Smeal MBA Ambassadors
Smeal MBA Ambassadors are available to connect with prospective students to answer questions, offer advice and guidance, and provide insights from the perspective of a current student.
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James Babb “The program is great for a million reasons, but what stands out to me was the immediate immersion in growing professionally and personally that has not let up one bit since day one.” |
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Brian Caldwell “Pursuing a Smeal MBA to me was a natural choice. It offered an extremely relevant and competitive degree for my job as a medical logistician and the values of the program aligned very well with mine. The networking opportunities at Smeal are second-to-none, and the opportunities this program affords are vast.” |
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Nick Ferraro “My favorite part of the Smeal MBA program is the alumni network. Everyone has been very helpful in any questions that I have, even before I stepped foot on campus. They are so eager and genuinely happy that a fellow Penn Stater has reached out. I wouldn’t be where I am today in my internship search, this early on, if it wasn’t for the 2nd years and my alumni network.” |
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Brad Grantz “I wanted an MBA experience, not just an MBA degree. Having worked in the industry and gotten a deep understanding of other programs, one thing became perfectly clear, and that is I had zero interest in sharing a degree with hundreds of people who I barely knew. I wanted to share a transformative experience with a small, tight knit, and carefully selected class. It was very important to me to not just build my professional network, but also, as corny as it might sound, build a network of people I’d want to share in some of life’s most important moments with. After talking with current students and alumni and hearing all of these stories about weddings, holidays, tailgates, trips, reunions, etc. that they continue to attend regularly with their former classmates, I knew that this program and this community was going to provide me and my family something truly special.” |
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Diana Harter Masters Institution: University of North Texas Masters Major: Library and Information Science “My favorite part of the Smeal MBA Program is how easily alumni and classmates will help each other out and “pay it forward” with professional help. I feel like I’ve found my kind of people at Smeal!” |
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Peter Jabaut Previous Industry: General Management, Automotive “I chose to pursue an MBA from the Penn State Smeal College of Business because of the educational opportunities that exist within the business school. My favorite part of the Smeal MBA Program is the diversity of our class, the strength of faculty, and the opportunity to learn business strategies that will unveil future growth potential within industry.” |
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Pankhuri Kataria Previous Industry: Software Technology “The well-designed MBA program structure at Smeal balances perfectly both business fundamentals and concentration courses. The interactive classes, case studies and group projects bring exposure to real time business scenarios and let me work with people from diverse backgrounds and differing perspectives. Most of all, Smeal provides me the opportunity to network with people in different industries and build connections that’ll last a lifetime.” |
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Elizabeth Kennedy Previous Industry: Accounting and Hospitality “My goal is to use my career to build up and promote sustainable food systems.” |
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Vikramjit Singh Khangura Previous Industry: Maritime Industry / Oil and Gas “Being one of the most highly ranked programs in supply chain, what I find fascinating about the program is the way it is designed, to not only prepare us for the business world through academics and career guidance, but to also help us develop our personality through all the courses and activities provided. Smeal has a strong focus on community which resonates with my personal values. The sense of belonging that I get when I interact with the alumni, faculty and other students makes me feel proud of having chosen such a world class program.” |
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Tracy Schroeder Previous Industry: Oil and Gas “The community at Smeal is by far my favorite part of the program.” |
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Dami Bello “I chose Smeal because of its sense of community. I wanted a “home away from home.’’ With an eclectic mix of students from all walks of life and various nationalities, and its emphasis on diversity and inclusion, I knew it was an environment I could thrive in and be groomed to be a better version of who I am. I loved the class size of approximately 60 students and that it would challenge me everyday to get out of my comfort zone, to stand out and not hide in a crowd. To learn and grow as a strong woman, both personally and professionally.” |
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Evan Buckingham “More than anything, I highly recommend assessing the fit of each MBA program for which you apply. If you are accepted into a program, that means they consider you a fit, but it’s incredibly important to ask yourself if the program fits you. Matchmaking isn’t easy, but each party should have a genuine interest in each other if the relationship is going to be successful. Don’t be afraid to connect with students, alumni, and admissions in order to get answers to the questions most important to you!” |
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Blake Douglas “Once I visited the campus, interacted with the faculty, staff and students, the decision to attend Smeal was an easy one. I was looking for a program that had a sense of community to it, a place where relationships were valued and encouraged across all aspects of the program. From every touchpoint along the way, the college made me feel like a valued member of the team and invested in my success. This has continued on as the program has started, with second year students and alumni eager to assist in any way they can. Smeal’s small class size is a large contributor to this culture. All the tools are here for you to succeed if you put in the hard work.” |
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Bobby Ettore “I chose to return to Smeal for my MBA because Smeal prioritizes quality over quantity. There are 40,000 undergrads at University Park, contrasted with just 120 full-time MBAs. You aren’t just a number at Smeal, and nowhere is that more apparent than the services the program provides its students. Career and student services, and employer relations are here to make your dream career a reality. When I decided to return to school to pursue a MBA, the choice of where couldn’t have been simpler: Penn State or bust.” |
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JT Fairley “When researching MBA programs I created a list of schools that hold the same core values that I myself hold in high regard. Mine were community and integrity, which Penn State has in spades. From there, find out what school is most capable of getting you to where you want to be. Rankings are useful, but they are arbitrary and much more of a guideline than anything else. I would match any of my classmates against another school and would be proud of the outcome. The one stat I felt confident using to compare schools was the employment rate after graduation, because the main reason almost all of us are getting an MBA for is career advancement.” |
