Jordan Pierce
Jordan Pierce, our October Marketing Student of the Month, was drawn to marketing for its unique blend of strategy, communication, and human connection. “I was drawn to marketing for the aspect of being able to understand and communicate with customers,” Jordan shared. “Relationship building, product positioning, and customer decision-making inspired me to learn more about marketing.”
Jordan enjoys the consumer-facing, fast-paced nature of sales but wanted to complement that interest with a deeper understanding of market research, branding, and communication, skills that help drive results and close meaningful deals.
Within his Penn State Smeal Marketing degree, Jordan has chosen to focus on Business Development and Sales, an emphasis that aligns closely with his passion for creating value through strong customer relationships.
Two of his favorite courses have been MKTG 410 Personal Selling with Professor Jennifer Roth and MKTG 330 Consumer Behavior with Professor Dave Winterich. He shared that both classes feature engaging and rigorous coursework, and the professors create inclusive, collaborative environments where all students can learn and grow together.
Jordan’s career goal is to strengthen relationships between businesses and their clients. “I don’t want to just be an average B2B salesperson,” he said. “I want to create meaningful connections between customers and companies to ensure long-term success for both.”
Jordan is highly involved on campus. He currently serves as Executive Vice President of the Penn State American Marketing Association (PSAMA), helping lead one of the largest and most active student organizations in Smeal. He has also contributed to THON for the past three years, first as a member of the Rules & Regulations Committees and now as part of the Finance Committee.
Dr. Keisha Nichols, PSAMA faculty advisor complimented Jordan and his leadership. “As a partner through PSAMA, I've witnessed Jordan Pierce's impressive evolution as a senior marketing student. Jordan’s focus has been intense and holistic. He has significantly grown his knowledge in both marketing and sales, while relentlessly pursuing the development of leadership and interpersonal skills. Beyond his academic and professional efforts, Jordan stands out for his genuine kindness, reflection, and his focus on emotional intelligence. This combination of diligence and distinguished character makes him a deserving candidate for any recognition, as he truly embodies the spirit and core values of Penn State.”
Jordan’s professional experiences have also been impressive. This past summer, he interned with Eli Lilly & Company as a Cardio Metabolic Health Sales Intern, and the previous summer he worked with The GIANT Company as a Regional Marketing Intern.
Outside of academics and professional pursuits, Jordan enjoys exploring new interests and experiences. A few fun facts about Jordan, is he took his first steps while on a family vacation in Hawaii and, despite being born and raised in Arizona for ten years, has never seen the Grand Canyon. One of his favorite hobbies is cooking and experimenting with new foods.
When asked what advice he would give to new students entering Smeal or the Marketing Department, Jordan said: “Get involved in a student organization early! It’s the best way to meet like-minded individuals and strengthen your professional portfolio. Don’t wait until it’s too late!”