Smeal Minority-Owned Business Network

The mission of the Smeal Minority-Owned Business Network is to promote underrepresented and underserved Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) owned businesses to the Smeal and Penn State alumni networks and Penn State Supplier Diversity for participation in the university’s procurement program.

Mission

Karla Trotman

To promote underrepresented and underserved Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) owned businesses to the Smeal and Penn State alumni networks and Penn State Supplier Diversity for participation in the university’s procurement program. 

This initiative supports the college's strategic priority of promoting a culture at Smeal that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes diversity. Learn more about Smeal's Diversity Enhancement Programs. 

Purpose

Smeal alumni whose businesses are classified as Black-American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian-Pacific American, or Asian-Indian American may enter their information to be submitted to the database. Once the entry is approved, it will be viewable to the public. 

All Smeal alumni are encouraged to visit the Network Database to search and learn more about the services these minority-owned businesses provide. Any contact information that is listed should be used for the sole purpose of making an inquiry about that person's business; using contact information for any other reason is prohibited.

View the Network Database

Add a New Minority-Owned Business

Important Information for Business Owners

Troy Cromwell

Please note that entering business information in the Smeal Minority-Owned Business Network does not officially verify a business as an approved supplier for Penn State University. 

All businesses providing goods and services to the University must be registered in the Penn State Supplier Portal prior to receiving any purchase orders and subsequent payments. Information and instructions on how to become a Penn State supplier can be found at https://purchasing.psu.edu/become-supplier.  

All purchases with vendors external to Penn State and utilizing University funding must comply with University Procurement policies and guidelines: BS 07 (Authority and Procurement); BS09 (Initiating Purchases from Vendors Outside the University); and University Payment Decision Matrix.