DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce recently released a report on the economic value of 5,500 business DR. GREG FILBECK programs at more than 1,700 colleges in the United States.* I am thrilled to report that the Black School of Business was ranked in the top 10 percent of all business schools! Not only is our school ranked highest among all other undergraduate business programs in the Penn State system, we outpaced all other business schools in the region. Our graduate ranking tied with that of University Park and, again, placed us ahead of regional competitors.
In Brief
MIS/MBA ALUMNUS PRESENTED WITH BEHREND ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Steven Bugajski, a 1994 Management Information Systems and 2004 MBA graduate, was recently presented with the Behrend Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award. The award is presented annually to a graduate of Behrend who has made significant contributions to and achievements in their profession, in their community, and at Behrend. Recipients are those who have demonstrated professional leadership, been active in community affairs, and contributed to the betterment of society, social values, and/or justice.
Bugajski is the vice president and chief information officer for U.S. Steel, where he leads the company’s global IT operation, including digital strategy and cybersecurity. He serves as an executive in residence for the Black School of Business, has mentored dozens of Behrend students, and together with other U.S. Steel IT professionals, has developed programs for students to learn about business, technology, and cybersecurity in the corporate world. He also sits on the executive committee of the Black School’s advisory board and the MIS program advisory board.
We credit the success of this ranking to many factors, including the quality of our academics, as evidenced by the expertise of our faculty and the preparedness of our students. Penn State Behrend’s Open Lab philosophy—what we also call “Learning by Doing” in the Black School of Business—gives our students theoryto-practice opportunities to apply their learning in meaningful ways, working with a wide array of corporate and strategic partners. As Gene Natali, president of Troutwood in Pittsburgh, has said, Black School of Business students are “workforce ready” upon graduation, prepared to hit the ground running and make an immediate contribution. We hope you enjoy this edition of Business News, which offers a variety of articles reflecting student, faculty, and alumni success. A big thank-you for all your support as we engage in continuous improvement, also with a focus on student-centric success.
Steven Bugajski, center, at the awards ceremony with his wife, Yvette, and son, Adam, a current Behrend student majoring in Project and Supply Chain Management and Management Information Systems.
ON THE COVER
Karla (Murray) Mazza ’07, ’08 MBA, is the co-owner of four Fyzical Therapy and Balance Centers in Corry and Erie. She and her business partner were named the Fyzical franchisees of the year in 2022. Read more on page 6. *https://tinyurl.com/BlackSchoolValue
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