Press

Introducing Homecoming 2017’s Honorary Grand Marshal and face of Penn State, Scott Shirley! Scott E. Shirley is Executive Director of Uplifting Athletes and CEO of Pledge It. Uplifting Athletes is a national nonprofit inspiring the rare disease community with hope through the power of sport. Shirley established the organization while on the Penn State football team and started the inaugural “Lift For Life” event in 2003. In 2015, the Penn State chapter of Uplifting Athletes surpassed $1 million raised during the annual “Lift For Life.”

Today, Uplifting Athletes has college chapters across the country. Each chapter is run by current student-athletes, providing them with practical job skills while learning how to leverage their popularity to make a positive and lasting impact. Uplifting Athletes has had an estimated economic impact of more than $400 million on the rare disease community.

In 2014, the desire to incorporate sports with philanthropy drove Shirley to create Pledge It, an innovative performance-based fundraising application. Through this website, athletes from all levels of sport can engage their fans to support their needs or a charitable cause. Under Shirley’s leadership, Pledge It has worked with hundreds of the nations top teams and professional athletes. Penn State alumnus Devon Still’s “Sack Cancer” campaign was featured on ESPN, the Today Show, Sports Illustrated, and many more. Through partnerships with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the American Cancer Society & CBS Sports Interactive, Pledge It has created two national programs (touchdownsagainstcancer.com and 3pointchallenge.org) to empower high school and college teams in the fight against cancer.

Prior to starting Uplifting Athletes and Pledge It, Shirley served as a project engineer for Clark Construction Group, LLC. Shirley received his B.S. & M.Eng. in Civil Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University where he was recognized as the top student in his class with a focus in construction management. He went on to become an Executive Scholar in Nonprofit Management from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University and currently serves on numerous volunteer boards.

Shirley lives in Harrisburg, Pa; with his wife Stephanie ’09, and their sons, Holden and Bennis.  Homecoming is so excited to welcome Scott Shirley back to Penn State as our 2017 Honorary Grand Marshal!

Involvement Captain (2)

These Captains will work towards increasing Homecoming involvement of the incoming freshmen. This will primarily be done by overseeing the First Year Involvement Committee. These Captains will promote applications for the committee, review the applications, hold meetings and plan events for them. These Captains should be creative and passionate about spreading the mission of Homecoming to first yearstudents.

Outreach Captain (1)

This Captain will work closely with the director to maintain committee organization as well as with different administrators on campus to organize events that promote Homecoming participation, including Day of Service and Office Competition. Responsibilities for this position include creating timelines for events, keeping meeting minutes, sending out reminder emails, coordinating bonding activities and ordering committee merchandise. This captain will serve as a liaison between University Relations and the Internal Development Committee as well as different organizations both in and outside of Penn State. The Outreach Captain will also be responsible for fielding any questions that organizations may have regarding homecoming. This Captain should be very organized, hardworking, and have excellent communication skills.

Dance Competition Captains (2)

These Captains are primarily responsible for planning and executing the annual Homecoming Dance Competition. They will recruit and maintain communication with all participating dance organizations. This is done by holding Dance Competition information sessions, auditions, educating dance organization on competition criteria, obtaining emcee introductions and music files from each organization, and taking charge of checking-in dancers on the day of the event. These Captains should be motivated and organized to create this event.

Student Athlete Involvement Liaison (SAIL) Captains (2)

These Captains will act as the liaisons between the Student Athlete Advisory Board (SAAB) and Homecoming. These Captains must be student athletes or have involvement with SAAB. A requirement for these Captains is to be able to attend SAAB general meetings as well as University Relations meetings, however, they cannot hold any other position on SAAB’s executive board or serve as the SAAB Homecoming Chair. These Captains will be the primary contact with coaches and athletes for appearances at various Homecoming events. Additionally, they will develop new and creative ways to better integrate athletics into Homecoming celebrations. These Captains should be motivated, passionate about all areas of Penn State, and willing to reach out to numerous athletic teams campus-wide.

Administrative Assistant (1)

The Administrative Assistant will work closely with the Technology Director. Their duties will be to keep meeting minutes, organize merchandise orders and events for the committee, and emphasize committee bonding. This captain will also act as the primary point of contact between other Homecoming Committees to ensure that all projects are up to date. This Captain will work closely with PR to ensure all banners, announcements, and subscriptions are current. Administrative Assistants must be very organized and have good time management skills.

*Technical skills are not required, but are favorable for this position

Project Liaison Captains (2) 

Administrative Assistant (1)

The Administration Assistant will assist the Director by taking meeting minutes, distributing materials, organizing information, and ordering merchandise for Captains.  He/she will also work with the Internal Development Director and Captains in bi-weekly meetings, which are in addition to the weekly Captain meetings.

Inter-Committee Liaison (1)

The Inter-Committee Liaison will be the liaison between Security and all other Homecoming committees. He/she will be responsible for ensuring Security needs are met for all Homecoming events, including the Legacy Celebration, the Past to Present Celebration, and Best of Penn State Carnival. He/she will also coordinate collaborations with other committees throughout the year, such as the Parade Day Focus Group (PDFG) – consisting of OPPerations, Distribution Management, and Parade.

Parade Liaison (1)

The Parade Liaison will oversee all Security tasks on Parade Day. Alongside the Director, he/she will develop a detailed Parade day-of-event timeline for Security to ensure that the parade route is secured and properly lined. The Parade Liaison will also work directly with the Parade committee to plan a timeline together and attend the Parade Day Focus Group (PDFG).

