Junior Paige Myers was recently named Penn State Homecoming’s executive director. With the planning for next year’s events already underway, Myers has been busy building next year’s executive committee and helping shape Homecoming to her vision for 2024.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Penn State Homecoming (@psuhomecoming)

Between a health policy and administration major, a minor in diversity and inclusion in health and human development, and involvement in other organizations across campus, Myers is a busy student who has been tasked with overseeing the largest student-run homecoming organization in the country. Myers took a moment from her busy schedule to sit down and talk about why she got involved with the organization, her plans for Homecoming 2024, and more.

Onward State: What made you want to get involved with Homecoming?

Paige Myers: My Penn State journey began the spring semester of my first year and getting this late start to Penn State, I arrived in State College extremely eager to get involved and meet new friends!

I participated in my high school’s Homecoming celebration my senior year so when I saw the Penn State Homecoming booth at the spring Involvement Fair, it felt familiar. I applied to be a captain for the court relations committee. I wasn’t sure how the Penn State Homecoming courts were run, but I knew Homecoming would give me the opportunity to meet the most incredible people I know!

After my year serving as the student court captain, I learned and became passionate about the mission of Penn State Homecoming. I continued my involvement in 2023 as the court relations director. Working with the most incredible court members throughout 2022 and 2023 furthered my passion and purpose to serve this organization and the Penn State community as a whole.

OS: What are some of your responsibilities as executive director?

PM: My first responsibilities as the executive director of Homecoming 2024 are to facilitate application and interviews and ultimately select my logistics and outreach officer. The officers and I will then work together to select the Homecoming 2024 executive committee.

OS: Do you have a favorite Homecoming memory?

PM: My favorite Homecoming memory has to be watching the 2023 university and undergraduate-graduate student courts in the Homecoming Parade. Experiencing the community coming together for our annual Homecoming Parade and seeing the community cheer on the amazing court members was incredible. Honoring our courts throughout the entire weeklong celebration and beyond has been the highlight of my years involved in this organization.

OS: What is Homecoming’s role within the Penn State community?

PM: Homecoming’s role within the entire Penn State community is to instill the Penn State pride throughout the community and celebrate the community as a whole. Homecoming Week gives the PSU Community of present students, future students, alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and even just Penn State sports fans an opportunity to celebrate the shared PSU pride.

OS: What are you hoping to do differently with Homecoming 2024 from years past?

PM: Homecoming is an organization rooted in tradition. With that being said, we always strive to showcase the tradition and undying passion of the Penn State community. We must always remember and honor where our organization began to grow in the direction we hope to grow. While there is always room for improvement within the organization, as each year continues, we hope to take what we have done over past years and exemplify it to further instill and uphold our mission for the Penn State community.

OS: What is your favorite event during Homecoming Week?

PM: My favorite Homecoming Week event is probably Past to Present (P2P).

P2P is an event usually held on Tuesday of Homecoming Week, and during this event, the community can travel back in time and learn about the history of Penn State and the century-long history of Penn State Homecoming celebrations! This event is my favorite because it beautifully displays the history of our organization and shows how much we have grown throughout the years!

OS: Why did you choose to attend Penn State?

PM: I chose Penn State because it felt like a home and eventually became mine. The Penn State community felt like the biggest, most supportive family I could ever be a part of. I wanted to experience the love and passion for this university, too!

I thank my past self every day for making the decision to attend Penn State, and as a student fresh out of high school, nothing makes sense in the moment. Every day I spend here at this university is further proof that I made an amazing decision and am so grateful I went with my gut.

OS: Outside of Homecoming, what’s your favorite Penn State tradition?

PM: Outside of Homecoming my favorite Penn State tradition is definitely the Blue-White Game. Homecoming traditionally reveals our theme during this game but aside from that, being in Beaver Stadium full of pride with all attendees supporting the same team is magical. The Blue and White game is also a common tradition alumni return home for. Seeing the Penn State community come together to support our football team with no opponent really shows the ongoing passion for Penn State as a whole.

OS: Are you involved in any other organizations on campus?

PM: Yes I am! In addition to Homecoming, I am an ambassador for the college of health and human development.

Within the HHD Ambassador program, I meet with prospective PSU students and describe my time here at Penn State as well as in the College of HHD. I am also involved in the Health Policy Administration Peer-Mentoring Program. Through this program, third- and fourth-year students in the HPA program are paired with first-year students entering the HPA program. These pairings help first years with the transition into college life as well as gaining their footing within the health policy and
administration major.

OS: As per Onward State tradition, if you could be any dinosaur, which would you be
and why?

PM: Triceratops have always been my favorite, so I’ll go with that! I don’t really know why. I guess if I was confronted by real dinosaurs the triceratops looks the most approachable. I think we could be friends if I really tried!