The latest news and information about Penn State Outreach and its impact on the Commonwealth.
The first Penn State Outreach Experiential Learning Symposium showcased the many hands-on learning experiences offered through Outreach programs and partners. These opportunities take learning outside of the classroom and into the real world, making an impact on students and in communities.
Throughout this year’s growing season, volunteers and staff worked to plant, cultivate, and harvest a record-breaking 2,872 pounds of produce that was donated to help the State College Food Bank in its mission to provide food security to people in Centre County.
In rooms buzzing with ideas, one theme kept surfacing: connection. From AI (artificial intelligence) breakthroughs to hands-on learning, the conversations at the Global Impact Forum (TGIF), hosted by Penn State Outreach, weren’t just about trends, they were about people and the partnerships shaping tomorrow’s workforce.
The trio of deputies leading the latest class through the Penn State-run Pennsylvania Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff Education and Training Program have all been inspired by a family history of serving and protecting their communities.
Savannah Brion’s week in Los Angeles began as a medical learning experience but became a lesson in humanity. She discovered that true healing is found not just in medicine, but in empathy, connection, and compassion.
Penn State Outreach and Penn State Career Services will host the Pittsburgh Connect: Penn State Student Networking Summit and Philadelphia Connect: Penn State Student Networking Summit during Thanksgiving break.
The Penn State Justice and Safety Institute (JASI) has teamed with Ahmet S. Yayla, director of the Center for Homeland Security at DeSales University and associate professor of homeland security, on a new course to provide law enforcement officers with skills to recognize potential terrorist activity in their jurisdictions.
What started as a late-night course search turned into a defining moment for Ph.D. student Emma Steely. Through Penn State Outreach’s Keystone Community Partnerships, Emma helped bridge connections between law enforcement and Philadelphia community members, gaining hands-on experience in engagement, research, and grant writing.
Educators from 28 school districts and educational agencies from across the commonwealth were connected to Penn State resources, programs, and opportunities available for teachers, students, and school districts during the Penn State K-12 Sustainability Summit.
As a Penn State Outreach intern, Sadie experienced Dignity Day as a powerful reminder of how empathy and respect shape meaningful connections. Through the Student Civil Discourse Workshop, she learned how choosing dignity over contempt can transform communication, strengthen relationships, and help create a more compassionate campus community.