OPPerations Liaison (1)

The OPPerations Liaison will work directly with OPPerations to ensure Security can help OPPerations make Homecoming run smoothly and safely. They will develop a detailed timeline with OPPerations for Parade Day to ensure the setup and teardown of the parade goes as smoothly as possible. The OPPerations Liaison will also work alongside the other Captians and attend the Parade Day Focus Group (PDFG).

Administrative Assistant / Graduate Student Court Liaison (1)

• Take meeting minutes and send them to the committee after each meeting
• The liaison for Graduate Student court (will go in further detail of what this entails)
• Order committee merchandise
• Plan social events within our committee and with others

Events Captain (1)

• Plan Court Workshop for all Homecoming courts
• Plan Court Crash
• Plan Court Reception while ensuring appropriate attendance of event and delivering of invitations,while also remaining in contact with Hintz Alumni Center
• Publicize Royalty as a whole

Student Court Liaisons (2)

• Court survey for past court members
• Keep contact and communicate with the 2017 King and Queen
• Create the Court Reception slideshow and introduce the Student Court at Court Reception
• Escort the court at all Homecoming Events
• Ensure the court is informed and present at all appropriate appearances
• Coordinate and buy court gifts for the Student Court
• Become the primary contact for any and all questions of the Student Court
• If need be, plan events to further bond Student Court

University Court Liaison (1)

• Establish a student panel to select the University Court
• Create the slideshow about the University Court (including biographies)
• Ensure the court is informed and present at all appropriate appearances
• Escort the court at all Homecoming Events
• Create the Court Reception slideshow and introduce the University Court at Court Reception

Alumni Court Liaison (1)

• Create application
• Promote Court to potential applicants
• Create a good relationship with Alumni Association and all Alumni in contact with
• Liaison between Homecoming and the Alumni Court
• Escort the court at appropriate Homecoming Events

Administrative Assistant (1)

The Administrative Assistant works closely with the PR Director. They are responsible for recording meeting minutes, ordering committee merchandise, and creating team building activities. The Administrative Assistant will also write for and manage the Penn State Homecoming Blog. This person will be responsible for writing and sending out the Monthly Newsletter. In addition, the Administrative Assistant will work with the Social Media Captains to find fun, interesting content to share on our accounts. Applicants should be organized, have strong writing and communication skills, and be team-oriented.

Social Media Captain (2)

The Social Media Captains will be in charge of maintaining the Homecoming Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat. 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 Captains (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 TV/radio stations and should be prepared to assist media and print networks during all Homecoming events. The Media Relations Captains will also be in charge of creating the 2018 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 Captains (2)

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 a Photography Committee. These captains will work closely with the Social Media Captains, Graphic Design Captains, and the Technology Committee. Applicants should have prior photography experience, possess creativity, and have strong leadership skills. Applicants will need to present a portfolio.

Graphic Design Captains (3)

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

Marketing Captain (2)

The Marketing Captains will be responsible for developing marketing plans for each Homecoming event. These Captains will work closely with the Public Relations Director, as well as, many other committees to create big picture plans. The Marketing Captains will be the main point of contact between the Public Relations committee and the rest of the Homecoming committees to ensure everyone has the information needed to promote all Homecoming events. Applicants should be organized, dedicated, and have marketing experience. Marketing majors are encouraged to apply.

Administrative Assistant Captain (1)

The Administrative Assistant is responsible for keeping detailed weekly meeting minutes, sending out committee reminders through email, ordering committee-specific merchandise, and planning bonding events. This Captain works closely with the Production Director and helps with communication between the Homecoming Parade Webcast, the Public Relations Committee, and the Technology Committee. In addition to his or her weekly committee meeting, this person is responsible for attending bi-weekly admin meetings. This Captain should be reliable, self-motivated, and organized.

Video Coordinator Captain (1)

The Video Coordinator Captain is responsible for collaborating with the Video Media Captains to produce content that promotes the mission and refines the brand of Homecoming, such as: the Emcee Announcement, Logo Reveal, Grand Marshal Reveal as well as others. This person has the opportunity to film at Homecoming events on the Beaver Stadium Field and throughout the year. This Captain is in charge of archiving and managing video content created by Homecoming. Applicants should be knowledgeable in Canon cameras, Adobe Premiere, After Effects, or other video editing software. This Captain should be organized, creative, and able to motivate others. Videos created may be used for a personal reel. This person oversees Production committee members.
*A submission of a digital portfolio is required. Please include a site link or labeled flash drive of your work when submitting your application.

Video Media Captains (4)

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 others. These Captains have the opportunity to film at Homecoming events on the Beaver Stadium Field and through the year. They also have access to archives of previous Homecoming footage. Applicants should be knowledgeable in or eager to learn about Canon cameras, Adobe Premiere or other video editing software. They should be creative, self-motivated, and collaborative. Videos created may be used for a personal reel.
*A submission of a digital portfolio is recommended. Please include a site link or labeled flash drive of your work when submitting your application.

The Emcee Relations Captains are responsible for auditioning and reviewing applications to find the two Homecoming Emcees for the year. These Captains work closely with the Talent Captain to check in performers for Homecoming. For events with Emcees, these Captains are responsible for writing and proofreading scripts to be read by the Emcees. They should have excellent writing skills, a keen attention to detail, and the ability to meet deadlines.
*A submission of a writing sample is suggested.  Please attach a copy of your work when submitting your application.

Administrative Assistant (1)

This captain is responsible for anything pertaining to the Director, committee members and Homecoming in general. This captain will be in charge of taking meeting minutes, sending out reminders and information about events and ordering committee specific merchandise for all of Pride Events captains and committee members. The Administrative Assistant Captain will also have the responsibilities of leading and preparing the Pride Events Committee Members for all of Pride Events’ events. This captain must be organized, creative, and sociable.

