Top 5 in 5 Progress Report

Prepare Students to Thrive in their Professional Endeavors Through Expansion of Career Development Resources & Employer Partnerships

As the expectations of employers continue to evolve, Smeal is strengthening its career development infrastructure and deepening employer connections to better prepare students for the workforce.

• Hired three new career coaches to increase support for students

• Established a Graduate Career Advisory Board of alumni and industry professionals to improve career services and employment outcomes for graduate students

• Made BA 297 (Career Planning and Strategies) a permanent course, BA 150, beginning in fall 2026, so it can be included in a student’s recommended academic plan

• Partnered with PitchVantage to enhance AI utilization by students in the job search process

Strengthen Career Readiness by Expanding Access to High-Impact Experiential Learning Opportunities Across All Disciplines

To ensure students graduate with practical, real-world experience, Smeal is building a more structured and accessible approach to experiential learning across the college.

• Launched the Penn State Career Accelerator, delivered in partnership with Podium Education, as a credit-bearing pilot course in Summer 2026

• Developed and hosted a Leadership Development Program for Smeal residential professional graduate students in partnership with the Downtown State College Improvement District

Enhance student wellbeing and belonging through coordinated academic, social and mental health support services

To ensure every student feels supported throughout their academic journey, Smeal is developing a more coordinated and accessible approach to academic, social, and mental health support services that strengthens wellbeing, belonging, and student success.

• Completed a comprehensive survey of Smeal commonwealth campus 2+2 students to design a program that improves their sense of belonging and academic and career success

Advance Curricular Quality, Rigor, & Relevance Through Continuous Program Evaluation & Industry Partner Input

We are strengthening curricular relevance by integrating emerging technologies and leveraging external partnerships to ensure alignment with industry needs.

• Completed a comprehensive review and evaluation of the undergraduate curriculum in partnership with Eduvantis and proposed recommendations for revision

• Redesigned the PSU 6 first-year seminar for fall 2026 across about 70 sections to integrate AI literacy and AI-supported learning

• Developed a graduate AI Foundations mini-course for launch before fall 2026 to build AI skills, promote responsible use, and show how AI is changing work across industries

Address Unmet Learner & Employer Demand by Launching New Programs

We are expanding our program portfolio to meet evolving market demand and position Smeal at the forefront of business education.

• Seeking University approval for several undergraduate certificates in Management and Organization, as well as a certificate associated with the Nittany Lion Fund

• Seeking University approval for integrated undergraduate-graduate programs with the Colleges of Engineering, IST and EMS

• Developing cross-college collaborations, including plans for Chemical Engineering students to begin taking Smeal Business Certificate courses in Fall 2026 and early discussions with Arts and Architecture about potential collaboration between music and business

• Launching the new AI Strategy, Leadership, and Business Impact Graduate Certificate to meet growing demand for AI-focused graduate business education and workforce development

Foster teaching excellence and innovation by implementing faculty incentives and incorporating high-touch and technology-enhanced practices

We are advancing teaching excellence by encouraging innovative pedagogy and expanding the use of technology-enhanced and student-centered learning approaches.

• Expanded the BoodleBox AI pilot across Spring and Summer 2026 courses, enabling faculty to integrate generative AI into teaching and learning

Expand Smeal’s Scholarly Impact by Recruiting, Retaining, & Supporting Exceptional Faculty

We are strengthening our faculty foundation by aligning policies and resources to support high-impact research and sustained scholarly productivity.

• Secured funding for several professorships and a new faculty recruitment and retention fund

Strengthen Smeal’s Research Enterprise & Collaborative Culture by Investing in Centers, Technology, & Infrastructure

As research continues to be a defining element of Smeal’s impact, we are creating the structures and resources needed to foster greater collaboration, efficiency, and innovation across our centers.

• Launched a Center Directors Council to enhance coordination and strategic alignment across research centers

Enhance Smeal’s Research Impact, Visibility, & Influence by Supporting Faculty Thought Leadership & Strengthening the Integration of Research & Practice

We are elevating the visibility and real-world impact of faculty research by strengthening how insights are translated and shared with broader audiences.

• Hired a science writer to enhance the reach and impact of faculty research

Recruit & Produce Top-Tier Ph.D. Talent Through Marketing, Mentoring, Training, & Other Support Mechanisms

We are enhancing the competitiveness and experience of our Ph.D. programs by investing in resources that attract and support high-caliber doctoral students.

• Increased financial support for Ph.D. students to strengthen recruitment, retention, and overall program quality

Become a Thought Leader in Artificial Intelligence Through Strategic Hiring, Partnerships, & Faculty Incentives

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape business and education, Smeal is positioning itself at the forefront Through targeted investments, partnerships, and thought leadership initiatives.

• Launching an agentic AI sprint challenge for students in Fall 2026 to solve Smeal operational problems

Support Enrollment Growth Through Investment in Physical Infrastructure & Organizational Innovation

As demand for Smeal programs continues to grow, we are investing in spaces and partnerships that enhance the student experience and support long-term expansion.

