Alumni Association

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Fifteen Penn State alumni will be honored for their exceptional leadership and professional accomplishments as 2026 Alumni Fellows, the highest honor bestowed by the Penn State Alumni Association.

Established in 1973, the award celebrates alumni who have achieved exceptional leadership and distinction in their professions. More than 900 Penn State alumni have received the honor since its establishment.

A ceremony to celebrate the 2026 Alumni Fellows will be held Sept. 23 at the Nittany Lion Inn on the University Park campus. Those interested in tuning in virtually may register here.

The following Penn Staters will receive the Alumni Fellow Award:

Joseph Atkinson, class of 1992, Smeal College of Business (nominated by the College of Information Sciences and Technology), is the global chief AI officer for the PwC Network of Firms and a member of its Global Commercial Leadership Team, leading the firm’s artificial intelligence strategy across more than 370,000 employees worldwide. He previously served as PwC’s U.S. vice chair and chief products and technology officer, overseeing a $1 billion investment in AI capabilities. He has worked with Penn State leadership on AI and digital curriculum initiatives and helped recruit more than 100 Penn Staters to PwC.  

Jason A. Borrelli, class of 1994, College of Engineering, graduate class of 2006 (MBA), Great Valley (nominated by Smeal College of Business), is managing director at EQT Real Estate, where he brings more than three decades of experience in real estate investment, acquisitions, and operations. As a founding partner of Exeter Property Group, he helped grow the firm into a global real estate platform before its acquisition by EQT in 2021. Borrelli is a Penn State Alumni Association life member.  

Jonathan U. Dougherty, class of 1999, College of Engineering; class of 2006 (doctorate), College of Engineering, is the vice president of strategic initiatives at Providence Engineering, where he leads recruiting, talent development, marketing, and organizational development. He previously spent nearly 17 years with James G. Davis Construction, where he created the company’s corporate university management programs and expanded workforce development programs. Known as “The Button Man” for his extensive Penn State football button collection, he has also held multiple Penn State alumni leadership roles.  

Lori Feathers, class of 1990, College of Liberal Arts, Honors, is the co-founder and book buyer of Interabang Books in Dallas, Texas, and host of the podcast Across the Pond. She is founding chair of the Republic of Consciousness Prize, US and Canada, and co-founder of the Inside Literary Prize for incarcerated readers. Previously, she spent 24 years as an international oil and gas attorney. She remains deeply engaged with Penn State through alumni volunteer leadership and student mentorship.  

Linda R. Frank, class of 1982, Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, is a professor at the University of Pittsburgh’s schools of public health, nursing, and medicine and a nationally recognized leader in HIV/AIDS education and public health. She directs the MidAtlantic AIDS Education and Training Center and an infectious disease-focused MPH program. She is a leading voice in HIV care, workforce development, and health equity. Frank is a Penn State Alumni Association life member.  

Jennifer L. Homendy, class of 1994, Harrisburg, is chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating civil aviation accidents and significant transportation incidents across the United States. She has served on the board since 2018 and became chairwoman in 2021, leading major investigations including the East Palestine train derailment and the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. She is a Penn State Harrisburg graduate and recipient of Penn State Harrisburg’s 2024 Alumni Achievement Award.

Ehsan Hoque, class of 2004, Behrend, is a professor of computer science at the University of Rochester and co-leader of the Rochester Human-Computer Interaction Lab. His research in artificial intelligence has advanced health care, education, and communication, including technology licensed by Microsoft for its Presenter Coach feature in PowerPoint. In 2025, he received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the U.S.’s highest honor for early-career scientists and engineers. 

Anju Jain, class of 1996 (doctorate), College of Health & Human Development, is a global human resources executive, executive coach, entrepreneur, and author with more than 30 years of experience helping organizations navigate transformation and build high-performing cultures. She has held leadership roles with Fermilab and Caterpillar. She is also the founder of Embelliv, a luxury women’s footwear brand that blends exceptional comfort, artisanal craftsmanship, and purposeful design. Jain is a Penn State Alumni Association life member.

Basel S. Kayyali, class of 1996, College of Engineering, Honors, is senior partner and global co-lead for AI and technology at McKinsey & Co., where he helps organizations around the world navigate AI and technology transformations, in addition to developing their AI and technology strategy. He has advised global companies on innovation, artificial intelligence, and large-scale business transformation throughout his career. Kayyali is a Penn State Alumni Association life member.  

Michael Marcus, class of 1967, Smeal College of Business (Nominated by Bellisario College of Communications), is chairman of Echo Lake Entertainment, a Beverly Hills-based management and production company. With more than five decades of experience in the entertainment industry, he has built a distinguished career as a talent agent, studio executive, and producer, representing leading creative talent and shaping film and television projects. Marcus remains engaged with Penn State through the Bellisario College of Communications.  

John M. Mason, class of 1970 (associate's), College of Engineering; class of 1972, Harrisburg, is a civil engineer, educator, and higher education leader with a career spanning transportation research, engineering practice, and academic administration. He served as chancellor of Penn State Harrisburg and previously held leadership roles at Penn State and Auburn University. Mason is a Penn State Alumni Association life member.  

Anthony F. Misitano, class of 1977, College of Health & Human Development; class of 1981 (master of public administration), College of Liberal Arts, is the founder, chairman, and CEO of PAM Health, a national network of long-term acute care, rehabilitation, and behavioral health hospitals. With more than four decades of health care leadership experience, he has advanced access to specialized care and innovation in post-acute health care. The Misitano family and PAM Health made a $25 million Founders Gift supporting the Beaver Stadium Revitalization project. Misitano is a Penn State Alumni Association life member.  

Casey A. Moore, class of 1989, College of Engineering, is executive vice president and national market sector leader for transportation services at Bowman Consulting Group Ltd. With more than 35 years of experience in transportation engineering and infrastructure, he has held leadership roles with industry organizations and provided longstanding service to Penn State through the College of Engineering, Penn State Engineering Alumni Society, and Penn State Alumni Council. Moore is a Penn State Alumni Association life member.

Khalid N. Mumin, class of 2001 (master of education), Harrisburg, is superintendent of the Reading School District and a longtime education leader with more than 28 years of experience advancing student success and strengthening public education. He previously served as Pennsylvania secretary of education and has held leadership roles as a teacher, administrator, and superintendent. Mumin is the author of Problem Child: Leading Students Living in Poverty Towards Infinite Possibilities of Success.  

William J. Weiss, class of 1985, College of Engineering, class of 1988 (master's), interdisciplinary fields; class of 1995 (doctorate), interdisciplinary fields (nominated by College of Medicine), is the C. McCollister Evarts Professor in Artificial Organs and chief of the Division of Applied Biomedical Engineering at Penn State College of Medicine. An internationally recognized researcher, he has contributed to the development of artificial organs and medical devices, including the Penn State/Arrow LionHeart LVAD, the first wireless left ventricular assist device.   

The Alumni Fellow program is administered by the Penn State Alumni Association in cooperation with the University’s academic colleges, campuses, and the Office of the President.

Alumni are nominated by a college or campus as leaders in their professional fields and are invited by the president of the University to return to campus to share their expertise and experiences with students, faculty, and administrators, inspiring the next generation of Penn State leaders.

Visit the Alumni Association’s Alumni Fellow page for more information about the honorees and the award.