Major: Creative Writing
Hometown: Butler, Pennsylvania
Scholarships: Provost’s Award, Corey N. Farrell Memorial Scholarship, and Class of 1922 Memorial Scholarship.
Why he chose Behrend: It is among the few colleges in the nation to offer a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing with a fiction and poetry option. The class sizes are small, which allows for more one-on-one time with professors, and the campus itself is on a beautiful piece of land that is great for hiking.
Why he chose his major: I attended Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School as a creative writing major and wanted to further my education in the discipline. Language can be an effective, powerful tool if wielded correctly.
Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Though it may seem simple to some, attending college is my proudest accomplishment. As a first-generation college student from a blue-collar family, attaining a college degree has been an aspiration of mine since I was in grade school. Graduating from a top college like Penn State Behrend feels surreal.
Awards: Sonnenberg Poetry Award in 2021 and 2025, and the Cranage Creative Writing Award in 2025.
What you’d be surprised to know about him: I’m a multi-published writer across multiple genres, including poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. Also, I have a twin sister.
Highest priority for the coming years: Aside from securing a full-time job, I plan on devoting my time to advocating for the transgender community in Erie and Pittsburgh. Trans youth are particularly vulnerable at this time, and I want to give back to my community, like my trans elders did for me when I was younger and discovering my identity.
What he is passionate about: Ang Lee’s 2005 film Brokeback Mountain and vampires.
Advice for first-year students: Get out of your dorm and find your own version of fun and community. These four years are just as much about self-discovery as they are about learning. Go on a hike in the gorge, take a class you’re interested in, and don’t be afraid to talk to other first-year students—they’re just as confused and overwhelmed as you!
A nod to family: I want to thank my grandfather, Richard, for his decades of hard work and countless hours-long drives from Butler County to Erie. Without him, I would not be where I am today. I am eternally grateful for him and the sacrifices he has made for me.
[Behrend] is among the few colleges in the nation to offer a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing with a fiction and poetry option.
—Steviee Geagan