Legacy Captain (1)

This captain is responsible for planning and executing the Homecoming Event that is Legacy. The focus of this event is to celebrate the Homecoming Logo with the Penn State Community and signify that Homecoming is a year-long celebration. This event occurs in the spring semester; moreover, the captain must be prepared for fast pace planning, and must come prepared with creative and innovative ideas for this event.  Although this captain’s main event will be during the spring semester they will also be responsible for planning a Homecoming Movie Night for the Penn State community in the fall semester.

Jam Captain (1)

This captain is responsible for planning and executing the Allen Street Bash event. This event will be a mini festival for the Penn State community to have fun and kick off Homecoming week. This captain will be in charge of all aspects of the event, including, but not limited to, organizing the layout of the event, working on a timeline for the entertainment, gathering and reaching out to potential vendors and organizations for booths, and set up and tear down of the event. This captain should have a strong work ethic, interpersonal skills, creativity and organizational skills.

Past to Present Captains (1)

These captains will be responsible for planning and executing the Past to Present event that occurs during Homecoming Week. This event encompasses the history of Penn State and how it has developed into the Penn State we see today. The applicants for this position must possess efficient communication and interpersonal skills, organizational abilities, creativity and originality.

Best of Penn State Carnival Captains (2)

These captains will be responsible for planning and executing the annual Best of Penn State Carnival (BOPS Carnival). Captains will be in charge of all aspects of the event, including, but not limited to, gathering a list of potential booths and coordinating them, a layout of the carnival, working on the timeline for the entertainment, helping with set-up, overseeing the event itself and assisting with tear-down of the event. These captains must come prepared with innovative and creative ideas for the future of this event. Applicants must possess strong work ethic, efficient communication skills and excellent organizational abilities.

Administrative Assistant (1)

This captain will act as the primary liaison to the other committees and will work to keep the Parade Committee informed about all things Homecoming. They will send take meeting minutes, organize committee-bonding activities, and order committee merchandise. This captain will also select and oversee the Parade Committee Members. They run weekly meetings to engage the committee in Parade operations, coordinate Parade Day assignments for these committee members, and will assist the director in creating a Parade Day Survival Guide for all of Parade. This position requires outstanding communication, organizational skills, and the applicant should feel comfortable speaking publicly.

Alumni Liaison (1)

This Captain will communicate deadlines, policies, procedures, and information to all alumni participating in the parade. They will manage the intake of final registration. They will send confirmation, check-in, and reminder emails throughout the year. They will be responsible for answering alumni questions concerning their participation in the parade. They will also be responsible for the set up and tear down of the Alumni Walking Grounds. This position requires professionalism, organization, and excellent communication skills.

Student Organization Liaison (1)

This Captain will communicate deadlines, policies, procedures, and information to all student organizations participating in the parade. They will manage the intake of final registration. They will communicate confirmation, check-in, and reminders throughout the year. They will be responsible for answering student organizations’ questions concerning their participation in the parade. They will work closely with the Competition Committee to communicate information to all student organizations competing in Homecoming. This position requires organization, responsibility, excellent communication skills, and experience working with excel.

VIP Liaison (1) 

This Captain will be responsible for coordinating the participation of student, alumni, and government VIPs in the parade. They will develop the list of potential invitees, send invitations, and track RSVPs. They will work closely with the Community/Donor Relations Liaison to secure vehicles for VIPs in the parade. They will work closely with the Vehicle Grounds Coordinator on Parade Day to coordinate the participation of VIPs. This Captain should possess excellent communication skills and able to act professional in situations.

Float Grounds Coordinator (1)

This Captain will be responsible for the Float Grounds. They will secure staging ground reservations with the university. They will create diagrams of their staging grounds, assign participating organizations a check-in location and time on Parade Day, and manage a timely departure of the Float Grounds to the Parade Route. They will oversee the set upand tear down of the Float Grounds. This Captain should be detail oriented, organized, and possess excellent communication skills.

Vehicle Grounds Coordinator (1)

This Captain will be responsible for the Vehicle Grounds. They will secure staging ground reservations with the university. They will create diagrams of their staging grounds, assign participating organizations a check-in location and time on Parade Day, and manage a timely departure of the Vehicle Grounds to the Parade Route. They will oversee the set up and tear down of the Vehicle Grounds. They will work also closely with the VIP Liaison Captain on Parade Day to coordinate VIP participation in the parade. This Captain should be detailed oriented, organized, and possess excellent communication skills.

Walking Grounds Coordinator (1)

This Captain will be responsible for the Alumni Walking Grounds and Student Walking Grounds. They will create diagrams of their staging grounds, assign participating organizations a check-in location and time on Parade Day, and secure staging ground reservations with the University. This Captain will be responsible for a timely departure of student walking groups to the Parade Route. They will also be responsible for the set up and tear down of the Student Walking Grounds. This Captain should be detailed oriented, organized, and possess excellent communication skills.

Student Safety Captain (1)  

This Captain will serve as the primary liaison to the parade flatbed vendor. They will coordinate the delivery of all flatbeds and flatbed supplies to participants. They will communicate flatbed safety regulations to student organizations. They will also plan and organize the Parade Float Safety Inspections. This Captain should have excellent communication skills, be detailed oriented, organized, and able to act professional in situations.

