Inter Committee Liaison/Student-Alumni Ice Cream Social (1)

This captain will act as the Administrative Assistant and plan the Student-Alumni Ice Cream Social. As the Administrative Assistant they will work closely with the Alumni Relations Director in organizing team building events and acting as the main connection between Alumni Relations and other committees. Their responsiblities will include taking meeting minutes, checking and collaborating with other captains, and designing/ordering all Alumni Relations Committee merchandise. The ICS role requires they work closely with the Alumni Association to formulate the event layout, entertainment and activities, and the timeline. This captain will be responsible for reaching out to performing organizations, student organizations, and the student population in order to increase attendance and help advertise the events. This captain will also act as the liaison between Alumni Relations and Financial Management, working with the Financial Management Fiscal Tracking Captains to track the committee’s expenses throughout the year. This individual must demonstrate creativity and an ability to work through event planning logistics while being organized and have strong communication skills.

Alumni Court (1)

This captain is in charge of all logistics pertaining to the Penn State Homecoming Alumni Court. This individual will oversee the publicizing of the court, as well as the application and interview process. This individual will be responsible for maintaining and promoting good relationships between any Alumni chapters and groups involved in the process. Once the Alumni Court is selected, this individual is tasked with acting as the liaison between Homecoming and the Alumni Court. During Homecoming Week, this captain will go to Court Reception (along with your GM/HGM Liaison) to introduce the court to the audience. They will also escort the court to Vehicle Grounds and meet them at the end of the route to escort them to FFT on Parade Day.

Alumni Engagement: Social Media (1)

This captain will be in charge of working with the Alumni Association to promote alumni recognition beyond just Homecoming Week. They will be responsible for utilizing our social media platforms, especially LinkedIn, to connect with accomplished alumni and reach out to interview them for the Alumni Spotlight Initiative. They will work closely with PR for the Spotlights and with use of Homecoming Social Media. This captain should be ambitious in their efforts to stay engaged with and highlight the successes of alumni through online platforms and be comfortable demonstrating professionalism while interviewing these alumni. This captain should be enthusiastic in their interactions and creative in finding new ways to highlight Penn State alumni. This captain will work closely with the other Alumni Engagement: Events Captain to highlight additional events.

Alumni Engagement: Events (1)

This captain will be in charge of working with the Alumni Association to promote student engagement with alumni beyond just Homecoming Week, including guest speakers, luncheons with L’AMBS and BWS and networking events. They will work closely with the Administrative Assistant, as well as the Alumni Association, to create new events and initiatives that will further engage students and alumni. They will also work with their director to continue to grow AlumniTalks. They should be ambitious in their efforts to stay engaged with and highlight the successes of alumni and will be in charge of creating new ways to gate our alumni involved throughout this years’ Homecoming season and leading up to it. This captain should demonstrate professionalism and have strong communication skills to other Homecoming volunteers and incoming Alumni.

Grand Marshal/Honorary Grand Marshal Captain (2)

This captain will be in charge of maintaining contact with Homecoming’s Grand Marshal and Honorary Grand Marshal prior to and throughout Homecoming Week, ensuring that they are aware of the timeline and other important information. They are in charge of promoting the Grand Marshal and Honorary Grand Marshal to the Penn State population, including planning how they will be revealed and sharing how these individuals have contributed to the Penn State community. This individual must be organized, demonstrate professionalism, and have strong communication skills. During Homecoming Week, this captain will go to Court Reception (along with your Alumni Court Captain) to introduce the GM and HGM. Additionally, this captain will escort the GM and HGM to Vehicle Grounds and F&FT on Parade Day.

Events & Registration (1)
The Event Captain should be outgoing, organized, have good communication skills, and be willing to reach out to distinguished Penn State students, faculty, and alumni. The Events/Registration Captain is responsible for the organization of the Madhatter Competition, Banner Competition, and Competitor Registration. This captain is also responsible for being present to greet the judges and explain the scoring process of Banner Competition. This Captain will also oversee the execution of all areas of the Madhatter Competition. This Captain will also be working with the financial Management Director on Competitor Registration.

Organization Liaisons (3)
The Organization Liaisons serve as the main point of communication for all Penn State Homecoming Competitors. The Liaisons will be working to further outreach to more organizations on campus. These Captains must have a vast knowledge of everything involved with Competition and Homecoming, including, events, rules, dates, and scoring and will need to be prepared to answer Competitor questions at any time. They will be responsible for the planning and execution of the Spring and Fall Homecoming Information Meetings. The Competing pairs will be split, and each Organization Liaison will be given a group of Competitors for which they will provide information and send reminders to. These Captains must be responsible, organized, have strong communication skills, and be prepared to work with many individuals.

