About Us

In addition to facilitating experiences abroad for College of Engineering students, the Center for Global Engineering Engagement is working to internationalize the College and foster global institutional collaborations.

We aspire to create an environment that embraces the values of global engagement, where access to international exposure and opportunities to develop cross-cultural competence are pervasive. We believe all Penn State engineering students can become globally engaged.

patrick tunno

Patrick Tunno, Ph.D.

Director, Center for Global Engineering Engagement

pjt130@psu.edu
814-863-1654

Since 2016, Patrick has served on the College of Engineering faculty as the inaugural director of global engineering engagement. He has overseen and continues to lead the development and expansion of diverse international initiatives. Under his leadership, the college has established an award-winning Global Engineering Fellows Program, launched Penn State’s first 3+1+1 program for international students to pursue a one-year master’s degree, and initiated new interdisciplinary faculty-led study abroad programs. In addition, he has helped the college secure multiple grants, including a 100,000 Strong in the Americas award, supported by the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy in Peru, and CAF-Development Bank.

Tunno started his career in Washington, D.C., as a legislative aide specializing on Foreign Affairs and Senate Judiciary Committee issues for a U.S. senator. From 2008-2014, he served as a Penn State Italian Department faculty member, where he directed multiple summer study abroad programs, taught a variety of Italian language classes, as well as developed and instructed courses focused on Italian for business and study abroad. Tunno’s faculty career includes a stint with Virginia Tech’s honors program, during which he was responsible for the Presidential Global Scholars Program and spent the semester in Switzerland mentoring a cohort of honors students.

He earned a bachelor of science in management and a bachelor of arts in Italian language and literature from Penn State. As part of his undergraduate education, he studied in Milan, Italy, and gained professional experience at Cap Gemini Ernst & Young Italia. At Milan’s SDA Bocconi University, he earned a master of business administration, with a concentration in corporate finance and international strategy. Tunno earned a PhD from Penn State in Workforce Education and Development, with research interests in the development of global competencies and the impact of intercultural experiences. He is a regular speaker at conferences and events on these topics.

 

angela rothrock

Angela Rothrock, Ph.D.

Associate Director, Center for Global Engineering Engagement

arb184@psu.edu
814-863-9899

Angela Rothrock, associate director for Global Engineering Engagement, has extensive experience with faculty-led global education initiatives. It is her goal to build on the success of the Global Engineering Engagement office by enhancing existing programs while developing new opportunities for engaged scholarship and research. To this end, Rothrock aims to increase accessibility for students, develop programs that promote UN Goals for Sustainable Development, and enhance faculty participation in global education.

Rothrock earned a doctorate in educational theory and policy and master of education in college student affairs at Penn State. Before joining the College of Engineering, she held teaching faculty appointments with Penn State’s College of Arts and Architecture and Health and Human Development. Rothrock’s previous teaching has focused upon art, cultural activism, and sustainable practices.

sara kuhlman

Sara Elin Kuhlman

Coordinator of International Experiences, Center for Global Engineering Engagement

sxa473@psu.edu
814-863-9899

As the coordinator of international experiences, Kuhlman aims to increase access to international education, ensuring that every engineering student receives the career, educational, and personal benefits of a study abroad experience.

Kuhlman earned her bachelor's degree in global studies and received certification in conflict transformation from North Park University. As part of her education, Kuhlman studied in Jönköping, Sweden. After graduation, Kuhlman moved to South Korea where she worked as an English teacher for grades K-12 in Gwangju, before returning home to Chicago where she spent four years as an academic adviser.

Kuhlman has a passion for community development and served as the secretary for five years, coordinating travel, fundraising events and mission projects in Reu, Guatemala for an NGO out of Chicago called Connecting Hands Across the Americas.

With experience as a student adviser, an EFL teacher and traveler, Kuhlman comes to the College of Engineering with the passion and belief that international education creates both academic and professional opportunities essential to success.

emily lombardi

Emily Lombardi

Logistics Coordinator, Center for Global Engineering Engagement

efl5161@psu.edu

Emily Lombardi serves as the logistics coordinator in the Center for Global Engineering Engagement. Her role is to assist the team with events, travel, meetings, and budget tracking.

Lombardi started her career in New York City in insurance services, working on global teams at international insurance brokerages. She values the experiences of building relationships and learning about people’s cultures and traditions. Lombardi strives to make every interaction a positive one and is happy to assist faculty, staff, and students as they create and plan for study abroad programs.

 
 

About

The mission of Global Engineering Engagement is to create an environment that embraces the values of international education, where access to global exposure and opportunities to develop cross-cultural competence is pervasive. We believe that it is within our reach to ensure that all engineering students can become internationally engaged.

Global Engineering Engagement

College of Engineering

The Pennsylvania State University

208 Hammond Building

University Park, PA 16802