Abington senior named Miss Black Pennsylvania, platform highlights mental health

Goodman’s pageant platform, coursework and extracurricular activities at Abington, and her career goals all dovetail with her lifelong interest in the mind and behavior.  

“I’ve been interested in how society and the human brain work since I was a child, and I started taking psychology and sociology classes in high school,” she said. 

The psychological and social sciences major works for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) on campus. As a peer counselor, she is one of a select few students trained in basic counseling skills and supervised by licensed mental health professionals to provide free and confidential support to other students.  

Goodman is also employed as a behavioral health technician at Omni Health Services where she supports a specialist providing treatment to clients with developmental disorders. During her internship at F.L.O.W. Wellness Center in Abington, she facilitated social and emotional skills sessions for teenagers. 

After Goodman graduates in May, she plans to find a position in her field and earn an advanced degree. 

“I’m interested in the clinical side of psychology, so I want to work on my doctorate, beginning next fall,” she said. 

Goodman initially chose Abington because it would keep her close to her brother, who graduated in 2020, but its beauty, affordability, and accomplished faculty also proved to be attractive. She treasures the relationships she has developed on campus.   

“The entire CAPS staff have become mentors to me. They are teaching me about the field, and they come in every day with open arms and open ears. They are my support system,” she said. 

About Penn State Abington 

Penn State Abington provides an affordable, accessible and high-impact education resulting in the success of a diverse student body. It is committed to student success through innovative approaches to 21st-century public higher education within a world-class research university. With more than 3,000 students, Penn State Abington is a residential campus that offers baccalaureate degrees in 24 majors, undergraduate research, the Schreyer Honors Program, NCAA Division III athletics and more.