• Secured $45 million in FY26 fundraising commitments, surpassing the previous annual record of $44 million set in FY25

• Completed renovation of the Professional Graduate Wing and entered the final stages of technology integration, with a grand opening planned for Fall 2026

• Secured funding for the Smeal Welcome Center project, with construction commencing in late 2026

Strengthen Smeal’s Resource Stewardship & Strategic Decision-Making by Enhancing Transparency, Accountability, & Equity in the Allocation & Management of College Resources

To ensure responsible and effective use of resources, we are creating more transparent and inclusive processes that inform decision-making across the college.

• Developed a staff survey, informed by Staff Advisory Committee engagement discussions with leadership and Human Resources, to guide improvements, resource allocation, and future planning

• Developed budget templates to support the implementation of a bottom-up budgeting approach across non-academic departments

Increase Organizational Effectiveness Through the Integration of Artificial Intelligence & Other Technologies

As technology continues to transform how we work and teach, Smeal is taking a structured and intentional approach to integrating AI across the college.

• Expanded the focus on ethical and responsible AI use by publishing Smeal’s principles for responsible AI and adding new resources to the AI@Smeal website

• Expanded the BoodleBox pilot with increased student licensing, while continuing the AI@Work series focused on Microsoft Copilot

• Expanded the AI@Work professional development series, supporting staff and faculty in adopting generative AI and building practical skills for responsible use across teaching, research, and administrative operations

• Planning the third annual Dan and Robyn Ives AI Innovation Day, bringing together leading voices in AI to explore emerging trends and applications

Strengthen Smeal’s Culture of Engagement & Philanthropy by Establishing & Deepening Relationships with Employers, Alumni, Donors, & Other Partners

Strong relationships are central to Smeal’s continued growth and impact. Through intentional outreach and meaningful engagement, we are deepening connections with key stakeholders across our network.

• Selected a vendor for a new digital alumni engagement platform and initiated the contracting process

• Began developing alumni advocacy pathways and volunteer opportunities for the 2026–27 academic year

• Expanded alumni engagement through Smeal alumni events in major U.S. and international cities, including Tysons Corner, Charlotte, Philadelphia, New York City, San Francisco, and London

Elevate Smeal’s Brand & Reputation by Deploying an Integrated Marketing Strategy, Expanding Communications Capacity, & Engaging Key Audiences Through Targeted Campaigns & Digital Outreach

As Smeal’s visibility and ambitions grow, we are investing in the people and strategies needed to tell our story more effectively and reach broader audiences.

• Finalizing selection of an agency partner to support a refresh of the Smeal brand and the development of a comprehensive marketing strategy

• Expanding the Smeal Marketing and Communications team, with new roles being created to support the development and execution of the college’s integrated marketing strategy

• Enhancing the college’s ability to engage key audiences through targeted campaigns and coordinated digital outreach

Priority A: Enrich the Student Experience by Expanding & Enhancing Career Services, Experiential Learning, & Support Services

Prepare Students to Thrive in their Professional Endeavors Through Expansion of Career Development Resources & Employer Partnerships

As the expectations of employers continue to evolve, Smeal is strengthening its career development infrastructure and deepening employer connections to better prepare students for the workforce.

• Hired a new employee relations recruiter to expand employer partnerships and enhance career opportunities for students

Strengthen Career Readiness by Expanding Access to High-Impact Experiential Learning Opportunities Across All Disciplines

To ensure students graduate with practical, real-world experience, Smeal is building a more structured and accessible approach to experiential learning across the college.

• Developed a fundraising proposal to support the Office of Excellence in Experiential Learning

• Evaluating experiential learning partners (e.g., Podium)

• Launched comprehensive survey of 2+2 students to inform creation of 2+2@Smeal program

Priority B: Transform Teaching & Learning Through Innovative Curricula, New Program Development, & Innovative Pedagogy

Advance Curricular Quality, Rigor, & Relevance Through Continuous Program Evaluation & Industry Partner Input

We are strengthening curricular relevance by integrating emerging technologies and leveraging external partnerships to ensure alignment with industry needs.

• Relaunching a streamlined Fundamentals of Business certificate with fewer required courses and integrated AI components to enhance relevance and skill development

• Partnered with Eduvantis to conduct a comprehensive review and evaluation of the undergraduate curriculum, ensuring alignment with industry needs and future workforce demands

• Launched a pilot program with BoodleBox AI to integrate AI into 12 courses for the Spring 2026 semester, with plans to scale implementation in future terms

Address Unmet Learner & Employer Demand by Launching New Programs

We are expanding our program portfolio to meet evolving market demand and position Smeal at the forefront of business education.

• Developed a new business strategy for Penn State Executive Programs and partnered with Eduvantis on go-to-market planning and implementation to support new strategy

• Recruiting students for new Hybrid Masters in Applied AI for Business Transformation to meet growing demand for AI-focused graduate business education

• Seeking University approval for a series of interdisciplinary IUG programs in partnership with the Colleges of Engineering, Earth and Mineral Sciences, Information Sciences & Technology, Health and Human Development, and the Eberly College of Science

Priority C: Advance Research Excellence & Ph.D. Program Distinction by Investing in Talent, Infrastructure, & Marketing

Expand Smeal’s Scholarly Impact by Recruiting, Retaining, & Supporting Exceptional Faculty

We are strengthening our faculty foundation by aligning policies and resources to support high-impact research and sustained scholarly productivity.

