Success Story
The Brand Academy hosts inaugural summit to empower student-athletes
UNIVERSITY PARK – The Penn State Brand Academy hosted an educational summit at the start of the fall semester to help student-athletes gain skills and connect with resources to manage and monetize their brand and endorsement opportunities.
The Brand Academy, a collaborative effort between Invent Penn State and Intercollegiate Athletics, empowers student-athletes by supporting their brand-focused ventures and fostering their entrepreneurial interests.
“Each session at the summit focused on topics our student-athletes have consistently expressed interest in, ranging from setting financial goals to understanding legal and licensing matters during their time as student-athletes at Penn State,” said Omar X. Easy, director of The Brand Academy. “We look forward to making this an annual event and continuing to empower our student-athletes with the tools they need to take control of their brand, manage their finances, and achieve success.”
Summit sessions included the following:
- Financial competency with the Sokolov-Miller Financial Center
- Social Media Wellness with LifeBrand
- Brand Building Strategy with DisruptU PSU
- Legal and Licensing with Penn State Office of General Counsel and Strategic Communications
“I think what The Brand Academy is doing for our student-athletes is so beneficial to their development as entrepreneurs and brand builders,” said Stephanie Petulla, director of licensing and visual identity at Penn State. “It was great to connect, answer questions, and offer ideas. We’re excited to continue supporting them throughout their time at Penn State and beyond.”
To learn more and stay up to date, follow The Brand Academy on Instagram and check out The Brand Academy website.
About The Penn State Brand Academy
The Penn State Brand Academy, a joint initiative of Invent Penn State and Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics, empowers student-athletes with the tools, resources and knowledge to elevate their personal brands and leverage their monetary potential through “Name, Image, and Likeness” opportunities. By providing innovative educational programming, exclusive access to successful alums, and direct connections to partnership opportunities, The Brand Academy helps equip student-athletes with the skills they need to thrive both on and off the field. The Brand Academy is funded through the Wally Triplett Brand Academy Endowment.
