McKenna Message, Spring 2024, Issue IV

IN THIS ISSUE

CRIM RANKED

A NOTE FROM THE DEAN McKenna Message

Wehave been busy the past several months at the McKenna School. That means we are active and engaged in building and strengthening our community— those who learn and work with us on our beautiful campus in Unity Township, as well people who are off campus in our region and beyond.

In this issue of The McKenna Message, you will read about how we actively build our community. We developed non-credit training events in partnership with the local Chamber of Commerce. There are seven new credit-bearing certificate programs that will benefit degreeseeking students by counting toward their bachelor’s requirements and non-degree learners who want to update their skill sets. You will discover details about our graduate programs, including our Criminology Master’s program, which has been ranked among the top 10 programs nationwide. And you will learn about our innovative Aviation Management – Professional Pilot undergraduate program, which has received quite a lot of media attention since its public announcement earlier this semester.

Training, certificates, undergraduate, and graduate programs—the McKenna School at Saint Vincent College is truly becoming the region’s premier provider for impactful education at all levels

We expect all these programs will benefit our community. Learners in each program will gain knowledge, perspectives, and insight. We also believe that, in the case of our new training and certificate programs, local businesses will benefit by sending employees to update their skills. The Criminology graduate program will aid the region by studying important topics such as the opioid epidemic. We anticipate that by training more pilots in our Aviation Management program to respond to a global need (i.e. the impending pilot shortage), we could see increased use of the nearby Arnold Palmer Regional Airport. That could grow regional tourism, drive more traffic to local businesses, and develop the regional economy more broadly.

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MICHAEL J. URICK, PH.D., MBA, M.S., SSGB, SHRM-CP

Dean of the Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics and Government; Professor of Management and Operational Excellence

michael.urick @stvincent.edu

NATIONAL TOP-10 RANKING FOR SAINT VINCENT’S M.S. IN CRIMINOLOGY PROGRAM

Saint Vincent College’s Master of Science program in Criminology has been rated among the top 10 programs in the country. The program ranks No. 10 nationally and No. 4 in the Mid-Atlantic region, according to College Factual, a website dedicated to helping students find their best fit for education at the best cost.

“This ranking is another indicator of the strengths of our graduate programs,” Dr. Michael Urick said. “Under the direction of Dr. Kayla Jachimowski, the M.S. in Criminology has thrived and provided a great value for our students, who are able to easily translate their master’s degree into a successful career in the criminology, legal, or enforcement fields.”

To compile its rankings, College Factual examined the programs at 40 schools and considered rate of degree completion, accreditation, educational resources, student body caliber, and post-graduation earnings for the college.

Saint Vincent’s program, which began in 2017, also is ranked No. 5 nationally by Course Advisor, No. 6 by Police Schools, and No. 16 by College Raptor. Graduates of Saint Vincent’s program have gained admission to esteemed law schools, notably George Mason University, Penn State Dickinson Law, the University of Pittsburgh, and Duquesne University.

“Our program’s comprehensive curriculum focuses on ethical decision making, research methods, policy analysis, advanced criminological theory, legal issues, statistics, and professional seminars,” Jachimowski said. “With small class sizes and in-person pedagogy, our professors are engaged inside and outside the classroom. Our faculty goes above and beyond to mentor and guide students toward their ideal version of success.”

Among the primary instructors for core classes is Dr. Eric Kocian, associate professor of Criminology and chair of the Criminology, Law and Society Department. Kocian’s work on addiction and recovery has been presented to officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Secret Service, and the United States Attorney’s Office. In May 2023, he addressed members of the Commonwealth Prevention Alliance as a guest speaker at the Pennsylvania Prevention Awards.

A NOTE FROM THE

DEAN

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This issue details a variety of other ways the McKenna School also is part of the community that go beyond offering educational programs. Our award-winning Small Business Development Center has helped entrepreneurs grow their businesses. Our professors are spreading the word about important topics via podcasts. Our alumni are devoted to serving in important roles in industry and the military. All these stories and more are included herein.

If you are interested in supporting any of the initiatives described in this newsletter, we can always use your help. Your support, including your monetary contributions to the McKenna School, helps us provide these and other initiatives for our community. We are glad that you are part of our community, and we strive to serve it in the best ways possible.

