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Welcome Rebecca!

Hello! I’m Becca and I’m excited to be serving on the 2018-2019 Foundry team. I’d like to take a moment to introduce myself, and let you know why I am so looking forward to making a difference through the Foundry.

I grew up on a farm just outside Gettysburg. When I graduated from high-school, I was excited by the prospect of art school and entering the field of scientific illustration. I knew it was niche, though, so I decided to start the process with an Associates in Biology from HACC. Taking classes at the Harrisburg Campus is what gave me my first taste of Harrisburg.

When I finished my Biology program at HACC, I was surprised to find that art school was becoming an all too intimidating goal. I wasn’t prepared to enter a trade in which I felt so insecure. So, I paused. I moved into the heart of Gettysburg, and I took some time to figure out how I would use my time if only I had more of it (I was notorious for working excessively during college). I continued working as a part-time barista, and a farm hand for a small PYO berry and flower farm. I became heavily involved in the startup of Waldo’s and Company, a non-profit that invests in the artists of our community by providing them with space and support to grow. In short, I made friends with my town, and it made friends with me. I met my future husband, Ben. And he was the one who pushed me, after I had taken the time I needed away from academia, to re-apply to schools.

While I did apply to a few places, there was a standing offer from Harrisburg University to move forward in the sciences, which I had always loved. I took the leap, and in December of 2017, I finished my Bachelors of Science in Integrative Science and Biochemistry at Harrisburg University. It was there that I realized how much I enjoy being a maker. I excelled in experimental design and methods development, and found that the intersection of communication, critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration was my favorite place to hang out.

I also found that those during the years spent parking at City Island, walking down Market Street, I had made friends with another little city, and I wasn’t ready to let go of that.

Now, here in Harrisburg, I work for Harrisburg University as a Research and Teaching Assistant. I connect with an extremely diverse student body, helping them develop research techniques and formulate their questions into testable hypotheses. I have repeatedly found students crying out for help because 1) they don’t have the skills to move forward with their academic goals, or 2) they feel that their hands are tied and they have no options aside from higher education. They are supposed to build houses full of dreams, but all they have is a hammer and a handful of nails.

That’s why I feel not just excited, but compelled to be here, with the Foundry and with you: the soul of education needs to change. Students need more than just tools, teachers need more than just an extra pair of hands in the classroom, and we need to start making a difference…because it’s the 21st Century, and it’s about time.

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Thanks for reading! I would love to get to know you, though. So, here’s where you can find me in the Burg:

  1. The Foundry @ StartUp

  2. Cougar Academy (my fellowship placement)

  3. Harrisburg University

  4. The Train Station Bus stop (public transportation for the win!)

  5. Anywhere there’s good coffee

Or if you feel like taking a day trip to Gettysburg:

  1. Waldo’s and Company (probably drinking coffee)

  2. Gettysburg Baking Co. (shameless plug for Ben’s delicious bread)

  3. Well…it’s a small town, so anywhere near the square?


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