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PENN STATE SMEAL MBA: BY THE NUMBERS

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MILITARY GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS

SMEAL MBA VETERANS FELLOWSHIP

100% Tuition & $7500 Annual Stipend

MERIT-SCHOLARSHIPS

$10,000 to $25,000

AUTOMATIC IN-STATE TUITION

Available to All Veterans

APPLICATION FEE WAIVER

$65

POST 9/11 G.I. BILL

YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM

GMAT/GRE EXAM WAIVER

For Qualified Veterans

MESSAGE FROM ADMISSIONS

Penn State has a long history of supporting our military and veterans, both on the field through research, and during transition through our numerous highly ranked academic programs. The Smeal MBA program is an integral part of this proud tradition. Each year, veterans and active duty members of our military, join the small, tightly-knit cohort at Smeal to bring their leadership, experience, and determination to the classroom. And each year, our graduates move on to outstanding careers in multiple industries, across the United States. I encourage you to read the stories of our veteran graduates and reach out to me directly so I can connect you. Thank you for your service, and I hope to hear from you soon.
MICHAEL WALDHIER
Managing Director

TOP RECRUITING COMPANIES

CLICK & MEET OUR MILITARY ALUMNI

Many military veterans have accelerated their transitions by attending the Penn State University Smeal MBA program. Click their photos to learn more about why they decided to pursue an MBA, how they chose Smeal, and what they’re doing now!

BRAD K. GRANTZ
Associate - JP Morgan Chase & Co.

Why did you pursue an MBA after the military?

“I recognized that the military had provided me with a tremendous amount of leadership and problem solving skills, as well as helped me learn how to operate in stressful situations. However, I had some knowledge gaps, most notably in the areas of data science, statistics, finance, and accounting, and if I ever wanted to lead teams, initiatives, or organizations in the civilian world, I knew I needed to build on these areas. The MBA allowed me to bring the skills I had from the Army and apply them in the classroom, while simultaneously working on my areas of weakness in a safe environment.”

Why did you choose the Penn State MBA specifically?

“I wanted an MBA experience, not just an MBA degree. I had zero interest in sharing a degree with hundreds of people who I barely knew, so I knew I wanted a small, tight knit, and carefully selected class. As someone who is married, it was very important to find a program that fostered a strong sense of community and family. After talking with current students and alumni and hearing all of their stories about weddings, holidays, tailgates, trips, reunions, etc. that they continue to attend regularly with their former classmates, I knew that this program and this community was going to provide my family and I with something truly special.”

MBA Grad Year: 2019

Military Service: U.S. Army

Undergraduate University: University of Washington

brad-grantz

BRAD K. GRANTZ

Associate - JP Morgan Chase & Co.

DIANNE M. DEL ROSSO
Vice President, Chief Customer Success Officer, IBM Watson IoT (Brigadier General, 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command) - IBM (U.S. Army Reserve)

Why did you pursue an MBA after the military?

“I wanted to make the transition to corporate America after serving on Active Duty in the Army for nearly 12 years, and had a broad set of interests in eBusiness, Finance, Marketing and Communications. After Smeal, I was hired into IBM as a part of the IBM Marketing Leader Development Program. Smeal prepared me well for expectations and contributions to my business unit on day one and beyond. Though I was pulled back onto Active Duty and sent to Iraq within four months of starting at IBM, the education complimented my military leadership style in my position while deployed as the Brigade S2/S3 of a logistics unit for one year. Shortly after returning to IBM, I was promoted to Manager and two years later to Director with increasing responsibility, expectations, outcomes and with bigger global teams focused on our IBM infrastructure software. Ultimately, I moved into the world of M&A at IBM, leading two pivotal acquisitions and integrating them into IBM while growing and hitting revenue and signings objectives.”

Why did you choose the Penn State MBA specifically?

“Few programs allowed me to pursue all my interests at once, and I wanted a program that had a track record of helping veterans transition to the corporate world. I felt that Smeal would help me to refine and improve upon the skills I learned in the military: perseverance, clear communications, passion and curiosity, and sheer hustle. Four and a half years after my promotion to Director, I was promoted to VP and I am confident my MBA from Smeal taught me the fundamentals of business and built my business acumen. I learned how to ask more insightful questions, expand my sphere of influence and to inspire virtual global teams to achieve results.”

MBA Grad Year: 2003

Military Service: U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserve

Undergraduate University: University of Washington

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DIANNE M. DEL ROSSO

Vice President, Chief Customer Success Officer, IBM Watson IoT (Brigadier General, 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command) - IBM (U.S. Army Reserve)

DANIEL FARFAN
Vice President - Citibank

Why did you pursue an MBA after the military?

“The transition from military to private sector is tough.  Communities are very supportive, however, it’s difficult to translate your skills into a similar level of responsibility in the private sector.  You are almost starting all over.  Getting an MBA helps that transition in many ways.  First, it helps with ‘civilianizing’ yourself.  It provides perspective and helps with adjusting your expectations.  Second, it delivers extensive knowledge on all the different aspects of running a civilian company.  This knowledge will complement both your experience in leading military units and the formal military education you received, forging you into a unique asset and substantially well-rounded leader. If you consider yourself dangerous after serving in the Armed Forces during a time of war, just wait until you graduate from Smeal.  And third, it will teach you to communicate with the senior civilian managerial ranks.  As you go through the process of civilianizing yourself, you will be underwhelmed with the limited understanding of the level of responsibility and capability that you gained as a Military officer.  The MBA program will not only help you communicate your capability to senior managers but will also, help you understand key leadership differences between the private sector and the military, expediting your career growth.”

Why did you choose the Penn State MBA specifically?'

“The sense of community and family were definitely factors.  But other things that I also considered were:  1. A small class size that would provide richer access to professors and allow me to build stronger ties with my peers.  2. A big sport atmosphere.  I just wanted to be able to go to a local pub after class and have a beer with Olympic Medalists and future NFL players.   3. Fit.  Of course, I wanted an environment that challenged me, but I also wanted a place that is more aligned with my core values and principles.  Attending a Big 10 school with great esprit de corps, away from – what can be – an effete big-city atmosphere, and surrounded by kinder spirits in my love for American values simply resonated more than the alternative.”

MBA Grad Year: 2017

Military Service: U.S. Marine Corps

Undergraduate University: Strayer University

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DANIEL FARFAN

Vice President - Citibank

BOBBY ETTORRE
President of Smeal Military & Veteran Association - Penn State University

Why did you pursue an MBA after the military?

“I commissioned straight from undergrad into the Army; deciding to leave the service after seven years was a difficult decision. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do or what civilian life would be like. To help me prepare for a career in the private sector and develop the skill set I would need to succeed, I decided I had to pursue an MBA.”

Why did you choose the Penn State MBA specifically?

“Penn State was where I did undergrad and one of the things that impressed me most about this university was the community among the student population. That sense of community, the We Are culture, provided me with a stable support network and really helped me make a smooth transition from the service.”

MBA Grad Year: 2020

Military Service: U.S. Army

Undergraduate University: Pennsylvania State University

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BOBBY ETTORRE

President of Smeal Military & Veteran Association - Penn State University

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