The Penn State Smeal College of Business has recognized Joel Novick, a Smeal MBA Fellow, and Schalyn Sohn, assistant teaching professor and director of the Integrated Master of Accounting Program, as the 2024 RISE Above Award recipients for their dedication to promoting honor and integrity.
The RISE Above Faculty Award was presented to Sohn for her multifaceted efforts to embed integrity into the Smeal community. As an academic leader, advisor, and instructor, Sohn has integrated ethical principles into large enrollment courses and student orientations, enhancing awareness of Smeal’s commitment to integrity. She also leads a student organization that was among the first to achieve Certified Honor and Integrity Advocate status. Her proactive measures and innovative teaching practices serve as a model for fostering academic integrity.
Novick, a member of the MBA Class of 2024, received the RISE Above Graduate Student Award for his leadership in promoting ethics among his peers. He organized informal discussions on business ethics, combining insights from his philosophy background with business practices. His engagement with the Tarriff Center for Business Ethics and Social Responsibility and alumni further advanced Smeal’s goals of cultivating ethical leadership.
These awards highlight Smeal’s dedication to fostering a culture of honor and integrity within its academic and professional community.
—Vilma Shu