Points (1)
The Point Master Captain is required to attend all events at which Spirit and/or Competition Points are available and will oversee signing in organization members to receive points. They are required to create detailed spreadsheets that will be used by themselves as well as Competition Captains to keep track of all Competition and Spirit Points for each specific event. These captains should be organized, prompt, and have some experience in creating spreadsheets (Excel).

Rules & Regulation (1)

 The Rules & Regulations Captain will be responsible for administering deductions according to the rules set forth in the Rulebook and will be required to create Rulebook quizzes that will be given to Competition Captains as well as Homecoming Chairs of each organization. This captain is also responsible for overseeing the making of rubrics for the events as well as competitor inspections. This captain should be organized and will work with Parade on all requirements for the Float Competition.

Events Captains (2)

The Events Captain is responsible for planning events in celebration of the selection of the 2026 Homecoming Court. This includes Court Reception, Court Workshop, and Court Crashes. They also communicate with the Alumni Association and Staff at the Hintz Center to prepare for these events. This captain will lead initiatives and conversations throughout the year to bring up common Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion issues, and is responsible for taking meeting minutes and fostering morale and bonding within the committee.

Student Court Captains (1-2)

The Student Court Captain(s) coordinates all efforts involving the Homecoming 2026 Student Court. This includes communicating with the past court and involving them in Spring events for Homecoming. These Captains are also responsible for the nomination, application, voting, and selection of the Student Court for Homecoming 2026. This also involves assisting in the coordination of the Faculty Panel and ensuring the appearance of the Homecoming Student Court at events throughout Homecoming Week.

University Court Captain (1)

The University Court Captain is involved in the coordination of all things surrounding the University Court of Homecoming 2026. This includes the nomination and selection of the Court as well as the appearance of the Court at events throughout Homecoming Week. This captain will also work with the Graduate Court Captain to select a Student Panel.

Graduate and Professional School Court Captain (1)

The Graduate and Professional School Court Captain is in charge of the coordination of all things surrounding the Graduate Court for Homecoming 2026. This includes the nomination and selection of the Court as well as the appearance of the court at events throughout Homecoming Week. This will include outreach efforts to different graduate organizations to make them aware of nominations. This captain will also work with the University Court Captain to select a Student Panel.

Allen Street Jam Captain (1)

This captain is responsible for planning and executing the Allen Street Jam, a street fair held on the Monday of Homecoming Week to kick-off the week-long celebration. They will be in charge of all aspects of the event, including, but not limited to, organizing the layout of the event, coordinating an entertainment timeline, gathering and reaching out to potential vendors , working with the State College Borough and reaching out to organizations for booths, along with set up and tear down of the event. They will work with other committees (mainly Talent Relations) to coordinate performances and stage events. They will also serve as the primary contact on the day of their event. This captain should have a strong work ethic, interpersonal skills, creativity and organizational skills.

Past to Present Captain (1)

This captain is responsible for planning and executing Past to Present, an event held on the Tuesday of Homecoming Week. Past to Present encompasses the history of Penn State and how it has developed into the Penn State that we see today. They will be in charge of all aspects of the event, including, but not limited to, organizing the layout of the event, creating a ‘living museum’ of Penn State History, reaching out to and collaborating with potential organizations to assist with the event, communicating and contracting with external vendors, along with set up and tear down of the event. They will also serve as the primary contact on the day of their event. This captain should have a strong work ethic, interpersonal skills, creativity and organizational skills.

Best of Penn State Carnival Captain (1)

This captain is responsible for planning and executing the annual Best of Penn State Carnival (BOPS Carnival), held on the Wednesday of Homecoming Week. They will be in charge of all aspects of the event, including, but not limited to, organizing the layout of the event, reaching out to and communicating with potential vendors to find large attractions, working on the timeline for the event, contacting student organizations and coordinating their involvement in the event, along with set up and tear down of the event. They will also serve as the primary contact on the day of their event. This captain should have a strong work ethic, interpersonal skills, creativity and organizational skills.

