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SIGMUND WEIS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AT SUSQUEHANNA UNIVERSIT Y
CAREER CATALYSTS
Alumni nurture tomorrow’s business leaders through mentorship
ALSO INSIDE: Leading From the Start | Master the Markets
GEORGE MACHLAN ACCOUNTING ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
To honor the memory of a professor who has had significant influence on their lives, alumni from the Class of 1976 have proposed to fund an endowed scholarship in his name.
DEAN’S CORNER The Sigmund Weis School of Business opened this fall with a record enrollment of 624 total students! We are excited about this as we believe we are one of the world’s best undergraduate business programs. Yet, we are not resting. Our goal is to continue improving. Below are some of the past year’s noteworthy highlights that affirm our trajectory: – We introduced a new major in entrepreneurship & corporate innovation, a real estate major, and a minor in risk management. –O ur mentorship program pairing professionals with sophomores expanded in its second year, made possible by over 200 amazing alumni and friend mentors. – J ob placements were off the charts with graduates starting at some of the most prestigious firms in the world.
Professor Emeritus of Accounting George Machlan was an esteemed faculty member in the Sigmund Weis School of Business. He consistently modeled leadership, dedication and determination and displayed unparalleled patience in his teaching. He was especially skilled in teaching to each student’s learning styles and needs and providing help outside of the classroom. His humor, compassion and individualized attention was exemplified beyond the classroom — students saw him regularly attending games, recitals, plays and other activities. Professor Machlan retired in 2006 after 40 years of service to Susquehanna. He died in 2023 at the age of 82.
–O ur students landed exceptional internships, both domestically and internationally.
The George Machlan Accounting Endowed Scholarship will be awarded to a
Within the pages of this issue, you’ll gain insight into our mentorship program, the global travels of our remarkable Stein Fellows, and other significant business school developments. While the team producing Ventures does a wonderful job, the true essence and energy of being on campus must be experienced. I look forward to welcoming you soon!
the classroom or on campus and participates in cocurricular activities.
Matthew Rousu Dean, Sigmund Weis School of Business
junior or senior majoring in accounting. Preference will be given to a student who has a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and demonstrates leadership in When you make a gift to the George Machlan Accounting Endowed Scholarship, you will help Sigmund Weis School of Business students and ensure the legacy of George Machlan will endure for years to come.
Make your gift at
BIT.LY/SUSQUMACHLAN or use the QR code.
INSIDE 2023–24 ISSUE
2023–24
2 Dean of the Sigmund Weis School of Business
MATTHEW ROUSU Editor
JENNIFER YURICICH ’00 SPOTTS Director of Strategic Communications Contributing Writers
CLAIRE CURRY HALEY DITTBRENNER ’25 AMANDA O’ROURKE Public Relations Manager
LOGAN SWEET ’15 Director of Advancement Communications
12
Design
JOSIE FERTIG Director of Brand and Creative Services Photography
HEATHER NECESSARY LUKE WALDNER ’24 GORDON WENZEL
SIGMUND WEIS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Susquehanna University 514 University Ave., Selinsgrove, PA 17870 570-372-4454 The Sigmund Weis School of Business challenges and mentors all students, engages in scholarly activities, and serves our communities and professions. We equip students for successful careers in the global business environment and for lives of continual learning, achievement, leadership and service. Through integrating the liberal arts and business disciplines, we deliver life-changing theoretical, applied and experiential learning opportunities in an inclusive environment.
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4 | CAREER CATALYSTS Second-year business students benefit from expert guidance through the Sigmund Weis School of Business professional mentorship program.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
ALUMNI NEWS
2 | Brianna Le: Leading From the Start
18 | Alumni Continue To Achieve, Lead and Serve
CAMPUS NEWS
8 | F rom Australia to Vietnam: Stein Fellows Intern Internationally
12 | M aster the Markets
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
20 | Building the Ranks 22 | Two Earn University Awards
14 | A dvisory Council Guiding Business School Into the Future
Back cover photograph by Luke Waldner ’24.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT OUR BEST AND BRIGHTEST
LEADING FROM THE START BY HALEY DIT TBRENNER ’25
Basil Holobetz, lecturer in management and marketing, worked closely with Le, and took note of her hard work. “Brianna worked unceasingly to bring the SU FBLA chapter to life in record time, and the formulation of her officers and team was simply amazing,” Holobetz says. “I am confident that Brianna will continue to grow the chapter and am so proud of the positive example she sets for her peers.” Le’s involvement in her high school chapter boosted her confidence and motivated her to pursue international business as a major. When Le was admitted to Susquehanna, she noticed that the university did not have an existing FBLA chapter and took it upon herself to start one. The international business major from Douglassville, Pennsylvania, says the benefits to students are innumerable.
to provide professional clothing for students attending job interviews. Meetings often feature guest speakers and updates on business-related conferences and events. Her leadership extends beyond the campus of Susquehanna. Also during her first year, Le was appointed vice president of Pennsylvania FBLA Collegiate. “I was very excited to get started with helping PA FBLA Collegiate,” Le says. “After several days of networking and getting to know FBLA members from other local chapters, I was ready to start putting the work in to improve their FBLA experience at the state level.” In her role as vice president, Le serves as a communication liaison between local chapters and the state association. Some of her assignments have included planning conferences, attending state meetings and assisting the Pennsylvania FBLA Collegiate president.
“I believe in FBLA’s values of building students to become the next community-minded business leaders,” Le says. “It has been an honor to watch current FBLA members grow as business professionals who are compassionate, driven and committed to our organization.”
“Starting FBLA at Susquehanna University has been a great experience for me and my fellow business students,” Le says. “When starting the FBLA chapter, I was met instantly with immense support from students, faculty and staff. I owe the success of the chapter to my fellow officers — without them, FBLA would have taken longer to get approved as a club on campus.”
Members of FBLA attend conferences, workshops and networking events with other students and business professionals. On Susquehanna’s campus, members have hosted fundraisers, activities fairs and a donation drive
The executive members of Susquehanna’s FBLA chapter are Jacob Craig ’26, vice president; Kagan Watkins ’26, secretary; Fernando Dysico ’26, treasurer; Paul Matra ’26, Keziah Sommers ’26, social media reporter; and Madeline Rowan ’26, parliamentarian.
