About NLCG

NLCG is an experiential learning program offered by Penn State’s Smeal College of Business. Housed within the Department of Management & Organization, NLCG has three components.

NLCG Consulting Services

A student-managed, faculty-supported consulting firm where NLCG members earn academic credit and work with clients on real-world business problems.

NLCG Student Organization

A limited membership Penn State student organization focused on preparing students for consulting related careers through mentorship, networking, case competitions, etc.

Penn State Consulting Organization

Training and activities organized by NLCG members that are open to all University Park students interested in consulting as a potential career path.

Our Story

The Nittany Lion Consulting Group was created in 2020 following the merger of three project-based consulting organizations on the Penn State campus: Nittany Consulting Group, Management 496, and Students Consulting for Nonprofit Organizations.

By taking the best parts of each organization and uniting students with common interests, we at NLCG are excited to start this new journey which we believe will yield remarkable results for our students, engage more stakeholders – like faculty, alumni and recruiters – and contribute to making Penn State one of the top schools for consulting-related education in the Mid-Atlantic.

Join us as we reshape consulting at Penn State.

2011

SCNO

The Penn State chapter of Students Consulting for Nonprofit Organizations was founded by  ten students passionate about giving back to the local community. The organization saw resounding success  and became well respected, partnering  with clients driven to make a positive change in the communities they served. 

2012

MGMT 496

MGMT 496 was founded after a push from  students to gain exposure to practical research while tackling real-world business  issues.  MGMT 496 would go on to have a highly successful consulting service tackling problems with Fortune 500 companies and local organizations.

2013

NCG

Nittany Consulting Group  was founded by  two  Smeal  students  who had a passion  for both case competitions  and consulting.   As NCG grew, their members began to see notable success in both client engagements and case competitions. Further, they established an outreach program called CTP, which would serve to expose the Penn State community to the basics of consulting.

2019

Smeal Consulting Initiative

The Smeal Consulting Initiative began as faculty and students partnered to identify  how Penn State could heighten  its  collective consulting experience. The  team recommended a merger of all three project-based organizations  into a single, more powerful  entity called the Nittany Lion Consulting Group.

2020

NLCG

The Nittany Lion Consulting Group piloted in the Fall semester with 55 members.  

Client Engagements

Client Engagements allow students to challenge themselves as they seek to deliver inventive solutions to their client’s pressing issues.

Unique Opportunities

NLCG members have the exclusive opportunity to work with clients solving a vast array of prevalent business issues.

Excellence

We strive for excellence in everything we do and hold ourselves to this standard both individually and
collectively.

Integrity

We value honesty and trustworthiness and adhere to the highest standards of ethical and socially responsible behavior in all aspects of our work.

Results

We are results oriented and seek to have a positive impact on our clients and our world in ways that are economically, socially, and environmentally responsible.

Passion

We are fiercely passionate in all endeavors and seek out challenges that require us to grow and better ourselves as professionals and as people.

Belonging

We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive culture and aspire to be a community where each person is fully embraced and empowered to achieve their full potential.

Our values in practice

Learn how clients can see our values in action.

Weekly Class

NLCG members attend a weekly class where they work on engagements and receive lessons taught by nationally recognized faculty alongside industry professionals.

Case Competitions

Case Competitions are events where student teams are given a business scenario and are tasked with ideating a comprehensive solution within a specific timeframe. NLCG members have represented Penn State both on a domestic and international scale.

Meet the talented students who lead our organization.

Katie Cocco

President

Haskel Canagarajah

VP Consulting Services

Olivia Cordano

VP Finance and Administration

Cameron Vinson

VP Learning and Development

Michelle Liang

VP Organizational Engagement

Eric Burns

VP Outreach & Corporate Relations

Emily Gernert

VP PSCO

The organization’s Faculty Advisor coordinates with University staff and ensures continuity of operations from year-to-year.

David Lenze

Assistant Teaching Professor
NLCG Faculty Advisor

Our directors lead the four key business units for our consulting operations.

Kayla Ellison

Director, Non-Profit Division

Sydney Asencio

Director, Penn State Division

Ryan Willson

Director, Commercial Division

Geno Keohane

Director, Research Division