Friends & Family Tent Captain (1)

This captain is responsible for planning and executing the Friends & Family Tent (FFT) on parade day, which is where distinguished alumni, guests of the Homecoming Executive Committee, Student Court, and Faculty Court sit during the parade. This captain will be in charge of all aspects of the event, including, but not limited to, arranging the guest list, sending out invitations and save the date reminders, creating and distributing VIP passes, coordinating food and refreshments, along with set up and tear down of the event. This captain is also encouraged to find a creative way to recognize the Homecoming Executive Committee at the event. They will also serve as the primary contact on the day of their event. This captain should have a strong work ethic, interpersonal skills, creativity and organizational skills. This captain also has to work well independently as the Pride Events director will be at Parade Grounds for most of the event.

Entertainment Coordinator Captain (2)

These captains are responsible for planning and executing all the entertainment for Homecoming events prior to and during Homecoming Week. These captains will be in charge of making the playlists for events, the timeline for the For The Glory Talent Show, the ASJ Dance Competition, and the Drag Show . These Captains will be working throughout the year to find new and exciting talent, as well as create a timeline and schedule for both events. Responsibilities include contacting, auditioning, and selecting all bands to perform throughout Homecoming. These captains will also work with the Technology committee to ensure that performer groups’ music files are received by the committee. These Captains must be organized, well spoken, and confident in their event planning skills.

Event Liaison Captain (1)

This captain is responsible for planning and executing the Spring Homecoming event Legacy, alongside the Event Logistics Director. During the planning of Legacy this captain will learn what goes into executing an event and following Legacy will transition to the Event Liaison Captain and foster a relationship between the Event Logistics Captains and Event Logistics Director. This captain must be highly motivated, flexible and responsible. This captain will hold major Homecoming Week responsibilities in times when the EL director is not present. The second-in command position must offer tremendous support to both the Event Logistics Director and the captains throughout the year during the planning and execution of all Homecoming Week Events.

Fiscal Tracking A (1)

These Captains are responsible for tracking all internal expenses and profits of Homecoming. They will work closely with the Financial Management Director to manage various committee budgets and fiscal reports throughout the year. Core responsibilities include merchandise profit analysis, profit/expense report tracking, and committee budget management. This position will also entail educating all Inter-Committee Liaisons and Financial Management Liaisons on proper financial recording methods and fiscal tracking. *This role also includes assisting Captain B in providing data and financial insights needed to create the monthly executive summaries.

Fiscal Tracking B (1)

Captains will be responsible for creating a monthly executive summary that breaks down spending by committee and includes data visualizations,such as dashboards or reports created using tools like Tableau or similar platforms,to clearly communicate financial trends to leadership.These Captains will be responsible for tracking the budgets for fiscally focused committees, which include the Internal Development, OPPerations, Parade, Pride Events, Public Relations, Talent Relations, and University Relations committees. They will also help the Financial Management Director lead the Fiscal Tracking Group in meetings. Detail orientation and Excel experience are preferred skills.

Purchasing/Payment (1)

Captains will oversee the tracking of all payments and charges from organizations and external companies, maintaining accurate financial records through a newly revamped Excel tracking system. Purchasing Captains will work closely with the Parade and Competition Committees to coordinate float-related needs and support competition logistics. In addition to purchasing, these They will research quotes from various vendors, identify cost-effective options, and work to find sustainable alternatives to common supplies. Overall, this Captain plays a key role in purchasing, tracking, and allocating the resources that fuel all of Homecoming!

Internal Engagement (1)

The Internal Engagement Captain assists the Internal Development Director in coordinating logistics and creative elements for Captain workshops, banquets, and other events to help bolster the overall improvement of Homecoming’s internal involvement. This role ensures these events run smoothly and foster collaboration among all members of Homecoming by strengthening our internal community.

Administrative Assistant (1)

The Administrate Assistant will be responsible for the organizational and financial aspects of the Merchandise Committee throughout the year. This Captain will understand the inner workings of their Committee and work closely with their Director to be knowledgeable about all operational aspects of their Committee. The Administrative Assistant will oversee recording meeting minutes, sending recap and reminder emails, and designing committee merchandise. This Captain will also be responsible for planning all committee gatherings such as retreat, and committee bonding events. Additionally, this Captain will serve as a liaison between the Merchandise and the Financial Management Committees. The Administrative Assistant will be responsible for maintaining a financial tracking database and creating reports using that information for the Director. They must be able to create income statements, expense reports, and invoices in Excel to analyze merchandise sales. Keeping track of finances is crucial to ensuring our success as a committee, so this Captain will also assist in keeping track of Committee-specific merchandise ordered throughout the year. They will work to assist in cost analysis for inventory and for promotions. This Captain will also work with the Merchandise Director and Financial Management Committee to create a standard system for tracking merchandise financials from year to year. Additionally, they will be expected to work with Financial Management’s Fiscal Tracking Captains to track the committee’s expenses throughout the year and to attend Fiscal Tracking Focus Groups. The Administrative Assistant should be very organized, prompt with emails, adaptable and eager to learn.

