In This Section
Diversity Focused Organizations
Become involved by joining one (or more) of the business clubs and organizations offering a variety of leadership and professional development opportunities. The sponsors several activities and student organizations such as:
Ascend
The Ascend national organization is dedicated to helping talented professionals reach their full potential. The organization provides robust leadership development programming, elevated networking experiences, unique mentorship opportunities, and more to support members at every career stage, from classroom to corner office. The vision of the student chapter is to enhance the presence and influence of current and future business leaders of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and to serve as a collective voice for those business communities.
Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA)
ALPFA is one of the Smeal Organizations that focuses on the professional development of Latinos through a number of different methods including networking, workshops, and their flagship Masquerade event. ALPFA at Penn State is a student chapter of the national organization and is a part of Latino Caucus and Smeal Multicultural Organizations. It's open to all majors (even outside of business).
Association of Latino Professionals for America Discover
Assistance in Transition to University Park (AT UP)
Assistance in Transition at University Park's (AT UP) mission is to help change-of-location students transition to University Park, and to provide them opportunities for internships, full-time jobs, and professional development. We strive to prepare change-of-location students for upper-level classes as well as the career fair.
Assistance in Transition to University Park Discover
Black Male Leadership Symposium
The Black Male Leadership Symposium aspires to produce unity and stability among black males, while making an effort to retain and recruit as many of these men it can reach. Our plan is to develop the leadership qualities of the young black males involved.
Black Male Leadership Symposium Discover
Multicultural Women’s Forum
To create a support network, enhance professional development, and leadership skills for multicultural women in, but not limited to, the Smeal College of Business.
Multicultural Women’s Forum Discover
NABA: The Organization for Black Business Students
The mission of NABA is to address the professional needs of its members and to build leaders that shape the future of the business profession with an unfaltering commitment to inspire the same in their successors. The Association shall unite through business related professionals and students who have similar interests and ideals, are committed to professional and academic excellence, possess a sense of professional and civic responsibility, and are concerned with enhancing opportunities for minorities in the business related professions. Each year, NABA hosts Netiquette, a professional development conference open to all Smeal students. The conference provides information on preparing for the next academic year’s professional development activities and career fairs.
OUT: Queer Business Leaders
As Smeal's LGBTQIA+ organization QBL builds well-rounded business professionals within a kind, welcoming community. All are welcome to join this organization as we build community and better the one around us. We hold two types of meetings on a biweekly schedule. The first meeting of the month centers around impactful advocacy work. The second meeting of the month focuses on building members' skill set for success in the professional business world.
OUT: Queer Business Leaders Discover
START Conference
The is a one-day conference, held each spring on Penn State's University Park campus, organized by a committee of students and provides participants with insights into various issues of diversity. Guest speakers, open forums, and workshops focus on issues often experienced in the workplace and identify the demands of a rapidly changing workforce.
Women in Business (WIB)
The mission of WIB is to foster women's leadership abilities and create effective student leaders; supporting professional development of members; volunteerism in the community; and create a network between women in business, corporate executives, and University faculty. Professional development opportunities include corporate networking events and a professional dress workshop, however WIB's premier events is the annual . Women in Business welcomes all students of all majors to join the organization.