As always, I want to hear your feedback. Please reach out to me at michael.urick@stvincent.edu or 724-805-2654. I can’t wait to hear from you! ♦

“We are exceptionally proud of our master’s program,” Kocian said. “We have always measured success in terms of our students achieving their goals and securing careers wherever they aspire to serve the cause for justice. Seeing our students pursuing educational opportunities at Ph.D. programs and law schools rated in the top 10 nationally; securing positions in federal law enforcement agencies like the FBI, ATF and Border Patrol; and filling the ranks of state and local police departments throughout the nation inspires us to continue to support them however we can while recruiting quality, determined men and women to earn the degree and join them in the good fight.”

Prospective students with questions about Saint Vincent College’s M.S. in Criminology program can contact kayla. jachimowski@stvincent.edu. ♦

Dr. Eric Kocian, associate professor of criminology, delivers a lecture.

NEW BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN AVIATION MANAGEMENT – PROFESSIONAL PILOT TAKES FLIGHT

Saint Vincent College’s Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics and Government is proud to introduce a groundbreaking Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management –Professional Pilot program. This unique initiative, developed in collaboration with the Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) and Laurel Highlands Aeronautical Academy, seamlessly integrates a pilot’s license, an associate’s degree from CCBC and a bachelor’s degree from Saint Vincent within a four-year timeframe.

The primary objective of the program is to enable students to earn a professional pilot’s license while receiving a well-rounded business education. Graduates will be prepared for diverse aviation roles and potential administrative positions in aviation and other industries.

“We are excited to add Aviation Management to our academic offerings, beginning in fall of 2024,” said Rev. Paul R. Taylor, O.S.B., Saint Vincent College President. “This program will help our students prepare for successful careers and can provide economic benefits for our entire region. Our graduates, also classically trained in the liberal arts and the Benedictine tradition, will bring discernment, values, ethics, and critical thinking to their responsibility as pilots for the lives and care of their passengers. We’re grateful to our partners at the Community College of Beaver County and Laurel Highlands Aeronautical Academy for their cooperation and support.”

With an anticipated 50 percent decrease in pilots over the next 15 years due to retirements, the program will play a crucial role in training new pilots to sustain air and commercial travel. Students will gain the skills needed for piloting and will be trained in a broad base of business disciplines, preparing them for various organizational and administrative roles.

Saint Vincent College has established a robust three-legged partnership to ensure the success of the program. Saint Vincent will deliver the business curriculum, which will encompass the core functional areas crucial to any degree in business as well as Saint Vincent College’s unique College Core based on the Liberal Arts. Saint Vincent will also oversee admissions and financial aid for all students enrolled in the program.

CCBC will deliver the aviation-focused course components of the program in a flexible online format, allowing students enrolled in the program to earn an associate’s degree from CCBC. The Laurel Highlands Aeronautical Academy will offer the flight hours and in-air training required for the pilot’s license. These flight hours will be provided at the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport

in Latrobe, ensuring that students receive hands-on, practical experience in immediate proximity to Saint Vincent College to complement their academic learning.

“This unique program provides flexibility, accessibility, and value while developing future aviation leaders and pilots,” said John Higgs, senior dean of the James M. Johnson School of Aviation Sciences at CCBC. “CCBC’s globally known Aviation programs have placed a professional pilot in the cockpit of every major airline in the United States and an air-traffic controller in every FAA control tower in the country. We are excited to see this program soar!”

The program will feature two specialized tracks: professional pilot and advanced piloting. The professional pilot specialization is tailored for new students without existing flight hours, preparing them for various commercial roles such as sightseeing tours, flight instruction, and charter flights. The advanced piloting track is designed for students who already have some flight experience, offering an expedited path to degree completion.

According to Dr. Michael Urick, “This program is a game changer for the region and can be an economic driver for Latrobe and beyond. It’s innovative in its approach to blending business and piloting and, as such, is really the first in this region. Students will benefit from Saint Vincent’s strong business curriculum and college core while living in our dorms, which are basically across the street from the airport where they will earn flight hours. All the while, they will be taking online courses through CCBC, which has a national reputation for exceptional aviation education. This program is a win for our students and a win for the region.”

The College’s partnership with Arnold Palmer Regional Airport emphasizes collaboration for mutual economic benefit, contributing to regional growth.

