Experiential Learning

The Board of Visitors Offer Practical Insights for Life Beyond the Classroom

By June 26th 2023

Members of the Board of Visitors on campus during the spring 2023 semester
Members of the Board of Visitors on campus during the spring 2023 semester from left: President Ron Cole, Devone McLeod ’13 (Co-Chair), Anne Linaberger ’84,  Anne Gearan ’85, Evelyn Pendleton ’87, Trish Lawless ’92, Lauren Odrechowski ’10, Eileen Webb ’06, Diane Sutter ’72 (Chair), Assistant Professor Tim Bianco, Stuart Armstrong ’81, Professor Tom Nonnenmacher, Naveed Ismail ’12; missing: Stacy Corbin ’89

When the arrival of the Board of Visitors is announced each spring, many students ask “who are the Board of Visitors?”…but what they are actually thinking is “what does that mean to me?,” “do I have to go?” and most importantly, “can I get extra credit?”  

The real answer to all of these questions is that students who participate in the Board of Visitors day of activities come away with actionable information about how to approach getting the most out of their time at Allegheny, and starting a satisfying career.  They make valuable connections and learn what’s happening in the real world outside the classroom.

Here’s what happens

Each year, members of the 20 member alumni Board arrive in Meadville to engage with students in a variety of activities.  The programming is designed to help students use their college experience to achieve their career goals, and investigate trending topics in employment, economics and work/life balance.  

According to CBE Co-Director and Asst. Professor of Economics, Timothy Bianco, “members of the Board of Visitors serve a three-year term with the possibility of reappointment to two additional terms. The Board of Visitors members were students themselves, and now understand what they wish they knew before starting their careers. “

He continued, “Devone McLeod, the Vice Chair of the Board of Visitors and the upcoming 2023 Executive in Residence, suggested that we consider a new set of topics for the morning symposium for 2023. We tasked the CBE Fellows, the Women in Business and Economics Club, and the Wealth Management Club with choosing original topics, and it was a huge success. Next year, we’ll continue to rely on feedback from students and Board of Visitors members to guide these topics.” 

The day is divided into three main events, each designed to capture opportunities for alumni/student engagement and learning.

Morning, the Symposium

This year’s symposium featured a variety of topics:

  • Determining your Strengths and Utilizing them in the Workplace,
  • Breaking barriers: Navigating the Job Search to find an Inclusive Workspace (chosen by the Women in Business and Economics Club),
  • How to Cope and Be Smart with your First Salary, (chosen by the Wealth Management Club), and
  • Transitioning from College to Career.

Noon, the Networking Lunch

The Board then re-convened in the Tillotson Room in the Tippie Alumni Center for a popular lunch with students that combines good food with good conversation and a “speed networking” session managed by the CBE Fellows.  

Individual Board members are invited to host a table; in turn, they introduce themselves to students and let them know something about their professional lives and their career paths.  After introductions, the students in attendance rotate in small groups around each table, getting the opportunity to practice their elevator speech and make connections with board members.

Afternoon, the Executive Roundtable

Global news and events swirled around the 2022/2023 academic year leading Diane Sutter,  Board of Visitors Chair, and CBE Co-Director, Tim Bianco, to re-imagine the Executive Roundtable as three distinct panel discussions with three specific topics:

  • How have Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Initiatives Affected the Business Landscape?
  • Global Economic Outlook: Soft or Hard Landing?
  • How has Generation Z Changed the Workplace?

At the end of this year’s event, students knew not only who the Board of Visitors are, but how much there is to learn about the real world outside of the classroom.  Our special thanks to the Board of Visitors for participating in this high energy schedule of  events.  

Learn more about the Board of Visitors and who is currently serving on the Board here.

The Board of Visitors annual event is supported by the Earl W. Adams, Jr. Endowment, established by Allegheny College Trustee William H. Brown, Jr., Allegheny Class of 1980, in honor of Professor Earl William Adams, Jr.  –  teacher, mentor and friend.

Executives in Residence Urge Students to Take Advantage of Every Opportunity

By May 25th 2023

Keith and Beth White '83, 2023 Executives in Residence, gather with students after networking lunch
Keith and Beth White ’83, 2023 Executives in Residence, gather with students after the traditional networking lunch

Keith and Elizabeth McCullough White ’83 journeyed to campus to become this year’s Business and Economics Executives in Residence. The 1983 graduates shared with students, faculty and staff on the ups and downs of managing their work/life balance throughout their 40 year marriage all while navigating their professional careers.

The Whites spoke to classes in both the Business and Economics and Biology Departments, met with the CBE Fellows, Wealth Management and Women in Business and Economics Clubs, and presented a Lunchtime Learning Lecture entitled, “Using Our Liberal Arts Experience to Build Successful Executive Careers Together.”