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LUKE WALDNER ’24
In an impressive start to her college career, Brianna Le ’26 jumped straight into a leadership position by founding Susquehanna’s chapter of Future Business Leaders of America.
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ALUMNI NURTURE TOMORROW’S BUSINESS LEADERS THROUGH MENTORSHIP
CAREER CATALYSTS When Xavier Brooks ’18 was growing up in Philadelphia, a handful of people made a real difference in his life. One was a teacher’s assistant at a summer enrichment program he attended. Another was a “music mentor” who encouraged him to explore his creativity as a hip-hop artist. “Over the years, we’ve stayed connected, and they’re my friends now,” Brooks says. “They taught me a lot of life skills and soft skills, but I never truly had a business mentor until I got to Susquehanna.” As a first-year student, Brooks worked in the Career Development Center where he met Michaeline Shuman, assistant provost for post-graduate outcomes and civic engagement. He credits her for helping him learn the ins and outs of applying for jobs. “She was very instrumental in reviewing my applications and making sure that everything was right, and also in providing these spaces where I could interview,” he recalls. “She went above and beyond. Having someone to instruct me through the process was imperative to my success.”
Now vice president of product management at JPMorgan Chase, Brooks said that when he learned about a new mentoring program at Susquehanna, he recalled how valuable his mentors had been throughout his life and enthusiastically signed on. According to Sigmund Weis School of Business Programs Coordinator Kristie Anderson ’99, Brooks was one of more than 200 Susquehanna alumni, board members and other professional contacts affiliated with the business school to volunteer their time for the program. Launched in 2022–23, the Professional Mentorship Program matches second-year business students with two to three mentors in the working world to guide them in everything from setting goals and juggling academics and extra-curriculars to résumé writing, interview preparation and career planning. “We have this great program for first-year students, Global Business Perspectives, in which they get immersed in what the business school is like and what business is like,” Anderson says. “In their junior year, they intern and study abroad, and in their senior year, they’re
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“
I told him to tell me what he wants to accomplish, what he wants to do and I’ll put all of my power behind that. — XAVIER BROOKS ’18
”
prepping for their life outside of Susquehanna. We thought there should be something to engage the students in their second year.” Anderson matched students and mentors based on the interests, majors and future career plans they described in surveys. Brooks was paired with Julius Glover ’25 — who happens to share many things in common, including the same hometown: Philadelphia. “When I met Julius, I was taken aback by his maturity,” Brooks says. “I think he’s going to be someone who has a lot of opportunities put in front of him. He’s very intelligent and wise.” Throughout the year, Brooks and Glover met a dozen or so times on Zoom, FaceTime and in person. “Julius has a lot of initiative and great ambition,” says Brooks. “I told him to tell me what he wants to accomplish, what he wants to do and I’ll put all of my power behind that. I wanted to make him feel empowered.” The two worked together on setting goals and narrowing the student’s career aspirations to one facet of business. Brooks shared a professional development plan that a work colleague passed along to him, and after that, he noticed that Glover’s career plans became much more clear. “The focus was doubled down,” Brooks says. “Initially, he wanted to be a real estate guy, and now he wants to work in banking. By helping him create goals for himself, he’s been able to change some of his big career goals into something more focused and achievable.”
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Glover agrees, adding that Brooks gave him information about the field of finance that he never knew. “I didn’t have a full grasp of what I wanted to do,” he says. “He told me point blank that I have to start thinking ahead if I want to succeed. Unintentionally, he influenced my career aspirations a lot. Hearing his story and experiences motivated me to pursue a career in finance.” At their last meeting, Brooks told Glover that while the program ends here, “the journey can continue.” The two have been keeping in touch since then and Brooks said that he wouldn’t be surprised if they become colleagues down the road. “I can see him becoming a manager or a director because he has that mindset,” he adds. According to Anderson, mentors and mentees receive initial training along with a handbook, meeting plans, activity ideas and the expectation to meet during four set timeframes through the year. In its first year, 139 students and 218 mentors participated. “Moving forward, the Professional Mentoring Program will be tied into the Professional Development course, a two-credit, seven-week class required for all sophomore business majors,” Anderson says. “Career readiness assignments will require students to meet with their
mentors to complete. We feel these changes will help students stay engaged in the program, hold structured meetings with objectives, and build meaningful relationships with their mentors.” Another pair that had an exceptionally positive experience is Henry Chang ’18, a business systems analyst at CGI, and finance major Mohammed Abdrabalnabi ’24. “The reason I chose Mohammed and Henry is because they seemed to have great chemistry,” Anderson says. “Mohammed stopped by my office every couple weeks and would talk about what a great experience he was having.” The two met several times through the year, and Chang said his mentee “was impressive, always ahead of the game.” When Abdrabalnabi expressed concerns about his course load, he dropped a class. Chang commended him for taking swift action but advised him to swap in a different, less demanding class to ensure he’d have the proper number of credits to graduate on time. “I encouraged him to … balance the finance classes. That’s what happened in my senior year. I took a lot of finance classes and needed one class to graduate, so I enjoyed a film class with my other finance buddies,” Chang recalls.” From Saudi Arabia, Abdrabalnabi appreciated Chang’s understanding of the different challenges international students face. Chang’s parents, originally from Taiwan, also moved to the states to attend college. “Henry was extremely helpful,” Abdrabalnabi says. “He suggested that I participate in university activities to help me improve my [English] language [skills]. He recommended courses to take and even professors who would understand my language and my culture.” Melanie Brechka ’98 also participated in the program as a mentor. The vice president at Glanbia Nutritionals, an organization that develops ingredients for the global food industry, launched a mentorship program for women at her firm that is proving to be a great success. Brechka is
also the creator of The Heart of the Middle, a blog that helps professionals hone their leadership skills, achieve work-life balance, and find joy in their roles day to day. In addition, Brechka has been both a mentor and mentee many times throughout her 20-year career and she understands how meaningful these relationships can be. For that reason, she welcomed the opportunity to mentor Charlotte Horvat ’25, a management and communication studies double major from Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. “One thing we ended up really digging into is that Charlotte is an overachiever,” she says. “She commits herself too much. Given my experience and my role, she took interest in knowing [my thoughts on] how much she really needs to do to get a job when she graduates.” At the time they were meeting, Horvat was entertaining the idea of pursuing a third major in French studies. However, she was concerned that it could make it difficult to go overseas on an international business experience. “My opinion was, if you … want to go into business, then you should go overseas and have your international experience, and you can speak French [there]. I think she needed to hear that from someone who has been in the business world for a while,” Brechka recalls. Horvat said that she “got a lot more than she expected” out of her meetings with Brechka. “She is in sales and I am also interested in sales,” Horvat says, adding that Brechka’s company makes ingredients that go into household product names, such as Oreo cookies and gummies. “She definitely opened my eyes to an industry that I hadn’t thought about. And we talked a lot about what it’s like to be a woman manager — being empathetic and also being a boss.” Mentors and mentees agreed that the program is valuable for sophomores. “This program is so necessary for business students,” Brooks adds. “Having someone in your corner to level-set you on your career expectations and goals is really invaluable” in laying the foundations for a successful future in the business world.