Community/Donor Relations Liason (1)

This Captain will communicate deadlines, policies, procedures, and information to all community organizations participating in the parade. They will manage the intake of final registration. They will send confirmation, check-in, and reminder emails throughout the year. They will be responsible for answering community organizations’ questions concerning their participation in the parade. They will work closely with the Alumni Liaison on Parade Day to coordinate the participation of community groups in the parade. This Captain will also be responsible for securing vehicles from local donors for VIPs in the Parade.

Administrative Assistant (1)

This captain will assist the Director by keeping the committee informed on all things Homecoming and by being the point of contact for any in-house questions. He or she will be responsible for taking meeting minutes, sending emails, and ordering committee merchandise. In addition, he or she will organize and plan the OPP Captain and Committee retreat as well as other OPP bonding events. Additionally, they will also be in charge of handling all driving records required for vehicle usage and maintain the OPP Budget. This person should be highly organized and have strong communication skills.

Logistics Captain (1)

The Logistics Captain is responsible for sourcing all materials and equipment, including tables, chairs, and vehicles needed for Homecoming Week. He or she 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. This Captain will be working constantly with the Set Up/Tear Down and PDFG Captains to plan each event. This Captain will be a leader during event set-up and tear down to ensure all equipment is handled properly. This Captain must be organized and reliable.

PDFG Liaison (1)

This Captain will act as the OPP Liaison at the PDFG (Parade Day Focus Group) Meetings involving the Parade, Security, and Distribution Management committees. He or she will be responsible for creating the master timeline for Parade Day. They will work closely with the Set Up/Tear Down and Logistics Captains to plan the OPP timeline for Parade Day, specifically focusing on set-up and teardown of the parade route. This Captain will be a leader throughout Parade Day and will be the point of contact for other Committees. This individual should be an effective communicator in groups.

Special Projects Captain (2)

These 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. In addition, these two will serve as the Captains for the OPP Committee Members. They will be required to hold committee meetings and organize committee bonding events. These Captains should not only be organized but also strong and effective leaders, and be willing to dedicate many hours to construction.

Set Up/Tear Down (1)

This Captain is responsible for creating the OPP timelines for every Homecoming event. 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. This Captain should not only be an effective leader but possess good problem solving skills and have sufficient knowledge of all Homecoming events.

Sustainability (1)

This Captain’s focus will be on the environmental impact of Homecoming. They 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 the Recycle Your Float Event as well as organizing a campus-wide Recycling Effort. This Captain should be creative, have good organization and communication skills, and have a desire to make an impact.

Administrative Assistant (1)

The Administrative Assistant is responsible for all administrative duties within the Merchandise captain committee. This captain will act as liaison between the Merchandise committee and all other Homecoming committees. This position involves taking precise meeting minutes and managing the merchandise online store. Online store responsibilities include packing and shipping all online orders and responding to customer service questions via email. The Administrative Assistant will also be aiding the director with reviewing all Homecoming competitors’ merchandise before participation in Homecoming events to make sure all attire is Homecoming appropriate. This Captain should be very prompt and organized.

Finance Liaison (1)

The Finance Captain will serve as a liaison between the Merchandise and Finance committees. This Captain 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 or another comparable medium) to analyze merchandise sales. Keeping track of finances is crucial to ensuring our success as a committee. A background in Excel or other spreadsheet programs, or finance and accounting, is preferred for this position.

Graphic Design (1)

These Captains will be in charge of all the graphic design needs that the Merchandise committee may have. They will work together to share ideas, but may have individual responsibilities for certain assignments. These captains will be responsible for developing new items and logos for homecoming gear. Furthermore, these Captains will also be asked to design posters with the prices of each item for merch sales. The ideal candidate should be extremely creative and dedicated and have an interest in fashion. These captains 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 (2)

The major responsibility of the Inventory captains is to make sure all location sales 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, and work together with the finance Captain to produce reports on sales of items. These Captains must also have a way to record how much of each item is sold at each sale. These Captains must be very organized, proficient with Excel, and flexible.

Ordering (1)

The Ordering Captain will be responsible for placing all orders for Homecoming specific merchandise, as well as participating organizations that use our licensed vendor. This captain will work closely with the Merchandise Director and our vendors to ensure that all merchandise orders are correct. 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 (2)

The Head of Sales Captains will select the members of the Merchandise Committee, who will help work sales in the HUB and at Homecoming events. The Head of Sales captains will be responsible for building unity within the Merchandise Committee and working with the administrative assistant 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. 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. These Captains will make sure all captains and committee members are aware of the sale procedures by working with the director to teach the skills necessary to best sell our products. Additionally, these captains will work with the Inventory captains to ensure all sales bins are accurately stocked before and after each sale. These Captains must be strong leaders and great role models for their committee.

Administrative Assistant (1)

The administrative assistant is responsible for the organizational aspect of the Internal Development Committee. This captain will know the inner workings of the committee and work very closely with the Director. They will be responsible for recording meeting minutes, sending reminder emails, acting as an intra-committee liaison, and ordering merchandise. This captain should be very organized, prompt, and comfortable communicating with other Directors, captains, and committee members. They should also be familiar with Google Drive.

Professional Development (2)

The professional development captains will be in charge of planning and executing workshops for both captains and committee members. The main goal of professional development is to give captains and committee members skills that will translate past Homecoming and into their professional life as well. These captains will be in charge of creating event agendas, finding guest speakers, and orchestrating all workshops. These captains need to be organized and comfortable planning events, but most importantly, comfortable communicating with Penn State staff in a professional manner.

Engagement (1)

The engagement captain will be in charge of organizing bonding activities throughout the year. The goal being to increase the involvement between all captains and committee members. They will be responsible for planning social events and activities for all members. This captain must be able to think outside the box and create activities that are enjoyable and promote bonding. This captain should also be outgoing, confident in planning events, and excited to encourage bonding.

