About Us
Valerie Osipov
Mechanicsburg, PA
My name is Valerie Osipov. I'm a senior double majoring in Public Relations and Russian at Penn State University. I am part Russian and Armenian but was the first generation to be born in the United States. I aspire to work abroad for a newspaper or magazine, as writing and traveling are two of my passions. My travels include interning abroad in Beijing, China, a visit to the Czech Republic for another course and participating in a study abroad program in St. Petersburg, Russia this upcoming summer. My interests include fashion, art, music and TV shows.
Emily Cromell
Marquette, Michigan
Hi, my name is Emily and I’m a Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies major at Penn State. In my free time I like to read, but spending time in nature, especially hiking with friends, is one of my favorite things. Sometime in the near future I would like to be a beekeeper, which means I'll probably also take up gardening to feed my bees. I have no idea what I would like to do after I finish my undergraduate studies, but I'm fairly certain that grad school will not be on my to-do list. I grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, which is my true home, even though I've lived in State College since 2007, and I'd love to return to my community there. But with two years before I graduate, who knows what'll happen!
Natalie Hanson
Mill Creek, Washington
Hi friend! First thing you need to know, coffee is life. Some people say I have a problem, I just say I’m in a very committed relationship, especially with Cuban coffee. We had a torrid affair that only lasted a few days; the coffee might be gone, but the heart palpitations will last for at least a few months. Luckily, I’m used to it. Grad students mainly run on coffee and stress adrenaline anyway. I’ll be entering the second year of the international affairs master’s program this fall, concentrating on gender and human rights, although now I’m reconsidering switching to coffee studies and becoming a Cuban coffee baron.
Brian Davis
Philadelphia, PA
Meet Brian Davis, A junior triple majoring in Sociology , Criminology, and African American Studies with minors in International Studies and Civic and Community Engagement. I am a community organizer at The Pennsylvania State University. I was born and raised in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania and I spend most of my time reading, public speaking, traveling and doing community service.
Cecile King
San Jose, CA
I am a senior at the Pennsylvania State University. I am a telecommunications major with a minor in African American Studies. I was the former president of McKeesport's own WMKP "The Roar", Diversity Ambassadors, and now am the current president of Penn State's chapter of National Association of Multi-Ethnicity in Communications. I used to work with the Democratic party for the John Foust campaign. As a Chancellor Award winner I work closely with my multi-culture office in the College of Communications. On my off time, I like to write poems and short stories. I also likes to travel with her family to fun places in the United States. In December, I would be ending my bitter-sweet time at Penn State and will be going to Monrovia, Liberia to work for the government.
Maha Marouan
Director of the Study Abroad in Cuba
Dr. Maha Marouan is a feminist scholar and activist. She is a professor of African American Studies and Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies at the Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Marouan conducts a Study Abroad in Cuba (WMNST 497A, AF AM 497A) on "Gender, Race and Religion in Cuba" that allows her students to go beyond the traditional classroom setting and learn interractively and experientially. While in Cuba, Dr. Marouan insures that her students engage in conversations with leading Cuban researchers, visit religious, cultural and historical sites such as churches, Afro-Cuban religious centers and museums, as well as meet with activists and learn about community projects; This is in addition to daily interactions with Cubans, exposure to music, dance and other elements of popular culture. For more information on Dr. Marouan, visit: http://afam.la.psu.edu/meet-us/mzm24
Yasmin Jones
Brooklyn, NY
Qué bolá?! My name is Yasmin Jones and I am starting my second year here at The Pennsylvania State University. I’m pursuing a degree in African American Studies and Psychology with a focus in Business, as well as two minors in English and Spanish. I have a huge passion for dancing and my dream is to one day open my own dance school with a specialty in dance therapy And working as a correctional psychologist. I also have always loved languages so maybe one day I’ll be able to teach dance all over the world!
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Emerald Nau
Mill Valley, CA
Hi everyone! I am Emerald Nau. I was born and raised in New York City for some time and then moved to California in the beginning of high school. Since then, I have lived in a variety of cities, including San Francisco to Philadelphia. I have two brothers, one older and one younger. I also have 3 dogs; two of them have been with me since I was 11 years old. I am a sociology major and AF AM minor. I played water polo and swam for years and took some time off when I came into the Penn State system but this upcoming semester, I plan on getting back to it. Both of my parents come from the Caribbean (Puerto Rico and Haiti), which I love because the traditions and food from both places are amazing. I am graduating next year and am headed to graduate school. I am excited for what is to come in my near future.
Gabriel Toledo
Paterson, NJ
¡Que Bola Asere! Meet Gabriel Toledo, a senior attending Pennsylvania State University majoring in Telecommunications and triple minoring in International Studies, Sociology and Spanish. A proud member of the National Society of Leadership and Success (Sigma Alpha Pi), former D2 USCAA Academic All-American Athlete, musician, and even a published author! I am fascinated with different cultures, practices, and customs so I plan to travel the entire world! My most recent excursion was traveling to Cuba and it was nothing short of breathtaking, a dream come true.
Nathaniel Sutherland
Hanover, PA
Hello! I’m Nathaniel Sutherland, and I am a senior English major at Penn State’s University Park campus studying intergenerational interactions in postwar American literature from a post-Marxist and feminist perspective. I came to Cuba with a curious mind, determined to discover some of the truth buried beneath the onion layers of propaganda, both left and right.
Stevie Berberick
Program Graduate Assistant
Stevie Berberick earned her B.A. in Communication Studies from Buffalo State College (SUNY), where she was awarded the President’s Medal for Outstanding Undergraduate Student and SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence. Her M.A. in American Studies was earned from the University at Buffalo (SUNY), where she held a distinguished Arthur A. Schomburg Fellowship. She is currently a doctoral candidate at the Pennsylvania State University in the College of Communications in the Film, Video, and Media Studies department.
Henry Heredia
International Programs Coordinator
Henry Heredia is the Director of International Programs at the Institute of Research Juan Marinello in Havana. He has been collaborating with Dr. Marouan in multiple Studies Abroad since 2011. He has a degree in education from the Pedagogical University in Havana and also studied at the Higher Institute of International Relations Raul Roa. He has more than 10 years’ experience with the environmental and community group Project Espiral, where is a founding member. Since 2011, he manages academic exchanges for Juan Marinello and previously served as the international relations coordinator for the Cuban Writers and Artists Association.