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CAMPUS NEWS CATCHING UP WITH THE BUSINESS SCHOOL
FROM AUSTRALIA TO VIETNAM: STEIN FELLOWS INTERN INTERNATIONALLY BY HALEY DIT TBRENNER ’25 While living and working abroad, Eric Stein ’69 came to appreciate the importance of global business competency and cultural experiences. Prior to his death in 2006, he created the Eric Stein Fund for International Experience, which allows students in the Sigmund Weis School of Business to intern with companies around the globe. This past year, 12 students were named Stein Fellows and spent their summers working abroad. Tatiana Perez ’25, a double major in management and communications from Ridgefield, New Jersey, has always been drawn to the allure of travel. For her, traveling meant fulfilling opportunities that her parents might not have had. “Growing up, my parents, who originated from rural Spain, courageously moved to New York with limited means during their late teens,” Perez said. “Embarking on a journey like this to Australia was unimaginable for my parents. Boarding the flight allowed me to fulfill their unrealized dreams.”
8 | VENTURES 2023–24
Perez interned with ARIA Research, a Sydney, Australiabased startup company that provides sound-focused assistive technology for blind individuals. She took on a variety of assignments, including data organization and distribution, and conducted field research. “My internship experience has taught me the valuable lesson that ‘what you put into something is what you get out of it.’ I have witnessed the direct relationship between my personal effort and the quality of my outcomes,” Perez said. After graduation, Perez hopes to work in research and product development, especially in the fields of fashion and cosmetics. International business major Eli Markle ’25, of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, interned in Spain with Sponsify, a network dedicated to connecting advertisers with customers. As a communications and business advocate, Markle said his main role was gathering information on potential customers.
CAMPUS NEWS CATCHING UP WITH THE BUSINESS SCHOOL
Other assignments included creating customer profiles, preparing presentations and working with his team to create materials for customers. Since he was in high school, Markle said he had a fascination with Spain and its culture. “I have always been intrigued when learning about the culture of Spain. With such a rich history and a vibrant culture, Barcelona has been an amazing place to live.” He credits his Global Opportunities and international business courses he’s taken at Susquehanna for building his confidence and preparing him to work abroad. After graduating, Markle hopes to pursue a graduate program in business administration. “I am most grateful for the valuable insight into the professional field,” Markle said of his internship. “Being able to get an up-close look at how people communicate and articulate ideas is an exposure I am thankful for. I want to thank the Stein family for their incredible generosity and support that gives me and other students opportunities to learn these valuable lessons.” Lauren Imhoof ’24, an international business major from Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, spent her summer in Berlin, Germany, as the first intern at Rua Madeira, a sustainable furniture company. She worked closely with the owners took on a multitude of tasks, including editing, business development, sales, marketing and client outreach. Rua Maderia is an international company, with ties spanning across Europe and Brazil. “I didn’t realize how international and cosmopolitan Berlin is,” Imhoof said. “I appreciated how many cultures go into making this company successful. It was truly an international internship experience.” Imhoof aspires to lead in an international company, noting that her experience in Berlin has prepared her for success in a global business market. Marketing major Mirra Neilson ’25, of Wyalusing, Pennsylvania, promised herself as a child that she would travel in Australia by the time she reached her 20s. The Stein Fellowship made her dream a reality by giving her
the opportunity to intern in Sydney, Australia, with Decarbify, a company that helps organizations regulate their carbon emissions. For Decarbify, Neilson developed the main marketing strategy for the startup company, a project that required her to identify the company’s primary target market, formulate effective pricing strategies, build market traction and enhance Decarbify’s social media. “This internship has taught me the importance of selfreflection and self-improvement,” Neilson said. “By continually receiving feedback from my supervisors and evaluating my own personal performance, I have gained a better understanding of my own strengths and areas for growth, creating room for further development.” After graduation, Neilson hopes to work as a marketing professional in the field of sustainability. Marketing major Nicole Spangler ’24, of Pocomoke City, Maryland, interned with the Pearse Lyons Distillery in Dublin, Ireland. In her role as a business development intern, Spangler spent her workdays analyzing data from social media accounts, preparing promotional materials, updating databases and assisting with distillery events. Spangler described a highly welcoming work environment at the distillery. “Everyone is willing to take the time to teach me what they know, and they love what they do,” she said. Spangler’s studies in marketing at Susquehanna equipped her with the skills that proved helpful in her internship; she came into her position already knowing how to create a marketing plan for a company with no preexisting promotional foundation. After graduating from Susquehanna, Spangler hopes to work in marketing, ideally for a professional basketball team. Olivia Agnoni ’23, of Muncy, Pennsylvania, an international business major, interned in the human resources department at Global Scout, an international recruitment firm in Seoul, South Korea. “Interning for a firm with global branches gave me an opportunity to work in the setting my international business degree is preparing me for,” Agnoni said. Her (continued) SUSQU.EDU/BUSINESS | 9
CAMPUS NEWS CATCHING UP WITH THE BUSINESS SCHOOL