Graphic Design (1)

The Graphic Design Captain will be in charge of all the graphic design needs that the Merchandise committee may have. They will work to share ideas and develop new items and logos for Homecoming gear. This Captain may also be assigned to individual tasks such as designing specific-committee merchandise, or graphics. The Graphic Design Captain will act as a liaison to the Public Relations Committee to ensure Homecoming’s brand pervasiveness and consistency across the Penn State community. This Captain will also be asked to design the posters for merch sales as well as promotional materials to be posted on Homecoming’s social media platforms. Lastly, the Graphic Designer will also be aiding the Director with reviewing all Homecoming competitors’ merchandise before participating in Homecoming events to make sure all attire is Homecoming appropriate. The ideal candidate should be extremely creative and dedicated and have an interest in fashion and design. This Captain must be proficient in using Photoshop or other graphic design programs and must provide a portfolio with at least three pieces of work with the application.

Inventory Logistics (1)

The major responsibility of the Logistical Inventory Captain is to ensure all sales locations are supplied with merchandise. Merchandise needs to be inventoried after every sale; therefore, they will be asked to keep accurate records of inventory, spot any trends in selling to communicate with the Ordering Captain, and work together with the Financial Management Liaison Captain to produce reports on all items sold. This includes working with the Ordering Captain to establish a logical system to determine how much inventory to order. This Captain must also have a way to record the quantity of each item sold at each sale. The Inventory Captains will also assist in the organization and maintenance of the merchandise storage room. Additionally, the Inventory Captains will work with the Head of Sales Captains to ensure all sales and display bins are accurately stocked before and after each sale. This Captain must be very organized, proficient with Excel (or other spreadsheet software), strong communication skills, and flexible.

Inventory Outreach (1)

The major responsibility of the Outreach Inventory Captain is to ensure all sales locations are supplied with merchandise. Merchandise needs to be inventoried after every sale; therefore, they will be asked to keep accurate records of inventory with the other Inventory Captain. This position will also involve managing the merchandise online store. Online store responsibilities include packing and shipping all online orders and responding to customer service questions via e-mail. The Inventory Captains will also assist in the organization and maintenance of the merchandise storage room. This Captain will be responsible for distributing all internal Homecoming merchandise (e.g., on-shift shirts and Forever shirts). Additionally, the Inventory Captains will work with the Head of Sales Captains to ensure all sales and display bins are accurately stocked before and after each sale. This Captain must be very organized, be able to respond to e-mails adequately, proficient with Excel (or other spreadsheet software), strong communication skills, and adaptable.

Ordering (1)

The Ordering Captain will be responsible for placing all orders for Homecoming specific merchandise. This Captain will work closely with the Merchandise Director and our vendors to ensure that all merchandise orders are correct. This position will also involve preparing the order sheets to be sent out to the vendors in a neat Excel Spreadsheet. This Captain will work with the Inventory Outreach Captain to establish a logical system to determine how much inventory to order. Lastly, this Captain will work closely with the Merchandise Director to ensure the accurately of the orders and to ensure timely delivery/pickup. This Captain must be organized, be able to respond to e-mails promptly, have a strong attention to detail, and be very patient.

Head of Sales (1)

The Head of Sales Captain will be responsible for selecting the members of the Merchandise Committee, who will help work sales in the HUB and at Homecoming events. They will help build unity within the Merchandise Committee and work with the Inter-Committee Liaison to plan activities with the Captains and Committee Members. These Captains must be creative in finding ways to keep committee members involved in Homecoming throughout the year. The Head of Sales Captains will not only attend weekly meetings with the Merchandise Director and Captains, but they will also be expected to hold weekly meetings with their Merchandise Committee. They will also be responsible for creating a schedule for Committee Members and Captains to ensure that sales are manned at all times and lead set-up and tear-down procedures. These Captains will make sure all Captains and Committee Members are aware of the sale procedures by working with the Merchandise Director to teach the skills necessary to best sell our products. Additionally, these Captains will work with the Inventory Captains to ensure all sales and display bins are accurately stocked before and after each sale. The Head of Sales Captains must be strong leaders and great role models for their Committee.

