Sheetz Fellows develop personal and professional skills through servant leadership, mentorship, and real-world events and experiences. Students build their professional competitive advantage through opportunities to network with and learn from industry experts and entrepreneurs in diverse fields and industries.
Giving back is a core value of the Sheetz Fellows Program. Sheetz Fellows are passionate about servant leadership and in making a direct impact on local and global communities through a “pay-it-forward” mindset. Commitment to service empowers, uplifts, and unlocks the potential of each student.
Sheetz Fellows participate in servant leadership opportunities that best reflect their knowledge, interests, skills, and abilities. Each Fellow must meet a minimum requirement of 80 hours of servant leadership to successfully complete the program.
Having direct connections to experienced professionals allows students to expand their network and learn from accomplished leaders within diverse fields. Students are encouraged to meet with local industry experts who are active in fields and industries that mirror their interests. Students can register for a 20-minute one-on-one session with an industry leader to gain perspective on career paths, insight on leadership styles, and techniques for success and innovation.
To effectively utilize their time, students will review their ideas, opinions, and strategies with Sheetz Fellows faculty members prior to meeting with their designated experts. A student may schedule appointments with as many EIRs as they desire. However, a student must register in advance for each appointment.
Experts visit campus each month during the academic year to meet with students. Sheetz Fellows participate in at least seven expert-in-residence meetings throughout their time in the program.
The Sheetz Fellows Mentor Program was created to support students’ professional growth and ongoing development.
Each Sheetz Fellow completes an interest survey during their third year. The survey is designed to help inform which mentor the student will be partnered with during their fourth year. Mentor assignments are based on compatibility and the mentor’s ability to provide the most benefit to the student.
Mentors provide one-on-one support to students, encouraging the development of leadership qualities such as persistence, focus, and ethics. Regularly-scheduled meetings provide an opportunity for students and mentors to discuss resumes and cover letters, the interview process, and other subjects related to success within the workforce.
Mentors also provide real-world applications and industry insight into the concepts taught in the classroom. They can take students to meetings, networking events, and business tours. Students receive exposure to alternate perspectives and are supplied an open forum to discuss aspirations, ideas, and concerns with their mentors.
Each academic year, the Sheetz Fellows third year class attends an impactful conference alongside students from other universities to learn from industry experts, attend workshops, and tour regional businesses. Travel expenses are covered in full—one of many perks of the program.
In past years, students have attended conferences in Chicago, Tampa, and Kansas City.
Conferences are a fantastic opportunity for students to gain successful innovation and leadership skills. Students also develop strong relationships with fellow college students and business professors throughout their time on this trip.
Each semester, Sheetz Fellows are granted the opportunity to tour local businesses and learn from experts in their fields. Unique behind-the-scenes experiences allow students to understand daily operations of companies while meeting the professionals who perform the work. Tour locations are focused throughout the Blair County area, and sometimes reach as far as Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C.
Real-World Projects
During the 2023-2024 academic year, Sheetz Fellows collaborated on projects benefitting Penn State Altoona students, alumni, and the local community, including: