Penn State’s Commonwealth Campuses and the state’s community colleges have announced a new collaboration aimed at expanding educational opportunities in Pennsylvania and removing barriers to degree completion among college students. The collaboration builds upon long-standing relationships between the campuses and the community colleges and a shared commitment to access and affordability in higher education.
At an event held on Oct. 31, leaders from the Student Philanthropy Network announced that the class of 2024 has voted to create the University Park Undergraduate Association Basic Needs Endowment as their class gift. The fund will provide sustained support for students facing hardships in pursuit of their degree.
Mark Gruskin, finance and accounting professor at Penn State Lehigh Valley, was devoted to Penn State and donated millions to the University during his lifetime.
The University Staff Advisory Council (USAC) began its new term for the 2023-24 year on Aug. 1, with new leadership, committee chairs and 12 new members joining the slate of existing council members.
A series of seed grants from the Office of the Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses has provided Penn State campus leaders with the support to implement transformative initiatives and best practices that have been successful at other University campuses.
Roger Brindley, vice provost for Penn State Global; Andrea Dowhower interim vice president for Student Affairs; and Renata Engel, vice provost for online education, share resources available for individuals who have been impacted by the earthquake in Syria and Turkey, as well as ways to help with the rescue and recovery.
The evening was set to focus on entrepreneurship and the future of education — but Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi’s energy and charisma definitely doubled as the takeaway from the Penn State Lehigh Valley LaunchBox Ladies Ambassador Circle event on Nov. 16. It was the second time the new president visited the Lehigh Valley campus but the first opportunity most in the audience had to hear her speak.
A new look and feel will greet visitors to Penn State’s Commonwealth Campus websites beginning June 21. The refreshed websites, which apply to each of the University’s Commonwealth Campuses, are the result of in-depth research on user needs and best practices, resulting in modern, mobile-friendly and engaging sites that highlight the power of Penn State’s campus communities.
Because of state support, Penn State’s in-state tuition savings impact 45,000 students annually, making higher education possible for many Pennsylvanians. “In-state tuition is helping so many families all across Pennsylvania,” said Penn State Lehigh Valley student Kriday Sharma, a business major from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