“I am thrilled to partner with St. Vincent College to help their students in their endeavors to pursue their preparation for the aviation industry,” said Gabe Monzo, executive director of the Westmoreland County Airport Authority. “Our shared vision to develop aviation leaders to fill the coming voids in the aviation industry makes this a powerful partnership.”

Saint Vincent College has a rich history of pioneering aviation education. It offered the world’s first collegiate piloting program in 1928, using the college’s own biplane, the “Spirit of Saint Vincent.” Also, In 1919, aviation in western Pennsylvania was born when U.S. Army pilots sought refuge from a storm at Saint Vincent during airmail route surveys. They landed on a field where Rooney Hall dormitory now stands and were welcomed by the Benedictine monks to wait out the storm in the monastery. As a result of this, Saint Vincent was included on charts as an emergency landing site.

For more information about the Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management – Professional Pilot program, contact michael. urick@stvincent.edu. ♦

MCKENNA SCHOOL TO OFFER SEVEN NEW BUSINESS CERTIFICATES

By Madison Kozera, C 24, of Abingdon, MD

ABOUT THE NEW CERTIFICATES

Entrepreneurial Success >

The entrepreneurial success certificate is designed to help aspiring business owners gain the practical knowledge and skills necessary to successfully open and sustain their own business. Students work with entrepreneurship experts, many of whom are business owners themselves, to gain a better understanding of how to find personal success. Courses like “From Business Canvas to Business Plan” help students to grow their future businesses through practical means.

Hospitality >

The hospitality certificate is designed with the Benedictine Hallmark of the same name in mind. It enables its participants to learn about the hospitality industry—tourism, hotels, recreation and service-oriented businesses— through a Benedictine lens. Students will gain a thorough understanding of hospitality and its application to the business field through courses like “Benedictine Hospitality in Business” and “Hospitality Industry Insights.”

Nonprofit Studies >

The nonprofit studies certificate enables students to learn the nuances of working for and running nonprofit organizations such as charities, arts organizations, government agencies and religious organizations among others. Through courses like “Nonprofit Management” and “Nonprofit and Social Marketing,” students gain exposure and knowledge about managing these types of organizations.

The new certificates will expand the programs already provided at SVC while filling a growing need to help individuals that are emerging in new careers. “These seven new certificate programs are designed to prepare learners for the real world,” Dr. Michael Urick explained. “They’re all comprised of only three or four courses that cover quite a bit of material so that students can easily schedule them into their semester.”

The courses offered within each certificate will provide learners a more practical focus to grow real-world skills, building on classes in their majors to prepare students for work in their fields. The McKenna School is excited to teach the courses attached to each of these certificates, ready to educate their students in ways in which they were previously unable.

“Because the coursework is so practical,” Dr. Urick said, “these certificates will also be useful for learners beyond those that seek a full college degree. We hope to welcome members of the regional community to take these courses. Regardless of their reasons for enrolling in a certificate, all are welcome to study with us.”

For more information about these certificates and their coursework, email michael.urick@ stvincent.edu.  ♦

Organizational Leadership >

The organizational leadership certificate teaches students how to lead in real-world scenarios, regardless of formal job title. Students will learn theories of leadership and how they shape real-life decision-making. Courses like “Organizational Behavior,” “Leadership” and “Business Ethics” help students become more effective leaders.

Project Management >

The project management certificate will help students understand both basic and new perspectives, like agile project management. Students will learn the skills needed for future certification. Courses like “Negotiation” and “Project Management” provide valuable knowledge for this growing career path.

SAP University Alliance >

The SAP university alliance certificate is associated with and recognized by SAP, one of the world’s leading Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. Students will participate in practical courses like “Management Information Systems” and “Supply Chain Simulation” that teach both general ERP knowledge and dedicated SAP Business One skills for their future careers.

Supply Chain >

The supply chain certificate will teach students about the importance of logistics, purchasing, operating and communicating within the broader supply chain of organizations. Participants will partake in simulations and practical exercises that expose them to real-world scenarios. In Fall 2024, Saint Vincent College will offer seven new certificate programs in the McKenna School. Each certificate will be available to both current students at the College and continuing education non-degree learners that would like updated credentials. New programs include entrepreneurial success, hospitality, nonprofit studies, organizational leadership, project management, SAP university alliance and supply chain.

