Elizabeth Coulson

Alumni Engagement Director

Elizabeth Coulson

• Year:  Senior 
• Hometown:  Cleveland, Ohio 
• Major: Health Policy Administration

• Previous THON™ Involvement:

  THON 2024 – OPP CM/Sustainability Pioneer

  THON 2025 – DAR AE THON Nation Captain

  THON 2026 – OPP Inter-Committee Fundraising Captain

• Why did you want to become a director for the largest student-run philanthropy in the world? Being involved in THON has shaped me into who I am today in more ways than I can count. Each year, I wanted to get more and more involved. When I decided which college to attend, THON was the reason that pushed me to come to PSU. We as Penn State students are so lucky for the opportunity to volunteer in such a unique organization, and I knew that in my last year of school I wanted to try to give all I could back to THON. I wanted to be a director for the largest student-run philanthropy in the world so that I could play a small part in supporting our mission and families, and grow that support with students and alumni alike!

• What are your main responsibilities as a Director for THON™ 2027? As the Alumni Engagement director, I am the main point of contact for our 25,000+ alumni who are actively involved with THON. Whether that is through alumni interest groups, alumni chapters, supporting their past organizations, or individually, I ensure that they have the information and resources they need to stay involved. Additionally, I ensure that the Alumni Engagement captains have the support they need to spread THON’s mission past State College and keep our alumni coming back!

• What is your favorite THON memory? My favorite THON memory is the first line dance of THON Weekend 2025. I was surrounded by my co-captains, director, and dancer friends. The moment it started, I found my family friends on the floor as well, who are the reason Why I THON. Being able to start the weekend dancing with so many people I love was so special, and something I hold so close to my heart!

• What is your favorite quote? “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” — Jane Goodall

• What are you involved in outside of being a THON™ Director? Outside of THON, I am involved in Lion Ambassadors, work part-time as a nanny, and intern for a healthcare company.
• What are your plans after graduation from Penn State? Post-graduation I hope to be working for a healthcare research company focused on cancer clinical trial care.