Maurie Kelly

DUS Experience

When did you enter DUS?
Freshman year.
How many semesters did you spend in DUS?
Three.
Why did you choose DUS?
I entered DUS because I was not sure what I was interested in doing. There were many things I liked, but wasn't sure what classes to take so I could explore those interests. DUS seemed like the right place to be for someone who wanted to explore and learn more about what the University had to offer.
What resources did you use in your exploratory and decision-making process?
My adviser and I discussed my abilities and interests. He helped me identify the courses that meshed with my interests and gave me a chance to focus in on what I wanted to do with my college career and life. My DUS adviser also had information about a lot of extracurricular activities and special programs at the University. For example, although I was taking courses mostly in the liberal arts, I also had a chance to take courses in the Penn State marine science program. As part of that program, I had extensive field experiences working in coastal environments and spent time tracking humpback whales from Cape Cod to Nova Scotia. The combination of the liberal arts courses with the science curriculum is something that continues to benefit me to this day.
Did DUS benefit you? If so, how?
As I mentioned, having the opportunity to learn about and experience a broad range of Penn State courses has truly helped my career and opened many doors to me as a professional. Had I simply selected a major as a freshman and stayed in one field, I doubt I would have had the depth and breadth of experiences that I did while in college.

Penn State Experience

What major(s) (and minor(s), if applicable) did you end up choosing?
History
What year did you graduate?
1987
What extracurricular activities made a difference in your college experience?
My extracurricular activities included participating in the marine science program, as a little sister in a fraternity, and as an organizer and volunteer for charitable causes through the University.
Looking back, would you have done anything differently during your time at Penn State?
Nothing. I think I was very lucky having had the DUS experience. It opened many doors and allowed me to have a true education.

Professional Experience

What jobs have you held since graduation?
  • Various positions at Penn State and the University of Illinois
What is your current occupation?
Director of Informatics, Penn State Institutes of Energy and the Environment

Profile Last Updated: July 17, 2008