During their presentation, the Whites left students with these suggestions for business and personal success:

  • Take advantage of every opportunity,
  • Push yourself academically,
  • Don’t let your studies get in the way of your education — get involved on campus,
  • Work for a small struggling company because you can learn a lot,
  • Learn something about project management, and
  • Make the best choices for you and your family.

CBE Fellow Andrew Strobel ’24 commented, “The Whites were super interesting, and I really appreciated the opportunity to meet and engage with them over their visit.”  Fellow Rutendo Mavunga ’24 added, “It was lovely to meet Keith and Elizabeth White.”

2023 Executives

Elizabeth (Beth) McCullough White ’83, Ph.D. is a highly experienced and entrepreneurial biopharmaceutical C-level executive with a unique blend of business and scientific experience, and a diverse skill set gained through leadership roles covering corporate strategy and operations, business development, drug development, commercial planning and development, global brand management, communications, program and portfolio management, and intellectual property strategy in start-up to large companies.

Keith R. White ’83 has 30 years of experience in financial services with TD Bank, PNC Bank and Citibank, along with an “informative” five-year detour with a start-up. As an SVP at TD Bank, he leveraged his expertise in combining traditional commercial lending and credit with new age risk management practices in modeling and data governance to deliver on complex and high-profile projects and positions. Keith’s PNC Bank experience was primarily on the credit side of commercial lending with concentrations in Large Corporate, Media and Communications Finance./

The Bruce R. Thompson Center for Business and Economics (CBE) prepares Allegheny College students to succeed in a diverse, global economy. The Executive in Residence program is designed to connect Allegheny students and faculty with prominent business executives who spend several days on the Allegheny campus speaking about their life experiences in business, paths to success and lessons learned

CBE Summer Experiences with Lucia Jueguen ’24

By August 1st 2022

CBE Fellow Lucia Jueguen ’24 at her summer experience at the American University and U.S. Small Business Administration in Washington D.C.
CBE Fellow Lucia Jueguen ’24 at her summer experience at the American University and U.S. Small Business Administration in Washington D.C.

This summer CBE Fellow Lucia Jueguen ’24 is taking a class about International Relations at American University, as well as working at the Small Business Administration in the office of International Trade in Washington D.C.  The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of International Trade’s mission is to enhance the ability of small businesses to compete in the global marketplace.

How is the summer going? We asked Lucia…

How did you find your internship?

Lucia: “I found the internship thanks to the American University’s network in D.C.”

What are you doing during this experience?

Lucia: “At my internship, I am learning all about small businesses in America, international trade, and finance. My duties consist of working with the finance and marketing teams to improve the business owner experience in the international trade area of the SBA. I performed research on international trade finance, gathered reports, collected and analyzed data, and collaborated with other agencies such as the Department of Commerce. I also worked on the creation of a webinar that will be presented in August!”

Would you recommend this internship to other students?

I would highly recommend working at the SBA to everyone as getting experience in a federal agency can be rewarding and can allow you to find a new unexpected career path!

Lucia is an International Studies, Business, and Arabic student with a graduation date of May 2024. She is a CBE Fellow and  serves as the President of the International Club. She participates in the Model UN, and is a Global Citizen Scholar.

Allegheny’s Business major is designed to help students gain a deep knowledge of the managerial and business concepts typically used by the business and non-profit world. The program also focuses on the tools, skills, and competencies needed to solve practical problems faced by organizations. The  business majors from Allegheny will graduate with a strong liberal arts background enabling them to learn how they can use their financial success to serve humanity, make a difference in people’s lives and leave a legacy of success and service. Every business major is expected to engage in a mentored experiential learning project or activity – this may be satisfied by a study abroad program or an internship that exposes the student to cultural, civic engagement and global issues.

Gator Day at Quigley: Professional Experiences with the CBE Fellows

By September 20th 2021

Allegheny College students can participate in a wide variety of summer experiences over the summer months including internships, research, volunteer work and self-designed learning experiences. 

To celebrate Gator Day, the CBE Fellows organized a panel discussion and networking event on Wednesday, September 22, from 11:30 am until 1:00 PM in Henderson Auditorium to share their experiences in the Business and Economics field with ideas about how students can make the most of their summer!

The Bruce R. Thompson Center for Business and Economics (CBE) prepares Allegheny College students to succeed in a diverse, global economy. CBE Fellows are a select group of motivated students that function as a leadership team to support CBE programming and act as student ambassadors. Gator Day is offered every fall semester and features programs and workshops that highlight educational opportunities at Allegheny, that prepare students for life after graduation, and that help to create a greater sense of campus community. Gator Day is set aside as a day with no scheduled classes or extracurricular activities, so that students are free to take advantage of the opportunity to explore what Allegheny has to offer.

