UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State alumni are invited to a special Nittany Networking Reception from 6:30–8:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 3, at Bakersfield Restaurant in downtown Pittsburgh.
The event is hosted in conjunction with The Global Impact Forum (TGIF) 2025, a gathering of professionals and leaders focused on bridging the “readiness gap” — the disconnect between what schools teach and what today’s workforce needs in the age of AI. As automation reshapes every industry, demand for “human skills” such as communication, adaptability, problem-solving and leadership is rising — yet nearly 60% of employers report difficulty finding them.
The networking event, which takes place on the first evening of the forum, gives Penn Staters an opportunity to grow their professional network by connecting with global leaders, conference attendees and other members of the Penn State community.
The event is free, but registration is required. The reception is a collaborative offering of TGIF 2025, the Penn State World Campus, and the Penn State Alumni Association and its Greater Pittsburgh Chapter. Penn State alumni do not need to be TGIF participants to attend.
Penn State World Campus Acting Vice Provost Karen Pollack and other University leaders will join attendees to answer questions and connect with alumni.
The Global Impact Forum 2025 will be held Nov. 3-5 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. Now in its second year, TGIF will bring together prominent leaders in education, industry, government and community to propel economic development, social mobility and innovative solutions with a focus on workforce readiness in the age of AI and automation.
TGIF will present a diverse lineup of engaging workshops and sessions designed to foster learning and networking. Scheduled speakers include Jack Krawczyk, Google’s Gemini product lead; Roberto Clemente Jr., CEO for RCJ Global Impact; Jerome Bettis, former Pittsburgh Steeler and founder of the Bus Stops Here Foundation; Lisa Dughi, CEO for the National Academy Foundation; Patrick Methvin, director of education in Postsecondary Success for the Gates Foundation; and Ryan Newman, managing director at Goldman Sachs.
To learn more, visit the 2025 TGIF registration page.