SIA to support student scholarship through Giving Tuesday initiative

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State School of International Affairs (SIA) will participate in #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities, and organizations to encourage philanthropy and celebrate generosity worldwide. This event is held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and kicks off the charitable holiday season, offering a way to give back and help create meaningful experiences for students.

In 2022, SIA will raise money in support of the School of International Affairs Student Scholarship Fund, which provides exceptional students who otherwise might not be able to pursue furthering their education with the tools needed to attain a Master of International Affairs degree from a top research university. As technology, globalization, and the need for multidisciplinary expertise transform our society, our world needs innovative leaders who understand this challenging complexity and can propose new ways forward. The Penn State School of International Affairs is uniquely situated to provide the education necessary for this next generation of global leaders.

The fund has already made a difference in the lives of many students. SIA second-year student Jada C. Quinland, a Student Scholarship Fund recipient, said, "Penn State's School of International Affairs Student Scholarship Fund truly made furthering my education possible. As a 22-year-old green card holder, at the time, seven out of eight schools accepted me with no funding. And because I was an unnaturalized immigrant, I couldn't take advantage of the federally funded fellowships or external scholarships to help myself set up the two years I had ahead. With this scholarship, SIA granted me the only door I had with feasible possibilities; I would not be in a graduate program without it. With more donations, this fund will continue to allow more students like myself options, and the individual power to further their ambitions, even at higher values."

The fundraising will begin at 18:55 (the year that Penn State was founded: 6:55 p.m. ET) on Monday, Nov. 28, and will end at 11:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Nov. 29. Gifts to the Student Scholarship Fund can be made online.

With the record-breaking success of “A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence,” which raised $2.2 billion from 2016 to 2022, philanthropy is helping to sustain the University’s mission of education, research and service to communities across the commonwealth and around the globe. Scholarships enable Penn State to open doors and welcome students from every background, support for transformative experiences allows students and faculty to fulfill their vast potential for leadership, and gifts toward discovery and excellence help serve and impact the world. To learn more about the impact of giving and the continuing need for support, please visit raise.psu.edu.