Centre County resident and Arthur C. Dale Foundation Executive Director Raquel Ross was announced as the 2016 Homecoming Honorary Grand Marshal this afternoon.

A leader in her community, Ross is a strong advocate for those with Down Syndrome. Her work includes serving as President of the Centre Region Down Syndrome Society and raising awareness as an ambassador for the National Down Syndrome Society. As a part of the Arthur C. Dale Foundation, she’s helped improve quality of life for military personnel along with individuals with or without special needs through the use of equine-based therapies. Her job entails overseeing daily operations and helping to spread the nonprofit’s message through marketing.

Ross earned her B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies from Penn State before going on to earn her J.D. from The University of Connecticut School of Law. Ross went on to found Raquel Ross Law, L.L.C., in Centre County, focusing on family law, guardianships, and bankruptcy law. Her impressive resume features distinctions and recognitions like PA Business Central’s Foremost Under 40, which she earned in 2010, and was named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers in 2012.

Ross was a Schreyer Honor Scholar during her time at Penn State and placed third in the college’s annual thesis competition. She previously served as an adjunct professor of Business Law at St. Francis University and currently resides in Centre County with her husband and daughter.