PASSHE universities combine affordable tuition with hands-on experience to move learners directly into the workforce. The following stories highlight a thriving talent pipeline where students don’t just earn degrees—they launch meaningful careers.

SUCCESS HIGHLIGHTS


Cheyney University students recently took part in PNC's “Bank On Your Future” event, which introduced them to careers in the financial services industry. They learned about different roles at PNC, explored pathways into the industry, and gained insights into the internship program. Representatives shared their career journeys and highlighted various options in banking, finance, operations, and corporate services.

Every year, around 3 million students in the U.S. graduate and enter the workforce. Employers highlight the importance of a strong network and relevant experience for a successful career transition. However, many students struggle to afford these opportunities. Commonwealth University addresses this with its Professional Experience Grants (PEG), which provided 150 students with access to valuable career experiences for the 2024-25 academic year.

East Stroudsburg University and PASSHE teamed up to offer an internship that helps shape future Warriors. Alyssa Foster, a junior computer science major from Brodheadsville, Pa., joined PASSHE’s advanced data analytics team for the fall 2025 semester. She analyzed data on ESU’s first-generation student population to help inform university policies and programs.

When Jessica Cochran arrived at IUP, she couldn’t have predicted the future that awaited her. She chose IUP for its wide range of options, giving her the chance to explore and find her own way. She also wanted to join a college swim team, and the IUP coaching staff invited her to join the roster. What she found upon arriving at IUP in 2016 was a supportive community that helped her shape a career she hadn't even considered before.

KU Advance is the Extended Learning and Workforce Development division of Kutztown University, offering non-credit, career-focused training for learners at all levels. With over 4,000 courses and certificates, it provides programs in AI Academy (covering AI prompting, productivity, and customer service), Leadership and Management, Sales and Negotiation, Customer Service, and Entrepreneurship and Strategy.

Millersville University and the School District of Lancaster have established the Future Educator Pathway to tackle the national teacher shortage and enhance the representation of teachers of color. Coordinated by Dr. Miriam Witmer, the program offers support to Millersville education majors of color through leadership opportunities, professional experiences, a support network, and a faculty mentor during the certification process.

Three PennWest University students demonstrated their financial analysis skills at the CFA Society of Pittsburgh’s Investment Research Challenge on Feb. 17, 2026. Juniors Isaac Bell and Chase Weaver from Edinboro and senior Maddox O’Neill from California delivered a 10-minute analysis of Howmet Aerospace, a publicly traded company based in Pittsburgh.

As Shippensburg University senior Emily Calamia prepares to complete her Bachelor of Science in civil engineering, she is also getting ready to start her career after graduating in May. Calamia has already accepted a position with Woolpert Engineering as a structural designer.

Serenity Williams embodies the importance of affordable higher education, not just as a scholarship recipient at Slippery Rock University but in her work supporting her fellow students on their financial path to pay for college and achieve success.

West Chester University’s Center for STEM Inclusion has received a historic $10.26 million federal GEAR UP grant. This seven-year program will assist 1,833 sixth- and seventh-graders on their college journey, in partnership with Young Men and Women in Charge (YMWIC). The total investment, including a matching $10,273,396 in non-federal funding, amounts to $20,535,375.