• Updating faculty workload policy to strengthen research productivity and balance teaching, research and service activities

Strengthen Smeal’s Research Enterprise & Collaborative Culture by Investing in Centers, Technology, & Infrastructure

As research continues to be a defining element of Smeal’s impact, we are creating the structures and resources needed to foster greater collaboration, efficiency, and innovation across our centers.

• Launching a Center Directors Council to enhance coordination and strategic alignment across research centers

• Developing a Synergy Fund to support cross-center collaboration and interdisciplinary research initiatives

Enhance Smeal’s Research Impact, Visibility, & Influence by Supporting Faculty Thought Leadership & Strengthening the Integration of Research & Practice

We are elevating the visibility and real-world impact of faculty research by strengthening how insights are translated and shared with broader audiences.

• Enhancing reach and impact of faculty research Through creation of science writer role

Recruit & Produce Top-Tier Ph.D. Talent Through Marketing, Mentoring, Training, & Other Support Mechanisms

We are enhancing the competitiveness and experience of our Ph.D. programs by investing in resources that attract and support high-caliber doctoral students.

• Increased financial support for Ph.D. students to strengthen recruitment, retention, and overall program quality

Become a Thought Leader in Artificial Intelligence Through Strategic Hiring, Partnerships, & Faculty Incentives

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape business and education, Smeal is positioning itself at the forefront Through targeted investments, partnerships, and thought leadership initiatives.

• Continuing to build a strong pipeline of AI-focused speakers and programming to support ongoing learning, engagement, and thought leadership across the college

Priority D: Accommodate Organizational Growth & Effectiveness Through Investment in People, Culture, Space, & Infrastructure

Support Enrollment Growth Through Investment in Physical Infrastructure & Organizational Innovation

• Developing a new case for support for the college for comprehensive fundraising campaign

As demand for Smeal programs continues to grow, we are investing in spaces and partnerships that enhance the student experience and support long-term expansion.

• Completed renovation of the Professional Graduate Wing, with the project now entering the technology implementation phase and an opening planned for Fall 2026

• Finalized design work for the creation of a Smeal Welcome Center and a reimagined Business Career Center

Advance Staff & Faculty Success by Expanding & Enhancing Onboarding & Professional Development Resources

Recognizing that people are at the core of Smeal’s success, we are building more intentional and supportive pathways for onboarding and ongoing development.

• Finalizing creation of comprehensive onboarding program for new faculty and staff, with full implementation anticipated in Fall 2026

Strengthen Smeal’s Resource Stewardship & Strategic Decision-Making by Enhancing Transparency, Accountability, & Equity in the Allocation & Management of College Resources

To ensure responsible and effective use of resources, we are creating more transparent and inclusive processes that inform decision-making across the college.

• Launched task forces to improve climate and culture based on feedback from biannual faculty and staff engagement surveys

• Finalizing a comprehensive college-wide performance dashboard to support data-driven decision-making and increase transparency across the college

Increase Organizational Effectiveness Through the Integration of Artificial Intelligence & Other Technologies

As technology continues to transform how we work and teach, Smeal is taking a structured and intentional approach to integrating AI across the college.

• Established three AI Communities of Practice in Teaching & Learning, Research and Operations to promote shared learning

• Advanced college-wide AI literacy Through the BoodleBox pilot and the AI@Work series focused on Microsoft Copilot

• Developed an online AI Hub to provide ongoing access to tools and resources supporting AI literacy and curriculum integration

• Launched the AI Exploration Microgrant Program, with 17 proposals received in the first call and additional funding rounds planned

• Hosted the 2nd annual Dan & Robyn Ives AI Innovation Day, bringingtogether leading AI voices to increase integration across the college

Priority E: Drive External Engagement & Philanthropy by Building Partnerships & Elevating Smeal’s Brand

Strengthen Smeal’s Culture of Engagement & Philanthropy by Establishing & Deepening Relationships with Employers, Alumni, Donors, & Other Partners

Strong relationships are central to Smeal’s continued growth and impact. Through intentional outreach and meaningful engagement, we are deepening connections with key stakeholders across our network.

• Expanded alumni engagement Through Smeal alumni events in major U.S. and international cities, including recent events in Tysons Corner, Charlotte and Philadelphia

• Planning for the launch of a digital alumni engagement platform

Elevate Smeal’s Brand & Reputation by Deploying an Integrated Marketing Strategy, Expanding Communications Capacity, & Engaging Key Audiences Through Targeted Campaigns & Digital Outreach

As Smeal’s visibility and ambitions grow, we are investing in the people and strategies needed to tell our story more effectively and reach broader audiences.

• Finalizing an RFP to select an agency partner to support a refresh of the Smeal brand and the development of a comprehensive marketing strategy

• Expanding the Smeal Marketing and Communications team, with new roles being created to support the development and execution of the college’s integrated marketing strategy

• Enhancing the college’s ability to engage key audiences Through targeted campaigns and coordinated digital outreach