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Thompson Hunt “Besides choosing Smeal for it’s world-renowned Supply Chain program, it was my experiences visiting Smeal that really made me feel like it was a program that I could and wanted to be a part of. From the first time I set foot in the business building, I felt welcomed by students and faculty alike and felt supported by all to pursue my passion for business and continued education. It was this level of community engagement that separated Smeal from other programs. This sense of community has only grown and the community is slowly becoming a family. I am proud to belong to Penn State and more specifically the Smeal MBA program and I love to share this pride with others.” |
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Karan Jain “Cliched as it may sound, do your due diligence when researching a program and school. Rankings can only tell you so much about a school, but the reason to pursue an MBA at this juncture in life is different for everyone. Decide what you aim to achieve from the next 2 (crucial) years and look at programs that fit into that framework. Wherever you go, you will be among smart people, but you alone can decide what values hold most importance for you. Make a list (small) of potential schools and start reaching out to current students and Alumni. Not only do they hold the answers you are seeking but you also get to practice and get better at Networking!” |
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Rachana S. Kathawate “Do your homework! Attend webinars, connect with current students to learn about the community, and Google before anything else! Any MBA program is only as good as the network and opportunities you create for yourself. Find the right cultural fit before you turn in your application to a school.” |
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AJ Logan “Coming back to Penn State was like coming home. I applied to the program at first because it was where I did my undergrad, but when I came for my interview I learned that the small class sizes allowed for a family feel amoungst the students and faculty. It was then that I realized this program was the best fit for me. The students in my program are my favorite part. Everyone is so kind, smart, and goal oriented. There is a great community built up between us all that is both supportive and motivating. When considering a school to attend for your MBA, don’t just look at the “name brand”; look for a school that is going to help you grow in many aspects and help you become a well-rounded MBA candidate.” |
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David Luzinski “I chose to attend the Smeal College of Business for my MBA because of the program’s small size along with its strong reputation. My favorite part of the program has been getting to know my fellow classmates because everyone has such a diverse background. I have grown immensely both personally and professionaly in my time at Smeal so far and know these experiences will have a positive impact on my career.” |
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Alok Pande “I chose Smeal for the community. The 220 office does a great job assembling each class of 60 and this year is no exception. The sense of community around such a small class makes each one of us feel like the business building is a home away from home. I also chose Smeal for their world class supply chain expertise. The faculty tailors their curriculum around an ever-changing business landscape to really set up our class for success. On a personal note, I was really excited to join Penn State to get that “big school” experience. I went to a small school for undergrad so I missed out on the opportunities of sports, tailgating and overall networking opportunities. While I am new to PA and Penn State, I know my affection for the university will go far beyond my two years in the program!” |
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Alejandra Rubio “My favorite part of the program so far has been meeting people from different places and backgrounds. Interacting with smart people who have had very different opportunities, jobs, lifestyles and motivations encourages you to think differently about things. Focus on finding a program were you feel like home. There are many interesting programs but finding the right fit is the most important.” |
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Anuradha Tempe “After gathering 5 years of experience in various roles in the corporate sector in US and India, I felt like I needed some additional skillsets to take the next big jump in my career. I wanted to sharpen my business acumen and upon researching different MBA programs, Smeal seemed to be the perfect fit. Beyond the excellent opportunities available at Smeal, and the tight-knit professional network, what really struck a chord was the fact that the staff at Smeal really care for their students, and would go to great lengths to help them in their career pursuits.” |
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Sahej S. Thapar “When making a major career change or investment in an MBA, support and direction are vital. Do not only look at the classroom experience, think about what matters to you outside of it too as most of your time will be spent learning and experiencing from the community around you. Look inward and realize what you want out of an MBA, why did you decide to do it now? Keep that vision in mind as you look at programs; see what program will be one you will flourish in. Find a program that aligns with your values and a culture you will thrive in. The MBA is a challenging program, so if you can fit your reason of wanting one in one sentence, and keep that clear in your mind when things get tough, you will be a giant leap closer to your vision.” |
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Amy Torgerson “I chose Smeal because it was everything I was looking for in a MBA program. Besides the incredible brand and alumni network we have here at Penn State, we put an emphasis on teamwork. The faculty and staff make sure to support you through your academic and career goals, giving you the tools you need to succeed. Another deciding factor was the global immersions program that is offer during your second year. I believe that it is important to understand how the work you do impacts things on a global scale. Smeal really gets that and does a great job of provoking those thoughts.” |
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Carolina Valdizon “I chose the Smeal MBA program because I was looking for a school with a strong supply chain program and physically located to northeast, which is where I utlimatly want to work. So, my first step was to simply Google “best supply chain MBA programs in the US.” Smeal kept popping up on all my searches and, after a deeper look, it ultimately became my target school. However, I continued to compare Smeal against other highly ranked schools in the country. I built decision metrics, and considered other criteria such as emphasis on global studies, name recognition, leadership development, and sustainability courses. Smeal checked off each and every one of these!” |