
- Clinical Research Center Hours of Operation
- Clinical and Translational Science Institute Hours of Operation
- Dean's Office
- EPIS Hours of Operation
- Ford Buildling
- Hours of Operation - CSD
- Hours of Operation - HDFS
- Hours of Operation - HPA
- Hours of Operation - KINES
- Hours of Operation - NUTR
- Hours of Operation - RPTM
- Hours of Operation - RPTM
- Hours of Operation - SHM
- PA Office of Rural Health Hours of Operation
- PA SNAP-Ed Hours of Operation
- Prevention Research Center Hours of Operation
-
Return to Research
- Overview of the College
- Meet the Dean
- News
-
Events
Explore
-
Profiles
Explore
-
Diversity and Inclusion
Explore
-
Awards
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
College Awards
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Carol Clark Ford Staff Achievement Award
Explore
-
Diversity Achievement Award
Explore
-
Martha “Marty” Adams Undergraduate Advising Award
Explore
-
Ann C. Crouter Early Career Faculty Award
Explore
-
Evelyn R. Saubel Faculty Award
Explore
-
HHD Alumni Society Excellence in Teaching Award
Explore
-
Leadership in Outreach Award
Explore
-
Evan G. and Helen G. Pattishall Outstanding Research Achievement Award
Explore
-
Pauline Schmitt Russell Distinguished Research Career Award
Explore
-
Carol Clark Ford Staff Achievement Award
-
HHD Alumni Society Awards
Explore
-
College Awards
-
Commencement
Explore
-
Strategic Plans
Explore
- Employers and Industry
- Our Valued Partners
- History
- Donate
- Contact
-
HHD COVID-19 Response
-
Undergraduate
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Getting Started
Explore
-
Majors and Minors
Explore
-
Honors Program
Explore
-
Advising
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Academic Integrity
Explore
- Academic Progress
- Advising Resources
-
Change of Campus
Explore
- Declaring a Major/Minor
-
Enforcement of Recommended Preparation
Explore
- Learning Support
- Petitions to University Policies and Procedures
-
Policies and Procedures
Explore
- Schedule an Appointment with Your Adviser
-
Undergraduate Adviser and Student Handbook
Explore
-
Contact
Explore
-
Academic Integrity
- Student Organizations
-
Student Profiles
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Biobehavioral Health
Explore
-
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Explore
-
Health Policy and Administration
Explore
-
Hospitality Management
Explore
-
Human Development and Family Studies
Explore
-
Kinesiology
Explore
-
Nutritional Sciences
Explore
-
Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management
Explore
-
Student Research
Explore
-
Biobehavioral Health
-
Study Abroad
Explore
- Take a Professor to Lunch
-
Research Opportunities
Explore
-
Internships and Career Opportunities
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
- Health Professions Exposed
-
Career Areas by Major
Explore
- Careers by Setting
-
Program Overviews by Major
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Athletic Training
Explore
- Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management
-
Biobehavioral Health
Explore
-
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Explore
-
Health Policy and Administration
Explore
-
Hospitality Management
Explore
-
Human Development and Family Studies
Explore
-
Kinesiology
Explore
-
Nutritional Sciences
Explore
-
Athletic Training
- Health Professions Exposed
- Share your internship experience
-
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Explore
-
Women's Leadership Initiative
Explore
-
Summer Session
Explore
-
Undergraduate News
Explore
- Dean's Welcome Meeting
- Parents and Family Association
-
Visit and Apply
Explore
-
Contact
Explore
-
Discover HHD
Explore
-
HHD Instagram Ambassadors
Explore
-
Getting Started
-
Graduate
Explore
-
Alumni
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Events
Explore
-
News
Explore
-
Get Involved
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Mentor a Student
Explore
-
Join an Affiliate Program Group
ExploreUp a level (this gets replaced in JS)
-
Biobehavioral Health APG
Explore
-
Communication Sciences and Disorders APG
Explore
-
Health Policy and Administration APG
Explore
-
Human Development and Family Studies APG
Explore
-
Kinesiology APG
Explore
-
Nutrition and Dietetics Alumni Society (NDAS)
Explore
-
Penn State Hotel & Restaurant Society (PSHRS)
Explore
-
Recreation Park and Tourism Management APG
Explore
- Get Involved with an Affiliate Program Group
-
Professional Golf Management APG
Explore
-
Biobehavioral Health APG
-
HHD Alumni Society
Explore
-
Mentor a Student
-
Awards
Explore
-
Alumni Profiles
Explore
- Alumni Magazine
- Career Resources for Alumni
- Update Your Contact Information
- Volunteer Leaders
- About A Greater Penn State Campaign
- Donate
- Contact
-
Alumni Career Snapshots
Explore
-
Events
-
Research
Explore
-
Contact
Explore
-
Departments
Explore
Our Story/Abby Michael
September 2016
Before Abby Michael ever applied to college, Penn State was like a second second home for her.