Bonding and Friends and Family Tent (1)

Administrative Assistant / Parade Liaison (1)

This captain will be responsible for taking meeting minutes, organizing team building activities, and maintaining the organization of the Finance committee merchandise ordering process. This captain will also act as a liaison between the Finance committee and all other committees. More specifically, this captain will be a liaison between the Finance and Parade committee in order to effectively register alumni groups that want to participate in the parade. This includes the responsibilities of checking the mail for alumni registration checks, recording these payments, sending receipts of payments to alumni registrants, and attending Parade-Competition-Finance committee focus group meetings. Strong organization, collaboration, and communication skills are preferred.

Funds Management Captain (1)

This Captain will work closely with the Finance Director to manage the various committee budgets and fiscal reports for the year. Responsibilities include merchandise profit analysis, profit/expense report tracking, and committee budget management. This position will entail frequent meetings with the Finance Director and other individuals within Homecoming. Detail orientation and excel experience are preferred skills.

Registration Captain / Competition Liaison (1)

This Captain will work to develop an effective registration payment process for organizations participating in Homecoming. This will require communicating with the organizations about the registration process and collection of fees. This Captain will work closely with the Competition committee’s organization liaisons to give participating organizations a detailed description of the registration process such as when to pay, how much to pay, and how to pay. There will be extra meetings required for this position. This Captain should have strong communication and organizational skills. Experience withexcel is preferred.

Corporate Fundraising Captain (1)

This captain will organize and coordinate various fundraising events with businesses located in State College to support Homecoming. This primarily includes setting up and running traditional fundraisers (Rita’s, Coldstone, Chipotle, etc.). Planning for the fundraisers involves contacting and working with local businesses and corporations, along with making trips to the businesses to strengthen Homecoming’s relationship with them. Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills are preferred.

Alternative Fundraising Captain (1)

This Captain will be responsible for establishing and developing creative and innovate alternative fundraising ideas for Homecoming. He/She will be required to organize and manage fundraisers, contact various businesses and corporations, and make trips to businesses to strengthen Homecoming’s relationship with them. This Captain will also act as a liaison between Homecoming and the Bryce Jordan Center in coordinating concession stand fundraising events. Strong creativity, communication, and organizational skills are preferred.

Float Logistics Captain (1)

​The Captain will be responsible for the ordering and distribution of all glue, chicken wire, and tissue paper pomps used in the creation of floats for the Homecoming Parade and the float that will be pomped during the Legacy Celebration. Furthermore, this captain will be responsible for managing the billing process with the organizations that ordered pomps. This includes creating and distributing invoices, and the collection and recording of payments. This Captain will be in contact with vendors throughout the year and should be friendly, professional, and organized. Experience with excel is preferred.

Administrative Assistant (1)

The Supply Request Captain will be responsible for assisting each committee to ensure all supplies are requested prior to the event. This Captain will create a supply request document to send out to Directors/Captains before each event and will also be the point of contact for any questions during this process.  The Supply Request Captain will be in charge of purchasing responsibilities.  This will include finding different quotes from vendors and buying the needed supplies for all Homecoming events.  This Captain should be organized and have good communication skills

The Inventory Captains are responsible for keeping an accurate inventory of all Homecoming items stored both on and off campus. This entails keeping the Homecoming storage space organized at all times and taking a periodic count of all materials to ensure clear communication. Inventory captains should be organized and detail-oriented.

The Logistics Timeline Captain will be responsible for creating the timeline for pickup and return of all items for each Homecoming event.They will also be responsible for making a committee timeline for each Homecoming event which will include Captain shifts and specific duties throughout the week.  The Logistics Timeline Captain should be friendly and organized.

The Logistics Best Event Captain will be the main contact for one of the vendors for all Homecoming events, Best Event Rentals.  This Captain will be placing orders with Best Event and meeting with them to ensure the correct orders, dates, and times for all events.  They will coordinate pickups and drop offs and must be present at all Homecoming events to meet Best Event at the appropriate time.  This Captain should be organized and have good communication skills.

Administrative Assistant (1)

The Administrative Assistant is responsible for taking meeting minutes, communicating with various Directors to determine what donations are needed, and for organizing committee merchandise. They will serve as the effectual assistant to the Donor Relations Director for the entirety of Homecoming. Time management and organization are the most pertinent skills necessary to succeed as the Administrative Assistant.

Donation Development (1)

The Donation Development Captain is responsible for spreading awareness of Homecoming sponsorship opportunities. This includes keeping track of all donations to Homecoming by developing and maintaining the donation tracker. They are in charge of planning and implementing new strategies to better suit both our current donors and potential future donors. Communication skills, creativity, and the ability to express the importance of Homecoming are the most pertinent skills necessary to succeed as the Donation Development Captain.

Benefiting (1)

The Benefiting Captain is responsible for thanking donors and sponsors of Homecoming. They will work closely with the Donation Development Captain to manage donations to Homecoming and maintain donation follow-up protocol. They will put together sponsor packets and work with other committees to coordinate necessary donations. They will work closely with the Donor Relations Director and Corporate Sponsor Captain to develop new benefit structures for Homecoming. Promptness and adherence to deadlines are the most pertinent skills necessary to succeed as the Benefitting captain.

Liaison (1)

The Liaison Captain is responsible for working with the Distribution Management, Finance, and OPPerations committees. They will work to create donation pick-up and drop-off timelines for all Homecoming events. They will also be responsible for developing and communicating Homecoming event expectations to the Donor Relations committee.  Communication skills and the ability to work in teams are the most pertinent skills necessary to succeed as the Liaison Captain.

