The Penn State Alumni Association will honor ten prominent young alumni for their outstanding professional accomplishments at the 2026 Alumni Achievement Awards Ceremony on Friday, March 20, at 6 p.m.

The award is one of the Alumni Association’s most prestigious honors. Recipients—alumni aged 35 and younger—are nominated by an academic college or campus and invited by the president of the University to return to Penn State to share their expertise with students and the University community. They demonstrate to students that Penn State alumni can succeed in exceptional fashion at an early age. 

“Our Alumni Achievement Award recipients show students what’s possible when passion meets purpose,” said Ryan Jones, interim CEO of the Alumni Association. “Their accomplishments so early in their careers demonstrate the lasting value of a Penn State education and the difference our alumni make around the world.”

The following Penn Staters will receive the Alumni Achievement Award:  

Julia Cecchetti ’20, Penn State Behrend, is a senior propulsion engineer at Impulse Space in Redondo Beach, California, designing advanced chemical rocket engines for in-space mobility. Previously, she contributed to SpaceX’s Dragon and Starship programs. A NASA Early Career Achievement Medal recipient, Cecchetti graduated as valedictorian of the Behrend School of Engineering and continues to support Penn State as a guest lecturer.

Taylor Criste ’14, Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, Schreyer Honors College, is the director of nursing operations at Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals in Philadelphia, leading workforce strategy for a large academic medical center. A recognized nursing leader, he advances staffing innovation, quality improvement, and patient safety initiatives. Criste supports Penn State through alumni mentorship and service on the Alumni Society Board.

Alex Hogan ’16, Bellisario College of Communications, is a foreign correspondent for FOX News Channel, covering international and domestic stories, including Ukraine, Taiwan, and European humanitarian crises. A regional Emmy Award winner, Hogan brings a global perspective to her reporting and continues to engage with Penn State by mentoring students and sharing her professional experience.

Matthew Kapelewski ’12, College of Science, Schreyer Honors College, is director of chemistry at Orbital, an AI-focused startup in Princeton, New Jersey, leading teams developing advanced materials for carbon dioxide capture and energy-efficient cooling. At Penn State, he held multiple leadership roles in Atlas, a THON organization, including fundraising chair, directing initiatives that raised over $370,000 for children
with cancer. He continues to mentor students and support Penn State programs.

Natalie Keller ’17, College of Agricultural Sciences, Schreyer Honors College, is a senior food scientist at Campbell’s, developing and bringing to market cookie and cracker products for the Pepperidge Farm brand. Her work spans consumer research, recipe development, and scaling production. Keller supports Penn State through leadership and has served as president of the Schreyer Honors College Alumni Society Board from 2021 to 2025, spearheading initiatives including an endowed emergency
scholarship and mentoring students.

Anthony M. Mitchell ’17, College of the Liberal Arts, is vice president of federal affairs at America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), advancing health care access, affordability, and equity with Congress and federal agencies. A political science graduate and two-time national 40 Under 40 honoree, he was active in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Lion Ambassadors, and UPUA. Mitchell remains engaged through
alumni leadership, philanthropy, mentorship, and service on Penn State boards.

Rhoda “Dr. Rho” Moise ’15, College of Health and Human Development, Schreyer Honors College, is a scientist, educator, and wellness practitioner bridging public health research, integrative healing, and community empowerment. She is the founder of Dr. Rho Wellness, where she empowers individuals and communities to heal, grow, and thrive. Her honors include the Schreyer Honors College Outstanding GOLD Scholar Alumni Award, the Barrett Prize for Best Dissertation, and the University of Miami’s HR Excellence in Teaching Award. 

Uma Moriarity ’14, Smeal College of Business, Schreyer Honors College, is a senior investment strategist and global head of sustainability at CenterSquare Investment Management, where she leads firmwide investment strategy and sustainable initiatives across public and private real estate platforms. Recognized internationally for her leadership, she is the youngest partner at the firm and a frequent industry speaker. She serves on the Penn State Board of Trustees and Smeal Sustainability Advisory Board, mentors students, and has been honored as a Schreyer Honors College Outstanding GOLD Scholar and a 2024 Woman of Influence by GlobeSt.com.

Lisa Marie Rogali ’16, College of Arts and Architecture, is a professional opera singer who has appeared in leading roles nationwide and performed at Carnegie Hall. Acclaimed for her portrayals of the title role in Bizet’s Carmen and Rosina in Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia, she has trained with Detroit Opera, Minnesota Opera, The Glimmerglass Festival, and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. Featured on the cover of the Penn Stater in 2025, she continues to inspire Penn State students through performance and mentorship.

Tiffany Veet ’14, Penn State Hazleton, is head of drug substance continuous improvement APU support at Sanofi, providing strategic leadership for vaccine manufacturing across multiple biologics programs. She serves as president of the Hazleton Campus Alumni Society and on the Penn State Alumni Council, supporting mentorship, education, and continued engagement with the Hazleton campus community.

The Alumni Achievement program is administered by the Penn State Alumni Association in cooperation with the University’s academic colleges, campuses, and the Office of the President.

Alumni are nominated by a college or campus as leaders in their professional fields and accept an invitation from the president of the University to return to campus to share their expertise with students, faculty, and administrators.

Visit the website for more information on the honorees and the award. Those interested in tuning in virtually to the ceremony may register here. 

About the Penn State Alumni Association
For more than 150 years, the Penn State Alumni Association has provided alumni with a strong and welcoming community representative of the Penn Staters it proudly serves. The association keeps alumni connected to the University and each other, while upholding Penn State traditions and supporting the University’s mission of teaching, research, and service. The association also produces the award-winning Penn Stater magazine and other publications, and offers alumni and friends volunteer opportunities, educational programming, and many other services. For more information about the
Alumni Association, visit alumni.psu.edu.