Academics

Penn State Smeal to celebrate 20th S.T.A.R.T. Conference

March 28 event to discuss business initiatives in diversity and inclusion; open to all students, faculty and staff

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State President Eric J. Barron will join business leaders from a variety of companies, as well as students, staff, faculty and administration from the Penn State Smeal College of Business on March 28 to discuss business initiatives in diversity as the college celebrates the 20th annual S.T.A.R.T. Conference.

The conference, organized by Smeal students and supported by Smeal’s Office of Diversity Enhancement Programs, kicks off at 8:30 a.m. at the Nittany Lion Inn on Penn State’s University Park campus. The event is free and open to all Penn State students, staff and faculty. Attendees should pre-register online.

S.T.A.R.T. (Striving Toward Awareness & Respect for Tomorrow) is a professional development conference designed to increase awareness in corporate settings. It includes networking opportunities and workshops on a variety of topics, including:

  • Unconscious bias
  • Gender equity
  • Cultural fit
  • Embracing generational diversity
  • Communication in recruiting

Barron will deliver the morning keynote address at 9:45 a.m. Anika Applewhite, director, people and organization for the Ice Cream Business Unit at Mars Wrigley Confectionery, U.S., will deliver the closing remarks at 12:30 p.m.

“We are honored that President Barron will be joining us to help celebrate the 20th anniversary of the conference,” said Jamie Campbell, assistant dean of diversity enhancement at Smeal. “Smeal continues to promote diversity with the support of Dean Whiteman, and Dr. Barron has been supportive, too, launching a number of diversity initiatives across Penn State.”

More information and a list of sponsors can be found online.

Last Updated March 21, 2019

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