Research Center
Sustainable Business Center
Sustainability shapes investment, sourcing, and risk-based decision making across every business function. The center connects research with business practice to help organizations understand and act on the environmental and social forces reshaping their industries.
Sustainability Runs Through Every Part of Business
What to invest in, where to source materials, who to hire—today, environmental and social considerations shape nearly every major business decision. It’s not just about ESG or corporate stewardship, either. Balancing sustainability with business interests separates the companies that manage disruption from the ones that get blindsided by it.
At Penn State Smeal College of Business, the Sustainable Business Center examines how markets, innovation, and business strategy can drive meaningful environmental and social change. You’ll work with faculty, students, and industry partners to examine the incentives, policies, and business models that help organizations create long-term value while reducing their impact.
You'll engage with the center through:
Faculty research examining how sustainability influences business strategy and decision-making
Paid internships and applied student projects
Industry partnerships and named case studies
Events that connect sustainability research with business practice
Interdisciplinary research funding and collaboration across eight business disciplines
How the Center Engages
Research That Informs Business
Explore faculty research on sustainable investing, ESG performance, consumer behavior, supply chains, and corporate strategy.
Paid Internships and Student Projects
Work on paid internships, case competitions, and applied projects through the Catalyst Fellows program.
Events That Connect Research and Practice
Join conferences, workshops, and discussions that connect sustainability research with business practice.
Signature Initiatives
Catalyst Fellows Program
Join the Catalyst Fellows program and work directly with the center on research, programming, and sustainability initiatives, gaining hands-on experience at the intersection of business and environmental practice.
Major Sustainability
Major Sustainability maps sustainability concepts to every Smeal major, showing you how environmental and social considerations show up in your specific field whether you study finance, supply chain, or marketing.
Engage With the Center
For Students
Get involved through the Catalyst Fellows program, coursework, case competitions, and networking events that connect sustainability with business practice.
Catalyst Fellows
Student Opportunities
Case Competitions
For Companies
Partner with us through applied research, executive education, student consulting projects, and access to student talent.
Partner With Us
Executive Education
Latest Sustainability News
Work With the Sustainable Business Center
Sustainable Business Center
Penn State Smeal College of BusinessCenter History & Leadership
The Center began in 2008 when Senior Associate Dean of Research Gerald Susman convened faculty interested in sustainability research. Those early conversations evolved into the Sustainable Business Center, now led by Director Travis Lesser and Program Coordinator Supervisor Tracey Mariner.
The Center’s brings together industry leaders and supporters who help guide its research and programming and strengthen connections between Penn State and industry.