CBE Experiences with Megan Dennis ’23

By August 10th 2021

Not all experiences are alike, especially during a global pandemic.  CBE Fellow Megan Dennis found a creative way to make the most of her summer while continuing to broaden her learning experience. Here’s what she had to say:

Megan: Since I did not secure a summer internship due to uncertainty following the pandemic, I embraced a growth-mindset for my summer 2021 activities. Determined to continue my education, I focused on three main areas: language proficiency, knowledge, and travel. This included conversations and practice books in Mandarin Chinese and Korean, visits to New York City’s most famous museums and Colorado’s iconic sites, and a reading list self-curated from the local library. My summer reading list includes: “What Color Is Your Parachute 2020,” “The Defining Decade: Why Your 20s Matter and How to Make the Most of Them Now,” and “The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth.”

For Megan’s full reading list, check out her LinkedIn profile:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/megankdennis/.

Megan is a Junior at Allegheny College from Corry, PA. As a double major in Business and International Relations and a minor in Mandarin, Megan aims to combine cultural understanding with innovative business practices to transform the international market. Specific markets of interest include: music, sports, and the environment. She is currently preparing to study abroad in Asia where she will gain experiences and knowledge to help with the research for her Senior Comp at Allegheny as well as her future career.

CBE Summer Experiences with Maya Ginter-Frankovitch ’22

By July 12th 2021

Maya Ginter-Frankovitch ’22, CBE Fellow and  recipient of the 2021 Outstanding Junior Major Prize in Economics, is an undergraduate intern at PNC supporting the Enterprise Data Lifecycle Management team in Independent Risk Management. We asked:

How did you find your summer internship?

Maya: One of my neighbors actually works at PNC who talked to me about the internship during my Sophomore year. I was too young at the time but applied a year later during my Junior year.

What are your duties?

Maya: I mainly perform administrative tasks for my department. That includes working on Excel files, creating and delivering presentations as well as designing articles and newsletters. These tasks can be quite repetitive and are not as challenging as I was hoping… might be because Allegheny prepared me so well!

The main takeaway from this experience would be the many opportunities to learn and network. I was very unsure about networking as I did not have much practice with it beforehand. However, PNC pushes us (interns) out of our comfort zone while also supporting us in the process. For example, when I found that I am more interested in the BSA/AML LOB within risk, my team encouraged me to network in that department and even made some introductions.

Would you recommend this activity to other students?

Maya: I would recommend this opportunity to other students. While the day-to-day work can seem monotonous, I learned so much about how a big business works as well as getting the chance to further develop some of my soft skills.

Maya is a fourth-year student at Allegheny College with a major in Economics and double minors in Computer Science and Psychology. Currently, she serves as the Founder and President of the Women in Business and Economics club as well as a Center for Business and Economics Fellow. Maya hopes to combine her three academic disciplines by exploring a career in financial crime. 

Allegheny Students Rock the 2021 Econ Games!

By May 11th 2021

Allegheny College joined 18 colleges and universities participating in the 2021 Econ Games on March 12, 2021.  The Econ Games are an experiential learning experience frequently referred to as “an internship in a day” for participating students. This year, the competition was held virtually the first week in March with additional networking and development opportunities throughout February. Assistant Professor of Economics and Faculty Advisor, Dr. Kathryn Bender  led the way recruiting students from all majors to participate in this data analytics and research event designed to help students solve real-world problems.

Dr. Kathryn Bender

Students were challenged by a corporate sponsor to help them solve a business problem. This year’s data collaborator was the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland and the theme was “Public Policy.” The event sponsors included StataCorp, Northern Kentucky University Center for Economic Education, and the University of Kentucky Institute for the Study of Free Enterprise.  At the end of the final day, the students presented their results. Students also heard presentations from industry leaders about how they use economics and data analysis at their firm. The event included opportunities for students to build lasting personal and professional connections with peers and businesses in the region.

Dr. Bender commented, “I think the important lesson from this experience is that students learned what professional economists do in the real world.  They had to not only analyze a complex data set, but they needed to draw conclusions from the data, then link the conclusions to policy implications. This effort required students to draw from all of the classes they have taken while at Allegheny to compete.”

Three Allegheny teams took on the challenge:

Quigleys StataGators Investigators
Sarah Schmidt
George Ackerman
Megan Dennis
Clarissa Miller
Wonjoon Cho		 Morgan Douglas
Kyrie Doniz
Kaleel Van Voorhees		 Adriana Solis
Zachary Ioli
Kevin Lee
Noah Tart
Maya Ginter-Frankovitch

For more information or to express interest in future participation or sponsorship, email Professor Kathryn Bender, faculty advisor, kbender@allegheny.edu.

The Wealth Management Club provides a clear understanding of personalized finance

By April 22nd 2021

Allegheny College Wealth Management ClubDuring the 2020-2021 school year, the Allegheny College Wealth Management Club was focused on gaining new members. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions in place, the club was unable to participate in many events, and instead turned to planning for the 2021-2022 school year. Current President Rachel Tobler ‘21 and Vice President Alex Abadi ‘21 worked on spreading the news about the club, whose purpose is to provide a simple and clearer understanding of personalized finance and the instruments that it uses.