Corporate Sponsor (1)

The Corporate Sponsor Captain is responsible for communicating with major local and national donors involved with Penn State Homecoming.  They will work closely with the Donor Relations Director to apply for corporate donations and help to develop new benefit structures for Homecoming.  They will work closely with the Donation Development Captain to recruit new sponsors and maintain positive relationships with current donors.  Communication skills, professionalism and the ability to express the importance of Homecoming are the most pertinent skills necessary to succeed as the Corporate Sponsorship Captain.

Tent Captain (1)

The Tent Captain is responsible for coordinating parade day donations and managing the Media and Sponsorship Tent.  Some aspects of the tent may include: supervising tent set up, ordering catering, decorating the tent, developing the invitation list, inviting donors, networking during the parade, and supervising tent tear-down. They will work with Internal Development’s Friends and Family Tent Captain(s) and OPPerations captains to ensure that the parade day tent is run smoothly.  Professionalism, promptness, and the ability to communicate effectively are the most pertinent skills necessary to succeed as the Tent Captain.

Administrative Assistant (1)

The Administrative Assistant is responsible for the organization aspect of the Competition Committee and will assist the Director, Captains, and Committee Members as needed.  This person is responsible for taking meeting minutes, sending reminder emails to Competition Captains and Committee Members, creating shift timelines and schedules, organizing Committee bonding events, and attending bi-weekly meetings with the Administrative Assistants of the other Homecoming Committees.  The Administrative Assistant will also be responsible for handling the Pre-Registration and Final Registration of organizations competing in Homecoming 2018.  In addition to these responsibilities, this person will facilitate the ordering of merchandise for the Competition Captains and Committee Members.  This captain is also responsible for the various committee members: organizing team bonding and assigning them to certain captains to work with. This Captain should be very organized, have good communication skills, and be familiar with Google Docs and Google Sheets.

Events Captain (2)

The Events Captains are responsible for the judging aspect of all Competitive Events as well as the organization and execution of the Madhatter Competition and Banner Competition.  These Captains must secure different judges for each Competitive Event by contacting students, faculty, and alumni to discuss their availability and interest in becoming a judge.  The Events Captains are responsible for communicating all necessary information with event judges and must be present to greet the judges and explain the scoring process at each event.  They will also be required to present gifts and thank you notes to each judge.  In addition to these responsibilities, the Events Captains will organize Banner Collection and the judging process (judging times, rubrics, and scoring) of Banner Competition.  These Captains will also be in charge of the execution of all areas of the Madhatter Competition.  The Events Captains should be outgoing, organized, have good communication skills, and be willing to reach out to distinguished Penn State students, faculty, and alumni.

Points Captain (2)

The Points Captains are responsible for recording and updating Competition Points for all competing organizations. These Captains are required to attend all events at which Competition Points are available and will be in charge of 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 and Committee Members to keep track of all Competition Points for each specific event.  In addition to these responsibilities, the Points Captains will also assist the Competition Director in the maintenance and enforcing of the 2017 Homecoming Rulebook.  They 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.  These captains should be organized, prompt, and have some experience in creating spreadsheets (Google Sheets or Excel).

Organization Liaison (2) 

The Organization Liaisons serve as the main point of communication for all Penn State Homecoming Competitors. These captains must have a vast knowledge of everything involved with Competition Homecoming including events, rules, dates, and scoring and will need to be prepared to answer competitor questions at any time.  They will also be responsible for the planning and execution of the Spring and Fall Homecoming Information Meetings.  The competing pairings 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 a large number of individuals.

Organization Liaison Coordinator (1)

The Organization Liaison Coordinator Captain is responsible for drafting the emails sent to the organizations, and will be the facilitator between the Organization Liaison Captains and other committees within Homecoming to assist in answering questions any of the participating organizations may have. The Organization Coordinator will also help the Organization Liaison Captains to keep all competing Organizations up to date with reminders and instructions. This captain must also have an in-depth knowledge of Homecoming events, and be willing to learn quickly the ins and outs of Competition. Organization Liaison Coordinator will also have to be dependent, and have good communication skills with the Organization Liaison Captains, and the Director.

Talent Show Captain (2)

The Talent Show Captain is responsible for the organization and execution of the For The Glory Talent Show Tryouts, Dress Rehearsal, and Day of Show.  This Captain will attend meetings with Schwab staff and Homecoming Advisors throughout the year to provide updates and necessary information regarding the planning of the FTG Talent Show.  They will be responsible for coordinating the Dress Rehearsal and Day of Show with Eisenhower staff and competing organizations.  During both the Dress Rehearsal and Day of Show, the Talent Show Captain will supervise backstage where they will be in charge of time management, FTG Talent Show competitors, and lighting/curtain/music control.  This Captain, with the assistance of the Competition Director, will also be responsible for working with other Directors and their respective Committees to plan, publicize, and execute the FTG Talent Show.  The Talent Show Captain should be organized, responsible, and have good communication skills.

Administrative Assistant (1)

This captain will work closely with the Alumni Relations Director in a variety of organization and team-building roles. They are responsible for taking meeting minutes, sending out reminder emails, and creating timelines for week-of events. The Administrative Assistant will also order all Alumni Relations committee merchandise, work closely with fellow captains, especially the Alumni Engagement captain, in creating new ways to increase student-alumni engagement, and organize team-building activities. It is important for this captain to be organized and have strong communication skills.

Grand Marshal/Honorary Grand Marshal Liaison (1)

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.

