Student Organizations

About Us/Mission

The mission of the Office of Undergraduate Diversity Enhancement Programs is to assist in the development of a diverse pre-eminent learning community by creating a welcoming climate for all undergraduate students

Our office also assists students with corporate networking and placement activities through a variety of corporate events, leadership meetings, and internships that are heavily sponsored by Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 Companies.

The Office of Undergraduate Diversity Enhancement also sponsors several activities and student organizations such as:

Allies in Business

Allies in Business is an educational and professional group for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) business students and allies. The group aims to create an inclusive and diverse atmosphere in Smeal and to increase awareness of LGBT issues at Smeal and in the business world.

Black Male Leadership Symposium

Black Male Leadership Symposium strives to develop kinship and leadership skills among young, black male students in the college community. The symposium is an outlet for African American students to be able to express themselves and network with the African American faculty and staff on campus. Various topics are addressed at monthly workshops such as the black community, leadership skills, family, and diversity in the workplace.

Multicultural Business Society (MBS)

Through workshops, company presentations, and networking events, MBS attempts to bridge the gap between the notions of diversity within the university and the corporate world. MBS hosts an annual Multicultural Food Festival as one of its key events. This business casual dinner features a variety of ethnic dishes, cultural performances, and a presentation by the corporate sponsor. In addition, MBS hosts a Multicultural Fashion Show in November that showcases business professional and casual fashions, and clothing from various countries. The organization is committed toward extensive interaction between various corporations and its student members.

Multicultural Women's Forum

The forum is a support network for African American, Asian, and Hispanic/Latina female undergraduate students enrolled in Smeal. Academic and personal issues specific to women of color are discussed at monthly workshops with the goal of creating a supportive environment and increasing leadership opportunities for female students of color.

National Association of Black Accountants (NABA)

NABA works actively with business firms, corporations, colleges, and alumni of Penn State in placing minority candidates in positions in various business fields, while also providing technical seminars for those considering careers in accounting, finance, marketing, and management. Each spring, NABA hosts Netiquette, a professional development conference open to all Smeal students. The conference provides information on preparing for the next academic year’s professional development activities and career fairs. Past companies that have attended Netiquette include PNC Bank, Footlocker, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, Alcoa, and Merrill Lynch.

National Hispanic Business Association (NHBA)

The primary mission of NHBA is to aid in the educational and professional development of Hispanic business students. NHBA also provides networking and occupational opportunities within the business community, and provides enriching intellectual and cultural experiences. NHBA seeks to create a strong, independent Latino professional who can represent himself/herself in the corporate world and sustain a voice through which concerns of the Hispanic community can be heard. Recruiting and developing Hispanic professionals remains an essential part of the organization. Professional development opportunities include a student leadership conference and a professional dress workshop.

S.T.A.R.T. Conference

The office sponsors a diversity conference known as the S.T.A.R.T. Conference. The START (Striving Toward Awareness and Respect for Tomorrow) Conference is a one-day conference, organized by Smeal students, held each spring on Penn State’s University Park campus and provides participants with insights into various issues of diversity in the workplace. The conference provides a forum for a diverse multicultural group to share ideas and discuss diversity issues, which in turn opens channels of communication. Guest speakers, open forums, and workshops present the skills necessary to succeed in the workplace and understand the demands of a rapidly changing world. At S.T.A.R.T., corporate representatives have the opportunity to hear the issues and concerns of students and brainstorm with them about ways to enhance their company’s diversity initiatives. Workshops such as “The Importance of Diversity in Organization Management” by Philip Morris and “Generational Differences in the Workplace” by Boeing were highlighted at the 2007 conference.

Women in Business (WIB)

The mission of WIB is to increase the recruitment and retention of women students and faculty at Smeal. WIB also fosters an environment in which Smeal women discuss personal and professional issues pertinent to women in the corporate world. The goals of WIB are to aid in the recruitment of female students at Smeal by increasing awareness opportunities for women; fostering women’s leadership abilities and creating effective student leaders; supporting professional development of members; volunteerism in the community; and creating a network between women in business, corporate executives, and university faculty. Professional development opportunities include a student/faculty luncheon and a professional dress workshop. The WIB welcomes both male and female students of all business majors to join the organization.