Maddie Langlois

Maddie Langlois, our May Student of the Month, chose to pursue marketing at Penn State because it offered the ideal combination of creativity and analytics. Drawn to the field’s versatility, she appreciated that marketing plays a critical role across every industry. Her curiosity about consumer behavior - what influences decisions and how people think - further solidified her interest. For Maddie, marketing is especially exciting because it is constantly evolving and serves as a powerful tool for how brands connect with their audiences.

One of her most impactful academic experiences has been the MKTG 495A PRIME Practicum course with Dr. Jennifer Coupland. Designed to simulate a real-world brand and agency relationship, the course gave Maddie the opportunity to collaborate with industry professionals, analyze data, and develop a comprehensive marketing campaign for a live client. The hands-on nature of the course provided valuable, real-world experience and strengthened her ability to translate research and insight into strategic marketing decisions.

Maddie has been highly engaged across campus, demonstrating both leadership and a strong commitment to the Smeal community. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Psi, a co-ed business fraternity, where she has served as THON Chair and Newly Initiated Brother Educator. Her involvement in THON also includes serving as a Merchandise Captain and THON Store Social Media Coordinator. Within the Marketing Department, Maddie is a Smeal Marketing Ambassador and serves as a Teaching Assistant for both MKTG 301 and MKTG 422. She was also involved in the Penn State American Marketing Association (PSAMA) for two years, where she held the role of Associate Director for the Analytics Division, and currently works as a Research Assistant in the Smeal Behavioral Lab.

Her professional experience includes two summer internships: a Sales and Marketing Internship with Gallagher Insurance in Pittsburgh, and most recently, a CLDP Internship with JPMorgan Chase in Columbus, an experience that led to her full-time offer.

Outside the classroom, Maddie brings energy and enthusiasm to everything she does. She has visited 19 National Parks, with the “Mighty Five” in Utah among her favorites. At home, she enjoys spending time with her two dogs, Sammie and Frankie, and in her free time, she can often be found playing pickleball with friends.

Following graduation, Maddie will move to Columbus, Ohio, to begin her career with JPMorgan Chase as a Chase Leadership Development Program Analyst. She is excited to grow within the company and further develop her professional skills, with long-term aspirations of eventually returning to Pittsburgh and potentially starting her own business.

When asked what advice she would give to new students entering Smeal or the Marketing Department, Maddie emphasized the importance of involvement and connection. She encourages students to take advantage of the many opportunities available, get involved in organizations related to their interests, and pursue leadership roles when possible. She also highlights the value of building relationships with professors, noting that they are not only excellent educators but also an important resource and network for students.

Her nominator, Dr. Sara Dommer shared, “Maddie is a smart, diligent, and enthusiastic leader, but what truly sets her apart is her bubbly personality. She’s always smiling and is such a wonderful representative of our school and our major.”