Ray Schmitt

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Ray joined the Bellisario College staff in July 2024 as the Student News Consortium director. It marked a return to the college for him, as he graduated from Bellisario College in 2007 with a bachelor of arts degree in journalism. During his time as a student, Ray worked with PSN-TV, CommRadio and Centre County Report.

That experience helped him land a position with his hometown Johnstown Chiefs as the team's play-by-play broadcaster and communications executive. He spent the majority of the next decade working in minor league professional hockey calling games, managing his teams' public relations and marketing communications and assisting with ticket and sponsorship sales. In the ECHL, Ray gained experience working in smaller markets like Johnstown and Elmira, NY, along with medium and larger markets like Greenville, SC and Kansas City.

Ray also spent time in marketing communications and public relations roles with companies in veterinary healthcare, energy technology and wealth management services. He returned to Penn State in a professional capacity in 2018 as a PR specialist with Teaching and Learning with Technology. After four years there, Ray transitioned to a similar role with Schreyer Honors College for two-and-a-half years before coming over to the Bellisario College in his current role.

Throughout his career, he has used the storytelling skills he developed as a student journalist to craft compelling content that would resonate with various audiences. He is thrilled by the opportunity to support current Penn State students in their efforts to tell stories that serve the community.

Outside of work, Ray and his wife keep busy with their blended family of four kids and three dogs. He enjoys playing rec league hockey, attending concerts and sporting events, skiing and sampling Centre County's craft beverage scene.