Bloomberg and GE Join Smeal Corporate Associates Program
The Penn State Smeal College of Business has announced the Bloomberg LP and General Electric Co. have joined the Penn State Smeal College of Business Corporate Associates Program. The two companies joined 26 others in the program, including the program’s corporate partner, Kohl’s Department Stores. The Smeal Corporate Associates Program provides companies with connections to Smeal’s top student body for recruiting purposes. Corporations can connect with students for a variety of recruiting options, including undergraduate internships and co-ops and MBA internships and full-time positions as well as full-time positions for Smeal alumni.
In addition to recruiting opportunities, Smeal also provides its Corporate Associates with support for solving business challenges with access to industry-specific research centers as well as its Student Consulting Programs. Penn State also offers a wide variety of Executive Education programs. Other companies that participate in the Smeal Corporate AssociatesProgram includes, Aldi, Altria, AT&T, Baker Tilly, CohnReznick, Crowe Horwath, Delta, Deloitte, Dick’s, EY, Ferguson, First National Bank, Grant Thornton, Ingersoll Rand, Johnson & Johnson, KPMG, Macy’s, McGladrey, PLS Logistics, PNC, PPG Industries, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Shell Oil, UPMC, Volvo and Williams.
Smeal Professor Named College Faculty Director
Penn State Smeal College of Business has announced that Lou Gattis, clinical professor of finance, has been named the faculty director for the college. Gattis came to Smeal in 2004. Before his career at Smeal, he spent fifteen years in corporate finance and investment management where he worked for companies such as IBM and Freddie Mac. Gattis also served as an adjunct professor in finance and economics at George Mason University as well as professor of finance at the University of Maryland.
As faculty director at Smeal, Gattis will be accountable for various academic aspects of the MBA program, including the curriculum, concentrations and global immersions. In a Smeal press release, Gattis explained that the role of the faculty director is to “work closely with MBA students, staff, and faculty to advocate academic integrity, continuously improve the curriculum, and promote student academic achievement.” In addition to serving in his new position, Professor Gattis will continue to teach one course in financial modeling.
Smeal Professor Awarded by AICPA
Dr. Mark W. Dirsmith, the Deloite & Touche Emeritus Professor of Accounting at the Smeal College of Business has been named the winner of the 2015 American Insitute of CPA’s Distinguished Achievement in Accounting Education Award. The AMCPA award has been presented annually since 1985. The awarded is given to recognized accounting professors who are nominated as outstanding educators and have achieved national recognition in the accounting profession. Dr. Dirsmith was honored at the annual meeting of the American Accounting Association (AAA), in Chicago.
The American Institute of CPAs represents the CPA profession nationally regarding rule-making and standard-setting. The group serves as an advocate before legislative bodies, public interest groups and other professional organizations. The AICPA develops standards for audits of private companies, provides educational guidance materials to its members, develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination and monitors and enforces compliance with the profession’s technical and ethical standards. The AICPA’s founding established accountancy as a profession distinguished by rigorous educational requirements, high professional standards, a strict code of professional ethics, a licensing status and a commitment to serving the public interest.
Smeal Launches New Supply Chain Leadership Academy
The Smeal College of Business at Penn State University has launched a new supply chain program, The Supply Chain Leadership Academy, an online bootcamp designed to help supply chain leaders apply leadership concepts in holistic supply chain management. The program was created in partnership with CorpU, a corporate learning pioneer.
The program is taught through a three-pronged approach. It draws on best practices in situation based learning to refine student competencies and drive organizational improvement through end-to-end supply chain management. Program participants will complete three five-week courses that focus on end-to-end supply chain excellence, integrated supply networks and supply chain leadership.
Popularity of Sustainable Business MBA Grows
Many MBA programs now offer concentrations and curriculum that focus on sustainable business. Corporations are now required to be more environmentally conscious than ever before. A sustainable business MBA can help professionals gain the knowledge that is needed to operate and create successful environmentally conscious businesses. According to thebestschools.org, “The MBA in Sustainability degree equips business professionals to help companies and organizations achieve profitability while maintaining environmental responsibility.”
These MBA programs, often called “Green MBAs,” teach students the skills necessary for earning profits through methods that reduce harm to the environment and society. Not only do these programs help students learn how to run environmentally sustainable businesses, but many also teach corporate social responsibility.
The Sustainable Business Institute explains that corporate sustainability is important because, “private and public business choices enormously impact the quality of life in our communities.” The Institute also explains that, “Effectively managing our business footprint addresses current market dynamics while ensuring a better quality of life for future generations. The bottom line is sustainable business practices make good business sense. Corporate sustainability offers a compelling return on investment by driving innovation, managing risk, and improving stakeholder relations.”
Smeal Offers New Certificate Program
Penn State Smeal College of Business is offering a new program that will allow non-business undergraduates to develop fundamental business skills. Students will focus on skills in the areas of finance, management, marketing and supply chain management. The Smeal College Business Fundamentals Certificate is a 15-credit program. It will be offered over an eight-week period in Summer 2015 (May 18 to July 10).
Students in the program can complete the entire certificate in summer, or take fewer than 15 credits and complete the certificate during the upcoming fall and spring semesters. The certificate is comprised of four required courses and one elective course. Students must meet curriculum prerequisites prior to enrolling.