SAINT VINCENT COLLEGE ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL COMPETITION

By David Collins, C 24, of Oakmont

OnNovember 15, Saint Vincent College hosted the 2023 Mock Trial Tournament for high school students in the Fred Rogers Center. High school students from Derry Area, Greensburg Salem, Greensburg Central Catholic, Kiski Area, Franklin Regional, Penn Trafford, Southmoreland and North Catholic competed in the event.

The students started the competition at 9 a.m. with their opening statements both by the prosecution and defense. After a ten-minute recess, they reconvened for the closing arguments. Following closing arguments and another short break, the winners were announced.

Faculty judges were Bruce A. Antkowiak, Esq., College legal counsel; Dr. Eric Kocian; Dr. Kayla Jachimowski; and Paige Parsley, instructor of criminology. Megan Will, Esq., was a special guest. ♦

DECEMBER MCKENNA GRAD COMMISSIONED AS ARMY OFFICER

OnDec. 18, Joseph Shrum, C’23, of Mount Pleasant, was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army after having received special permission to have his commissioning ceremony on the Saint Vincent College campus.

Present at the ceremony were 2nd Lt. Shrum’s parents; close friends; girlfriend; Fr. Paul Taylor, O.S.B., president of Saint Vincent; Lieutenant Colonel Steven M. Lucas, professor of military service; Captain

Kara L. Moyer, assistant professor of military service; and Dr. Eric Kocian, associate professor of criminology and chair of the Criminology Department in SVC’s Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics and Government.

“We are proud to have been a part of Joseph Shrum’s academic journey and congratulate him on his commissioning as an officer in the United States Army,” said Dr. Kocian. “We know Joseph will build upon the foundation established at Saint Vincent College and continue to serve God, our community, and our country honorably. We salute Joseph, thank him for his service and remind him and so many others that ‘once a Bearcat, always a Bearcat.’”

Ltc. Lucas opened the ceremony with a few words on his relationship with Shrum, who had been a cadet in SVC’s ROTC program in which Ltc. Lucas teaches over the course of his time as a student at Saint Vincent.

“We absolutely need guys like [Shrum] in the Army,” expressed Ltc. Lucas. “He’s going to be a fantastic addition, and I’m definitely proud of him.”

“You’ve got four lieutenants and a company commander, and the commander can’t watch everybody,” he continued. “So, on day one, you always can do the wrong thing when nobody’s looking. Every single day, maybe two or three times a day, you have that opportunity. This is the type of guy who will never take that opportunity. He’s always going to do the right thing, even when nobody’s looking.”

Following Ltc. Lucas’ remarks, he gave the Oath of Commissioned Officer to 2nd Lt. Shrum. After taking the Oath, 2nd Lt. Shrum’s parents pinned him as a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Private First Class Mathew Shrum, 2nd Lt. Shrum’s younger brother, rendered him his first salute.

To conclude the ceremony, 2nd Lt. Shrum gave his brother a silver dollar, following the tradition of a newly commissioned officer giving a silver dollar to the person from whom they receive their first salute of their career. ♦

Ltc. Lucas giving the Oath of Commissioned Officer to 2nd Lt. Shrum.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

BRIANNA BAUM FINDS CAREER SUCCESS

By Madison Kozera, C 24, of Abingdon, MD

Time is a valuable commodity and Brianna Baum (C’12, accounting major and finance minor) refuses to waste it. Throughout her career, Baum has consistently shifted her pursuits and schedules to make better use of her time. That kind of drive existed during her education at Saint Vincent College and has continued throughout her career path.

In college, Baum decided to seek a career in accounting and finance. While enrolled at SVC, she took on multiple jobs and internships in addition to a full slate of classes. Some days, she’d arrive at work at 4 a.m. to ensure she could cram all her shifts and classes into a busy schedule.

“After my four-hour shift on Tuesdays and Thursdays [at Lowe’s Home Improvement store], I would head to Saint Vincent for a full day of classes,” Baum said. “On the other days, I would change into my business attire in the Lowe’s bathroom and head to my tax internship for the next four hours at Deluzio & Company in Greensburg. I would finish my day with an eight-hour shift at the local Sheetz gas station.”

Her career trajectory took an unexpected turn when a tax internship led her to Online Stores Inc., marking her entrance into the world of technology. Baum next landed an on-campus internship with SAP, a global tech giant. Working as SAP’s project management intern in her senior year paved the way for a full-time position after graduation.

