Pennsylvania Western University

When Sydney Cochran passes through the Natali Student Center on the PennWest California campus, she hopes students see someone they can approach.

Some students dip a toe into campus life. Bethany Morrow dove in. Morrow swore into the Army National Guard at 17, works weekend doubles as a CNA, mentors and tutors for PennWest Clarion's TRIO Upward Bound program, serves as an ambassador, and leads Clarion's Student Senate.

When Ruthie Karsteter first visited Edinboro, something clicked, despite her initial reluctance to follow her older brother, Paige, who was already a senior on campus.