Update on Smeal DE&I Alumni Engagement Efforts
Update on Smeal DE&I Alumni Engagement Efforts
We wanted to share progress that has been made related to Smeal alumni diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts since the July 15 event "Smeal Alumni Town Hall: Supporting and Engaging our Alumni of Color". During the event, alumni shared ideas on how Smeal could better connect with its black and brown alumni. You can watch a recording of the event online.
Initiatives Completed (as of December 2020)
- Smeal Board of Visitors hears from Coach Franklin (August 27)
- Head Football Coach James Franklin spoke with the Smeal Board of Visitors about his perspectives on DE&I and how he incorporates these themes into his coaching and teaching Penn State Football student-athletes.
- Diversity Entrepreneurship Talks Session #1 (September 23)
- Alumni Karla Trotman ('98) and Antonio Nieves ('03) shared insights with students in an effort to inspire them to consider an entrepreneurial path.
- Alumni Insights (September 29)
- Alumnus Chris Thomas ('03,'08g) was interviewed by Dean Chuck Whiteman about his career, leadership insights, and perspectives on the importance of diversity in his professional and personal life.
- Inaugural Virtual Impact Smeal Day (October 1)
- Since 2013, this event has been offered in-person only. Virtual Impact Smeal Day allowed the event to grow and attract alumni participation from 20 different states and 3 countries.
- Looking Through the Business Lens: The Intersection of Sustainability, COVID-19, and Social Justice featured on Impact Smeal Day (October 1)
- During this session, attendees heard perspectives from Smeal leaders and two Penn State alumni on the convergence of key business, social, and environmental issues facing our communities. Knowledge and professional experiences was shared from Smeal’s Director of the Center for the Business of Sustainability, Erik Foley, Smeal's Director of Alumni Career Services Keleigh Asbury, Smeal's Assistant Dean for Diversity Enhancement, Jamie Campbell, Smeal alumnus and International Development Specialist Orlando Acevedo ('20g), and Penn State alumna and founder at Rebuildtheblock Corp. Alexis Akarolo ('19 Abington).
- National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) Student Organization featured on Impact Smeal Day (October 1)
- Student leaders from NABA got the opportunity to present the organization's mission and initiatives to a group of alumni. The alumni listened, learned, and got the chance to ask questions and identify ways they can potentially assist this organization become more successful.
- Navigating Your Career from a Multigenerational Standpoint Podcast (October 16)
- Makeda Brown (’95), founder of PVR Coaching & Consulting discussed best practices for aligning people and business strategy, the 5 generations in the workforce and what makes them unique and similar, leadership and motivational tips for this type of workforce, and finally, ideas on how to navigate, innovate, mentor and work together in a multigenerational workforce.
- Leading with "I" Lifelong Learning Webinar hosted by Alumni Career Services (October 21)
- Renée Baker, Head of Advisor Inclusion Networks at Raymond James discussed actionable ways leaders can foster an inclusive workplace and make a lasting impact on their organization and community.
- Diversity Entrepreneurship Talks Session #2 (October 22)
- Alumni Karla Trotman ('98) and Troy Cromwell ('88, '90 M.B.A.) shared insights with students in an effort to inspire them to consider an entrepreneurial path.
- Happy Valley LaunchBox Fall Speaker Series
- Smeal Alumni Career Services partnered with Happy Valley LaunchBox for their fall speaker series. The event coordinators surpassed their goal of having 50% of their speakers be diverse.
- Alumni Insights (November 10)
- Alumna Melissa Gonzalez ('99) was interviewed by Dean Chuck Whiteman about her career, leadership insights, and perspectives on the importance of diversity as an entrepreneur and business owner.
- Diversity Entrepreneurship Talks Session #3 (November 11)
- Alumni Antonio Nieves ('03) and Tyoka Jackson (’94) shared insights with students in an effort to inspire them to consider an entrepreneurial path.
- The Opt-In Event (November 18)
- In partnership with the Diversity Enhancement Programs office, this event featured Aurora Archer and Kelly Croce Sorg ('01). Through the raw and honest personal stories told from two distinct perspectives: an Afro-Latina and a privileged white friend – Aurora and Kelly shared the impact of white supremacy culture and how it keeps us living in two separate realities and worlds.
- DE&I Fundraising Success
- Earlier this fall, Smeal received a $1M commitment, most of which will be used to fund programs and curriculum that prepare our students to be leaders for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Workshops, diversity speakers, and course materials are just a few examples of how we expect to utilize endowment resources.
- On Giving Tuesday (December 1), more than $13K from 126 donors was raised in support for Smeal Diversity Enhancement Programs. Funds raised will help alleviate stress and enable our students to work toward degree completion.
- Alumni Career Services Newsletters
- Routinely publish monthly eNewsletters and highlights alumni, events, and trainings for building a diverse workforce.
- Experiential Insights equality & inclusion focus
- Alumni Career Services partnered with Experiential Insights to offer group coaching, with sessions focused on shaping equality & inclusion.
Initiatives In-Progress
- Diversity Entrepreneurship Talks Session #4 (December 15)
- Alumnae Karla Trotman ('98) and Natasha Bansgopaul (’10 M.B.A.) will share insights with students in an effort to inspire them to consider an entrepreneurial path.
- Project to assist minority-owned businesses
- Smeal Alumni Career Services is taking the lead to collect information about Smeal minority alumni owned businesses, so that awareness and support can be gained from fellow alumni and Penn State purchasing services.
- Smeal Diversity Task Force
- Smeal formed a task force with the purpose of enhancing DE&I efforts in areas like hiring, training, and engagement. Four Development & Alumni Relations team members serve on the Task Force.
- Alumni Society Board focus areas
- Creation of a DE&I Task Force to focus on infusing a DE&I lens into alumni engagement projects
- Creation of a Board Recruitment Committee to focus specifically on identifying a more diverse pool of future Board members.
- Assist student organizations
- There are plans to feature another diversity student organization during virtual Impact Smeal Day in the spring.
- Virtual Spring Events
- The Alumni Relations office is seeing the success of wider accessibility to virtual alumni events and will continue to offer this delivery method in the spring.