internship in human resources kept her workdays full; daily tasks included entering and organizing client résumés, interviewing executives and designing web pages and other online materials. Outside of the workplace, Agnoni spent her evenings exploring Korean culture to the fullest. Agnoni explained how Susquehanna’s GO program prepared her for her time in South Korea. “Because of the research we had to complete on our internship country, I was able to get an outsider view of what South Korean culture was all about,” Agnoni said. “I was still uncomfortable during my first few days in the city, but as I continued to refer back to the research I completed on the country, I found it much easier to digest the culture shock.” After graduation, Agnoni hopes to return to Southeast Asia and continue working there. “Korea is one of my top goal destinations where I would like to settle down and work one day, so a two-month internship program based in Seoul felt like it was perfect for me to prepare myself for my potential future here.” Emma Horton ’24, an international business major from Cameron Mills, New York, interned for SSVN Survival Skills Social Enterprise in Vietnam. SSVN is a startup organization dedicated to spreading first-aid knowledge and training. During her internship, Horton connected with partners and sponsors, organized exhibits and marketed wellness courses. One challenge Horton faced was the language barrier. “Everyone was patient and willing to help me learn,” Horton said. “Everyone is so welcoming; the people I have met in Vietnam have made this such an unbelievable experience.” Horton hopes to work for more nonprofit organizations in the future. Marketing major Madison Longenhagen ’24, of Catawissa, Pennsylvania, spent her summer as an intern with CeADAR, a data analytics company in Ireland. She was assigned two main projects — designing an optimized hiring process for CeADAR’s summer interns and creating
10 | VENTURES 2023–24
“personas” that would accurately capture audience needs, behaviors and preferences. “This experience has helped me prepare for my career goals in several ways,” Longenhagen said. “Studying abroad has enhanced my adaptability skills as I navigated a completely new environment both personally and professionally. My internship has provided me with hands-on work experience, allowing me to tackle real-world projects that have improved my criticalthinking and problem-solving skills.” After graduating, Longenhagen hopes to work in the field of social media and digital marketing. Finance major Connor McCormick ’25 interned with CountPlus accounting and advice firms in Australia. He worked closely with the finance team updating company reports and writing data formulas. “The greatest lesson I learned throughout my internship experience is how people in positions of leadership want to help you succeed and help you accomplish your goals,” McCormick said. “During my internship, I had numerous conversations with the CFO about ways I can accomplish my goals. My boss and other members of the team pitched in and were always willing to help me solve an issue and answer any question I threw at them.” McCormick, of Center Valley, Pennsylvania, credits the Sigmund Weis School of Business for preparing him for his internship in Sydney. He came into his internship familiar with the material and was able to adapt quickly. McCormick plans to pursue a career in investment banking before transitioning into private equity or the hedge fund sector. “I know that it will take an insane work ethic and a lot of commitment, but I am excited to see what the future holds,” he said. Other Stein Fellows were Hannah Getz ’24, an international business major from Pittston, Pennsylvania, who interned in South Korea; Julius Glover ’25, a luxury brand marketing & management major from Philadelphia, who interned in Singapore; and Erin Rowe ’24, a management major from Proctorville, Ohio, who interned in New Zealand.
WHERETHEY WORK
Susquehanna’s business alumni hail from many different industries and at several prestigious firms. Here is a sampling of where our graduates work as professionals.
CAMPUS NEWS CATCHING UP WITH THE BUSINESS SCHOOL
MASTER THE MARKETS BY CLAIRE CURRY
All business students are guaranteed to earn Bloomberg certification.
W
hen Michael Levine ’22 discovered the Bloomberg terminals in the trading room at Apfelbaum Hall, he quickly decided to learn how to use the popular financial software tool he had heard so much about and even seen on TV. “I made it my goal to experiment, and once I started using the terminal, that’s where my personal journey began. It’s the key to a whole new world,” Levine says, pointing out that it not only provides data about the financial markets, but much more, including up-to-the–minute, worldwide news. So captivated by the breadth of information this resource puts at his fingertips, Levine set his sights on becoming Bloomberg certified, an opportunity made possible by the Sigmund Weis School of Business. The certification was pivotal in giving Levine an edge in landing an internship at Bloomberg LP — where he now works full time as a senior portfolio and risk analyst. “I’m using the Bloomberg [terminal] every single day,” he says. The business school added a guarantee of Bloomberg certification so all business students graduate with this valuable credential on their résumés. According to James Pomykalski, associate professor and department head of finance and analytics at Susquehanna’s Sigmund Weis Business School, the program has been incorporated into Data Collection and Modeling, a course requirement for all business majors. Usually taken in the third semester, it trains students to think about data and to use various tools that they’ll need throughout their careers. What’s more, students will need to achieve Bloomberg certification in order to pass the class. To do so, students must complete a series of four video modules on economic indicators, currencies, fixed income and equities. It takes eight hours to complete, and students must earn a score of 70% or higher on quizzes built into each module.
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CAMPUS NEWS CATCHING UP WITH THE BUSINESS SCHOOL
“We decided that we needed to give our students a leg up in the job market,” Pomykalski says. “The idea was to give them at least some exposure to and familiarity with Bloomberg terminals so they could then be used as part of not only the Introduction to Finance course, a finance reporting class, but any other finance classes beyond that.” In addition to preparing students for finance courses, the Bloomberg terminals are a resource for other areas of study as well. “It’s really the mother lode of data,” says Peter Dadalt, assistant professor of finance and analytics. “There’s a lot of long-term utility to this, not just for finance majors, but to students in all majors. The additional benefit is it signals to a [potential] employer that the student gets it, that they understand that these are the sorts of things they have to be invested in to succeed in their careers.” Susquehanna has a total of 16 Bloomberg terminals — 12 in the trading room in Apfelbaum Hall and another four in the library — accessible to all students for use on homework assignments, special projects and research of their own. Being Bloomberg certified is also an asset in today’s job market. “Our students are most interested in getting internships and jobs,” Dadalt says. “One of the things that makes the Bloomberg terminal so cool is that you can contact anybody who is on the system directly, so students have the potential to use it for networking.” They can also use it to prepare for interviews, to get the latest news on an organization, information about its competitors, and major trends in the industry. “You can get real business intelligence out of this, not just financial information. Give students an hour on it and they could be fully prepared for an interview,” he adds.
