Name: Julia Skrip

Major: Biobehavioral Health

Previous THON Experience:

THON 2023 – Communications CM

THON 2024 – Alumni Engagement Captain: Organization Liaison

THON 2025 – Alumni Engagement Captain: Alumni Communications Coordinator

What made you want to apply for a director position for THON 2026?

I wanted to become a director for the largest student-run philanthropy in the world to make the most impact I can in the lives of our Four Diamonds families, volunteers, and THON Community as a whole as I enter my final year at Penn State. This organization has given me a home where I feel constantly inspired by the unwavering dedication and selflessness of every volunteer, and I am lucky to have had three incredible, strong, and passionate female leaders on each of my three committees that have shaped me into both the volunteer and person that I am today. As a director, I want to ensure our volunteers, no matter how near or far from Penn State, always feel the love and magic of this organization by instilling in them the passion for bettering the lives of THON Families that my past leaders have given me. Each year, I see the impact THON has on our families become greater and greater, and not only do I want to maximize the role I play in creating a difference, but I also want to ensure the THON community has increased opportunities and capacities to give back to our families as well. Whether it be by planning an event or executing a campaign, I want to inspire others to fight for our beautiful families and families affected by childhood cancer around the world.

What are your responsibilities as a THON Director?

My main responsibility as the Alumni Engagement Director for THON 2026 is to serve as the primary liaison between THON and our 25,000+ alumni supporters. I work closely with Penn State alumni chapters and affiliate groups, including the Dance Marathon Alumni Interest Group (DMAIG), to ensure they have the necessary resources and support to both fundraise and spread awareness about THON’s mission. I also help educate current students about the multitude of ways to stay involved as an alum because being a THON volunteer does not have to end after your graduation from Penn State! Finally, I lead 17 wonderful captains who plan and execute a variety of campaigns and projects to help our alumni base continue making a difference in the lives of children and families impacted by childhood cancer.

What do you want to implement in your position this year that differs from years past?

I want to implement more opportunities for our alumni to learn more about the critical research that THON and Four Diamonds fund. THON’s impact spreads further beyond State College and Pennsylvania than many people realize, as the research funded impacts our Four Diamonds families in addition to families impacted by childhood cancer around the world. This is because research consortia at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital share their study findings with other hospitals around the world. By highlighting this life-saving research, more alumni can more strongly resonate with THON’s mission, for the impact made by supporting THON is not localized to Pennsylvania!

What makes your committee so cool, fun, and/or important?

Alumni Engagement is such a cool, fun, and important committee because we are one of only a few external-facing committees, meaning our stakeholders are non-student supporters from all over the country. This means that we have the opportunity to spread our mission by engaging new demographics. There are alumni chapters located all over the country that we work with, spanning from Hawaii to Florida! The Alumni Engagement is also always growing and changing, so new campaigns and initiatives can be brought to life. My captains have been working tirelessly on turning their ideas into tangible projects that are both creative and engaging!  

What are the overall goals you hope to reach with your committee for THON 2026?

One overarching goal I hope to achieve with my committee for THON 2026 is to engage as many alumni supporters as we can, regardless of their location. I also want to ensure that current students are well-educated on their options for THON involvement as an alum because being a THON volunteer does not have to end after graduation!

Why do you THON?

I THON for all of our beautiful Four Diamonds families who have so graciously shared their stories with our community. No family should have to fight alone, and every child should have the chance to grow up and live out their dreams fearlessly. I also THON for all of the “whys” of my captains, co-directors, and greater THON Community. I have met some of the most incredible volunteers through this organization who continuously inspire me to keep fighting for our families.

What’s your favorite THON memory?

My favorite THON memory is celebrating Dancers Stand with my co-captains at THON Weekend 2025!

Per Onward State tradition, if you could be any dinosaur, which one would you be and why?

I would want to be a stegosaurus because they seem like friendly dinosaurs who frolic in fields and eat plants all day!