Patrick Tunno

Since 2016, Patrick has served on the College of Engineering faculty as the inaugural director of global engineering engagement. He has overseen and continues to lead the development and expansion of diverse international initiatives. Under his leadership, the College of Engineering established an award-winning Global Engineering Fellows Program, launched Penn State’s first 3+1+1 program for international students to pursue a one-year master’s degree, and initiated new interdisciplinary faculty-led study abroad programs. In addition, he has helped secure multiple grants, including a 100,000 Strong in the Americas award, supported by the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy in Peru, and CAF-Development Bank.

Tunno started his career in Washington, D.C., as a legislative aide specializing on Foreign Affairs and Senate Judiciary Committee issues for a U.S. senator. From 2008-2014, he served as a Penn State Italian Department faculty member, where he directed multiple summer study abroad programs, taught a variety of Italian language classes, as well as developed and instructed courses focused on Italian for business and study abroad. Tunno’s faculty career includes a stint with Virginia Tech’s honors program, during which he was responsible for the Presidential Global Scholars Program and spent the semester in Switzerland mentoring a cohort of honors students.

He earned a bachelor of science in management and a bachelor of arts in Italian language and literature from Penn State. As part of his undergraduate education, he studied in Milan, Italy, and gained professional experience at Cap Gemini Ernst & Young Italia. At Milan’s SDA Bocconi University, he earned a master of business administration, with a concentration in corporate finance and international strategy. Tunno earned a PhD from Penn State, with research interests in the development of global competencies and the impact of global experiences. He is a regular speaker at conferences and events on these topics.