Dadalt, who teaches a class on fixed income and oversees the River Hawk Fund, the investment portfolio of the Student Government Association, frequently takes his students to the Bloomberg terminals to do research. He said that it’s not typical for a school of Susquehanna’s size to have 16 Bloomberg terminals. “My guess is that there are very few schools that have more per capita than Susquehanna because most schools of our size don’t have a terminal, and if they do, they have the minimum,” he says. “I’m constantly amazed at the kind of resources that we’re able to provide for our students. We tend to punch way above our weight class.” The Bloomberg terminals arrived on campus in 2014, courtesy of funding from generous donors. Since then, hundreds of students have used them and earned certification. The requirement will not only increase this number dramatically, but will also ensure that the business school turns out graduates who are equipped to land jobs and hit the ground running. Hailey Bowden ’25, a finance major from Snow Hill, Maryland, who earned her Bloomberg certification in 2021, said that like Levine, she also learned about the tool in her first year at Susquehanna. “I was genuinely intrigued and I quickly grasped the immense value of becoming Bloomberg certified,” she says. “With the abundance of information at my fingertips, it became evident how valuable this certification could be for conducting research, completing class assignments and collaborating on group projects.” The future financial analyst added that the Bloomberg terminals became her “second home. The knowledge and skills I gained have been immeasurable, and I firmly believe they will continue to serve me well beyond my time at Susquehanna.”
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ADVISORY COUNCIL GUIDING BUSINESS SCHOOL INTO THE FUTURE BY AMANDA O’ROURKE When economist Matthew Rousu assumed the position of dean of the Sigmund Weis School of Business, an advisory council of dedicated alumni had already been established. Within a few years into his appointment, he restructured the school’s Advisory Council to create a “critical mass” of engaged alumni that includes expertise in all 10 majors. Now 40 members strong, each Advisory Council member provides guidance for the Sigmund Weis School of Business as a whole and also serves on at least one subcommittee. The subcommittees — which currently exist for accounting; data analytics; entrepreneurship; finance and economics; management and international business; marketing and luxury brand marketing; and sales — are headed by a faculty member within that area. “The Advisory Council brings with them decades of diverse career experience bolstered by their ongoing
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affection for Susquehanna,” Rousu says. “We’ve been fortunate to have such a broad and successful alumni base to draw from. They’ve brought us invaluable insights.” Since its reimagining, the Advisory Council has had the opportunity to provide meaningful feedback on new majors and minors, and the school’s AACSB accreditation. Within the past academic year, the Sigmund Weis School of Business has added several new academic programs. “One thing I value about this group is their willingness to be open and honest — even if they seem to disagree with me or with each other,” Rousu adds. “If the business school is thinking about a new initiative, I want this group of brilliant leaders to poke holes in our ideas so we can anticipate, plan for and mitigate challenges ahead of time. Alternatively, sometimes advice from the Advisory Council will cause us to take different actions.”
CAMPUS NEWS CATCHING UP WITH THE BUSINESS SCHOOL
ENTREPRENEURSHIP & CORPORATE INNOVATION MAJOR Announced in April 2023, students who major in entrepreneurship & corporate innovation will develop the skills to start a business enterprise or thrive as an entrepreneurial thinker in an established company. It was a move that Christopher Gonzalez ’08, head of finance at A.Team, Philadelphia, wasn’t initially convinced was necessary. “Susquehanna has an established legacy of successful entrepreneurs among our alumni; our business school bears the name of one,” Gonzalez says. “The university’s strong liberal arts curriculum and accredited business school provide a strong foundation for any aspiring entrepreneur.” However, as he spent more time on the Advisory Council and with the advent of the business school’s entrepreneurship and innovation minor in 2017, Gonzalez became convinced of the major’s potential. “The introduction of the entrepreneurship minor led students with non-business majors to gain exposure to business curriculum and business majors to diversify their studies. It encouraged more students to start their own and gave them new tools to solve and address problems,” he says. “The establishment of a major that includes the vital corporate innovation component really furthers the business school’s original commitment to developing business leaders, offering curriculum that will help students build valuable careers and entities in an age of rapid change.” REAL ESTATE On the heels of the entrepreneurship & corporate innovation announcement came the addition of a new real estate major. Students in this major will take courses in law, finance and capital markets, taxation, professional sales, asset analysis and valuation, international business and more.
What originated from an inquiry by Evan Stutzman ’23 about his interest in learning more about commercial real estate, the new major was first offered as a program that prepares students to earn a commercial real estate certificate. It prompted Dean Rousu to explore with alumni ways to expand the business school’s real estate educational offerings, leading to Michael Alderman ’93, P’24 bringing the certification program to Susquehanna in spring 2022. A senior vice president of a real estate development firm in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Alderman taught the sessions and created the case study. After completing the courses and passing the exam after each, students were awarded a Foundations of Real Estate certification by the Urban Land Institute, a century-old nonprofit organization with 45,000+ land use and commercial real estate development professionals. Alderman adds that in addition to a certificate, students also gain membership to the ULI, of which he is a member, garnering invitations to networking events and conferences. The new major has significant student interest. “Mike has been so generous with his time, guiding students through the projects and helping us connect with the Urban Land Institute,” Rousu adds. “This program would not have happened without him.” RISK MANAGEMENT MINOR Although new minors receive slightly less fanfare than new majors, they are important. Susquehanna’s new risk management minor is designed to introduce students to the fundamental principles of risk management, focusing on corporate and property risk. Students will develop knowledge and skills to succeed specifically in the insurance industry or other settings focusing on managing risk. Professional certificates such as the Institute’s Associate of Risk Management Certification will be embedded into the curriculum. (continued)
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CAMPUS NEWS CATCHING UP WITH THE BUSINESS SCHOOL
Toni Tomarazzo ’84, executive director and associate general counsel at UBS Financial Services, Hoboken, New Jersey, believes risk management “is a vital part of every job in the business world and also highly sought after as a skill.
“
CORPORATIONS
ARE BEGINNING TO
RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF ESTABLISHING A STRONG FOUNDATION OF CONNECTION WITHIN THEIR WORKFORCE.” — Melanie Leech ’98 Brechka
“It doesn’t matter if it’s insurance, financial services, real state — it’s absolutely necessary to understand risk and to be able to evaluate that risk,” says Tomarazzo, who is also a member of Susquehanna’s Board of Trustees. “In my career as an attorney, understanding risk was one of the most important tools that I could use to provide good council to my clients.”
