State of State announced its final round of speakers for the upcoming conference on Saturday. These three new speakers join the fourteen previously announced.

Aaron Kreider is Schreyer Honors Scholar and junior majoring in Criminology and Sociology with a minor in Communication Arts & Sciences. He is involved with the Penn State Mock Trial, Penn State Moot Court, Penn State Odyssey of the Mind, the Penn State Lion Ambassadors, and the Undergraduate Speaking Center. He will emcee State of State this year.

Dr. Susan Russell is an Associate Professor in the School of Theatre where she teaches graduate and undergraduate literature/criticism, playwriting, musical theatre history, and women in theatre. While getting an education Russell experienced a long career as a professional actor on and off-Broadway. In 2013 Russell was chosen as one of the Faces of Penn State, and in 2014 she was appointed the Penn State Laureate for the upcoming year.

Dr. Jeanine Staples is an Associate Professor of Literacy and Language & African American Studies where she is an educational anthropologist. She illuminates serious problems dealing with racism, sexism, and ableism.

David Gaines co-leads the creative writing organization Writers Organized to Represent Diverse Stories at Penn State. He is a spoken word artist, actor, and student double majoring in Theatre and English. From uptown Philadelphia, Gaines’ spoken word is infused with his rap-influences style.

The conference will be held on Saturday, February 13 at Alumni Hall in the HUB. The theme of the conference will be “Exploring the Glory” and registration is available online until Monday at 3 p.m.