This involves attending CFA Society events, workshops on personal finance, and any other events members want to see involving investment and personal budgeting. At the end of the spring semester, the officers have been working with incoming President Morgan Libell ‘22 and Vice President Kevin Lee ‘23 to further increase membership and restart regular club meetings and events in the fall. Promotional campaigns, expansion of the board, and event planning have been the focus this year to get the Wealth Management Club running and successful in the fall of 2021!

Interested students can contact Morgan Libell or Kevin Lee.

The Bruce R. Thompson Center for Business & Economics attracts Allegheny’s next generation of business innovators and entrepreneurs by providing a host of co-curricular activities that connect with and deepen their classroom experiences. The Wealth Management Club is designed to give students a collaborative environment in which they can openly discuss and learn about topics relating to personal finance. The club will invite guest speakers, use simulations, and perform individual research in order to educate members about personal finance topics and learn how to get a head start on managing their own money.

Allegheny College to Compete in the 2021 Econ Games

By January 19th 2021

Allegheny College to compete in the 2021 Econ GamesAllegheny College will join 22 colleges and universities participating in this year’s Econ Games on March 12, 2021.  The Econ Games are an experiential learning experience frequently referred to as “an internship in a day” for participating students. This year, the competition will be held virtually the first week in March with additional networking and development opportunities throughout February. Assistant Professor of Economics and Faculty Advisor, Dr. Kathryn Bender and the Womxn in Business and Economics Club will lead the way recruiting students from all majors to participate in this data analytics and research event designed to help students solve real-world problems.  

Students are challenged by a corporate sponsor to help them solve a business problem. This year’s data collaborator is the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland and the theme is “Public Policy.” At the end of the final day, students will present their results. Students will also hear presentations from industry leaders about how they use economics and data analysis at their firm. The event will include opportunities for students to build lasting personal and professional connections with peers and businesses in the region. Learn more here

Students who are interested in participating in The Econ Games should fill out the Google Form at https://forms.gle/2htrcRUN9a4Zqb2t8. Dr. Bender will hold a Q&A session on January 27th at 12:30 p.m., eastern standard time.

NOTE: There are no restrictions on who can participate in terms of year or major.

To learn more, follow The Econ Games on your favorite platform: 

Dr. A’s Coffee Break YouTube Video https://youtu.be/qI0pHXuc3CY – is available to give students more insight into The Econ Games.  Spoiler alert: After viewing this video you might experience a strong craving for coffee!

For more information email Professor Kathryn Bender or CBE Fellow Maya Ginter-Frankovitch, President of the Womxn in Business and Economics Club.

The Bruce R. Thompson Center for Business & Economics attracts Allegheny’s next generation of business innovators and entrepreneurs by providing a host of co-curricular activities that connect with and deepen their classroom experiences. 

Congratulations to Jerfenson Cerda Mejia and Sharlyne Cabral!

By May 21st 2020

The 2019 Financial Literacy Challenge winners circle – see more photos of the Challenge here; The next challenge will be held on December 5, 2020

Congratulations to Jerfenson Cerda Mejia and Sharlyne Cabral who placed in the top ten in the 2020 CFA Society of Pittsburgh Financial Plan Competition!  These two first prize winners in this year’s Financial Literacy Competition in December went on to compete with 200 students from colleges and universities throughout Pennsylvania!

The CFA Society of Pittsburgh Collegiate Personal Financial Planning Competition is available to students from Pennsylvania’s academic institutions. Each student enters a financial plan that serves as a road map to help students plan for and achieve their financial goals. Through this program, the CFA Society of Pittsburgh hopes to help students take ownership of their financial future.

Gene Natali, CFA, CEO & Cofounder of Troutwood commented, “This year’s CFASP collegiate financial plan competition was extremely difficult to grade.  This is because ALL of the financial plans submitted were exceptional!  Every student that went through this effort will likely be better off because of it. Congratulations Jerfenson and Sharlyne on a job well done.  Now go do it!”

Jerfenson and Sharlyne were winners in the December 2019 Financial Literacy Challenge.  The Financial Literacy Challenge is a competition in which students develop and present a personal financial budget and investing plan appropriate for life after graduation. The competition is open to all Allegheny students, however participation in the challenge is a mandatory assignment for students taking ECON 010 – Financial Literacy. There are $5,000 in prizes and trophies awarded to student winners. The next competition will be held on December 5, 2020

The Bruce R. Thompson Center for Business & Economics attracts Allegheny’s next generation of business innovators and entrepreneurs by providing a host of co-curricular activities that connect with and deepen their classroom experiences.