Over the first five years at SAP, Baum navigated various roles from customer-facing project management to a strategic move into internal positions. In 2021, she moved to operations and was promoted as head of learning enablement and communications.

Baum thanked SVC for granting her the connections and opportunities to push her into her current line of work, along with introducing her to her initial tax internship that shaped her future. “SVC provided me an opportunity that I am forever grateful for,” she said. “It opened my eyes to a world of tech that is more than your typical computer science major.”

When asked about some of the challenges in her career, Baum noted “constant change” as the largest hurdle.

“Amidst the fast-paced world, the ability to adapt to change is an invaluable asset,” she said. “Being in an influ-

encing role, I have to quickly adapt to change and also be a [leader] and support my organization through the change.”

Baum also has a love for planning, graphics, and communications, and in her free time creates logos and brochures for local businesses. This past spring, she handled the graphics and communications for her son’s recreational baseball organization, creating sponsorships with local businesses to help fund the program.

Though her journey has not been easy, Baum has remained diligent throughout her life making time even when there appeared to be none. ♦

SOMERSET TRUST DONATES TO SAINT VINCENT SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER

The Saint Vincent College Small Business Development Center (SBDC) recently received a donation from Somerset Trust Company.

The Saint Vincent College Small Business Development Center aims to grow the economy of the Westmoreland and Fayette County area by providing entrepreneurs with the education, information, and tools necessary to build successful businesses. Founded in 1984, the Saint Vincent SBDC is one of 15 Small Business Development Centers in Pennsylvania and is an accredited affiliate of the national network of Small Business Development Centers.

“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Somerset Trust for its generous donation to our

Small Business Development Center,” said James Kunkel, director of the SBDC. “Somerset is a great community partner and supporter of our program. More importantly, Somerset Trust has always demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the needs of small businesses in our region.”

Somerset Trust, which has 44 banking branches in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, has been affiliated with the SBDC for several years. “We’re very in tune to our [company] motto, which is that we’re truly a community bank,” said Joshua Miller, assistant vice president and economic development officer at Somerset Trust.  ♦

MCKENNA INSTRUCTOR INTERVIEWED ON POPULAR BUSINESS PODCAST

About Mr. Robert Markley Jr.

Mr. Robert Markley Jr., instructor of business administration in SVC’s McKenna School, was recently interviewed by David Strausser, vice president of sales at Stellar One, on his business podcast “Shark Bite Biz.” Markley spoke on the pros of entering a career in enterprise resource planning (ERP).

At Saint Vincent College, Mr. Markley teaches the Management Information Systems and Accounting Information Systems courses and leads the SAP Business One™ certification program.

A native of the Pittsburgh region, Markley has been an entrepreneur with numerous local enterprises and has served as a trusted advisor to local organizations for over 22 years. He has an extensive background in information technology and substantial experience in strategic and management consulting including business process re-engineering, corporate restructuring, supply chain management and customer relationship management.

Mr. Markley earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago and Bachelor of Science degrees in Computer Science and Quantitative Business Analysis from the Pennsylvania State University. He resides in Murrysville with his wife and two daughters.

About Shark Bite Biz

Shark Bite Biz is a podcast dedicated to helping businesses achieve growth. It focuses on personal, professional and business growth by featuring top experts and small business owners to tell their stories.

Seated, left to right: James Kunkel, director, SBDC; and Joshua Miller, assistant vice president and economic development officer, Somerset Trust. Standing, left to right: Jeff Anzovino, director, Somerset Trust; and John Malone, senior vice president, Somerset Trust; and Tim Bates, assistant director, SBDC.

MCKENNA SCHOOL OFFERS SEMINAR SERIES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GREATER LATROBE – LAUREL VALLEY REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The McKenna School announced its partnership with the Greater Latrobe – Laurel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce. The partnership will offer “Chamber University,” a series of short seminars geared toward helping working professionals in the region. The courses will be taught by Dr. Michael Urick; Dr. Kayla Jachimowski, director of the Master of Science in Criminology Program and assistant professor of criminology, law and society in the McKenna School; and Ms. Christina Gibson, instructor of accounting in the McKenna School.

More information and registration is available at  https://business.latrobelaurelvalley.org/events/details/ chamber-university-basics-of-accounting-and-understandingfinancial-statements-10695

All sessions will count for 1.5 continuing education credits/ hours by the Institute for Supply Management and Society for Human Resource Management.

