Michelle Espinoza

Hometown: Baltimore, MD

PSU Connection: Student

PSU Graduation Year: TBD

Degree Type: Ph.D.

Major of Study: Special Education

Memorable moment in your Penn State career: My most memorable Penn State moment was receiving acceptance into the Special Education PhD Program! I am a World Campus Alumni and beyond excited to be here at University Park for my third, and final, degree from Penn State! WE ARE!!!

Active Duty or Veteran: Veteran

Branch: Marine Corps

Rank: Corporal

Rate/MOS: 0151

Where/when did you serve: Paris Island, South Carolina, Camp Lejeune, NC, 29 Palms, California, and Quantico, Virginia.

Awards: Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Certificate of Appreciation from President George W. Bush for exemplary military service

What was your favorite military assignment/duty station and why? Headquarters and Service Battalion in Quantico, Virginia. There, I managed vital records for the largest battalion in the Marine Corps and was part of a large scale security group for President George W. Bush Jr. during his visit to the Federal Bureau of Investigation on July 11, 2005.

Michelle Espinoza, Marine Corps, has spent her entire collegiate career with Penn State, currently working on her Ph.D. Michelle is also a Marine Wife. Her Husband, Gerardo P. Espinoza, of almost 20 years retired from the United States Marine Corps as a Staff Sergeant on 4 September 2020. Michelle gives thanks to God, Family and Friends for their support over the years and Penn State for exceptional support to military students both active duty and veteran.