Back in 2013, Abby Chroman was traveling the world and working with international nonprofits. One day, during her travels, she landed in Portland. “I met someone at PSU who was leading a social entrepreneurship program for the university, which was pretty unusual at the time, and really exciting. After some time, we found a project to do together and we launched a new Social Innovation certificate,” she says.
Today, Abby is the program director for the Business Minors and Social Innovation at The School of Business. Her work includes launching and coordinating initiatives like Map the System and the Social Innovation certificates, and helping students find meaning, purpose, and success with programs. Abby also practices foresight strategy for risk management, and is a workplace mediator.
What makes PSU a perfect place to study?
We will genuinely support you as a nontraditional student, happily process a complicated transcript, and find a path to graduation even if your schedule is extremely limited. PSU really is for everyone.
You just became the director of the Business Minor program. What are your plans for it?
My vision is for students from all majors to use the practical tools from the business minor to land great jobs, and become changemakers and leaders in their field. My plan is to make it easy for anyone at PSU to find, enroll in, and graduate with a business minor.
Many students don’t think that a business minor pairs with their major. What would you like students to know about it?
I always share three top reasons to consider a business minor. 1. The business minor pairs with any major - everyone can benefit from knowing business principles. 2. The business minor can help you get a job, and advance quickly. Most employers look for business knowledge. The minor can help with that. 3. Business minor instructors are industry experts, and are passionate about supporting students. Faculty are invested in their students and helping get them into careers they want.
You head up two certificate programs, why should students consider pairing their degree with a certificate?
Certificates are super efficient, and will help you quickly specialize your degree, or specialize your skill set. They will make you more competitive in the job market, more effective in your current role, or help carve the path for a career change.
What keeps you at PSU?
I work here because of PSU’s Mission to “Let Knowledge Serve.” This value has always been a part of PSU since it opened in 1946 as an extension center for WWII shipyard workers, and this identity is everywhere at PSU. It’s encouraging, hopeful, and inspiring!