Student-Alumni Ice Cream Social Captains (1)

This captain will plan the Student-Alumni Ice Cream Social. They will 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 event. This individual must demonstrate creativity and an ability to work through event planning logistics.

Tailgate Competition Captain (1)

This captain will organize the Tailgate Competition held on Homecoming Gameday, as well as advertise it to recruit more participants. 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. The Tailgate Competition Captain will solidify prizes and promotional material, oversee registration, and help judge tailgates on the day of. This captain should be able to communicate creative ideas to PR for promoting the event and be willing to brainstorm ways to encourage the registration of new participants.

Alumni Engagement (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 and networking events. They will also work with PR to feature alumni through the Alumni Spotlight Initiative on social media. This captain 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 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 showcase our alumni throughout the Homecoming season.

Emily is a Junior from Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. She is majoring in Accounting and Finance. Along with Homecoming she is involved in THON as a Hospitality Committee Member as well as a Smeal Student Mentor. Emily became involved in Homecoming last year as a University Relations Captain. Her favorite part of Homecoming is seeing all different organization and members of the school and community coming together to celebrate our Penn State pride! She is excited to work with her captains and see everyone’s hard work pay off!

Aaron is Sophomore from Brooklyn, NY majoring in Information Sciences & Technology with a minor in Security and Risk Analysis. He has been involved in Homecoming in the past as a Technology Captain. Outside of Homecoming, Aaron is involved in THON as an OPPerations committee member and is the Finance Chair of IST Benefitting THON. Aaron’s favorite part of Homecoming is celebrating Penn State’s past, present and future and embracing its diverse community. He looks forward to working with the Executive Committee and his Captains to refresh the appearance of the Homecoming website.

Deanna is a Junior from Robbinsville, New Jersey majoring in Industrial Engineering. Outside of Homecoming, Deanna works in a party planning business. Deanna has previously been involved with Homecoming as a Security Captain as the competition liaison. Her favorite part of Homecoming is getting to see everyone, from the students to the greater State College community, enjoy the parade together. This year, Deanna looks forward to introducing new students to Homecoming and guiding her captains to a fun and successful Homecoming.

Renee is a Junior from Wilmington, North Carolina majoring in Political Science.She has been involved with Homecoming since Sophomore year, as a 2016 Pride Events committee member and later a 2017 Royalty University Court Captain. Outside of Homecoming, she is heavily involved at Penn State as a Teacher Assistant, Alternative Break Site Leader and public relations committee member for Relay for Life.Renee’s favorite part of Homecoming is seeing groups of Penn Staters with different interests and involvement, come together to celebrate, all with the same shared passion for this University.She is looking forward to seeing how the Homecoming organization continues to grow this year, and building lifelong friendships and memories.

Kylie is a Senior from Lancaster, Massachusetts. She is majoring in Advertising with a double minor in Digital Media Trends and Analytics and Business. Outside of Homecoming, Kylie is the secretary of ServeState, a community service organization, the Marketing Chair for Her Campus at Penn State, and a member of the Penn State chapter of the American Marketing Association. She has been involved with Homecoming in the past as a Social Media Captain for Homecoming 2017. Kylie’s favorite part of Homecoming is being able to celebrate all generations of Penn Staters and their pride for the university. This year she is looking forward to seeing all of the captains’ and directors’ hard work throughout the year come together during Homecoming Week!

Alex is a junior from Reading, PA. He is a Film/Video major with a minor in English. Alex first participated in Homecoming his freshman year through the First Year Involvement Committee. Since then in the following year, Alex was a Scriptwriting Captain for the Production committee. The year after that, he served as the Webcast Captain also for the Production committee. Beyond Homecoming, Alex has been a part of THON through the Dancer Relations and Public Relations committees. He has also been worked on the Penn State Network Television and served as Treasurer for Penn State Association of Journalists for Diversity. The spring of his sophomore year, Alex was selected as a member of a committee within the Bellisario College of Communications to search for the new Dean of Multicultural Affairs. Alex’s favorite part of Homecoming is working with Captains and Directors to inspire others for the future of Homecoming. Every year, he looks forward to watching so many people come together through Homecoming and the pride Penn Staters have for their community.

Olivia is a Sophomore from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania majoring in Biobehavioral Health. Outside of Homecoming, she participates in THON as an OPPerations committee member. Olivia became involved with Homecoming her freshmen year as the Pride Events Project Development Captain. Her favorite part of Homecoming is seeing the excitement and involvement from the Penn State community at all of the different events that the members of Homecoming have worked so hard to put together. This year, Olivia is looking forward to working with her fellow directors, captains and committee members to make a lasting impact on Homecoming all while making memories along the way.

Lexie is a junior from Lower Gwynedd, Pennsylvania majoring in Biobehavioral Health with minors in Women’s Studies and Human Development and Family Studies. Outside of Homecoming Lexie is research assistant and a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. She has been involved in Homecoming in the past as a Parade Captain both as the VIP/Convertible Liaison in 2016 and as the Student Organization Liaison Captain in 2017. Lexie’s favorite memory of Homecoming was standing at merge point and watching the parade come together. This year she is looking forward to working with her captains and other members of Homecoming to plan, organize, and execute the largest student-run parade in the nation!

Maggie is a Sophomore from Downingtown, Pennsylvania majoring in Marketing. Outside of Homecoming, Maggie is involved in Women in Business. She is also involved in THON, acting as the Secretary of Futures (a special interest organization), as well as a Dancer Relations Committee Member. Maggie was involved with Homecoming 2017, where she worked as a captain for Internal Development, helping organize committee member workshops and activities. She loves seeing how Homecoming impacts the State College community, as well as the opportunity to form such strong friendships with other students involved in Homecoming. This year, Maggie is most excited to promote Homecoming even more around campus and to get to work with her captains to make exciting new changes!