Administrative Assistant (1)

The Administrative Assistant will work closely with the director throughout Homecoming to help keep the entire team educated and aware of their responsibilites within the committee. This captain will create recaps of meetings and an overall homecoming timeline, including dates of events and other captain obligations. This captain will send out reminders before events to the rest of the committee. This position will also work closely with Development Captains to organize other guides/resources for the committee. A candidate for this position should be organized and a guide for the committee.

Equipment Logistics (2)

The Equipment Logistics Captains are responsible for sourcing all materials and equipment, including tables, chairs, and vehicles needed for Homecoming Week. They will work closely with Penn State OPP and will be in constant contact with outside vendors and with other Homecoming Committees fulfilling their needs for events. These Captain will be working constantly with the Setup/Teardown and PDL Captains to plan each event. They will be a leader during event Set Up and Teardown to ensure all equipment is handled properly. These captains must understand how to use their equipment, guide others to do the same, and need to have a holistic idea of everything happening with the larger inventory items.

Development A: Morale (1)

The Morale half of the Development Captains is responsible for facilitating bonding between the captains, committee members and members of HEC. This captain is expected to ensure that the captains and the OPP committee members are comfortable with working together going into Homecoming Week. They will work closely with the Development B Captain to present “Task of the Week” presentations in weekly captain meetings and create the Survival Guides for Homecoming Events. They will also plan captain retreats, and schedule meeting crashes for OPP committee members to get to know their captains. The ideal candidate for this position is outgoing, creative, and collaborative. 

Development B: Training (1)

The Training half of the Development Captains is responsible for ensuring that all members of OPP (captains and committee members) feel comfortable with their duties during Homecoming Week. They will work closely with the Development A Captain to present “Task of the Week” presentations in weekly captain meetings and create the Survival Guides for Homecoming Events. They will also work with the Equipment Logistics Captains to help guide captains when completing special duties (using equipment, driving vehicles, etc). This captain must be able to work well on their feet and act as a resource to the OPP captains, as well as captains from other committees. 

Inventory Development (1)

The Inventory Development Captain will be responsible for developing and optimizing an Inventory Management system for internal Homecoming and OPP use. This Captain will be expected to work with the Special Projects/Construction Liaison and Event Logistic Captains to understand current inventory and update the inventory management system throughout the year. Their main project will be Inventory Day and Rope Day in which they lead the organization of the off-campus storage. This Captain needs to be organized and data-oriented and have a sound knowledge of Excel or other data management software.

Parade Day Logistics (3)

The Parade Day Logistics Captains are responsible for the OPP involvements of the parade. Parade Day Logistics Captains will also oversee the OPP committee members and prepare them for the parade. These captains will work together to create the Set Up and Tear Down timeline for parade day with the director. As well as this, they will lead the Parade Day Focus Group meetings in order to get things organized for the event. They will also work with the Administrative Assistant to create OPP’s all homecoming presentation to prepare other committees for parade day. Finally, these captains will work with the director to create an action plan for the cone placement and rope organization. Captains may choose to spearhead projects individually or work on everything together. PDL Captains should be organized, willing to lead, and team players.

Police and Security Liaison (1)

The Police & Security Captain serves as the primary liaison between Homecoming and various Police Departments. This Captain will attend meetings with the Police to ensure that Homecoming is following all protocols and fulfilling all security obligations necessary to run a successful Homecoming. This Captain will also act as a Police Liaison at the Parade Day Focus Group Meetings. Additionally, they will also be in charge of handling all driving records required for vehicle usage. This Captain is also responsible for coordinating and communicating with all Parade Day Volunteers. This Captain should be an effective communicator.

Set Up/Teardown (1)

The Set Up/Teardown Captain is responsible for creating the OPP timelines for every Homecoming event other than parade. They will work throughout the year to logistically prepare for OPP’s biggest responsibility, the Set Up and Teardown of each event, and will work closely with the Logistics and PDFG Captains to effectively coordinate Parade Day. They will ensure that all parts of Homecoming events are sufficiently staffed by other committee members. This Captain should not only be an effective leader but possess good problem-solving skills and have sufficient knowledge of all Homecoming events.

