Celebrating our Alumni

We are extremely proud of our Shippensburg alumni. Our alumni make significant impacts every day in their professional fields, in their lives, and in their communities. We shine a bright spotlight on these incredible people who represent Shippensburg so well in the world. Here are a few of their stories:

 

Ship Alumnus Calculates Highest Risk PA Counties in New COVID Prediction Report

Timothy Schock ‘13-‘16M, Data Analyst at the Pennsylvania State Data Center located in the Institute of State and Regional Affairs at Penn State Harrisburg, has authored a new report predicting areas that may be hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic in the coming weeks.

Rather than simply map the number of cases or hotspots of the Coronavirus, the demographic expert examined the medical risk, health services risk, and proximity risk of PA counties to determine how vulnerable each are to negative outcomes and challenges associated with COVID-19. Schock states that, “[The most vulnerable] counties have older populations, more seniors in nursing homes, and populations with underlying medical conditions…they also have limited healthcare services and the capacity to treat outbreaks... all of which result in negative COVID-19 outcomes.”

Schock represents the medical vulnerability of a county as a percentage, where a higher percentage indicates higher risk for unfortunate consequences. Results range from lowest risk at 19.4% (Dauphin) to highest risk at 53.3% (Sullivan). Cumberland County is reported as 27.9% and Franklin County is 36.8%. Schock warns that officials and residents in higher risk counties need to, “take preemptive actions to adhere strictly to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s guidelines of physical distancing and other sanitary precautions.”

Despite the challenges ahead, Schock hopes that the pandemic may be an opportunity for “legislators across the Commonwealth [to] take a serious look at gaps in the state’s emergency preparedness and public health, especially for rural areas.”

Schock attributes his empathetic and service-oriented research style to his mentors at Shippensburg University. “I was extremely lucky to have several faculty whom I deeply respected both academically and personally, especially Drs. Paul Marr and George Pomeroy in the Department of Geography & Earth Science. They really helped to challenge and expand my knowledge and worldview.”

Now, Schock supervises and mentors Ship students and interns, mirroring that same compassion demonstrated as a student. “[My mentors at Ship] are the gold standard and moral compass that I judge myself against.” He implores current students facing a dramatic change and an abrupt transition to the workforce due to COVID-19 to keep things in perspective. “Please know that you are not alone and that your feelings are valid…please believe that you are much more resilient than you know, and you will come out the other side a more confident and agile person.”