Smeal Update: May 7, 2021
Successful conclusion to a challenging year
This weekend’s commencement provides an opportunity to reflect on the recently completed academic year. The last year has been filled with unexpected challenges, and I am in awe of the way each and every one of you has risen to meet those challenges with humor, grace, and an unwavering support for each other and for our students. I am incredibly proud of the entire Smeal community. Thank you for your hard work and your commitment to excellence. We truly are a greater Penn State because of you.
All staff members asked to update their JRW
As detailed in this Penn State News article, staff members are asked to update their JRWs as part of the University’s Compensation Modernization Initiative. To make things simple, recent updates to staff JRWs have been carried over in the online system and can be edited. Also, several JRW sections are now multiple choice to make the process easier for employees and more consistent for the University.
Note that you will not have to repeat the JRW update process as part of this year’s performance management cycle. Please take the time to ensure your position is accurately reflected in your JRW so that it is classified appropriately as part of the Compensation Modernization Initiative.
Staff should submit their JRW to their manager by May 12; managers should review, work with staff to finalize, and submit to HR by May 26. Access the online JRW form through this webpage. If you are unsure how to complete any part of the JRW, review HR’s JRW training or speak with your manager. For general questions on the Compensation Modernization Initiative, email the project team at HRcompinitiative@psu.edu.
Workday is now available in a mobile app
A link to access either the Penn State Workday website or the Workday mobile application can now be conveniently accessed via the Penn State Go App. With the mobile application, employees and managers are now able to leverage the tool to perform some of the most common actions in Workday – such as entering, submitting, and approving time and reviewing pay slips – without being tied down to a laptop or desktop. Find more information in this Penn State News article.
Business consulting impacts Smeal spring 2021 student marshal
Chosen as Smeal’s spring 2021 college marshal, finance major Allie Mollo said her consulting experiences have been the highlight of her Penn State story. Read the story.
Smeal hellos and farewells to share
Hello, again, to Lisa Milne who rejoined Smeal April 3 as associate director of MBA and MOL career services. Lisa most recently worked for the Penn State Alumni Association as assistant director for engagement.
Hello to Kinzi Dorr, who started at Smeal on May 4 as a marketing communications specialist in the Center for Supply Chain Research®️.
Cory Jackson transferred to the Office of Strategic Initiatives in the Social Science Research Institute effective April 12.
Erin Maceno transferred to the Center for Professional Personnel Development in the College of Agricultural Sciences effective April 19.
Smeal in the News
Meloy research paper featured in Phys.org
A research paper co-authored by Meg Meloy, professor of marketing, Calvin E. and Pamala T. Zimmerman Fellow and Marketing Department chair, was the basis of an article about how consumer habits that change during uncertain economic times may not return to their original patterns after the economic conditions stabilize. Read the story.
How faculty and staff can navigate Smeal’s H&I goal
Commitment to an ethical culture is a strategic goal for Smeal, and all employees are expected to support our culture through specific and objectively measurable actions.
Staff will find a unit-wide goal in workday, to ‘Support Smeal’s culture by actively engaging in activities that demonstrate and further develop the College’s commitments to integrity’. Michelle Darnell is sharing this linked powerpoint, which she used to guide this week’s discussion with staff.
Faculty are asked to provide a ‘Narrative Statement on Advocacy of Smeal’s Culture’ through Digital Measures. Research, teaching, or service that impact Smeal’s culture directly or demonstrates our shared commitment to encouraging responsible business activity, should be reported.
Feel free to reach out to Michelle or Tamara Giluk with questions about the goal or how to successfully incorporate it into your performance evaluation materials.
Encourage graduating seniors to fill out exit survey
Faculty and staff who teach or engage with graduating seniors are asked to strongly encourage them to fill out the Smeal Senior Exit Survey. Feel free to share the following link: http://bit.ly/SP2021PostGrad
Ask the Dean open for your questions
Send your questions to AskTheDean@smeal.psu.edu. We’ll do our best to provide answers in a video to be included in an upcoming Smeal Update.
Do you know someone who rocks? Nominate them!
Each month the Smeal Staff Advisory Committee names a You Rock! Award recipient. You can nominate a co-worker for the You Rock! Award online.
The Smeal Community Weekly Poll
This week's survey assesses your entertainment preferences. Click this link to participate. Results will be shared during next week's Smeal Community Zoom.