Special Projects/Construction (3)

The Special Projects/Inventory Liaison Captains will be responsible for any projects that fall outside the normal responsibilities of the OPP committee. They will design and construct all structures requested from other committees. These individuals should be creative and comfortable using basic tools necessary for construction. They will need to work with the rest of the OPP committee, and with all other committees throughout Homecoming. They will process requests from these individuals and work directly with the Inventory Development Captain to understand what inventory we currently have, and what to allocate. These 3 captains will need to have an in-depth understanding of our inventory, be very organized, and can work well with others.

Waste Management (1)

The Waste Management Captains’ focus will be on the environmental impact of Homecoming and will spread Homecoming’s sustainability efforts and mission. Throughout the year, this Captain will help lead Inter-Committee Liaisons in their Sustainability efforts. This person will be responsible for ensuring proper waste management at all Homecoming Events as well as leading Homecoming’s effort to become a zero-waste organization. This Captain will be in charge of planning Recycle Your Float Event and Homecoming OPPerations Protecting the Environment (HOPE), a campus-wide Recycling Effort. This Captain should be creative, have good organization and communication skills, and have a desire to make an impact.

Logistics Coordinator (1)

The Logistics Coordinator will be responsible for all organizational aspects and needs of the Parade Committee throughout the year, including taking meeting notes and ordering committee merchandise. This captain will also be responsible for all communication with Parade Committee members, including preparing for and hosting occasional committee member meetings, sending out committee member group reminders, and ensuring all committee member needs are met prior to Parade Day. On Parade Day, this captain will be in charge of all participating groups designated as overflow, as well as assisting in merge point wherever needed. Additionally, this captain will work closely with the Parade Director and the Financial Management Fiscal Tracking Captains to stay up to date with the committee’s expenses and payment tracking throughout the year and will be responsible for attending Parade Day Focus Group meetings. This captain should be professional, detail-oriented, organized, and possess excellent communication skills.

Alumni/Community Liaison (2)

The Alumni/Community Liaisons will be responsible for communicating all deadlines, policies, procedures, and information to alumni and community members participating in the parade. These captains will manage the full intake of alumni and community parade registrations, including sending registration confirmations and invoices, check-in information, and reminder emails throughout the year. Additionally, these captains will be responsible for frequently checking emails and answering any questions concerning a participant’s involvement in the parade. On Parade Day, these captains will be in charge of all alumni and community groups checking in, as well as assisting with the set up and tear down of the Alumni/Community Walking Grounds. These captains should be professional, organized, and possess excellent communication skills.

Student Organization Liaison (2)

The Student Organization Liaisons will be responsible for communicating all deadlines, policies, procedures, and information to all student organizations participating in the parade. These captains will manage the full intake of student organization parade registrations, including sending registration confirmations, check-in information, and reminder emails throughout the year. Additionally, these captains will be responsible for frequently checking emails and answering any questions concerning a participant’s involvement in the parade. On Parade Day, these captains will be in charge of all student organization groups checking in, as well as assisting with the set up and tear down of the Student Organization Walking Grounds. These captains should be professional, organized, possess excellent communication skills, and be able to work effectively in stressful environments.

VIP/ Vehicle Grounds Coordinator (2)

The VIP/Vehicle Coordinator will be responsible for all organizational aspects of VIP participation in the Homecoming Parade throughout the year, including developing the list of potential invitees, sending invitations, and tracking RSVPs. This captain will also be responsible for all communication with student, alumni, and government VIPs, as well as working with the Community/Donor Relations Liaison to secure vehicles for their use in the parade. On Parade Day, this captain will be in charge of all operations relating to the Vehicle Grounds, including creating diagrams of the staging grounds, assigning check-in locations and Parade Day arrival times, and managing the timely departure of all VIP vehicles to the Parade Route. Additionally, this captain will be responsible for overseeing the set up and tear down of the Vehicle Grounds. This captain should be professional, detail-oriented, organized, and possess excellent communication skills.

Float Coordinator (2)

The Float Coordinator will be responsible for all organizational aspects of Parade Float Grounds throughout the year, including securing staging ground reservations with the university and completing all required grounds paperwork. This captain will also be responsible for all communication with participating organizations, including creating diagrams of the staging grounds, assigning check-in locations and Parade Day arrival times, and ensuring all participant needs are met prior to Parade Day. On Parade Day, this captain will be in charge of managing the timely departure of all groups from the Float Grounds to the Parade Route, as well as assisting with the set up and tear down of the Float Grounds. Additionally, this captain will be responsible for planning and overseeing Recycle Your Float Day on the Sunday following the Homecoming Parade. This captain should be professional, detail-oriented, organized, and possess excellent communication skills.

