March 2026 SCIS & BAIS Student of the Month: Jess Nguyen
The Penn State Smeal Center for Supply Chain Research (CSCR) is proud to highlight high-achieving students in Supply Chain and Information Systems (SCIS) and Business Analytics and Information Systems (BAIS) who are making an impact in their programs with a SCIS & BAIS Student of the Month award. These students are nominated by faculty leaders and selected by a panel of SCIS and BAIS faculty representatives and the CSCR Executive Director.
Jess Nguyen is a fourth-year Smeal student double majoring in SCIS and Economics from Greensburg, PA. Nominated by faculty member Johanna Amaya, Jess was selected as the March SCIS & BAIS Student of the Month for her exceptional dedication, academic excellence, and commitment to both classroom learning and extracurricular leadership.
With a 3.9 GPA while managing a dual major across two colleges, Jess exemplifies what it means to be a well-rounded Smeal student. She served as a teaching assistant (TA) for SCM404 and is currently a TA for SCM497, works as a project mentor and researcher for Sigma Chi Mu Tau, guides prospective students as a Penn State tour guide, and leads her team at Findlay Dining Commons. She is also Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certified.
What excites you about a career in supply chain and information systems and/or economics?
After graduation, I will start my career with RTX in the Operations and Leadership Development Program on the supply chain track. I am excited to participate in a rotational program because I want to gain experience in multiple areas of supply chain. I am also excited to be able to explore new cities across the country!
What internship experience have you gained while at Penn State?
My first role was at Armada Supply Chain Solutions in Pittsburgh, PA as a Client Support Intern. I learned how to build and manage POs and keep track of inventory in a hub. My second internship was at Corning Inc. in Corning, NY as a Global Supply Chain Intern. I completed a project for the procurement team on invoice resolution.
What is your favorite part about being a SCIS student at Smeal?
Definitely the SCIS faculty because they have always been supportive of me and want all of us to succeed. I am very grateful for my professors who are involved in my career development and have connected me to alumni in SCIS.
What organizations are you involved in within Smeal and at Penn State?
I am a tour guide for admissions, and I give 90-minute walking tours to prospective students and their families. I also work as an athletic tour guide where I have the opportunity to work on home football game days in Beaver Stadium. We help escort the families of the recruits around the stadium and answer questions about campus life. I am also a part of S.M.A.R.T., which is our student minority advisory recruitment team. We plan events to recruit and aid in the retention of students from ethnic and diverse backgrounds. In Smeal, I was involved in SCMT as a researcher and a project mentor. SCMT gave me valuable experience in research and collaboration with company sponsors.
How have Smeal and the SCIS Department prepared you to make an impact outside the classroom?
Smeal and SCIS have contributed heavily to my professional and personal development at Penn State. I have taken advantage of many Smeal resources like the Business Career Center where I was able to talk to a career advisor about post-grad. This conversation really helped ease my nerves about looking for jobs after graduation because it was nice to talk to someone who retired from industry about my concerns. The SCIS department has prepared me professionally as I have participated in the fall SCIS career fairs every year since I've been here. Being able to have a career fair for my major has helped me learn how to network and sell myself to recruiters.
What is your favorite Penn State memory?
Watching the homecoming parade every year. I always get the free pizza and candy from the participants, and I love looking at the creative floats. It is tradition for my friend and me to watch it from the same spot every year.
What is your favorite creamery ice cream flavor?
Mint Nittany