Learning to identify risk is a skill, Tomarazzo says, that must be learned and then developed. “Learning to identify risks is often like a chess game,” she said. “It’s not just the risk that appears today, it’s the risk that appears in the lifecycle of what you’re analyzing.” AACSB INTERNATIONAL REACCREDITATION In addition to academics, the Advisory Council has also weighed in on the business school’s reaccreditation with the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. With the adoption of the AACSB International’s 2020 business accreditation standards came an enhanced vision of transforming business education globally for positive societal impact.
16 | VENTURES 2023–24
“Corporations are beginning to recognize the importance of establishing a strong foundation of connection within their workforce,” says Melanie Leech ’98 Brechka, vice president commercial, east at Glanbia Nutritionals, Flemington, New Jersey. “This connection is important not only between their employees but also within the communities they service and support.” The Susquehanna University faculty, with input and recommendations from students and the Advisory Council, adopted the following Societal Impact goals in April 2023: • Pedagogy in Practice: Educating our Broader Community • Experiential Learning Projects that Benefit our Local and Global Communities Some of the strategies the business school will use to achieve these goals will include continuing Center for Economics, Business, and Entrepreneurship Education offerings to K–12 teachers and students, educating the public at large through news articles and multimedia formats, and conducting real, hands-on projects to assist and advise partners — everywhere from local communities to international businesses. Through real-life experiences, cross-cultural immersion, domestic and international internships, and partnerships and mentorship with alumni, Brechka says the business school is “educating students to be human and not just executives,” creating a societal impact that is “perpetual and self-generating. “Companies that establish policies and foster environments that improve not just returns for their shareholders but also the lives of all stakeholders have demonstrated greater financial performance and success over the long term,” Brechka says. “Educating students on societal impacts and demonstrating the benefits of positive societal
FROM THE COUNCIL
impacts prepares business students to become thought leaders and game changers as they depart the university and begin their careers.” The Sigmund Weis School of Business’ Advisory Council meets twice a year, Rousu says, once during Homecoming and again during Break Through, Susquehanna’s alumni networking conference. Gonzalez, who serves on both the accounting and entrepreneurship subcommittees, eschews credit for the business school’s recent successes (enrollment, reaccreditation), but he also sees the value-added quotient the Advisory Council adds to equation. “Its formation has given the administration and faculty a stable of diverse, experienced and engaged business leaders they can draw on to improve an institution we all care deeply for,” he says. Tomarazzo calls the creation of the council a “stroke of genius. “Being able to bring in individuals that have both the Susquehanna student experience and the applicable career experience, we can see where the gaps are,” she says. “All of us recruit and try to hire Susquehanna grads, so we know exactly what we’re looking for and what those skill sets are that we need in our business. It’s a great 360-degree circle.”
I have been a member of the Sigmund Weis School of Business Advisory Council since May 2021, and have found it to be a rewarding experience. In our Council meetings, we are often asked to think about the future: what jobs will exist in 10 years’ time, what skills will be needed by the next generation of workers, what industry trends are emerging? This encourages me to actively keep a pulse on trends in my own field, and then consider how those trends relate to current business students. I find we are a key bridge between the job field and the business school, offering real-time insight into what a current student today would need for a business career tomorrow. And because council members represent a mix of graduation years — ranging from alumni who have graduated just a few years ago to alumni who have graduated more than 40 years ago, we bring different perspectives to each discussion. What I enjoy most of all is getting to weigh in on ideas when they are still nascent, and then seeing those ideas come to fruition. At the beginning of 2022, our Advisory Council was asked to provide ideas for a brand-new mentoring program that the school was looking to start. The Council spent several months offering recommendations — and several of those ideas were implemented when the Sigmund Weis School of Business officially launched the mentoring program in the 2022–23 school year. I’m excited to see where the business school is headed, and I feel fortunate that I — along with my Advisory Council members — get to play a part in shaping the future of it. Cassie Collier ’09 Co-founder & CEO of the custom board game company Bundle Consultant at BSR, a sustainability consulting firm
ALUMNI NEWS OUR BEST AND BRIGHTEST
ALUMNI CONTINUE TO ACHIEVE, LEAD AND SERVE
L TO R: JENNIFER ROJEK ’98 BARTON, FERNANDO RAMIREZ ’82, WILLIAM “BILL” SORDONI ’97
BY LOGAN SWEET ’15 Three distinguished Sigmund Weis School of Business alumni were among the five university alumni recognized as part of the annual awards presented by Susquehanna University’s Alumni Association. The association bestows the honors to members of the alumni community who embody the university’s ideals of achievement, leadership and service. “Our mission is to prepare graduates for lives of achievement, leadership and service. It would be tough to find three individuals who better exemplify these ideals.” ALUMNA RECOGNIZED FOR SERVICE TO SUSQUEHANNA Jennifer Rojek ’98 Barton was awarded the Alumni Association’s Service to Susquehanna award, which recognizes an individual who demonstrates exceptional involvement in the Susquehanna community. Upon graduating, Barton immediately became an active alumna, serving as a longtime member of the university’s alumni board from 1999 to 2012. Her service on the board included a term as president from 2007 to 2009. Barton currently serves as secretary for the university’s Philadelphia Alumni Chapter, a role she’s held since 2012. She often returns to campus as a panelist during Break Through, the university’s annual student-alumni networking conference, and volunteers her time with résumé review, mock interviews, job shadowing and other career preparation services offered by the Career Development Center. Barton is a frequent participant in the university’s Signe S. Gates and Dawn G. Mueller Women’s Leadership Symposium and has hosted several female students
18 | VENTURES 2023–24
during networking treks organized by the Women’s Leadership Initiative. Barton is passionate about engaging with other alumni who work in business and technology and is eager to help expand the visibility of Susquehanna’s programs in those fields. Outside of her time spent volunteering with the university, Barton is an associate director for Ernst & Young. She joined EY in 2022, after having served as vice president of clinical services products at Accolade Inc., a consulting company that specializes in healthcare process improvement, healthcare savings, employee engagement and personalized advocacy. Barton received a degree in business administration with an emphasis in information systems from Susquehanna before going on to earn an MBA from the University of Scranton in 2001. ALUMNUS CELEBRATED FOR ENTREPRENEURISM AND ACTIVISM Fernando Ramirez ’82 was awarded the Alumni Association’s Achievement award, which recognizes an individual whose accomplishments are celebrated widely and regarded as major contributions to their profession or society. Ramirez has an entrepreneurial spirit rooted in a desire to improve life on earth for all. He has founded several consulting firms with focus on energy and water, and wishes to advance the awareness and understanding of sustainability and climate change in the U.S. and abroad. Early in his career, Ramirez held several executive positions