Creative Lead/Content (1)

The Creative Lead works with various facets of the Public Relations Committee to ensure a cohesive brand and effective marketing strategy through all social media, graphic, and photo content. They oversee the Social Media and Graphic Design Team and will work with the Photography Captains to ensure that all visual content shared throughout the year is representing Homecoming in a positive light. This position should be an effective communicator and must possess both an analytical and creative vision for Homecomings brand.

Social Media (2)

The Social Media Captains will be in charge of maintaining the Homecoming Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. These captains should be interested in ways to broaden the Homecoming appearance in alternative media and should be prepared to work closely with other committees to promote events and share Homecoming news and updates. The Social Media Captains will also be in charge of maintaining the brand image and voice of Penn State Homecoming. Applicants should have a strong background in social media, possess creativity, excellent writing and communication skills, and a strong voice.

Media Relations (2)

The Media Relations Captains’ responsibilities include writing press releases, media advisories, PSAs, and feature articles to be sent to local and state newspapers. These Captains will also work closely with Homecoming’s contacts and assist media and print networks during all Homecoming events. This position also encourages Captains to broaden Homecoming’s reach and welcoming new outlets. The Media Relations Captains will also be in charge of creating the 2026 Homecoming Press Kit, Press FAQ Sheet, and Crisis Communication Plan. Applicants should have excellent writing, communication, and time management skills. Applicants are encouraged to have a strong background in public relations.

Photography (1)

The Photography Captains will be in charge of documenting all Homecoming events throughout the year by taking photos. In addition, they will be responsible for editing and uploading these pictures in a timely manner. These captains will also be responsible for overseeing the photography and production committee with their fellow production captain. These captains will work closely with the Social Media Captains, Production Captains, Graphic Design Captains, and the Technology Committee. Applicants should have prior photography experience, possess creativity, have a strong understanding of Homecoming’s image, and have strong leadership skills. Applicants should present a portfolio.

Graphic Design (2)

The Graphic Design Captains are responsible for designing and creating advertisements that will appear in various publications and places across campus using Homecoming’s brand guidelines. These captains will also create designs for balloons, flyers, and posters used to promote Homecoming. Applicants should have prior experience using Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator and have knowledge of graphic design. Majors in graphic design and advertising are encouraged to apply. Applicants should present a portfolio.

Production (1)

The Video Media Captains are responsible for filming, producing, and editing all Homecoming videos such as the Emcee Announcement, Logo Reveal, Grand Marshal Reveal as well as many others. They will also develop various promotional materials or virtual video experiences. These Captains will also be responsible for overseeing a committee while working closely with Social Media to produce content. Applicants should be knowledgeable in or eager to learn about DSLR cameras, Adobe Premiere or other video editing software. Applicants should be creative, self-motivated, and collaborative. Applicants should present a portfolio.

Lead Developer (1)

The Lead Developer is responsible for leading two small teams of Developers to develop and maintain the Homecoming website and special projects, overseeing their functionalities, and ensuring technological innovation align with Homecoming’s goal. This role demands proactive thinking, technical proficiency, effective communication skills, and collaboration. While prior knowledge of JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and WordPress is not required, a forward-thinking mindset and the ability to lead and innovate is useful for this position.

Web Developer (4)

Web Developers will be responsible for maintaining active development of the Homecoming website. These captains must be technologically innovative and must think outside of the box when it comes to Homecoming’s use of technology. These captains should be technically-minded, have strong communication skills, and a willingness to learn. While not required by any means, knowledge of JavaScript, HTML, and WordPress is usefully for this position.

Project Developer (4)

Project Developers will be responsible for maintaining active development of special projects for Homecoming. These captains must be technologically innovative and must think outside of the box when it comes to Homecoming’s use of technology. These captains should be technically-minded, have strong communication skills, and a willingness to learn. While not required by any means, knowledge of JavaScript, HTML, and WordPress is usefully for this position.

