Patrick T. Mather earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Penn State in Engineering Science and Engineering Mechanics, respectively, and was a member of the University Scholars Program. He went on to receive his doctorate degree in Materials at U.C. Santa Barbara in 1994. He then worked for the Air Force Research Lab until 1999, focusing on polymeric nanocomposites. His academic career has included positions at the University of Connecticut, Case Western Reserve University, and Syracuse University, where he led the creation of Syracuse Biomaterials Institute as its first director. In 2015, Dr. Mather enjoyed a sabbatical at Army Research Lab’s Macromolecular Science and Technology Branch, where he conducted research on the design of polymeric materials for improved performance in extreme environments. Subsequently, he was recruited to serve as the Richard E. Garman Dean of Engineering at Bucknell University, a position held from 2016-2021.

At Bucknell, he led the establishment of a values-based strategic plan, following which the college has expanded student success programs with focus on first-year experience and enhanced undergraduate research opportunities. He created a new advisory council, oversaw construction of a third building, launched multiple interdisciplinary programs with other colleges at Bucknell, and established a working group for an inclusive engineering community that has launched four inclusion initiatives.

In June 2021, Dr. Mather was appointed Dean of the Schreyer Honors College following a national search. With this return to his academic home, he is excited to advance the College’s academic mission via its comprehensive strategic plan while engaging directly with students. In addition to this administrative role, he is a Professor of Chemical Engineering and will direct a research group that continues his long-term focus on smart polymeric materials.

Dr. Mather enjoys traveling the world to give scientific lectures and has delivered more than 200 invited lectures to date. He is married to Tara Mather and enjoys their blended family of five children. In his spare time, he enjoys playing guitar, distance running, and road cycling.

Rhonda began her Penn State career in 2000 and has held various administrative professional roles throughout the University. She joined the Schreyer Honors College in June 2021, providing administrative support to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, including calendar management, budget, and the Distinguished Honors Faculty Program.

Rhonda lives in Philipsburg with her husband, Tom, a pug, and a cat. In her spare time, Rhonda enjoys reading, playing tennis and golf.

Deyo joined the Schreyer Honors College in July 2016 after serving as Director of Recruiting for the College of Information Sciences and Technology, and in the Undergraduate Admissions Office prior to that.

Deyo is originally from Nigeria and came to the U.S. as an undergraduate student in 1981. She earned her bachelor's degree in political science from St. Francis College in New York and earned a master’s degree in counselor education from Penn State. She has spent her career working in recruiting and admissions because she is passionate about helping students discover the appropriate path to their life vocation.

When she is not working Deyo enjoys singing, reading, crafting, traveling and spending time with her three children and her husband.

Deyo can be reached at mzd1@psu.edu.

Matt joined Schreyer Honors College in May 2023, following 22 years of work with Penn State Career Services. Matt's role with Schreyer involves providing Scholars with career counseling focused on self and career exploration. He will assist Scholars in developing strategies to seek and secure internships or full-time employment or to further their educational goals. Matt holds a strong passion for career counseling as well as developing services and programs to connect students, alumni, and employers. Matt earned his bachelor's degree in accounting and his master's degree in counselor education, both from Penn State.

Outside of work, Matt enjoys spending time with family, reading, and music.

Jason Godinez received his Bachelor of Science in Management from Penn State's Smeal College of Business in 2004. He has been with the University since 2006, contributing his expertise to various departments including the Office of the Bursar, the Office of Student Aid, and the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences.

Jason is committed to mentoring, access and affordability, student success, and creating pathways to success. His dedication to education and student support is evident throughout his long tenure at Penn State.

Currently residing in State College, Jason is an aspiring pilot and enjoys spending time with family. He also enjoys outdoor activities, fitness, and golf.

You can reach Jason at jcg146@psu.edu.

Stephanie Chambers joined Schreyer Honors College in August 2017. As the Financial Officer of the College, she develops budgets and maintains oversight to ensure compliance of how the funds are spent. Some of her other roles include policy interpretation and approving financial forms.