ALUMNI NEWS OUR BEST AND BRIGHTEST
in the energy sector at Azavea, EnerNOC, Phoenix Energy Technologies, Silicon Energy and Energy Concepts. In 2010, Ramirez became vice president of international business development for SCIenergy, Inc., which develops cloud-based energy management solutions for global clients. In his role, Ramirez oversaw the SCIenergy’s international business development and expansion throughout Europe and Asia. Following his time with SCIenergy, Ramirez founded ClearPath Energy International, which continues to provide independent and objective energy consulting and advisory services to end-users and to private sector companies seeking to expand or enter international markets. In 2020, Ramirez joined Netherlands based Hydraloop |as its managing director, leading the company’s North American expansion of innovative decentralized water recycling products. Ramirez founded Bridges 2030 International in 2021. Bridges 2030 is a developing global nonprofit with a mission to support disadvantaged and forcibly displaced citizens. Additionally, Bridges 2030 aims to educate and empower university students — the next generation of changemakers — about global challenges and the ways in which they can make an impact. The organization’s current projects include the support of the crisis in Ukraine and assisting recently relocated Ukrainian citizens in Philadelphia. Ramirez graduated from Susquehanna with a degree in business with a concentration in management. ALUMNUS HONORED FOR SERVICE TO HIS COMMUNITY William “Bill” Sordoni ’97 was awarded the Alumni Association’s Service award, which recognizes an individual who is unwavering in their dedication to making a difference through duration, scope and versatility of their community volunteerism. Much of Sordoni’s community involvement has focused on the economic and business development of Northeastern
Pennsylvania. From 2006 to 2020, he served as board member — including time as chairman — for the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce. He also served on the board of the Greater Scranton Area Chamber of Commerce. From 2012 to 2016, Sordoni served as board member for Penn’s Northeast, a non-profit economic development organization with a goal to attract quality employers to the region. Also in 2012, he joined the board of directors of The Institute for Public Policy & Economic Development, a data analysis, research, and consulting organization that provides customized client solutions and strategies to facilitate decision making and planning that enhances the Wilkes-Barre area’s economy and quality of life. In 2022, Sordoni joined the board of directors of the Commonwealth Foundation, which aims to transform free-market ideas into public policies so all Pennsylvanians can flourish. An avid outdoorsman, Sordoni serves as chairmen of the board of directors for Hunters Sharing the Harvest, a statewide venison donation program that works to distribute nearly two million pounds of wild game to Pennsylvania residents experiencing food insecurity. Sordoni is chair of the board of trustees for the Wyoming Seminary College Preparatory School. He served on Susquehanna University’s Board of Trustees from 2006 to 2015. He served on Geisinger’s board of directors from 2013 to 2022 and was also a member of the board of directors of the United Way of Wyoming Valley from 2005 to 2020. In addition to his community roles, Sordoni is chairman of a fourth-generation family business, Sordoni Construction, having formerly served as its chief executive officer from 2010 to 2023. Sordoni Construction, the largest construction firm in northeast Pennsylvania, provides construction management services for the healthcare, education, corporate and industrial sectors. Sordoni graduated from Susquehanna with a degree in business administration in 1997.
SUSQU.EDU/BUSINESS | 19
FACULT Y SPOTLIGHT IN THE CL ASSROOM
BUILDING THE RANKS The Sigmund Weis School of Business welcomed new faculty in fall 2023. LOC BUI Assistant Professor of Finance Loc Bui earned his doctorate in finance at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is also a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. His research focuses on different aspects of fixed-income securities and is particularly interested in research questions that have regulatory implications or can assist regulatory authorities in policy-making. Before pursuing a career in academia, Bui worked as a senior auditor in the financial services sector at Ernst & Young and as a project controller at GE Grid Solutions. GENE CAUTILLO ’90 Visiting Assistant Professor of Management Gene Cautillo ’90 earned his Doctor of Professional Studies at Pace University with areas of focus in marketing and international business. He also earned a Master of Business Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University with an emphasis in marketing, as well as a Bachelor of Science in marketing and human resources from Susquehanna University. He has taught various marketing and communication classes as an adjunct at different universities, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Areas of research interest include investor and risk behaviors. Prior to joining Susquehanna University, Cautillo had approximately 33 years of experience in the financial services and insurance industries. He has extensive risk mitigation experience in retail brokerage and sales, marketing, human resources, tax, real estate, policy and operations. YINGYING LI Assistant Professor of Marketing Yingying Li earned her doctorate in marketing at Oklahoma State University. Li’s research interests focus on branding issues, including brand attachment, brand alliances, anthropomorphism, consumer experiences and scale development. Her research has appeared in the Journal of Business Research and other peer-reviewed journals. Before joining Susquehanna, she was an assistant professor at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. She teaches core courses in marketing, including Principles of Marketing, Consumer Behavior, and Marketing Strategy. She is a member of the American Marketing Association and the Academy of Marketing Science.
20 | VENTURES 2023–24
SUSQUEHANNA
BUSINESS ADVANTAGE As a Sigmund Weis School of Business student, you’ll gain a robust foundation in business from our AACSB International-accredited school with lessons that encompass a well-rounded liberal arts education and foster transferable skills.
YEAR 2
BLOOMBERG CERTIFICATION — Real-World Credential All business students earn the prestigious Bloomberg certification, and you’ll have that opportunity by the end of your sophomore year. This certification, which involves your ability to dissect real-time data and news to analyze markets, is invaluable for business students and professionals.
INTERNATIONAL INTERNSHIP — Guaranteed Global Experience Our business school guarantees you an international internship. Imagine entering your senior year having interned in London, Singapore, Australia, Spain or elsewhere. It’s an amazing learning opportunity that looks great on your résumé.
