The Smeal Report showcases the college's faculty, students, and alumni, as well as the dean's vision for the school. Typical features on the Smeal Report include multimedia coverage of events on campus, interviews with members of the Smeal community, discussions with college leaders, and more.
Tara Weiner '76, Managing Partner, Greater Philadelphia Region, Deloitte LLP
For Tara Weiner '76, preparing the next generation of business leaders is a top priority, and the Smeal College of Business provides the venue to make an impact.
As the managing partner of the Greater Philadelphia Region of Deloitte LLP, Weiner keeps a constant lookout for individuals to hire who will build on the firm's long tradition of excellence. As an advocate for diversity within her firm, she actively works to ensure that promising students get the exposure, resources, and opportunities they need to succeed. And as a woman who knows the challenges and rewards of professional advancement, she wants to share her view from the top with others who are just charting their own course. She is also mom to two Smeal students and delights in knowing her sons are getting a great education at a place so rich in tradition.
"There are very few places that offer the energy and excitement of Penn State," Weiner says. "And the Smeal College is where things really come together for me."
By engaging with the college on multiple levels, Weiner touches the lives of students, advances causes that are important to her, and builds her professional and personal network.
As chair of the college's Accounting Advisory Board, Weiner and other executives collaborate with the faculty as they work to maximize the student experience. She played a key volunteer role by facilitating input into the development of BA411, the capstone course that puts accounting majors in front of corporate executives for a taste of real world decision-making processes. She also helped in the creation of the new Masters in Accounting Program that is being rolled out this fall.
"Tara provides great feedback and new ideas through her role as chair of the Accounting Advisory Board," says Paul Fischer, professor of accounting and department chair. "And she does all this for us on top of her many other responsibilities."
Leading the way for young women is a passion for Weiner, and she does not shy away from discussing the complex issues associated with career advancement. She knows women will make the best decisions and choices if they have developed a sense of self awareness and have had access to a dialogue about the issues.
In June, she delivered the keynote address at the Greater Philadelphia Program for Women Leaders sponsored by Penn State Executive Education Program, and last year, Weiner participated in Powerful Women Paving the Way, a celebration of career women organized by the Smeal's Women in Business student group.
By listening carefully to the questions and comments she gets from today's women students, Weiner finds they have a real need for mentors and role models, despite the progress that has been made to remove road blocks to their professional development. She makes a point of raising issues with the purpose of getting the students thinking. For example, asking young women if the people closest to them share their vision for themselves and support their success.
"A lot will be impacted by the person you choose as your partner," Weiner says. "I would never have been able to do what I've done without the support of a wonderful spouse. He's been my biggest cheerleader. It's important to have women in leadership share these perspectives with the next generation."
"As a partner in a major accounting firm, Tara is helping to shape the future here in a very real way," said Dean James B. Thomas. "As a woman who is a partner in a major accounting firm, she brings a unique perspective to our efforts to prepare students for the real world. She is seen a role model, not only by the women students, though they certainly seek out her perspective, but by all in our community who have their professional goals set high."
A strong proponent of the Penn State and Smeal brands, Weiner believes private investment is essential to their ongoing value and strength. As a member of the college's For the Future Campaign Committee, she is taking action to communicate that message.
Two years ago, she and her husband, Ira, established a Trustee Matching Scholarship for the college. The goal of the Trustee Matching Scholarship Program is to match promising students with significant financial need to scholarship funds that will make it possible for them to stay in school. She found that by sharing time and expertise, she gained a better understanding of what the students' needs were and where the philanthropic dollars were going.
"It is important to remember that Penn State is not a completely state-funded school," Weiner says. "Smeal would not have its great building, we would not have scholarship funds available, and we would not be offering so many opportunities here without the contributions individuals make. I believe we could not be more fortunate than to have the leadership that is in place today. It is unbelievable the number of kids educated here and the high quality of the education they receive."
Weiner attributes her involvement with Smeal today to the strong bonds she formed as an undergraduate, with professors like Robert "Bear" Koehler, G. Kenneth Nelson, and G. Edward Phillips, who took the time to make a difference student by student.
"Their mission was to make sure I knew how to think, and I left Penn State with the confidence to be successful," Weiner says. "I left thinking there was nothing I could not do."
Through her involvement with Smeal, Weiner is working to ensure that today's graduates feel the same way.
