The Sheetz Fellows Program gives Penn State Altoona students opportunities to broaden their perspective and gain meaningful real-world experience beyond a traditional collegiate classroom atmosphere. Fellows gain experience that offers a competitive advantage and strengthens their resumes considerably.
The Sheetz Fellows Program was created in 2009 by founding benefactors Steve and Nancy Sheetz, with assistance from former Chancellor and Dean Lori J. Bechtel-Wherry and Professor Donna Bon, and welcomed its first class of inductees in 2012. Steve and Nancy’s vision was to give qualified Penn State Altoona students an unforgettable collegiate experience to enhance their four years on campus and support their interest in becoming leaders who make a difference.
The founding benefactors also aspired to promote the benefits of traveling internationally and demonstrating how exploration can lead to eye-opening understandings of the world at large. Sheetz Fellows find that this program impresses upon them a desire to succeed, to do right by themselves and others, and to retain a growth mindset. This prestigious program has changed the lives of many Penn State Altoona students, encouraging them to be the best version of themselves and to follow their dreams and work toward their goals.
The Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence (SCEE) is home to the Sheetz Fellows Program, Entrepreneurship at Penn State Altoona, and the Altoona LaunchBox supported by the Hite family. The building offers space for classroom lectures, workshops, group activities, and one-on-one meetings with industry experts. Designated work centers give students access to computers, phone and computer chargers, and business resources.
