Penn State World Campus alumna awarded for career success and community service

“I earned my degree and developed my career simultaneously by working full-time throughout all of my college years,” said Thandi N. Clements, vice president of marketing and client relations for Seattle-based Washington Capital Management.

Clements lives in Orange County, California, and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Letters, Arts, and Sciences from the College of the Liberal Arts through Penn State World Campus while building her career in insurance and investment management services.

“The Penn State curriculum was challenging, but the time and focus spent on class work plus working full-time helped me to develop discipline and time-management skills.”

Clements is the undergraduate recipient of the 2019 Penn State World Campus Outstanding Alumna Award. The award celebrates Penn State World Campus graduates for success in their fields, contributions to society, and leadership in their communities.

While balancing the work toward her degree with moving within multiple states and markets to create and execute sales plans, Clements also found time to be of service to her community. She has served as a volunteer for Dress for Success; The First Tee; Start Making a Reader Today; Girls, Inc.; and The Shea Center for Therapeutic Horse Riding. She is also a member of the Penn State Alumni Association and a World Campus ambassador.

“I feel it is of the utmost importance to be of service in some capacity, and I have been fortunate that along my path, I had access to supportive mentors and was provided with opportunities that made a real difference in my life. I will be forever grateful and want to do the same for others in either a direct or indirect way.”

Clements was presented with the award at the Penn State Outreach and Online Education Appreciation Dinner in October. Each year, an undergraduate and a graduate alumna or alumnus of Penn State World Campus is chosen by a committee to receive the award.