UX/UI Developer (2)

UX/UI Developers will be responsible for all front-end development of either the Homecoming website or special projects. These captains will ensure that the website and/or special projects are user-friendly by utilizing feedback mechanisms, navigational components, and researching user-centered design patterns to further improve the website and/or special projects usability. This role requires having strong communication skills, and analyzing and incorporate user feedback effectively. Previous experience in UX/UI is encouraged, but not required by any means. Additional experience with WordPress, HTML and CSS will be useful for this position.

Admin Assistant (1)

The Admin/Liaison will be responsible for maintaining regular communication with all other Homecoming committees for new projects, updates for the websites, and tracking progress on all assigned projects and tasks. The Admin/Liaison will be working closely with the Lead Developer to organize inter-committee requests with the Tech Committee’s timeline. They will also be tasked with creating weekly meeting recaps to provide their co-captains with. This role requires strong communication skills and the ability to coordinate multiple projects. While not required for this position, understanding of WordPress, HTML and CSS can be useful for this position.

Tournament (1)

This captain will primarily work on the Penn State Homecoming Tournament held on the Sunday before the game, to kick off Homecoming week. This captain is responsible for reaching out to sponsors for the event to gather items such as prizes for tournament winners, as well as booking the location where the event will be held. This captain is also expected to be ready to help their fellow captains when needed. This captain should be dedicated, possess strong communication skills, and have strong event planning skills. This captain does not require any prior tournament experience. 

Involvement (1)

This Captain will work towards increasing Homecoming involvement with the incoming freshmen. This will primarily be accomplished by overseeing and leading the First-Year Involvement Committee (FYIC). This Captain will promote applications for the committee, review the applications, hold meetings, and plan events for them. This Captain will work with other committees to engage FYIC in Homecoming week events and find new and innovative tasks that FYIC can undertake. This Captain should dedicate time after Homecoming week to encourage FYIC members to stay involved with Homecoming next season. In addition to the work done with FYIC, this Captain will produce new material to engage organizations and students in Homecoming activities on campus and present this material at involvement fairs and recruitment events. This Captain should be outgoing, creative, and passionate about spreading the mission of Homecoming.

Athletic Engagement (1)

This Captain will help to coordinate and plan Homecoming athletic events. This Captain will be expected to be in contact with the Penn State Athletics Marketing Department to help coordinate existing and future participation in athletic events, including but not limited to the Homecoming Basketball, Field Hockey/Lacrosse, Soccer, Hockey, Wrestling, and Golf events. This Captain will also be responsible for coming up with new and innovative ways of getting students, faculty, and alumni involved at the athletic events. This Captain should also develop creative opportunities for all Penn State athletes to be involved in Homecoming Events. This Captain should be able to communicate creative ideas to Public Relations for promoting events and be innovative when producing programming and activities in a limited space at athletic venues. This Captain should be prepared to work on multiple projects at once, have strong communication skills, and be excited about Penn State Athletics.

Special Events/Tailgate Competition (2)

This Captain will work closely with the University Relations Director, Penn State officials, and student organizations to plan events that promote the values of Homecoming, such as the Blue and White Game and events that connect with other Penn State Organizations. Their primary responsibilities include creating timelines, registration plans, and connecting Penn State students to Homecoming. This captain will be working with SPA for Rally and Roar and other outreach events with other student organizations. This Captain will also be in charge of organizing the Homecoming Tailgate Competitions held on Homecoming Gameday. They will be responsible for preparing the competition’s rules, categories, and scoring rubric, contacting potential alumni contestants and student organizations, and creating a timeline for the day of judging. This Captain will also work with the Sustainability Institute to coordinate Homecoming’s involvement in the Tailgate Ambassadors program. In addition to their tailgate-focused responsibilities, this Captain will help with other Captains when needed. This Captain should be able to communicate creative ideas to Public Relations for promoting all of the events, and be innovative when producing programming and activities in a limited space at the venues. This Captain should have great organizational skills and be capable of communicating with many contacts at once. Also, this Captain should be prepared to assume immediate responsibilities and should be very passionate about the Penn State community, event planning, and logistics.

Service (1)

This captain will organize community service events such as the blood drive, Fall and Spring Day of Service, and year-round food drive. Primary responsibilities include planning locations, bus routes, and activities for the Day of Service. This captain will also communicate with Penn State organizations about attending the Day of Service. This captain will work closely with the University Relations Director as well as act as the primary liaison between Homecoming and the Day of Service Locations. This captain should be organized, well prepared, dedicated, and passionate about Penn State Homecoming.