Progress Report

View progress on Penn State Smeal College of Business’s strategic plan, highlighting early outcomes in academics, research, innovation, and engagement.

Quarter 1, 2026

Priority A: Enrich the Student Experience by Expanding & Enhancing Career Services, Experiential Learning, & Support Services

Current progress: 4%

Prepare Students to Thrive in their Professional Endeavors Through Expansion of Career Development Resources & Employer Partnerships

As the expectations of employers continue to evolve, Smeal is strengthening its career development infrastructure and deepening employer connections to better prepare students for the workforce.

Hired a new employee relations recruiter to expand employer partnerships and enhance career opportunities for students

Strengthen Career Readiness by Expanding Access to High-Impact Experiential Learning Opportunities Across All Disciplines

To ensure students graduate with practical, real-world experience, Smeal is building a more structured and accessible approach to experiential learning across the college.

Developed a fundraising proposal to support the Office of Excellence in Experiential Learning
Evaluating experiential learning partners (e.g., Podium)
Launched comprehensive survey of 2+2 students to inform creation of 2+2@Smeal program

Priority B: Transform Teaching & Learning Through Innovative Curricula, New Program Development, & Innovative Pedagogy

Current progress: 6%

Advance Curricular Quality, Rigor, & Relevance Through Continuous Program Evaluation & Industry Partner Input

We are strengthening curricular relevance by integrating emerging technologies and leveraging external partnerships to ensure alignment with industry needs.

Relaunching a streamlined Fundamentals of Business certificate with fewer required courses and integrated AI components to enhance relevance and skill development
Partnered with Eduvantis to conduct a comprehensive review and evaluation of the undergraduate curriculum, ensuring alignment with industry needs and future workforce demands
Launched a pilot program with BoodleBox AI to integrate AI into 12 courses for the Spring 2026 semester, with plans to scale implementation in future terms

Address Unmet Learner & Employer Demand by Launching New Programs

We are expanding our program portfolio to meet evolving market demand and position Smeal at the forefront of business education.

Developed a new business strategy for Penn State Executive Programs and partnered with Eduvantis on go-to-market planning and implementation to support new strategy
Recruiting students for new Hybrid Masters in Applied AI for Business Transformation to meet growing demand for AI-focused graduate business education
Seeking University approval for a series of interdisciplinary IUG programs in partnership with the Colleges of Engineering, Earth and Mineral Sciences, Information Sciences & Technology, Health and Human Development, and the Eberly College of Science

Priority C: Advance Research Excellence & Ph.D. Program Distinction by Investing in Talent, Infrastructure, & Marketing

Current progress: 3%

Expand Smeal’s Scholarly Impact by Recruiting, Retaining, & Supporting Exceptional Faculty

We are strengthening our faculty foundation by aligning policies and resources to support high-impact research and sustained scholarly productivity.

Updating faculty workload policy to strengthen research productivity and balance teaching, research and service activities

Strengthen Smeal’s Research Enterprise & Collaborative Culture by Investing in Centers, Technology, & Infrastructure

As research continues to be a defining element of Smeal’s impact, we are creating the structures and resources needed to foster greater collaboration, efficiency, and innovation across our centers.

Launching a Center Directors Council to enhance coordination and strategic alignment across research centers
Developing a Synergy Fund to support cross-center collaboration and interdisciplinary research initiatives

Enhance Smeal’s Research Impact, Visibility, & Influence by Supporting Faculty Thought Leadership & Strengthening the Integration of Research & Practice

We are elevating the visibility and real-world impact of faculty research by strengthening how insights are translated and shared with broader audiences.

Enhancing reach and impact of faculty research Through creation of science writer role

Recruit & Produce Top-Tier Ph.D. Talent Through Marketing, Mentoring, Training, & Other Support Mechanisms

We are enhancing the competitiveness and experience of our Ph.D. programs by investing in resources that attract and support high-caliber doctoral students.

Increased financial support for Ph.D. students to strengthen recruitment, retention, and overall program quality

Become a Thought Leader in Artificial Intelligence Through Strategic Hiring, Partnerships, & Faculty Incentives

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape business and education, Smeal is positioning itself at the forefront Through targeted investments, partnerships, and thought leadership initiatives.

Continuing to build a strong pipeline of AI-focused speakers and programming to support ongoing learning, engagement, and thought leadership across the college

Priority D: Accommodate Organizational Growth & Effectiveness Through Investment in People, Culture, Space, & Infrastructure

Current progress: 4%

Support Enrollment Growth Through Investment in Physical Infrastructure & Organizational Innovation

Developing a new case for support for the college for comprehensive fundraising campaign

As demand for Smeal programs continues to grow, we are investing in spaces and partnerships that enhance the student experience and support long-term expansion.

Completed renovation of the Professional Graduate Wing, with the project now entering the technology implementation phase and an opening planned for Fall 2026
Finalized design work for the creation of a Smeal Welcome Center and a reimagined Business Career Center

Advance Staff & Faculty Success by Expanding & Enhancing Onboarding & Professional Development Resources

Recognizing that people are at the core of Smeal’s success, we are building more intentional and supportive pathways for onboarding and ongoing development.

Finalizing creation of comprehensive onboarding program for new faculty and staff, with full implementation anticipated in Fall 2026

Strengthen Smeal’s Resource Stewardship & Strategic Decision-Making by Enhancing Transparency, Accountability, & Equity in the Allocation & Management of College Resources

To ensure responsible and effective use of resources, we are creating more transparent and inclusive processes that inform decision-making across the college.

Launched task forces to improve climate and culture based on feedback from biannual faculty and staff engagement surveys
Finalizing a comprehensive college-wide performance dashboard to support data-driven decision-making and increase transparency across the college

Increase Organizational Effectiveness Through the Integration of Artificial Intelligence & Other Technologies

As technology continues to transform how we work and teach, Smeal is taking a structured and intentional approach to integrating AI across the college.

Established three AI Communities of Practice in Teaching & Learning, Research and Operations to promote shared learning
Advanced college-wide AI literacy Through the BoodleBox pilot and the AI@Work series focused on Microsoft Copilot
Developed an online AI Hub to provide ongoing access to tools and resources supporting AI literacy and curriculum integration
Launched the AI Exploration Microgrant Program, with 17 proposals received in the first call and additional funding rounds planned
Hosted the 2nd annual Dan & Robyn Ives AI Innovation Day, bringingtogether leading AI voices to increase integration across the college

Priority E: Drive External Engagement & Philanthropy by Building Partnerships & Elevating Smeal’s Brand