Pageant pro pursues Penn State Smeal MBA after professional pivot

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Smeal College of Business One-Year MBA candidate Abby Traxler is, in her own words, “a lifelong Penn Stater.”

Traxler grew up in Lewistown, about 30 minutes away from the University Park campus. Her parents are both Penn State alums and diehard Nittany Lions sports fans.

But Traxler’s story is about more than school pride and family tradition. She also brings to the college a diverse background that includes nearly three years at the Hershey Company, and she was crowned Miss Greater Juniata Valley 2026.

Traxler said she draws on those experiences to enhance her educational path through Smeal’s One-Year MBA program and a fall internship with the Penn State football team.

‘The world’s at my fingertips’

Despite Traxler’s upbringing steeped in blue and white, she chose smaller Lycoming College for her undergraduate studies.

“At 17 years old, when I was making the decision, Penn State seemed so big and daunting,” she said.

At Lycoming, Traxler majored in business administration with a concentration in finance and a minor in entrepreneurship, graduating in 2023 with a 4.0 grade-point average.

Grad school was in her plan all along but Traxler said she felt a pull to first gain some real-life experience. She scored an internship at Hershey during her senior year, and then a full-time job as a customer finance analyst for the company. The role involved partnerships with sales teams across the country, including one that was named Supplier of the Year.

And, maybe most importantly, Traxler gained real-world experience in the finance industry. It also set her up for her next challenge.

“As I've matured and experienced life, I felt ready to tackle Penn State,” she said.

Billboards in her hometown advertised Smeal’s top-ranked One-Year MBA. Traxler’s alumni parents weren’t shy about sharing news and social media updates about it, either, she said.

“A lot of MBA programs are two years,” Traxler said. “I probably could have carved that out, but I thought one year was a great time to come, immerse myself and then get back into working.”

Smeal’s portfolio of one-year master’s programs, including the One-Year MBA program, is designed to accelerate what’s next, no matter where a student is starting from. With a focus on early-career professionals and recent graduates, the programs help students gain momentum quickly and intentionally.

“Whether someone is seeking a competitive edge in the job market, a launchpad for career advancement or a fresh start in a new direction, our programs support all of those goals,” said Admissions Director Joy Mack. “There isn’t just one ‘right’ outcome. Our one-year master’s programs are designed to create opportunities for every kind of ambition.”

Another big draw, said Traxler: The unwavering support of the Penn State alumni network, considered one of the largest and most influential alumni groups in the country.

“You can tell they really want to help us,” Traxler said. “It’s a network that I didn't have access to before, and now it kind of feels like the world's at my fingertips. That was a big factor why I chose Smeal.”

Traxler noted a recent networking event that included Christian Molnar, a Penn State alum and director of team relationships for the Philadelphia Eagles.

“He interned for the football team for four years when he was here,” Traxler said, adding that common bonds like that give students and alumni a connection.

Community and collaboration shine at Smeal

Traxler also found a rich community of collaboration and camaraderie in the staff, instructors and her MBA cohort. The support among women students is especially awesome, Traxler said.

“There are definitely more men in the program than women, but we have our little group, and it's nice to stick together," she added.

The One-Year MBA program is ideal for students looking for a more personal experience, Mack said.

“Our one-year graduate community reflects that same spirit — tight-knit cohorts, small class sizes and a strong sense of community within the larger Penn State network,” Mack said.

Other one-year master’s programs at Smeal include real estate analysis and development, supply chain management, accounting, business analytics and finance.

‘One of the biggest, most impactful things’

Traxler is also prioritizing an opportunity to study abroad in the spring semester as part of the required Global Immersion experience, another unique aspect of Smeal.

“Shadowing businesses in a foreign country will be probably one of the biggest, most impactful things that I'll take out of this program,” Traxler said.

Now that she’s on campus, Traxler said she's interested in potentially taking advantage of another unique opportunity offered by the college. Staying an additional year enables her to further customize her education through the option to “stack” graduate credentials. By waiving overlapping classes, students can build a personalized learning path and earn two graduate degrees in two years.

Promoting financial literacy and prepping for a business career

As a young child, Traxler said, she remembers watching a local pageant every year, one in which her mom competed, and waiting until it was finally her chance to participate.

“I've been doing them since I was about 11, so over half my life at this point, and it's just become a part of me,” Traxler said. “ I can't imagine my life without it.”

Traxler, 25, is currently serving as Miss Greater Juniata Valley 2026. These pageant events give her a chance to promote her platform of financial literacy and helping young people learn how to handle money.

They’ve also helped her prepare for a career field where public speaking and communication are critical skills at every level.

“When it comes to taking videos, my social media presence and job interviews, I feel so comfortable doing things like that,” Traxler said.

That experience shines in the classroom, too.

“Abby’s confidence, communication skills and authenticity stood out from the start, making it easy to picture her not only thriving in our MBA community but also emerging as a leader within it,” Mack said.

Traxler said she helps other students in her cohort who might struggle with presentations or talking in front of an audience or camera.

“I've been kind of the grounding person for my team to boost them up,” Traxler said. “I feel confident in my abilities in helping grow others as public speakers, too.”

‘Taking every opportunity that I can’

Traxler’s work experience continued through her internship with Penn State football’s recruiting department, where she learned about the emerging business of "Name, Image and Likeness," also known as NIL.

“It's really interesting to see that lens,” Traxler said. “I've never had the chance to do this, and so my philosophy in life is, if you don't try, the answer's ‘no.’ Or if you don't ask, the answer's ‘no.’ And so I just take every opportunity that I can while I'm here.”

She credited the Smeal staff as being the key to her success.

“They're always trying to encourage us,” Traxler said. “We’re very supported by the faculty, our advisers, the career team. They work really hard to provide us with awesome opportunities.”

Her advice for others looking to continue their education with a master’s program is simple.

“I would say stay at Penn State, or come to Penn State if you're not here,” Traxler said. “This program has just been awesome.”