UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Smeal College of Business MBA Fellow Joel Novick and assistant teaching professor and director of the Integrated Master of Accounting Program Schalyn Sohn were recently announced as the 2024 RISE Above Award recipients.
The RISE Above Faculty Award recognizes a Smeal faculty member who has demonstrated a commitment to Smeal’s goals of promoting a culture of honor and integrity by showcasing best practices in the classroom, through service to the college or their profession, or research related to professional or academic integrity.
Sohn's multifaceted approach to promoting integrity within the Smeal community is evident through her diverse roles as an academic program leader, student advisor, student club adviser and instructor of professional and introductory large enrollment courses.
Sohn has significantly contributed to integrating Smeal’s commitment to honor and integrity into various aspects of the academic experience. She actively participates in faculty discussions, guiding her peers on best practices for maintaining academic integrity. Her efforts in student orientations have increased awareness of Smeal’s ethical commitments, ensuring that new students understand the importance of integrity from the outset of their academic journey.
In the classroom, Sohn has taken proactive measures to reduce the likelihood of academic integrity violations. Her innovative approaches and dedication to ethical teaching practices serve as a model for other faculty members. Additionally, Sohn leads a student organization that was among the first to become a Certified Honor and Integrity Advocate, further demonstrating her leadership in this area.
The RISE Above Graduate Student Award recognizes a Smeal graduate student who has helped to advance Smeal’s goals of promoting honor and integrity through their student leadership.
Novick, an MBA Fellow from the Class of 2024, was honored with the Graduate Student RISE Above Award for his initiative in fostering discussions on business ethics within his two-year MBA cohort. Novick’s background in philosophy, particularly virtue ethics, inspired him to integrate his prior learning with business theory and practice.
Recognizing a shared interest in ethical discussions among his peers, Novick organized informal business ethics discussion groups. With support from Michelle Darnell, director of the Tarriff Center for Business Ethics and Social Responsibility, Novick facilitated meetings at a local restaurant, where students engaged in thoughtful discussions that raised awareness about the integration of ethics in business.
In addition, his engagement with the Tarriff Center Advisory Board and other alumni provided valuable insights into the role of ethics and social responsibility in business, further contributing to the center’s mission.
Novick said he hopes that Smeal will continue to explore robust ways to cultivate virtue in the workplace and address ethical challenges more explicitly in its course content.
“Both Sohn and Novick have demonstrated exceptional dedication to Smeal’s commitment that honor and integrity are cornerstones of success. Their efforts inspire others to strengthen our community,” said Darnell.