Growing up, Abby Michael’s father always took the family to Penn State football games. When she was 8-years-old, her oldest brother enrolled at Penn State and her father purchased season football tickets.
For the next 10 years, Michael spent every home football weekend in State College. Along the way, two of her other older brothers also enrolled at Penn State.
“Between football visits, move-in and move-out dates, and just visits to stop-in and say hello, Penn State quickly became my home away from home. In middle school and high school, I dedicated myself to my school work with the one goal of attending Penn State,” Michael said.
“By the time senior year rolled around, I decided to only apply to Penn State and told myself that I would attend a branch campus for two years, if that was what it would take to make it to main campus. Luckily, in December of my senior year, I received the giant envelope in the mail with my acceptance letter to Penn State, University Park campus.”
More than 4,500 Penn State students are enrolled in the College of Health and Human Development (HHD) studying a wide array of fields, each committed to the concept of improving the quality of life for others. Michael, who found a home in the Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management (RPTM), is one of those HHD students, and this is her story.
Originally a veterinary science major, Michael later shifted to RPTM to follow her passion to connect with families through a career in resort recreation or the sports entertainment industry.
“I believe that either of these careers will provide me with the opportunities to make unforgettable memories for families and children as they enjoy their vacations or free time while experiencing their favorite leisure events,” Michael said. “My goal within my work is to make the best memories for others through their leisure or vacation time because I value my own leisure memories so greatly.”
As a student, Michael enrolled in the Resort Recreation Practicum, which allowed her and her classmates to partner with Marriott Vacations Worldwide. Through the course, students studied resort management, in part, by spending one week in October at the Marriott’s Grande Vista resort in Orlando, where students participated in Marriott Vacation Club’s Roadshow Management Training. Students also met with the executive team of Marriott Vacation Club.
“The practicum provided a hands-on experience that could not be replicated in a classroom only setting and I will carry the skills that I learned within the practicum to my professional career,” Michael said.
Previously, Michael completed an internship with Kiawah Island Golf Resort as an activities staff member and camp counselor. She also worked as a production and in-game entertainment associate for Penn State baseball and the State College Spikes. Most recently, she served as an activities intern at the Marriott Vacations Worldwide Harbour Lake Resort in Orlando. After graduation, Michael is slated to complete a three-month internship for the Corporate Resort Experience with Marriott Vacations Worldwide in Orlando.
“My internship experiences have prepared me for my career by helping me to learn leadership skills, conflict resolution, time management, as well as the daily responsibilities for the different career fields that I am most interested in,” Michael said.
Michael has been active in a variety of ways at Penn State, including serving as a student volunteer and committee member for Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON). She also completed the Women’s Leadership Initiative and received the Edith Pitt Chace Award, which is awarded to an outstanding student leader and scholar in the College of Health and Human Development.
In addition to RPTM, there are a variety of areas for students to study within HHD through the Departments of Biobehavioral Health, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Health Policy and Administration, Human Development and Family Studies, Kinesiology, Nutritional Sciences, and the School of Hospitality Management. Learn more about HHD.