access and affordability

Bilge Civi next to poster

Articulation agreements -Bilge Civi at New Kensington

Penn State New Kensington student Bilge Civi presented her research in biobehavioral health at the campus' Undergraduate Research and Creative Exposition on April 10. Civi, who came from Turkey to learn English in the United States at a community college, had planned to stay in the country for only six months. Instead, is pursuing her bachelor's degree at Penn State and hopes to become a university professor someday.

Cassandra Kelly in class

Articulation agreements - Cassandra Kelly at Hazleton

Cassandra Kelly began her academic career Luzerne County Community College before transferring to Penn State Hazleton. The path allowed Kelly to work and save money. The Penn State engineering major plans to stay in the Wilkes-Barre area and hopes to work in an alternative energy area such as wind turbines.

Marcella Moore and Bilge Civi look at survey

Articulation agreements - Marcella Moore and Bilge Civi at New Kensington

Biobehavioral health students Marcella Moore, left, and Bilge Civi prepare a survey as part of their biobehavioral course work to be delivered to University of Pittsburgh Medical Center St. Margarets' New Kensington Family Health Center. Moore and Civi arrived at New Kensington by way of articulation agreements that allowed them to transfer associate degree credits from their respective community colleges and apply them towards a four-year bachelor's degree program at a Penn State Commonwealth Campus.

Moore and Civi reviewing survey

Starting at community college, finishing at Penn State

For community college students interested in earning a four-year bachelor's degree from Penn State, articulation agreements between a number of Pennsylvania community colleges and the University's Commonwealth Campuses provide access to Penn State degrees.
Pathway to Success: Summer Start (PaSSS) pilot program

Summer program for first-year students expands

This summer, selected students at Penn State’s Altoona and York campuses will have the opportunity to get a head start on their first or second years of college by taking summer classes through the Pathway to Success: Summer Start (PaSSS) pilot program. Now in its second year, the program supports students with unmet financial need by providing a scholarship, $400 book stipend, mentoring, social activities and on-campus employment.
taking a break from summer classes

Taking a break from summer classes

Tesi Washington, Brett Kimsel, Brad Ruhl, Gino Sanchez and Brittany Joseph, left to right, spend time studying on the campus lawn at Penn State Schuylkill, taking a break from their summer 2015 PaSSS classes. The group of freshman all formed close friendships as they spent their six weeks going to classes, participating in on and off-campus activities, and working in campus administrative departments.

Selfie at the Schuylkill campus Lion Shrine

Selfie at the Schuylkill campus Lion Shrine

The 2015 Schuylkill PaSSS students pose for a group selfie photo at the campus Nittany Lion Shrine. The students developed close friendships during the six-week session, not only in class, but in student-life activities like a trip to the beach, hiking, Knoebels Amusement Resort, campus scavenger hunts, and just spending time together around campus.