Penn State Altoona faculty member, student named 2026 WISE honorees

ALTOONA, Pa. - Penn State Altoona faculty member Lisa Surkovich and nursing student Emma Peterman were both recognized as 2026 honorees for the WISE Women of Blair County Tribute.

The WISE (Women Involved in Scholarship and Education) Tribute honors local women who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in the categories of arts, business, community service, education, non-profit, and lifetime achievement.

Lisa Surkovich, assistant teaching professor of literary education at Penn State Altoona, has been named the 2026 honoree for the WISE Women of Blair County Tribute in Education. As the honoree, she is recognized for demonstrating exceptional leadership and innovation in her formal education setting.

Surkovich was a public school elementary teacher and reading specialist for 38 years, 31 of them with the Hollidaysburg Area School District before coming to Penn State Altoona.

"My goal is to not only prepare these students for a career in education, but to inspire them to be the best, kindest teachers they can be. My hope is they see this in me and it impacts them," she says. "An award may recognize one moment, but it echoes a thousand unseen decisions behind it. To love what you do and be honored for it is a wonderful blessing."

Emma Peterman, a third-year nursing student at Penn State Altoona, was selected as the WISE 2026 Rising Star Tribute for her work as a UPMC Altoona patient care technician. Peterman also serves as president of Penn State Altoona's chapter of Student Nurses Association of Pennsylvania.

The criteria for her award include providing self-initiated community service that has both significant and positive impact.

Surkovich and Peterman will be recognized at the annual WISE Tribute dinner on April 15.