La Penta is on deployment with the PA Air National Guard

Prestigious award presented annually to a graduating senior

Harrisburg, PA – Kutztown University student and Pennsylvania Air National Guard Staff Sergeant Aidan La Penta is the 2025 recipient of the Syed R. Ali-Zaidi Award for Academic Excellence from Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). The Board of Governors will honor La Penta during its quarterly meeting on April 10 and presented him with a $2,500 award.

La Penta is majoring in Information Technology with a 3.9 GPA in Kutztown University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He also earned a cybersecurity certificate in the Criminal Justice program.

“PASSHE’s Ali-Zaidi award recognizes students who excel in the classroom and contribute to their communities as outstanding citizens. As an elite student and PA Air National Guard member, Aidan is tremendously deserving of this award,” said Dr. Cynthia Shapira, Board chair. “Aidan is creating an impressive resume at Kutztown, from his academic success and national research presentations to his support of other military students. We thank him for his service to our country and look forward to his achievements in the future.”

La Penta is currently deployed with the Pennsylvania Air National Guard and will accept the award with a video message. The Kutztown University faculty nominated La Penta for the Ali-Zaidi Award, noting that he uses his skills to help others. For his independent capstone project in the Honors Program, La Penta developed software to benefit the Honors Program. He created a system to present information in a more accessible format for the Honors Program staff, demonstrating his technical expertise and real-world problem-solving skills.

“Aidan is a great example of our tremendous students who shine in the classroom while balancing major life responsibilities,” said Chancellor Christopher Fiorentino. “Across our universities, students serve in the military, work to pay for college, juggle their courses while raising children and take on countless other challenges. Their determination is truly inspiring, and Aidan perfectly embodies that passion and drive.”

While attending Kutztown, La Penta has presented his research at two national conferences, highlighting his ability to communicate complex ideas to a wide audience. Last year, he presented his Honors capstone to the National Collegiate Honors Council in Missouri and his research on the limitations of current artificial intelligence models at the Northeast Regional Honors Council in New York. As part of his cybersecurity certification, he attended a conference on national security at The Washington Center in Washington, D.C.

In recorded remarks, La Penta called the award one of the greatest achievements of his college career. He thanked Kutztown University’s leaders, as well as Dr. Lisa Frye, chair of the Computer Science and Information Technology Department, and Dr. Dylan Schwesinger, associate professor, for nominating him.

“I am truly honored to be here today, at least in spirit, as the recipient of this award,” said La Penta. “I really wish I could have attended. I was so proud just to be Kutztown’s nominee, so I was over the moon when I heard that I was selected as this year’s winner, but the National Guard made college possible for me, so when it was time to deploy, I welcomed it.”

La Penta added about the award, “It was really made possible by all the opportunities at Kutztown, and I am so grateful for it.”

La Penta plans to pursue a career in software development and credits Kutztown’s Future Emerging Leaders (FUEL) Mentoring Program for connecting him with alumni, whose advice is helping him prepare for his career in the technology sector.

He was also a student worker in the university’s Office of Veteran Services, helping military-affiliated students navigate the challenges of balancing academic and military responsibilities. La Penta is particularly appreciative of the flexibility provided by supportive faculty members, which allowed him to submit coursework while on a two-week pre-deployment training last year.

“Aidan’s commitment to his academics and community brings tremendous pride to Kutztown University,” said Dr. Kenneth S. Hawkinson, university president. “While also serving our country, Aidan has excelled in the classroom and has dedicated himself to solving real-world issues. My congratulations to Aidan and his family on this prestigious accomplishment.”

The Ali-Zaidi Award is presented annually to a graduating senior at one of the 10 State System universities in recognition of their outstanding academic achievement and participation in extra- and co-curricular activities. The award was established in 2001 by Syed R. Ali-Zaidi, a founding member of the State System’s Board of Governors.

Presidents for each of the 10 State System universities annually recommend a candidate for the award.

Other finalists for this year’s Ali-Zaidi Award were Matthew Yurkunas, Commonwealth University; Aliyah Williams, East Stroudsburg University; Olivia Gambill, Indiana University of Pennsylvania; Kylie Calogero, Millersville University; Dominic Santia, Pennsylvania Western University; Mackenzie Longworth, Shippensburg University; Brooke Hamilton, Slippery Rock University and Aubrey Eason, West Chester University.

About PASSHE
Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) is the public university system of the commonwealth with a mission to provide a high-quality education at the lowest possible cost to students. The State System annually confers more than 20,000 degrees and has more than 800,000 living alumni, most of whom live in Pennsylvania. The State System universities are Cheyney, Commonwealth (Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield), East Stroudsburg, Indiana, Kutztown, Millersville, PennWest (California, Clarion and Edinboro), Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester universities of Pennsylvania.