Mia Michel

Entertainment Director

Mia Michel

• Year: Senior
• Hometown: Scranton, Pennsylvania
• Major: Psychology and Spanish
• Minors: Human Development and Family Studies

• Previous THON™ Involvement:
  

  THON 2024: Entertainment Committee Member

  THON 2025: Entertainment Admin Captain

  THON 2026: Entertainment Talent Coordinator Captain

• Why did you want to become a director for the largest student-run philanthropy in the world? My why for being a part of the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, and for pursuing a role on the Executive Committee, is to further spread our mission, support our families, and actively shape the experience of every person involved. I wanted to become a director to foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels empowered and encouraged to share ideas and dreams, all while knowing they are doing it for something that is much larger than themselves. Being just a small part of the difference THON makes and creating an impact that will last far after my time at Penn State is over, through the actions of other volunteers to come, is one of the countless reasons I value this organization and continue to be a part of it. As members of THON, we are not only helping the current children and families battling childhood cancer, but also planting seeds to help THON grow further and continue to make more influential changes each year. I wanted to become a director to instill these values in other volunteers and ignite the love and passion that I have for THON in my captains as well as all other volunteers in this community.
• What are your main responsibilities as a Director for THON™ 2027? As the Entertainment Director for THON 2027, I, in collaboration with the rest of the Entertainment Committee, will be responsible for providing the highest level of audio and visual production for the families, spectators, dancers, and volunteers at all pre-THON events as well as THON Weekend. This entails in person as well as virtually.
  Throughout the year, my responsibilities will be broken down into three categories of production/event management, talent management, and spectator engagement.
  Throughout the THON 2027 year, I will have the privilege of overseeing 27 Captains and helping them bring their goals and visions for THON to life. Additionally, four of my captains will lead Committee Members, resulting in a total of over 80 volunteers directly involved with the Entertainment Committee.
• What is your favorite THON memory? My favorite THON memory was the THON Weekend 2026 Kickoff Show, which is the first group of performers of THON Weekend before dancers stand. Being Talent Coordinator last year, I had the privilege of overseeing 6 of my co-captains on Talent Team, and seeing them announce their first groups of performers, who they worked so hard to contact, audition, and contract was so amazing. Additionally, seeing the emotional support aspect of our mission come to life right at the start of THON Weekend was something I will never forget. Seeing the smiles and excitement that the performances brought to the faces of the families, dancers, spectators, and volunteers made me remember why we do what we do. It was such a special moment and the perfect way to kick off such an anticipated weekend for the Penn State community. Looking forward to the THON Weekend 2027 Kickoff Show!
• What is your favorite quote? “Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life.”
• What are you involved in outside of being a THON™ Director? Outside of being a THON Director, I am an exam proctor for the psychology department in the College of Liberal Arts. I am also a member of Psi Chi, which is The International Honor Society in Psychology.
  Outside of volunteer and academic involvements, I love to spend time with my friends and family, cook, listen to music, go to the gym, and travel!
  
• What are your plans after graduation from Penn State? After graduation from Penn State, I hope to use my majors in Psychology and Spanish, minor in HDFS, and passion for helping others to work in some capacity in a children’s hospital.