Smeal Update: June 18, 2021
Penn State marks Juneteenth with resources, events
Juneteenth (to be celebrated Saturday) has become a holiday commemorating the emancipation of slavery throughout the United States. Penn State has a variety of resources to mark this momentous day. University Libraries provides resources that uplift voices who promote the work of dismantling racism, with the intention of providing educational resources and continued dialogue. In-person and virtual events are happening today and tomorrow. In addition, Penn State Vice Provost for Educational Equity Marcus Whitehurst shares a message for Juneteenth.
Smeal promotes diversity with Minority-Owned Business Network
A new initiative of the Penn State Smeal College of Business aims to help alumni who own businesses network and engage with the University. The Smeal Minority-Owned Business Network is designed to afford more opportunities for alumni whose businesses are classified as Black-American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian-Pacific American and Asian-Indian American owned to become involved in the University’s procurement program. Read the story.
Penn State to observe July 5 as day off for July 4 holiday
The University will observe July 5 as the day off for Independence Day. Employees will not need to do anything in Workday to add the holiday, it will automatically load as an Exception Day for them, as with any other paid holiday.
Four staff members elected to SAC
Four Smeal staff members were elected to the Staff Advisory Committee in a recent election. James Tebary (representing the RIIT Group) and Chris McKeon (representing Undergraduate Education) are newly elected members. Valerie Struble (Business Career Center, Marketing and Strategic Communications, Honor & Integrity and Dean’s Office) and Tami Barnes Confer (Professional Graduate Programs) were re-elected for another term. SAC members serve two-year terms. Nancy Dull Stuck, Jamie Corman and Wendy Jo Hartsock will continue in their current term.
Faculty research: The way new women CEOs are announced may shorten their tenure
Research conducted by Aparna Joshi, Arnold Family Professor of Management, and Vilmos Misangyi, chair of the Department of Management and Organization, BNY Mellon Fellow and professor of strategic management, revealed that the more companies praised and touted the past accomplishments of incoming women CEOs when announcing their hiring, the more likely it was for these women to then have shorter tenures in the CEO role. Their research was featured in a recent Penn State News story.
Performance review cycle ends June 30
End-of-year performance reviews for staff must be completed by June 30. Employees should have completed their self-evaluation. Managers should now be completing the manager evaluation. On June 30, Workday will close for this review cycle. After June 30, it will not be possible to enter evaluation comments or overall ratings in Workday. For more information, see the Penn State Human Resources website (Final Goal Review). Anyone with questions should reach out to HR Services at 814-865-1473.
Smeal in the News
Ed Ketz quoted in Decrypt
Ed Ketz, associate professor of accounting, explained how Tesla investing in Bitcoin could trigger volatility in its quarterly earnings. Read the story.
Eva Steiner a panelist in REIT magazine story
Eva Steiner, associate professor of real estate and King Family Early Career Professor, was one of five panelists quoted in a discussion about the recovery in commercial real estate markets from the COVID 19 pandemic. Read the story.
Do you know someone who rocks? Nominate them!
Each month the Smeal Staff Advisory Committee names a You Rock! Award recipient. You can nominate a co-worker for the You Rock! Award online.
The Smeal Community Weekly Poll
This week's survey evaluates your browser usage. Click this link to participate. Results will be shared during the next Smeal Community Zoom.