Meet the People Behind ITSA
ITSA is led by a dedicated group of students who are passionate about creating a welcoming space for international and transfer students. Get to know the team that makes it all happen.
Valeriia Dolhodush
Founder
Founder of ITSA and the driving force behind its mission, Valery leads the organization’s vision, strategy, and development.
An international student from Portugal and transfer from Modul University Vienna, she is passionate about building community, learning languages (five so far, French in progress!), and exploring art and its history.
Craig Dillenbeck
President
History student at Penn State World Campus and supply chain professional focused on inbound freight, vendor optimization, and operational efficiency.
Passionate about building meaningful connections and creating opportunities that help international and transfer students feel welcomed and supported.
Ayumi Inoue
Press Secretary
Filipino-Japanese Information Science and Technology freshman at Penn State World Campus with a passion for creative communication and community building.
Contributes to ITSA's marketing efforts through engaging content creation and enjoys volunteering, journaling, and playing various instruments.
Joshua Harris
Treasurer
Project Management master's student at Penn State World Campus and Information Technology professional with a passion for leadership, mentorship, and community service.
Supports ITSA through strong organizational and analytical skills while enjoying writing, mentoring aspiring technology professionals, and giving back through volunteer work.
Kirsten McNaughton
Technological Committee Chair
Third-year Accounting student at Penn State World Campus based in Canada, with a passion for technology and supporting student organizations.
Helps keep ITSA connected by managing digital platforms and virtual meeting tools, while bringing reliable technical support and a collaborative spirit to the team.
Ruba Chaudhry
Events Chair
Junior Accounting student at Penn State World Campus with a minor in Economics and an incoming student in the Integrated Master's in Accounting (iMAcc) program.
Passionate about creating engaging events that bring students together, while balancing academics with customer service experience and a commitment to building an inclusive ITSA community.
Valeria Herrera
Secretary
Third-year Labor and Human Resources student at Penn State, with a minor in Organizational Leadership and a multicultural background shaped by living in four countries.
Serves as Secretary by keeping members informed through clear, timely communication and acting as the connection between members and the Executive Board to help the organization stay engaged and organized.
Team 2025 - 2026
This is the Founding Team of ITSA — the group that turned an idea into a thriving organization. Their vision, dedication, and countless efforts brought ITSA to life and laid the foundation for everything it is today. From the very beginning, they worked tirelessly to get ITSA up and running, creating a community that will continue to grow and inspire for years to come.
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Our Faculty Advisors
Dr. Denise Ogden
Marketing Professor at Penn State Lehigh Valley
Passionate about mentoring and student success, she is dedicated to helping students grow into confident professionals through her supportive and engaging teaching approach. Her expertise in marketing and commitment to student development make her an invaluable faculty advisor.
Madam Shelby Thayer
Executive Director of Marketing Technology and Operations,
Penn State Outreach and Online Education
Passionate about advancing student success through data-informed strategy, she leads planning, analytics, and operations for Penn State Online Education.
Marketing Professor at Penn State Lehigh Valley