Tobin College of Business launches Wirth Center for Professional Development
The Peter J. Tobin College of Business announced on Mar. 16 the launch of the Wirth Center for Professional Development, an initiative aimed at equipping business students with both analytical skills and professional competencies needed by employers. The center is funded by a gift from alumnus Paul Wirth and represents a new step in preparing students for long-term careers.
The creation of the Wirth Center is intended to position Tobin as a leader in producing career-ready graduates. The center will introduce structured milestones, experiential learning opportunities, and individualized coaching to help students develop key skills such as executive presence, communication, adaptability, and professional judgment—qualities that employers value alongside traditional business knowledge.
A central feature of the new center is the Professional Engagement Program (PEP), which will be integrated into every undergraduate business degree. PEP includes workshops, real-world simulations, mentorship programs, and assessment milestones designed to ensure consistent development throughout each student’s academic journey. The program makes professionalism a core expectation for all undergraduates at Tobin.
Alumni involvement will be facilitated through MentorPlace, where graduates offer guidance and insight to current students at important stages in their development. This approach aims to strengthen connections between alumni and students while expanding networking opportunities.
St. John’s University supports initiatives like this through its centers and institutes focused on multicultural, local, and global efforts according to the official website. The university features campuses in Queens and Manhattan as well as international sites in Rome, Paris, and Limerick according to the official website. St. John’s University is affiliated with the Vincentian Community according to the official website and operates as a Catholic institution dedicated to liberal arts education according to the official website. It offers more than 100 undergraduate majors across six schools and colleges according to the official website. Rev. Brian J. Shanley has held the presidency of St. John’s University per the official website.
The launch of the Wirth Center marks what organizers describe as a new chapter for Tobin College of Business: “Through this initiative, Tobin affirms its enduring mission to prepare students not only for their first job, but for a lifetime of purposeful leadership.”