The first of four sessions was held in January and the remainder will be forthcoming. Below are details on all four sessions:

Basics of Accounting and Understanding Financial Statements

January 30, 8:30-10:00 a.m. | This session was taught by Ms. Gibson. This session reviewed financial statements and their interpretation for both publicly traded and not-for-profit companies. The role of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and how Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) allow for consistent accounting among companies was discussed.

Conflict Management

April 30, 8:30-10:00 a.m. | This session will be taught by Dr. Urick. This session will explore the basic types of conflict that attendees are likely to experience and will identify the common causes of conflict. It will also consider the relationship between conflict and approaches to communication. Attendees will be provided with strategies and approaches for how to resolve conflict.

Fraud and White-Collar Crimes

September 24, 8:30-10:00 a.m. | This session will be taught by Ms. Gibson and Dr. Jachimowski.

This session will provide an overview of white-collar crimes, including historical crime rates and preventative strategies. This session will take an in-depth look at corporate fraud including the falsification of financial information, self-dealing by corporate insiders and money laundering.

Improving Team Performance

December 10, 8:30-10:00 a.m. | This session will be taught by Dr. Urick. All, teams, regardless of industry, go through common stages of team development. This session will explore these stages and help attendees to identify their team’s stage to help them become more influential. It will also explore concepts such as pros and cons of different types of teams, size of teams and composition of team members among other crucial considerations to improving team performance.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS

Dr. Kayla Jachimowski

Dr. Kayla Jachimowski is an assistant professor at Saint Vincent. She directs the Master of Science in Criminology Program and focuses on mental health and criminology, hate crimes and quantitative methodology. Dr. Jachimowski is pursuing an accredited financial counselor certification (AFC) through AFCPE to bridge criminology and financial management, aiming to address societal issues holistically. Her dedication to teaching, research and interdisciplinary connections marks her as a dynamic and forward-thinking academic shaping the next generation of criminologists and financial counselors.

Christina Gibson

Christina Gibson is an instructor of accounting at Saint Vincent. She is a finance professional with more than 25 years of diverse professional experience in various finance leadership roles, such as director of financial planning and analysis and assistant corporate controller. Ms. Gibson is experienced in partnering with C-suite and executive management; collaborating with cross-functional teams, external vendors and auditors; maintaining GAAP and SOX compliance; coordinating global annual budgeting and forecasting processes; solving complex problems; and leading large, globally diverse teams and projects.

Dr. Michael Urick, MBA, MS, SSGB, SHRM-CP

Dr. Michael Urick is dean of the McKenna School as well as a professor of management and operational excellence. Dr. Urick has taught undergraduate and graduate courses related to organizational behavior, human resources, communication, conflict, organizational culture, operations, and research methods. His research has been widely cited in academic publications as well as in news media outlets such as the “Wall Street Journal” and the BBC. Among various teaching awards, Dr. Urick was also recognized by the Institute for Supply Management as a “Person of the Year” in the learning and education category. Dr. Urick is an associate editor of the “Journal of Leadership and Management,” which is based in Poland; the North American associate editor of the “Measuring Business Excellence” journal; and on the editorial board of “Management Teaching Review.” He is also the editor for the “Exploring Effective Leadership Practices through Popular Culture” book series from Emerald Publishing. Much of his research and consulting work focuses on issues related to intergenerational phenomena within organizations. He also often examines how popular culture can be used to advance organizational behavior theory. In addition to authoring or co-authoring more than 50 publications, including multiple books and peerreviewed articles, he has presented his work on four continents.

STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF ON THE MOVE AND IN THE NEWS

Our students excelled in the Global Strategy Simulation Game. Each semester in Dr. Jeff Godwin’s class, student teams compete against others from around the world crafting and executing a strategy for how their simulated company can best compete in the market. Joel Quiroz Mansilla and Dustin Logue made the top 100 (out of nearly 4,500) teams on two different weeks during the Fall 2023 semester. Katie Patton and Jake Johnson also were in the top 100 teams twice and tied for the 61st best team globally.

