SUGARLOAF TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — PSU Hazleton survived the chopping block, but what now? What's next for that campus? That was the question at the center of a community meeting on Tuesday at Penn State Hazleton.
The campus was one of 12 across the state that were being considered for closure because of enrollment and financial challenges.
28/22 News I-Team Reporter Andy Mehalshick was at that meeting.
Mehalshick heard a lot about affordability, improving the connection with the community, and offering more four-year degrees; the overall theme was the campus survived, now lets thrive.
This classroom on the campus of Penn State Hazleton is a place of learning, but on Tuesday, you could say it was about learning how to move forward.
Four state lawmakers and Penn State organized this meeting.
Among the people in the audience: business leaders, business owners, Hazleton Area School District officials, Think Tank groups, and members of the Latino community, the fastest growing segment of the population in the Hazleton area.
Bob Curry is the founding president of the Hazleton Integration Project.
"You look at the Hazleton area, and you see this population boom, and while that boom is occurring, you're seeing declining enrollment at Penn State Hazleton. There's got to be a reason, and there's got to be a method to overcome that dichotomy right there," Curry said.
Doctor Brian Uplinger is superintendent of the Hazleton Area School District.
"If Penn State was able to offer more four-year programs, teaching, teaching pipeline is essential for us to continue. There's still a dramatic drop in teachers going into schools," Dr. Uplinger stated.
State Senator Dave Argall says connecting with the community is vital to the success of Penn State Hazleton.
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"In terms of better connections to the local high schools, so some of those students can come here. Better connectivity to the employers. So maybe those students can get interested in a future job. I think it's really about connections," Senator Argall said.
Doctor Durell Johnson is the interim chancellor for the Penn State Northeast Region campuses.
"The notion of a changing demographic and change in the higher education landscape does afford us the opportunity for innovation and finding the best pathway to move forward to ensure if we do make changes, it's a change in a way that's meaningful, but not only has an immediate but also long-term impact," Dr. Johnson explained.
Penn State Hazleton, also known as Penn State Highacres campus, has been known to attract students from all over the East Coast.
