The Association for Women in Sports Media has named Penn State its 2024 student chapter of the year.

Penn State's student chapter is led by president Haley McCullough, vice president Emily Treacy, treasurer Emma Holtz, secretary Kendall Skalicky, social media chair Alli Fritz, events chair Cailey Thalman and membership chair Amanda Vogt. John Affleck, Knight Chair in Sports Journalism and Society and director of the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism, serves as the chapter’s adviser.

"This chapter went above and beyond in its work in creating a welcoming, supportive and inclusive community on the Penn State campus," AWSM vice president of student programs Maggie Vanoni said. "They hosted multiple events that were outside of the traditional guest speaker format and thoroughly impressed with their big-little mentor program. The chapter's dedication to uplifting women in sports media was evident across all its hard work in growing its presence on campus and engaging its members.

"Penn State's executive board was also extremely communicative with its student chapter coordinator and AWSM board members, which further showed its commitment to AWSM and our mission. Even from afar, we could see the impact Penn State was making and that's why it is our chapter of the year."

Penn State is the first AWSM student chapter to win the honor three times, previously claiming the award in 2018 and 2020.

"Penn State alumni have long established it as an active AWSM student chapter, but the 2023-24 board managed to exceed high expectations for productivity," AWSM president Iliana Limón Romero said. "The group's commitment to providing training opportunities for those interested in all areas of sports media was especially impressive and invaluable for AWSM members."

The AWSM board also salutes the excellent training and development opportunities provided by our student chapters at Alabama, Arizona State, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Ithaca, Maryland, Michigan State, Missouri, Northwestern, Oklahoma State, Penn State, Quinnipiac, Susquehanna, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Previous AWSM chapter of the year honorees include Susquehanna (2023), Michigan State (2022 and 2016), Penn State (2018 and 2020), Quinnipiac (2019), Oklahoma State (2017 and 2013), Missouri (2015) and Michigan (2014). No chapter was selected in 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions.