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Making life better for youth Penn State becomes a University of Promise By Amy Neil
Penn State and America’s Promise representatives meet in Washington, D.C., to finalize plans for Penn State to become a University of Promise. From left are America’s Promise representatives Michelle Rothengast, national director for higher education, and Peter A. Gallagher, president and chief executive officer; and Penn State representatives Carol German, Arthur Carter and Anthony Williams. photo by Amy Neil—Penn State Public Information	Penn State has taken steps to broaden and extend its outreach to young people by signing a letter of commitment with America’s Promise — The Alliance For Youth to become a University of Promise.   “The University has always offered many services to the youth of Pennsylvania, but this partnership with America’s Promise will help us to better focus and expand our efforts to nurture and develop our young people,” President Graham Spanier said.   America’s Promise, a nonprofit organization championed by Colin Powell, was founded at the historic Presidents’ Summit for America’s Future in April 1997, when former Presidents Bill Clinton, George Bush, Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford challenged the nation to make youth a national priority and commit to a united effort to fulfill the 5 Promises to Young People, which are: Caring Adults: Ongoing relationships with caring adults — parents, mentors, tutors or coaches Safe Places: Safe places with structured activities during nonschool hours Healthy Start: Healthy start and future Marketable Skills: Marketable skills through effective education Opportunities to Serve: Opportunities to give back through community service   Penn State is among 51 higher education participants and is the largest university to make the commitment to America’s Promise. By making this commitment, Penn State will dedicate its unique skills, talents, abilities and resources to improving the lives of Pennsylvania’s youth.   “We recognize that youth are a critical part of Penn State’s efforts for ‘Making Life Better’ for Pennsylvanians, and indeed the nation and global community,” Spanier said. “This commitment reflects our responsibility to use our educational resources to improve the lives of young people.”   Penn State has a long established presence for providing quality youth-centered programs and services, which involves hundreds of programs at its 24 campuses and Outreach and Cooperative Extension offices, located in all 67 counties in Pennsylvania. Students, faculty and staff are engaged in countless activities, such as 4-H youth development, academic and athletic camps, the Children, Youth and Families Consortium and Penn State’s TRIO programs, that bridge across the University’s colleges and campuses and impact the quality of life for youth.   To fulfill its promise of “Making Life Better for Youth,” Penn State will promote collaborative and coordinated ventures and increase the overall impact of its children- and youth-focused programs and services.   Over the next two years, the University will complete a resource assessment to document all outreach programs and service activities currently in place across the University that fulfill one or all of the 5 Promises to Young People. This information will be housed on a University Promise Station, an Internet-based “gathering place,” where the Penn State community can share information, ideas, events and other resources supporting youth in the communities surrounding their campuses.   “Joining America’s Promise is a natural outgrowth of the University’s extensive network of services to youth,” said Dr. James H. Ryan, vice president for Outreach and Cooperative Extension. “Penn State has a century-long mission and tradition of providing high-quality programs designed to enrich the lives, abilities and experiences of our young people. By marshaling the University’s resources and intellectual expertise in support of America’s Promise, we will significantly enhance the lives of both the children and the adults who work to fulfill the promises we have made to our youth.”   The University’s initiative is being led by Carol German, chairperson; Anthony Williams, Penn State’s Promise coordinator; Arthur Carter, assistant vice president for student affairs; and a team of representatives from academic and administrative units across the University.