Signature Events

Upcoming Events

Diversity Enhancement Programs in collaboration with Determined To Educate, Inc. present:

Speaker Series: A Career Panel Discussion

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

6:00 p.m.

110 Business Building

Fall Semester Events

• ASCEND To Vegas: The event is a larger scale version of Ascend’s style of informal networking events that will give members and participants an opportunity to interact with professionals in various career fields.
• Diwali Festival of the Lights: Diwali is known as the festival of lights and is an annual event, typically November, celebrated in India to celebrate the victory of good over evil. Each year, the MBA Association hosts a Diwali Coffee Buzz, followed by Diwali Night, where families come together to enjoy various dances, games to show, and all the flavors of the Diwali celebration in India.
• Masquerade: Hosted by the Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA), this annual event allows students and recruiters to wear masks to hide their identity for part of the event. This gives attendees the opportunity to create genuine connections without the perceived bias of the company each recruiter works for. This Masquerade helps students get to know recruiters in a more intimate setting and on a more personal level. All students are welcomed to attend and learn more about diversity, culture, and leadership.
• NABA Netiquette: “Netiquette” is a professional development and dining etiquette experience, sponsored by National Association Black Accountants (NABA). The event is open to all students who want to learn the techniques of good communication and networking and also learn the necessary dining etiquette skills that is useful for anyone entering the professional world. For company participation, it is highly encouraged that companies have opportunities available (internships, leadership programs, full-time placement, etc.).

Spring Semester Events

• Big Hat Brunch: Big Hat Brunch is Multicultural Women's Forum’s (MWF) biggest event of the year, which aims to celebrate women’s accomplishments through keynote speakers and performances during Women’s History Month. All genders are invited to the Big Hat Brunch regardless of class standing or major.
• Black Male Leadership Symposium: The symposium is an annual conference sponsored by Black Male Leadership Symposium (BMLS) student organization aimed at empowering the Black male student body at Penn State. The conference consists of guest speakers, small group breakout sessions, lunch, and networking opportunities. The conference addresses a broad spectrum of topics ranging from networking, race relations, self-esteem, healthy relationships, and strategies for personal and professional growth.
• Chinese New Year: Hosted by the MBA Association, the Chinese New Year celebration features traditional foods and beverages, dances, and music representing the Chinese culture. Based on the lunar calendar, Chinese New Year falls sometime between mid-January and mid-February.
• Powerful Women Paving the Way Conference: Held each spring by Smeal's Women in Business (WIB) student organization, the conference encourages students and professionals to network and learn together in a diverse setting, and would not be possible without corporate sponsorship. By bringing together people of all different backgrounds, the PWPW Conference is an exemplary place to facilitate discussions of past experiences of overcoming obstacles. Contributions have helped students develop critical skills for navigating the business world and launching successful careers with companies just like yours.
• START Conference: This one-day conference focuses on business initiatives in diversity by gathering corporate, academic, and community members. Conference participants gain knowledge and information about issues regarding diversity, awareness, respect for oneself and others. Students have the opportunity to network with corporate representatives, explore career paths, and gain insight into the corporate climate of presenting companies.

Summer Events

• Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS): BOSS is a two-week residential program for high school students interested in pursuing a business education in college.  It provides an opportunity for students to take college prep and business fundamentals workshops taught by Penn State faculty. It also gives the students a chance to experience college life on Penn State's University Park campus.

Historically these events have been held on an annual basis. Students are continuing to adapt to host these programs annually post-COVID. They are designed to enhance the academic and social lives of the diverse student body population at the Penn State Smeal College of Business.