Elizabeth Anne Schopfer, daughter of Lou and Jan Schopfer of Cherry Hill, has been awarded a $10,000 Academic Merit Scholarship from the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education.
There, she will study for a Master of Science in Education in Counseling and Mental Health Services.
In addition she has been awarded a Penn GSE Graduate Assistanceship of $3,500.
Schopfer, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Magna Cum Laude with Distinction in Psychology and a Certificate in Spanish from the University of Pennsylvania in May during Commencement where Vice President Joe Biden was the featured speaker.
She also had the honor of being on the dean’s list while at Penn.
Schopfer was chosen to speak at Penn’s Baccalaureate Service on Mother’s Day for her leadership to the religious community at Penn.
Schopfer currently works as a research assistant under Dr. Michael Grandner at the Penn Sleep Center where she recently co-authored her first research paper for the Sleep Medicine Journal, in addition to presentations at Sleep 2011 in Minneapolis, Minn., Sleep 2012 in Boston, Mass., and Penn’s Center for Sleep and Circadian Neurobiology Research Retreat in 2012.
Her honors thesis under Dr. David Mandell, examined family support services for autism.
Liz served as the Research Chair of Penn Speaks for Autism, Chaplain of the New Spirit of Penn Gospel Choir and Worship Team leader/vocalist/bassist of Penn Students for Christ.
She also served on the Kite and Key Society, the Ronald McDonald House, and the Penn Equestrian Team.
Liz interned in Seattle, Wash., last summer with Cru where she shared Jesus Christ with the homeless, at-risk teenagers and inside state prisons.
Elizabeth, a GSE Mulroney Scholar for Autism in 2010, will continue her education at Penn GSE in counseling and mental health services in the fall.
