SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, Pa. — Penn State Schuylkill recently sponsored the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce’s first Business Executive Forum of 2026 on March 18, marking the 10th year the campus has hosted the event and brought together more than 100 business and community leaders, along with local and state legislators and several University leaders, for a discussion on leadership and the future of work.
The event featured keynote speaker Fotis Sotiropoulos, executive vice president and provost at Penn State, who offered a high-level perspective on leadership in today’s evolving business and economic landscape. Designed for business executives, organizational leaders and community stakeholders, the forum provided an opportunity for meaningful dialogue and collaboration in a setting that encouraged thoughtful discussion and connection.
The program began with a welcome from Bob Carl, president of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce and president of the Penn State Schuylkill Advisory Board.
“We were proud to partner with Penn State Schuylkill to host our Business Executive Forum, bringing together leaders from across business, nonprofit, government, and higher education,” Carl said. “Our conversation with Dr. Fotis Sotiropoulos highlighted the importance of leadership, collaboration and the role our local campus plays in driving economic growth, workforce development, and innovation, including emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. Our shared commitment to the campus’s future is critical to the continued growth and success of Schuylkill County.”
Cory Scherer, interim chancellor at Penn State Schuylkill, followed, thanking organizers and attendees for their efforts in making the event possible.
“This event reflects the strength of our partnerships and the shared commitment to supporting student success and regional growth,” Scherer said. “Opportunities like this bring together leaders who are invested in shaping the future of our community.”
Larry D. Terry II, vice president for outreach at Penn State, then introduced Sotiropoulos. The forum featured a conversation between Carl and Sotiropoulos that explored economic impact, community engagement, change management, workforce development, and the influence of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.
During the discussion, Carl asked Sotiropoulos about his vision for Penn State Schuylkill and the campus’s future. Sotiropoulos emphasized the campus’s strong connection to the region and its role in expanding access to education.
“This is a campus with deep roots in Schuylkill County, and that history matters,” he said. “When I think about the next five years, my vision is grounded in student success and the student experience, as well as continuing to support the growth and success of this community and region.”
He added that collaboration with local leaders will be essential moving forward.
“We will continue to work alongside business and community leaders, alumni and elected officials to strengthen workforce pipelines, fuel entrepreneurship and drive innovation,” Sotiropoulos said. “Together, we can ensure this campus — and this community — continue to thrive.”
Sotiropoulos also addressed the impact of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, on Pennsylvania’s business landscape. He encouraged organizations to take a thoughtful, people-centered approach.
“AI is already transforming how work gets done across every industry,” he said. “The opportunity lies not only in adopting new tools but in preparing people to use them thoughtfully, ethically and responsibly.”
Sotiropoulos noted that Penn State is embedding artificial intelligence (AI) across its academic programs to prepare students for the future workforce.
“Our graduates will be ready to engage with AI confidently, apply human judgment and solve complex problems,” he said. “They will bring digital fluency and the ability to translate emerging technologies into real-world impact.”
Jonathan Kukta, chief director of strategy, planning and engagement for finance and business and the Commonwealth Campuses, emphasized the importance of hosting events like the Business Executive Forum in strengthening connections between the University and the broader community while supporting student success and regional growth.
“Events like this highlight the power of strong partnerships between Penn State Schuylkill, our local business community, and our local and state legislators,” he said. “We are grateful for the ongoing support our community provides to the campus through initiatives like the Co-Op Program, LionLaunch, and the Center for Education, Business & Arts (CEBA) on Main Street in Shenandoah. By coming together, we create meaningful opportunities to align workforce needs, support economic development, and ensure our students and communities are positioned for long-term success.”