ESU Grads Plan for Next Chapter

On May 8, more than one thousand students – 1,021, to be exact – will graduate from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. Many will begin the next step in their life’s journey by attending graduate or professional school or starting a new career.

Meet three students who are taking their Warrior Spirit with them as they embark on their next chapter.

Jenna Diefenderfer, a biochemistry major from Bath, Pa. will be heading to Arizona State University to pursue a Ph.D. in microbiology. She credits the format of ESU’s biochemistry program and her professors for preparing her to continue her education at this level. During her time at ESU, Diefenderfer interned at the Dr. Jane Huffman Wildlife Genetics Institute, was a tutor, and a learning assistant. Her advice to a first year students is to “seek out opportunities.” As a commuter student, she didn’t realize how easy it was to get involved on campus. But Diefenderfer says once she began working on campus she was able to become more involved on campus and in her major. She said, “When you find something you like to work on, or a faculty member you like to work with, make an effort to find ways to continue doing that work.”

Faith Reash began her collegiate career at Edinboro University, but the Hazlet, N.J. native wanted to be closer to home. The student-athlete decided ESU was the right fit for her because of its location, reputable biology program, and the soccer team. Reash will earn degrees in both mathematics and biology. In 2021, she was offered an internship at the Pennsylvania Tick Lab, part of ESU’s Dr. Jane Huffman Wildlife Genetics Institute. “The internship opened so many doors for me,” Reash said. “I learned about contamination prevention, following SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), and even had the chance to help write and edit SOPs. I learned how to do manual DNA and RNA extraction – and not just how to do it, but the science behind what I was doing.” Knowing she wanted to work in a research lab before heading to graduate school, she started looking for post-graduation jobs in November. She applied to over 100 jobs. In March she found a job description she thought was a good fit, applied, and received a phone call within a half hour from Janssen, a Johnson & Johnson Company. During two rounds of interviews she spoke of all the hands on experience she has gained at ESU, and was finally offered a position as associate and assistant scientist. She’ll be “culturing of human tissue, and bacteria cells and working in a molecular lab” in what she calls her dream job. Her advice for freshmen is to “get all the experience you can get your hands on.”

Matthew Jones started at ESU in 2008. He also attended Northampton Community College, Millersville University, and Luzerne County Community College. He majored in everything from funeral services, German and undeclared to nursing, and paralegal. Not knowing what he wanted to do, he decided to take a break. In 2019 the Long Pond, Pa. native found himself back at ESU. Believing in the importance of studying the humanities, this time he declared philosophy as his major. As a non-traditional student he wanted to make sure this was the right fit, so before the semester began he met with Dr. Timothy Connolly, professor and chair of ESU’s philosophy department. After that meeting, he knew he was finally where he wanted to be. “Philosophy challenged me for the first time in my life. It’s mental gymnastics. It’s incredibly complex, and I love it.” Jones originally planned to use his philosophy degree to go to law school. But, has since decided to study philosophy at a deeper level. This fall he will begin a Ph.D. program at the University at Buffalo, with a full scholarship. His advice for students is, “pursue an education to get knowledge and skills, not money. Don’t marry a plan for what you think the future should look like; that will only limit you.” Jones says, “Be active in your program. Engage with your professors. Answer their questions in class, go to their office hours. Ask a question if you want to learn more.” And for anyone thinking about returning to college or pursuing a degree as an adult, Jones says it’s never too late. “If it is worth it to you, do it!”

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