Sean is a Junior from New Haven, Connecticut. He is currently studying Accounting in the Smeal College of Business. Outside of Homecoming, Sean is involved in THON as an OPPerations Committee Member and is on the 2017 National Champion Club Croquet team. Sean has previously been involved in Homecoming on the OPPerations committee as the Equipment Logistics Captain. His favorite Homecoming memory was following the end of the Parade and seeing the excitement of everyone that lined the streets. This year, Sean is looking forward to improving Homecoming’s sustainability efforts and making the events just as great for the environment as they are for the Penn State community.

Allison is a Junior from Leonardtown, Maryland majoring in Enterprise Risk Management with minors in Psychology and Statistics. She has been involved with Homecoming in the past as a Royalty Captain for Homecoming 2016 and a University Relations Captain for Homecoming 2017. Outside of Homecoming, she is involved with THON through committees and her special interest organization, Springfield. Allison’s favorite part of Homecoming is how the whole Penn State community comes together to show pride for our university and to celebrate its legacy and accomplishments. She is looking forward to working with the other Directors and her Captains to leave a mark on Penn State Homecoming.

Kristen is a Junior from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. She is majoring in Economics with minors in Philosophy and Business and the Liberal Arts. She has been involved with Homecoming since her Freshman year as a member of the First-Year Involvement Committee. After this, she was the Registration Captain on the Finance Committee for two years. Outside of Homecoming, Kristen has been involved with the Economics Association as a Finance Associate, and as a THON Finance Committee Member. Her favorite part of Homecoming is seeing alumni and current students interacting and showing their Penn State pride. Kristen is excited to continue Penn State traditions with her fellow directors and captains for Homecoming 2018.

Isabella is a sophomore from Bucks County, PA.  She is double majoring in Security Risk Analysis and Economics.  Outside of Homecoming, Isabella is an OPPerations committee member for THON, has studied abroad in Singapore, has worked as a LEAP Mentor for Penn State, and has been involved with several other academic clubs and projects.  She served as the Donor Relations Tent Captain in 2017 and is excited to serve as the Donor Relations Director for 2018.  Isabella’s favorite part of Homecoming is seeing alumni, faculty and students come together to celebrate Penn State’s proud past, present and future. She is looking forward to working with her captains and the other directors to make Homecoming 2018 the best it can possibly be!

Hannah is a Junior from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is currently studying Supply Chain and Information Systems with a minor in Information Systems Management. She has been involved in Homecoming since she was a freshman and had Captain positions on both Competition and Distribution Management. Outside of Homecoming, Hannah is involved with Penn State Dance MaraTHON as a Finance Committee Member and a brother of Phi Beta Lambda – Professional Business Fraternity. Hannah loves being involved in Homecoming for the sense of pride she and all Penn State students share for this amazing school. She looks forward to working with her fellow Directors and Captains to make Homecoming the best it can be for all students, alumni, and members of the community!

Ashley is a Junior from Clarksburg, Maryland majoring in Biology with a focus in Vertebrate Physiology. Ashley was an OrganizationLiaison Captain for the Competition Committee in 2017 before she became the Director of Competition. Outside of Homecoming, Ashley is the Public Relations Director of Science LionPride and Students Helping Honduras, Community Chair of Vaccinate America, and a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. She has been a long-time Lecture Assistant for general chemistry and enjoys helping students succeed inside and outside the classroom. This year she is most excited for celebrating the pride she has for Penn State through the spirit of Homecoming.

Sarah is a Junior from Horseheads, New York majoring in Psychology and Political Science. She has been involved with Homecoming in the past through the Pride Events Committee and the Alumni Relations Committee as the Grand Marshal/Honorary Grand Marshal Liaison Captain. Outside of Homecoming, Sarah has been involved with THON through the Dancer Relations and Donor & Alumni Relations Committees. Her favorite part of Homecoming is showing off exactly why those in the Penn State community hold such pride for this university through carrying on the legacy of those before us and implementing new traditions. This year, Sarah is most looking forward to working with her captains to integrate Penn Staters of the past and present, all while celebrating the possibilities of the future!

Administrative Assistant (1)

This captain will work closely with the Alumni Relations Director in a variety of organization and team-building roles. They are responsible for taking meeting minutes, sending out reminder emails, and creating timelines for week-of events. The Administrative Assistant will also order all Alumni Relations committee merchandise, work closely with fellow captains, especially the Alumni Engagement captain, in creating new ways to increase student-alumni engagement, and organize team-building activities. It is important for this captain to be organized and have strong communication skills.

Grand Marshal/Honorary Grand Marshal Liaison (1)

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.

Student-Alumni Ice Cream Social Captains (1)

This captain will plan the Student-Alumni Ice Cream Social. They will 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 event. This individual must demonstrate creativity and an ability to work through event planning logistics.

Tailgate Competition Captain (1)

This captain will organize the Tailgate Competition held on Homecoming Gameday, as well as advertise it to recruit more participants. 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. The Tailgate Competition Captain will solidify prizes and promotional material, oversee registration, and help judge tailgates on the day of. This captain should be able to communicate creative ideas to PR for promoting the event and be willing to brainstorm ways to encourage the registration of new participants.

Alumni Engagement (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 and networking events. They will also work with PR to feature alumni through the Alumni Spotlight Initiative on social media. This captain 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 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 showcase our alumni throughout the Homecoming season.