Local legislators, university officials, business leaders, and students gathered at the John E. Morgan Auditorium on Monday morning for a public roundtable discussion at Penn State Schuylkill, focused on outlining the campus’s future following its recent reprieve from potential closure.
Earlier this year, Penn State University initiated a system-wide review that placed several campuses, including Schuylkill, under evaluation for consolidation or closure. The Schuylkill campus ultimately remained open after strong advocacy from state and community leaders. Monday’s discussion centered on ensuring the campus’s long-term sustainability through expanded academic programs, workforce partnerships, and community collaboration.
Legislative Support and Community Involvement
The event was hosted by Senator Dave Argall and State Representatives Tim Twardzik, Jamie Barton, JoAnne Stehr, and Dane Watro. All emphasized the importance of maintaining higher education opportunities within Schuylkill County and fostering new initiatives to grow enrollment and strengthen the local economy.
Senator Argall opened the event by reflecting on the campus’s earlier inclusion on a potential closure list, describing the months that followed as both “stressful” and “inspiring.”
“One thing that stood out was the overwhelming response from everyone saying, ‘No, this cannot happen here,’” Argall said. “We are an asset to the university. We are an asset to Schuylkill County. And we need to stay and continue doing what we do.”
He emphasized that, while being removed from the closure list was a relief, it was only the beginning. “We took a breath, and now the real work begins,” he said. “Now is when we start to imagine what we’re going to be for the future — what relationships we’re going to build and how we’ll grow from this point forward.”
Robert S. Carl, Jr., President of the Schuylkill Chamber, identified several key goals for the campus moving forward:
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Conducting a strategic review of majors and degrees to match regional job needs.
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Strengthening partnerships with local schools and community organizations.
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Continuing collaboration with groups such as the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, Schuylkill Economic Development Corporation, and Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers and Employers Association.
He also credited Chancellor Dr. Cory Scherer, administrative staff, and advocacy partners for their persistence during the university’s review process.
“We’ve already demonstrated our commitment through collaboration and partnership in defending this great asset, Penn State Schuylkill,” Carl said in closing. “Now we must carry that same spirit forward to ensure its continued success.”
Students Shift Focus from Survival to Expansion
Student Government Association President Zachary Fisher, a senior cybersecurity major, described the initial closure announcement as one of the most difficult moments students faced. However, he credited the resulting unity among students, faculty, alumni, and local officials for saving the campus.
“We’re not just fighting to stay open anymore,” Fisher said. “We’re fighting to grow.”
Third-year business management and marketing major AJ Serrano echoed that sentiment, calling the successful campaign to remain open “only the start” of renewed efforts to advance both the university and the community together.
Co-Op Program at the Core of Campus Success
Several speakers cited the campus’s Co-op program as key to its continued operation. The program combines classroom learning with professional experience, connecting students with regional employers.
Serrano noted that the Co-op program was specifically mentioned in Penn State’s final recommendations as a reason the campus should remain open, highlighting its role in student retention and post-graduation employment.
Corporate communications major Carter Strouse shared that he secured employment through the program early in his academic career. Local business leaders, including Samantha Chivinski of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce and Darlene Robbins of the Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers and Employers Association, stressed the program’s value to regional workforce development. Robbins added that students who complete local internships are “twice as likely to stay and work in the county after graduation.”
Expanding STEM and Healthcare Pathways
Carl, who is also chairman of the Penn State Schuylkill Advisory Board, led discussion on program expansion, citing the demand for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). He noted federal data showing an 8% projected growth in STEM fields over the next decade, compared to less than 3% for non-STEM occupations.
The campus’s existing nursing and radiologic technology programs were identified as vital assets, each with a 100% job placement rate. Following system-wide program cuts, Schuylkill will now be one of only six Penn State campuses offering nursing and one of two offering radiologic technology.
Lehigh Valley Health Network’s Regional Chief Operating Officer, Terry Purcell, praised the radiology program’s partnership with LVHN, noting that “it’s local, and it’s because of this great local program” that the network has no current job vacancies in radiology.
Carl also outlined possible future programs, including Physical Therapy Assistant, Occupational Therapy, Dental Hygienist, and Electrical Engineering Technology degrees, which could fill workforce gaps across the region.
Faculty and Administration Affirm Long-Term Commitment
Faculty members expressed optimism following a challenging year. Dr. Nicole Andel, Associate Teaching Professor, reflected on the uncertainty of the closure review but reaffirmed her belief in the campus’s future.
Dr. Cory Scherer, Interim Chancellor, announced approval to hire seven new faculty members to replace those lost through retirements and turnover. “I just hope that we can continue to grow and thrive,” Scherer said.
Mike Stefan, Vice President of Government Relations for Penn State, provided insight into the broader university review process, explaining that decisions on relocating or revising academic programs are ongoing.
Longstanding Community Partnership
Schuylkill County Commissioner Gary Hess concluded the meeting by highlighting the campus’s nine-decade history. “We’ve invested here in this campus for 90 years, and we believe in it,” Hess said.
