Smeal Update: August 27, 2021
Welcome Back!
I’ve been in the building more these past five days than I had in the previous five months, and while things now seem closer to normal than they have since March 2020, it is clear that we still aren’t there. That said, welcome back! And thanks to those who never really left and to everyone who has helped the College get through the last 15 (!) months. We’ve come a long way, and kept moving forward despite the challenges. More likely await us. Together, we will face them. Thank you.
Cahoy recognized by Academy of Legal Studies in Business
Dan Cahoy and his co-author, Tonia Hap Murphy from the University of Notre Dame, were recognized with the Ralph Hoeber Memorial Award for outstanding article in Volume 38 of the Journal of Legal Studies Education for their recent publication, "The Name Game: Merging the Business and Law of Trademark." The award was announced at the Academy of Legal Studies in Business annual meeting earlier this month.
Desjardine earns two emerging scholar awards
Mark Desjardine, assistant professor of strategy and sustainability, has been presented with two emerging scholar awards. The first is the Emerging Sustainability Scholar Award, presented by the Alliance for Research on Corporate Sustainability. It recognizes a scholar in the area of corporate sustainability who is likely to make significant contributions to the advancement of corporate sustainability scholarship. The second is the Organizations and the Natural Environment (ONE) Division Emerging Scholar Award, which is presented by the Academy of Management. It recognizes early career academics who have already made outstanding research contributions in the area of organizations and the natural environment, and who appear to have a strong potential to continue making such contributions in the near future.
ACS awarded grant from Penn State Educational Equity
The Equal Opportunity Planning Committee of Penn State Educational Equity recently announced its funded programs for summer 2021 and the 2021-22 academic year. Smeal’s Alumni Career Services was awarded a grant for a one-year program during 2021-22 for underrepresented and DEI advocate faculty, staff, and students based on the success of a partnership and teaching initiative it undertook from 2018-2020. ACS partnered with a minority-owned firm to offer digital group coaching as a professional development opportunity for alumni of the college. A certified executive coach worked exclusively with six people over six weeks to develop skills in strategic impact and well-being in support of a more inclusive workforce. One particular six-week track, “Shaping Equality and Inclusion,” was designed to help unlock their human potential by re-contextualizing their perspectives on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Encourage undergraduate students to apply for an alumni mentor
The Development and Alumni Relations Office is seeking the help of faculty and staff to promote the Mentoring Program to second-, third-, fourth-, or fifth-year students. The program offers students the opportunity to explore topics such as academic majors, internships, career planning, college to career transition, and leadership development with an alumni mentor for the academic year. Students can apply by Sept. 24 by visiting www.smeal.psu.edu/mentoring. Contact Wendy Jo Hartsock with questions at wjh21@psu.edu or (814) 863-5946.
Faculty, staff photos to be taken in late September
The RIIT Group will be taking faculty and staff portraits Sept. 28-30 in the RIIT Group Studio in 11 Business Building. These photos are used for the online directory and in bios. They are often used for brochures and other publications. Any faculty/staff member who does not have a photo on file, or who would like to have their existing photo updated, is welcome to sign up for an appointment.
Staff members urged to set goals as part of performance review
The 2021-2022 performance review cycle has kicked off. Check your Workday inbox for a notification titled "Set Content: 2021-2022 Setting Goals and Expectations." Following the instructions provided, you should complete the Set Goals phase of the performance review cycle in Workday by entering the goals you developed in collaboration with your supervisor. See the Aug. 11 email from Michelle Darnell regarding the Smeal unit-wide honor & integrity goal. The sooner you enter your goals, the sooner you can focus on taking action to complete them. Goals should be entered no later than Aug. 31.
Help for those who do part-time hiring
If you are involved in hiring part-time employees, you should check out the new Part Time Hiring web page specifically for Managers. This new web page offers managers and managing recruiting support employees specific resources at their fingertips, as it relates to part-time hiring. The new web page features information on training, resources, and frequently asked questions.
Smeal in the News
Michelle Darnell co-authors paper featured on AACSB Insights
Michelle Darnell, director of the Tarriff Center for Business Ethics and Social Responsibility and director of honor and integrity for Smeal, co-authored a paper titled “Integrity in Business Education” that is featured on AACSB Insights. The paper recommends ways the global community of business schools can work together to ensure that students develop into ethical leaders. Read the paper online at AACSB website.
Do you know someone who rocks? Nominate them!
Each month the Smeal Staff Advisory Committee names a You Rock! Award recipient. The August honoree is Jessie Sorensen, an information technology support specialist with the RIIT Group. Congratulations, Jessie. You rock! You can nominate a co-worker for the You Rock! Award online.
The Smeal Community Weekly Poll
Click this link to participate in this week’s survey. Results will be shared during the next Smeal Community Zoom, at 1 p.m. Monday.
Next week at Smeal
LGBTQ Equity 201: Beyond the Basics (1-2:30 p.m. Tuesday)
This 90-minute multimedia training will begin with a more nuanced review of the core concepts that undergird LGBTQ identities, perfect for returning learners, or those who could just use a brush up on their understanding and language. Language is always rapidly evolving after all.
Next, using a trauma-informed lens, learners will delve into the unique barriers faced by LGBTQ people when working to access basic support structures, and will include an examination of trans experiences with policing and incarceration. The session will end with concrete tools and skills that go beyond respectful pronoun usage. These can be utilized by staff at all levels as they work to provide supportive services to trans clients and stellar allyship to trans staff members.
Check your inbox for a calendar invitation dated Aug. 5 and RSVP to attend.
Diversity Task Force: Continuing the Conversation-LGBTQ+ (noon-1 Thursday)
You are invited to spend your lunch hour taking part in our first “Continuing the Conversation” session. Given the LGBTQ Equity 201 session that will be held on Tuesday, this session is designed to supplement the community conversation already in progress.
While this is somewhat of a “follow-on” to the training, this is meant to be an inclusive event. All are welcome even if you don’t attend the 201 session, including those who participated in our LGBTQ+ Discussion Group last year, and those who are simply interested in engaging in thoughtful conversation about these topics.
We want this to be YOUR time and YOUR conversation. On behalf of the Diversity Task Force Engagement Sub-Committee, Karen Serago and Stacey Dorang Peeler will serve as moderators as needed (directing the conversation if needed, being mindful of time, calling out Q&A), but there will be no firm agenda. This session will not be recorded and will be a safe space for everyone to actively and respectfully engage.
Check your inbox for a calendar invitation dated Aug. 18 and RSVP by no later than EOD Tuesday to attend.
Save the Date: 2021 Fall All-College Meeting
The Smeal 2021 Fall All-College Meeting is scheduled for 3:30-5 p.m. Sept. 14. The meeting will be held in Struthers Auditorium, 110 Business Building, and via Zoom. More details to come.