Stephanie has worked for Penn State since 1997, in Hospitality Services and the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. Both positions were in the accounting/finance offices. She graduated from Mansfield University with a bachelor's degree in business administration.

Stephanie currently resides in Clarence with her son and daughter. Her free time is spent watching her children play sports, reading, or traveling/camping. She has been on three Disney cruises and counting!

You may reach Stephanie at sqc9@psu.edu.

Tom joined the Schreyer Honors College in December 2008. Tom grew up on a dairy farm in eastern Pennsylvania, graduated from Penn State with a bachelor of science degree in agricultural engineering, and spent more than 24 years providing technology services to the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State. During his time with the College of Ag, he played key roles in the creation of its computer infrastructure. He was also on the team that developed PEN*PAGES, one of the first electronic public information sources for Cooperative Extension information in the country.

Tom lives in Boalsburg with his wife and daughter and can be seen most weekends working around the house, researching family history, and (of course) tinkering with computers. You may contact Tom at thw@psu.edu.

Melissa joined the Presidential Leadership Academy (PLA) in March of 2009. She is responsible for the overall planning, implementation and administration of the PLA. Previously, Melissa worked as a Coordinator in the Office of Residence Life and as the Student Volunteer Coordinator in the Undergraduate Admissions Office at Penn State. She served as a Penn State Administrative Fellow to the Vice-President of Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer during the 2023-24 academic year. A Long Island native, she earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science and her Master's Degree in Higher Education Administration at The State University of New York at Buffalo.

Melissa also is a Penn State fitness instructor, where she strives to promote wellness for all. She holds certifications in Barre/Pilates, Schwinn Cycling, and National Exercise Trainers Association in Full Body Conditioning. Her and her husky, Ace, are a certified therapy team with Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Melissa lives in State College, PA with her husband, son, and two Siberian Huskies.

Shea joined Schreyer Honors College in 2022 as Director of Strategic Communications. She is responsible for the public image of the College and communicating with Scholars, alumni, and other stakeholders. Prior to coming to Schreyer, Shea worked in various positions at Penn State, including as the Director of Communications and Marketing for Student Affairs and as a marketing professional in the College of Engineering and the Energy Institute in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences.

Shea received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Penn State and a master’s degree in professional writing from New England College in Henniker, NH. Her areas of expertise include, public relations, crisis communication, web content strategy, strategic planning, change management, and staff mentoring.

Shea is a Pennsylvania native and currently lives in State College with her husband and daughter.

Austyn joined the Schreyer Honors College in May 2022 as the college’s Financial Aid Specialist, coming from the Office of Student Aid. She hails from a long line of Penn Staters and has been proudly bleeding blue and white her entire life! Austyn grew up in a small town in Western PA where she spent her time showing dairy cows in her local 4-H club, playing softball, and cheering on the Pittsburgh Penguins - a passion that has grown to include Penn State Hockey. She came to Penn State in 2013, earned undergraduate degrees in World Languages Education and German, and then decided that there was no better place to stay than Happy Valley.

In 2020, Austyn received her master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Southern New Hampshire University and now resides in Bellefonte with her husband (Matt), son (Alexei), and their two dogs: Lucy and Champion. Pictures of both can be found in her office on the ground level of Atherton Hall. Having a bad day? You can learn more about Lucy here.

You can reach Austyn at arp5418@psu.edu.

Donna began her career at Penn State in the University Scholars Program in 1989 and years later assumed the role of the College's first coordinator of alumni relations. Today, Donna coordinates student engagement and signature programming. She serves as co-adviser to the Schreyer Honors College Student Council, supervises the Scholar Assistant Team and, coordinates the fall orientation for incoming Scholars.

Donna is a graduate of Centre Business School, Inc., and a 2006 graduate of Leadership Centre County. In her spare time, Donna enjoys traveling, barbershop and doowop music, baseball, musicals, and playing the piano. You can contact her at dlh15@psu.edu.