POST GRADUATION
YEAR 4
PROFESSIONAL MENTORING — Real-World Insights During your second year, you’ll be paired with industry professionals as mentors — most are proud Susquehanna alumni. This invaluable opportunity allows you to network with and receive guidance from experts who offer unique points of view.
MID-PATH
BOARDROOM-STYLE PRESENTATION — Real-World Business Leaders In your first year, you’ll embark on the Global Business Perspectives course, which includes an immersive experience of conducting extensive market research on a publicly traded company. It culminates in a team presentation to business leaders at an annual showcase. Recent projects have included Netflix, Burberry and Under Armour.
YEAR 3
YEAR 1
You’ll also gain a comprehensive real-world edge for your career search through four years of hands-on experiences, professional training and networking opportunities. Here are key highlights:
CAPSTONE — Career Prep Culmination In your senior year, you’ll engage in a highly collaborative capstone course with small groups meeting to analyze real-world case studies. You’ll work with faculty and give many group presentations. You’ll benefit from frequent visits by alumni who will judge presentations, facilitate mock interviews and share relatable experiences about real-word challenges and opportunities.
CAREER LAUNCH — Real-World Success Nearly all Sigmund Weis School of Business students finish in four years and secure employment within six months of graduation, with many receiving multiple job offers before graduating. Our program equips you with the skills and experiences needed to launch your career successfully.
FACULT Y SPOTLIGHT IN THE CL ASSROOM
TWO EARN UNIVERSITY AWARDS Susquehanna University presented faculty awards for teaching and advising at the university’s 165th commencement. Hualu Zheng, assistant professor of marketing and management, received the Donald D. Housley Teaching Award and Bo Liu, assistant professor of accounting, was named the Lawrence A. Lemons Distinguished Academic Advising Award recipient.
DONALD D. HOUSLEY TEACHING AWARD Since joining the Susquehanna community in fall 2019, Assistant Professor of Marketing Hualu Zheng has actively elevated the quantitative rigor of the marketing degree program and standardized the foundational marketing course across all sections within the business school. In their nominations, students described her as an exceptional professor who cares about the success of everyone, and one who makes time to listen to students’ concerns. Zheng has presented her research in esteemed marketing journals with interests in marketing analytics and marketing and public policy. She earned a doctorate in agricultural and resource economics with a concentration in food marketing from the University of Connecticut.
22 | VENTURES 2023–24
LAWRENCE A. LEMONS DISTINGUISHED ACADEMIC ADVISING AWARD Associate Professor of Accounting Bo Liu joined Susquehanna in 2017, following the completion of his doctorate in accounting from the University of Texas at Dallas. Liu’s advisees describe him as caring, supportive, knowledgeable and a valuable resource for not just course-planning, but also for career advice. He also serves as an informal advisor to many students, as well as the advisor for international students in the business school. Liu’s teaching objective revolves around fostering students’ comprehension and appreciation of accounting as the business world’s language. Categorically, his research delves into the internal audit function, accounting information disclosure and the evaluation of accounting research quality.
ALL SUSQUEHANNA BUSINESS ALUMNI
SAVE THE DATES
LONDON IS CALLING SEPT. 3–7, 2025 Whether you attended the London Program as a student or had always wondered what it was like, you can be part of an alumni experience in London.
MORE DETAILS WILL BE RELEASED IN SPRING 2024. Previous London Program directors planning to attend: Rick Davis, Jerry Habegger, Katarina Keller, Mike Ozlanski, James Pomykalski and Matt Rousu. Subject to change.
Majors: Accounting, Business Data Science, Economics, Entrepreneurship & Corporate Innovation, Finance, International Business, Luxury Brand Marketing & Management, Management, Marketing, Real Estate
+ four complementary minors
BY THE NUMBERS Matthew Rousu, dean of the Sigmund Weis School of Business, gives a glance into the school by the numbers.
150 CREDIT HOURS
most accounting students earn while graduating in 4 years Allowing for accounting majors to sit for the CPA exam without the expense of an extra year of school
24 | VENTURES 2023–24
STUDENTS majoring in business
29
TH
RANKING
of the economics department among liberal arts colleges —St. Louis Fed, September 2023
8 CREDITS
of data analytics coursework completed by all business students
26
19
98%
FULL-TIME FACULTY
Private, undergraduate-only
PLACEMENT RATE
members
1
AACSB SCHOOLS
1
ONLY
MAJORS
624
ONLY
10 +4
OF
Minors: Arts Administration, Professional Sales, Risk Management, Sustainability Management
LUXURY BRAND MARKETING & MANAGEMENT
Business school to provide students a
bachelor’s degree program in the country
100% Business students who graduate
BLOOMBERG CERTIFIED
GUARANTEED INTERNATIONAL INTERNSHIP
100% Business sophomore students assigned
PROFESSIONAL MENTORS
within six months of graduating
25 COUNTRIES where business students have completed internships in recent years
100% Business students work with a
FACULTY MEMBER ADVISOR for all four years
The Sigmund Weis School of Business hosts an annual event exclusively for admitted students who are planning — or strongly considering — to major in business at Susquehanna.
SIGMUND WEIS
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS SATURDAY A DAY FOR ADMITTED STUDENTS
FEB. 24
SATURDAY
An up-close and behind-the-scenes look at the business school includes a tour of campus and our trading room (with live ticker updates), a seat in one of our mock business classes, breakout sessions for each business major, and opportunities for discussions with faculty, students and members from our alumni community. We even have sessions especially for parents/ supporters.
Don’t miss these
2024 EVENTS @SusquehannaSWSB
High school students take over campus while Susquehannans are on Spring Break. They arrive ready to sell, sell, sell — and receive a scholarship to SU! The day-long event includes two rounds of role-play where students sell a specific product to experienced judges, as well as workshops, campus tours and other activities.
MARCH 11 MONDAY
HIGH SCHOOL SALES COMPETITION Top Ten finishers earn cash awards and certificates. Attendees and participants are also eligible to receive an additional $1,000 scholarship on top of all other financial aid if they’re accepted and choose to attend Susquehanna University.
514 University Ave. Selinsgrove, PA 17870-1164 SUSQU.EDU/BUSINESS