Innovision Spring 2021

6 | INNOVISION MAGAZ INE SPRING 2021 | 7 The theme of this edition of Innovision is perseverance. Perseverance is the ability to keep doing something despite facing obstacles, big or small. People who persevere show steadfastness in doing something despite how hard it is or how long it takes to reach that goal. This year, just like many schools across the country, the Kutztown University community has demonstrated perseverance. It was a struggle to learn how to safely be on campus and not put our friends and family in danger, but Kutztown University made the transition of moving back on campus seamless. Kutztown University ensured that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines were followed by maintaining social distancing and required mandatory mask wearing everywhere on campus. This experience was new for all of us. Whether you were starting out the academic year as a freshman or looking forward to graduating in the spring, everyone had to pause and learn how to protect themselves and others. PERSEVERANCE LETTER FROM DR. MARILYNMACKES COB ADVISORY BOARD CHAIR Even as we faced the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 – 21 College of Business Advisory Council targeted three areas for attention to support our students and faculty. Collaboration among industry leaders and KU faculty and administrators resulted in significantly positive outcomes which will impact students now and into the future. Industry Engagement Task Force Sub-teams of this task force worked to accomplish the following: - Development of recommendations based on timely surveys and focus group input. - Creation of Industry Engagement Value Proposition Talking Points that can be used in a wide range of communications for students and faculty. - Development of a Student Club Playbook to accelerate student- driven clubs to achieve success in their planning and activities. - Development of a Top 40 Regional Employer list to focus outreach and connections for a range of College of Business programs. - Planning a Pilot Program for Experiential Learning for the coming year. To achieve these efforts, Chair Harry Ziff from East Penn Manufacturing Co. coordinated the work of fifteen team members comprised of Advisory Council industry leaders, faculty and students. Student Networking Event Task Force On March 16, 2021, we engaged nine business professionals to meet with COB students via Zoom, providing highly valuable and personalized interactions. Eileen Kowalksi of PNC Bank NA chaired this task force and worked collaboratively with the Career Development Center. The topics covered included what employers look for in new hires, how to approach the job search in these challenging times, and strategies for marketing oneself to employers. Corporate Panel for Faculty Development Task Force Led by Dan Fogarty of Berks County Workforce Investment Board, the purpose of this task force is to offer faculty development that brings in corporate professionals to provide applied business perspectives on a variety of topics. This year a virtual panel comprised of human resource professionals and hiring managers from diverse industries discussed the latest developments in recruitment and hiring trends for college students. The event took place on March 10, 2021, and was moderated by council member Connie Faylor of Ben Franklin Technology Partners. Faculty members will be able to use the information from this engaging session to enhance the career advice they offer their student advisees. Looking Ahead The COB Advisory Council is committed to strengthening the learning experience of our students and their transition into the future workforce. We will continue to build on the Advisory Council work already in progress, initiate new efforts that can benefit our students and faculty, and explore collaborations that can benefit our Kutztown University community. MARILYN MACKES, CHAIR JACK GOTTLIEB, VICE CHAIR JOSH ALBRIGHT RUSHI AMIN LORI DONOFRIO-GALLEY CONNIE FAYLOR DANIEL FOGARTY LEE FREEMAN The idea of “normal” had changed and business was no longer business as usual. Learning moved to a remote environment where friends and teachers were no longer in the same room, but rather were distinguished as squares on a computer screen. Adjustments of all shapes and sizes were made by every member of this campus community. It is the Kutztown University students, faculty, and staff who are at the heart of this campus. These individuals have shown that they are strong and determined, exhibiting the same passion and drive that makes this campus as beautiful on the inside, as it is on the outside. Without a doubt, there have been many challenges throughout this year, but despite it all, the Kutztown University community has persevered. LOU FROMM JENITH K. JACOB EILEEN KOWALSKI NIK MARTIN ZACK MOORE PETER RITTENHOUSE ANN WALSH HARRY ZIFF RICHARD ZILMER ADVISORY COUNCIL