About Graduate Court
Holding a position on the Graduate & Professional School Court is an incredible honor that brings along unique experiences and memories that will last a lifetime. You will have the opportunity to participate in all Homecoming events including being honored at said events. This culminates in being honored during the Homecoming Football Game. While being on the Graduate & Professional School Court is an incredible honor, there are many opportunities for fun and developing professional connections.
Meet the Graduate Court
Homecoming 2024
Mekenzie Heinle
Mekenzie Heinle (she/her) is a Graduate student studying Speech-Language Pathology. Her hometown is Pittsburgh, PA. She also attended Penn State for her undergraduate degree, making this her 6th year at Penn State! She has a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. She was an active member of THON, Project BRIDGE, HHD Ambassadors, the Sign Language Organization, and the OPPALab. She was the Vice President of the National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association, the CSD Instagram Ambassador, and she worked with the ACRES Project as an OVR facilitator. Currently, she does research in the Cognition and Language Learning Lab and represents her cohort as the second-year student representative in the CSD Alumni Group. During homecoming week she is most excited to spend time with the Penn State community and represent future Speech-Language Pathologists!
Tanveer Ahmed
Tanveer Ahmed is a 4th year Ph.D. student pursuing research in Transportation Engineering. He completed his bachelor’s degree from Bangladesh and was offered admission to Penn State as a recipient of the University Graduate Fellowship. Over the past 3 years, he has been actively committed to giving back to the university as a student leader through service at the community, departmental, and university level. As a 3-year delegate of the Graduate and Professional Student Association, he previously chaired the student engagement committee and currently serves on the Graduate Council Student Caucus. As President of the Bangladesh Student Association, he aimed to create inclusive communities. He continues to engage alumni through his role as president of the Institute of Transportation Engineers. He carries the Penn State Pride and regularly cheers for the Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. He has never missed the homecoming parade and is excited to be a court.
Keia Jones
Keia Jones (she/her) is a 4th year Doctoral Candidate at Penn State, pursuing a dual degree in Rural Sociology and International Agriculture and Development! Originally from Fairfax, VA, but born in State College, Keia is thrilled to be back “home” as a Penn State Legacy. Her background includes a master’s in Agricultural Economics and an International Master’s in Rural Development (IMRD). Keia is dedicated to transdisciplinary research focusing on sustainable entrepreneurship and water quality. She is a member of the 2021 LandscapeU cohort and 2022 NSF-IGE cohort, the past president of RSGA, and holds current executive board positions on BGSA and INTAD-GSA. She holds membership across the PSU community, including ESGSA and LAGRASA. She is excited for all of this year’s Homecoming events! Keia chose Penn State for its strong sense of community and academic excellence and loves the new Cherry Sorbet flavor from the Creamery! Happy Homecoming Everyone!
Seth Hojnacki
Seth Hojnack is currently a third year law student at Penn State Law. He currently serves as the President of the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA), the oldest student government at Penn State. For this year’s Homecoming week, the event he is most excited for is the Homecoming Parade because parades uniquely foster a strong sense of inclusion and belonging within members of the community. Born and raised in Nicholasville, KY, he earned an MBA and a BS in International Business Management from Lynn University in Boca Raton, FL. When not zealously advocating for graduate students, he enjoys reading existential literature, watching baseball, and listening to punk rock music. After graduating next spring, he plans to sit for the Bar Exam and begin his career as a trial attorney.
