By Brianna Wallen
News Editor
As students gather in the Case Study Classroom in the School of Business every Monday and Wednesday, they may be unaware that PEP Talks has welcomed new leadership this semester.
After former director of PEP Talks, Mark Zampino, retired last semester; he passed the torch to Patty Conte, the School of Business internship coordinator.
“He has very big shoes to fill,” Conte said. “He did a fantastic job with this program.”
Now four weeks into the program, Conte said the transition has been smooth.
She notes that even after his retirement, Zampino’s preparation and planning helped set up a strong lineup of PEP Talks for the semester.
“Mark did a great job setting up the fall, so that was really helpful, and I was really happy for that,” Conte said.
Through this role, Conte has found new ways to connect with students and support their professional growth while collaborating with guest speakers.
For Conte, this experience has been both rewarding and enjoyable.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” Conte said. “I enjoyed meeting the speakers and interacting with the students.”
Even with the excitement of a new position, Conte acknowledged that the transition has had its challenges.
Conte said one of the biggest hurdles has been making sure everyone receives all the information they need.
“The communication is probably the most challenging part of it,” Conte said. “It’s a lot of details that go into it.”
Conte’s role consists of regular communication with students, staff and outside guests.
“Making sure that students know what’s happening during the week,” Conte said.
Conte said whether it is giving professors attendance so that students can receive extra credit, marketing PEP Talks to students or reaching out to potential guests, clear communication plays a big part in keeping the program running effectively.
Despite the behind-the-scenes responsibilities, Conte said her focus always returns to the students and what they take away from the experience.
“I just want them to learn and gain confidence,” Conte said. “It honestly motivates me.”
The program is designed to give students learning experiences that go beyond the classroom and textbooks.
Guided by the motto “Where Anyone Can Learn Something from Someone Else,” the program invites business professionals, including leaders, owners, consultants and experts, to share insights on how the business world operates.
These sessions highlight real-world topics such as current and emerging trends, along with themes like career preparation and professional development.
Additionally, PEP Talks are also broken into three part series.
This allows students to gain deeper insight on specific topics throughout the week.
As PEP Talks enter their sixth semester, Conte encourages all students, regardless of their major, to attend and soak up valuable information.
Conte said beyond helping students build professional skills, she hopes the that through attending these sessions students will receive a spark of curiosity and motivation when they walk out the room.
“I hope that they are inspired to take on a different field, perhaps learn more about a new field of business, or be inspired to start a business,” Conte said.
With a strong background in student mentorship and career development, Conte steps into the role, eager to build on Zampino’s legacy and continue helping students strengthen their professional skills, confidence and career readiness.
The PEP Talk series is offered on Mondays and Wednesdays every week of the semester from 1- 2 p.m. in the Case Study Classroom in the School of Business.