McKenna students placed third out of 12 teams at Duquesne University’s November Supply Chain Case Competition. Other participating schools included Duquesne, Pitt, Robert Morris, West Virginia, IUP, Carnegie Mellon, and Penn State Behrend. The McKenna team was comprised of Antonio Munoz, Evan Rega, Matthew Klasnic, and Trang (Christine) Pham. This is the second year in a row that a Saint Vincent team placed among the top three.

Congratulations to Leo Sun, senior at Greater Latrobe High School, who received the 2023 McKenna School Leadership Academy Essay/Project Award for his essay on “Community Leadership.” Sun hopes to study Aviation Management at Saint Vincent this fall.

On November 11, data analytics club members Derek Hald, Jake Polosky, Antonia Sunseri, and Sean Talbot attended the 2023 Carnegie Mellon University Sports Analytics Conference along with Dr. Justin Petrovich. Polosky presented his poster, “Effect of Outfield Fence Distance on MLB Team Success.” He was among a small number of undergraduate students nationwide selected to present. The conference involved a great mix of students, academics, and industry professionals.

Students Caleb Banwar, Rebekah Bolman, Sophia Bringman, and Alicia Boretti formed a new team for the American

OUT AND ABOUT

The Women in Business Club traveled to New York City for its annual February trip. Alumni Joshua Howard and Kristen Brower hosted the club for a tour of the Ernst and Young Manhattan office.

Dr. Urick had a great time talking about opportunities at the McKenna School to students at Hempfield High School on February 9 and February 23.

Over one week in January, a dozen students had a total of 59 interviews with seven SAP Business One partners.

In January, nearly 20 local community and business leaders attended a morning leadership development workshop facilitated by Dr. Urick. The session was part of Leadership Westmoreland’s cohort program.

This spring, McKenna students Caleb Banwar and Jackie Emery are interning with the Westmoreland County Public Defender’s Office and are working on a homicide case with the attorneys. They attended a training session in Philadelphia concerning the case, an unprecedented opportunity for college students.

Student Madison Rasefske and Accounting instructor Christina Gibson visited Greater Latrobe High School’s Accounting II class to discuss opportunities in accounting, CPA requirements, the benefits of joining the PICPA as a student, and the McKenna School of Business. The students were very engaged, and Madison and Gibson enjoyed their time at Latrobe High.

Around Christmas, the finance and accounting club organized a canned food drive to benefit the Westmoreland Food Bank.

Moot Court Association. In their first scrimmage, the SVC team’s score equaled or exceeded those of other veteran teams. The AMCA is a national organization of colleges in which students present an argument on a matter of constitutional law as if they were before the United States Supreme Court. Participating in AMCA competitions is excellent preparation for law school.

Dr. Caitlin Michael earned her Ph.D. in December with the successful defense of her dissertation, “What Gives? Leveraging Marketing Knowledge to Increase Consumers’ Charitable Giving.”

In mid-November, Dr. Jason Jividen (Chair of Political Science) presented a paper at a conference celebrating the 160th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address and the 40th anniversary of the Ashbrook Center, Ashland OH. The paper was titled “Lincoln on Progress, History, and the American Regime.”

In mid-November, instructor Marti Fusco had an exciting afternoon talking to accounting students at Apollo-Ridge High School. Marti discussed career paths and opportunities in accounting.

In October, Dr. Caitlin Michael (assistant professor of Marketing) attended the Pittsburgh Turkish Cultural Center’s annual Peace Celebration. Also in attendance were McKenna alumni Alperen Aksehir, Raylen (Welling) Aksehir, Metin Erdem, and Dr. Jeff Mallory (SVC’s Executive VP and COO).

EXTRAORDINARY EVENTS

On February 15, Zachary Bono, C’11; Patrick O’Reilly, C’15; John Murray; and Jordan Sabol, C‘23 from Federated Hermes participated in a panel discussion on Data Analytics.

Dan Niemiec and Dylan Deglau, both MS in Management: Operational Excellence alumni, spoke to the graduate Operations Management II class in February. After graduation, Dan and Dylan started as OE coaches and continually moved up the corporate ladder. Dan is now senior project manager for Highmark Health and Dylan is the director of operations at Allegheny Health System—West Penn Hospital.

On February 7, Dr. Joshua Hendrickson od the University of Mississippi gave an intriguing lecture entitled “The Future of the U.S. Dollar” for the Center for Political and Economic Thought.

