Academics

American Marketing Association chapter named International Chapter of the Year

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA) was recently named International Chapter of the Year at the AMA International Collegiate Conference Awards Ceremony, which was held virtually.

PSAMA shared the honor with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, as the top two chapters from among a pool of more than 290 schools. This is the second time in the 49-year history of PSAMA it has received the honor. The first time was in the 2017-18 academic year.

“It almost didn’t feel real! I was so excited and happy when our name was called last at the end of the awards ceremony, but I can’t say I was entirely shocked,” said Jackie Tucker, a senior marketing major who serves as PSAMA president.

“My dedicated executive board had worked so hard all year amidst all the challenges and since we were already currently ranked in the Top 5, I knew we could only go up from there. Our faculty adviser, Dr. Franklin Carter (the William A. Donan Clinical Professor of Marketing), had also given us so much guidance, support and encouragement all year, he believed we could do it and so did I.”

The process for chapters to be considered for such an honor is as intricate as it is demanding. At the beginning of each year, chapters submit a chapter plan and annual report to the AMA for grading. The plan highlights the chapter’s goals and objectives for the year and outlines strategies that will be used to reach those goals. Faculty advisers from across the country read over the reports and judge them on professional development, community and social impact, fundraising, membership, internal and external communications, chapter operations, budget and finances and overall presentation.

In addition to activating consideration for AMA awards, the reports also give chapters a blueprint for supplementing their members’ academic experience.

Tucker said the PSAMA provides its members with tangible marketing experiences that help turn students into business leaders. The chapter’s mission is to provide members with real-world business experience, not just limited to the fundamentals of marketing, but also exploring all professional and rudimentary skills of business.

“We provide our members access to some of the most sought-after networking opportunities, skill-building workshops, lecture series, case competitions, and professional development seminars available to undergraduates,” Tucker said.

“By joining one of PSAMA's five divisions, members gain valuable hands-on experience working with companies who have real-life marketing challenges, whether in the realm of sports, retail, sales, digital marketing and advertising or marketing analytics.”

Last Updated May 4, 2021

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