Saint Vincent hosted a competition for the American Moot Court Association in January. The participating students provided an advanced level of argument that is outstanding preparation for law school. Virtually all law schools require an oral argument by their students in the first year and our participating students will have already had that experience when they matriculate.

Dr. Michael Urick, Dr. Caitlin Michael, Dr. Matthias Huehn and SVC social media manager Liz Palmer judged the Future Business Leaders of America high school competition hosted on campus at the start of the Spring semester.

The McKenna School Alumni Association is back. The first meeting was held in early January. All alumni are welcome, so if you’d like to hear about future meetings and events, email michael.urick@stvincent.edu.

Criminology students Jacquelyn Emery and Caleb Banwar were immersed in a capital defense conference hosted by the Atlantic Center for Capital Representation. During the conference, they engaged with experts and forged career connections.

Finance students participated in the Boss Bank Management simulation as a part of the “Financial Institutions” course taught by Dr. Christian Kalhöfer. After discussing stateof-the-art bank management approaches during the semester, the students had to manage a bank acting as the board of directors in a comprehensive simulation. It’s the first time this bank simulation was used at an American college.

Michael Barron, C’16, (McKenna alum, adjunct, and Council of Advisors member) delivered an insightful talk about career development to students on November 20.

Renowned economist Dr. Dennis Epple from Carnegie Mellon University delivered a data-filled lecture on school choice for the Center for Political and Economic Thought on November 15.

On November 10, the McKenna School sponsored the Women Who Lead Conference from the Institute for Supply Management. Students from the Women in Business Club attended and networked with

DECEMBER GRADUATES

Mario J. Balestreri, North Huntingdon, PA — M.S. in Management: Operational Excellence

Nicholas R. Bridge, Ligonier, PA — Accounting

Logan Carns, Latrobe, PA — Criminology, Law & Society

Raven C. Clawson-Marshall, Saltsburg, PA — M.S. in Criminology

Troy J. Dailey, McMurray, PA — M.S. in Management: Operational Excellence

Paige Elizabeth L. Dawson, Greencastle, PA —  M.S. in Criminology

Ayden E. Kelley, Ligonier, PA — Accounting

Joseph E. Kremer, Glenshaw, PA — Sports Management

Dean A. Marker, Frederick, MD —  M.S. in Management: Operational Excellence

Richard C. Medeiros, Greensburg, PA — M.S. in Management: Operational Excellence

Brandon Nolder, Jr., Farmington, PA —  Business administration

Chloe C. Palmiere, Greensburg, PA — M.S. in Criminology

Colin M. Parks, South Park, PA — M.S. in Management: Operational Excellence

leaders from around the Pittsburgh region. Participants included Taylor Hochard, Maggie Edwards, and Nicolena Yanosick.

Anna Krinock (Duraloy), Megan Loughner (Kennametal), Sarah Robbins (Westmoreland Intermediate Unit), and Katie Shockey (Pittsburgh Pirates) participated in an expert panel session on Women in Leadership roles in November. Senior McKenna major Taylor Hochard served as the moderator. Krinock, Loughner, and Robbins are McKenna alumni.

On November 6, Katie Hughes, C ’05, and Brittany Thomas from the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium presented to a standingroom audience about their experiences in marketing. The event was organized by Dr. Michael.

On October 27, the McKenna School welcomed an exceptional speaker lineup of Petra Mitchell (Catalyst Connection), Lou Musante (CMU/Echo Strategies), Dr. Lisa Walters (State University of New York Fredonia), and Dr. David Adams (SVC/Adams Strategy) for the annual Operational Excellence Summit.

On October 24, Dr. Lacey Kocian guestlectured in the “Addiction and Crime” class in the Criminology, Law & Society department. She discussed CDC Guidelines for prescribing common medications for pain, misuse of opioids, physician prosecutions, and a recent Supreme Court decision regarding dispensing controlled substances.

Kaitlyn J. Patton, Pittsburgh — Finance; Business economics

Ryan L. Ramos, Reisterstown, MD — Marketing

Joseph D. Shrum, Greensburg, PA

— Criminology, Law & Society

Patrick I. Tavitas, Pittsburgh — Marketing

Casey A. Vrable, Latrobe, PA —  M.S. in Management: Operational Excellence

Even M. Walsh, Pittsburgh — Management

Teresa N. Zambotti, Halethorpe, MD — M.S. in Criminology