Penn State was founded on the institutional promise to provide education, share research, and offer public service to all Pennsylvanians. Our dedication to this mission is unwavering and has developed into unique programming and multitudinous opportunities for Pennsylvanians of all ages, locations, and backgrounds. This is our land-grant mission.
Penn State’s journey as a land-grant institution commenced in 1863 with President Abraham Lincoln’s signing of the Morrill Land-Grant Act. This groundbreaking legislation allocated federal lands to states, facilitating the establishment of universities with a three-fold mission: teaching, research, and service. The land-grant designation, emphasizing accessibility in higher education, ensures that a four-year degree is within reach for individuals from all backgrounds.
Penn State’s profound land-grant impact is accentuated by the fact that every Penn State campus offers the opportunity to attain a four-year degree, positioning the University to reach millions of Pennsylvanians with transformative access to education.
As the University’s role continues to evolve, so does its approach to service. Penn State Outreach is vital in extending the institution’s reach beyond its campuses, building bridges between knowledge and need, and carrying forward the values that define a land-grant institution.
Land Acknowledgement
The Pennsylvania State University campuses are located on the original homelands of the Erie, Haudenosaunee (Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Mohawk, and Tuscarora), Lenape (Delaware Nation, Delaware Tribe, Stockbridge-Munsee), Monongahela, Shawnee (Absentee, Eastern, and Oklahoma), Susquehannock, and Wahzhazhe (Osage) Nations.
We acknowledge and honor the traditional caretakers of these lands and strive to understand and model their responsible stewardship. We also acknowledge the longer history of these lands and our place in that history.
Learn more about Penn State’s land acknowledgement
Penn State Outreach: Amplifying the Mission in Action
At its core, Penn State Outreach is about showing up, meeting communities where they are, listening to their needs, and working together to create real, lasting impact. Through partnerships, service, and learning, Outreach helps fulfill Penn State’s land-grant mission, reaching well beyond the classroom to foster collaboration and opportunity across the Commonwealth.
This commitment to service comes to life through programs that enrich lives, empower communities, and align seamlessly with education’s broader role as a force for good. By engaging diverse audiences, Penn State Outreach fosters resilient, healthy, and innovative communities.
Youth and Future-Ready Learning
In service to youth across the Commonwealth, the Readiness Institute at Penn State offers learner-centered, future-ready experiences that prepare K–12 students for life after graduation. Through partnerships with education, industry, and communities, the Readiness Institute helps young people build essential skills, explore careers, and gain the confidence they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. Signature experiences like the Summer Discovery program connect learners with real-world challenges and mentors, helping them develop a sense of purpose and possibility.
Community Impact and Civic Engagement
Penn State Outreach also supports a wide range of programs across Pennsylvania that promote civic engagement, regional collaboration, and public safety. The Franco Harris Pittsburgh Center addresses the unique needs of Pittsburgh neighborhoods by offering students hands-on learning opportunities through internships, research projects, and service-learning experiences. Through initiatives like City Semester Pittsburgh and the National Green Infrastructure Certification Program, the center strengthens community development and promotes sustainable practices.
Meanwhile, the Justice and Safety Institute (JASI) provides comprehensive training to thousands of public safety professionals each year, equipping them with the skills to lead and serve in their communities. The Penn State Center Philadelphia works with urban residents to identify local needs and co-create sustainable solutions. Programs such as the faculty academy, student internships, and community-based projects demonstrate the transformative potential of collaboration between the University and the communities it serves.
Lifelong Learning and Community Enrichment
At Outreach, we believe that learning is a lifelong journey. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) embodies this value by providing enriching educational experiences for adults aged 50 and better. With no exams or grades, OLLI creates an inclusive and engaging environment where members explore new topics, build social connections, and continue growing intellectually. From lectures and courses to trips and special interest groups, OLLI empowers its members to stay active and curious. Intergenerational opportunities, including collaborations with Penn State students, further enrich the learning experience and strengthen community bonds.
Immersive and Experiential Learning
Conferences and Institutes (C&I) plays a huge role in expanding access to place-based and immersive learning. Collaborating with Penn State’s academic colleges and units, C&I supports nearly 100 conferences and programs each year — serving more than 10,000 adult and 5,000 youth participants. Through youth camps, student-led planning, and off-site resident instruction courses, students can gain practical experience in leadership, communication, budgeting, and event logistics.
Programs such as the KINES 414: LA Street Medicine trip exemplify the powerful outcomes of learning that take place beyond the classroom. Organized in collaboration with C&I, this experience demonstrates how C&I helps academic colleges bring resident instruction courses to life, combining travel, immersion, and real-world application to enhance student learning.
Environmental Education and Outdoor Engagement
Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center and The Arboretum at Penn State connect Pennsylvanians to nature and foster environmental stewardship. Shaver’s Creek serves as a living laboratory, actively involving the Penn State community in hands-on experiences through engaged scholarship opportunities such as internships, outdoor school programs, and the SEED Semester. These initiatives contribute to ecological understanding and community well-being.
Similarly, The Arboretum at Penn State is a green oasis and a hub promoting plant education. The Arboretum actively involves Penn State students in research projects, interpretive tours, and workshops, cultivating a sense of environmental responsibility.
Storytelling That Serves
WPSU stands at the intersection of education, storytelling, and service. As a PBS and NPR member station, WPSU connects communities through trusted content that informs, educates, and inspires. Whether producing local documentaries, facilitating public conversations, or creating educational resources for families and classrooms, WPSU is vital in strengthening civic dialogue and increasing access to knowledge on screens, airwaves, and digital platforms throughout the region.
Illuminating the Path Forward
Together, these initiatives form a robust network of impact — reaching learners of all ages, supporting public safety and community development, fostering environmental awareness, and telling the stories that unite us. Through this vibrant portfolio, Penn State Outreach brings the land-grant mission to life daily across all 67 counties and beyond. It’s not just a commitment to the past — it’s a promise for the future.
We’ve shared a few of the many opportunities that Penn State Outreach provides to Pennsylvanians through teaching, research, and public service. However, we are only part of the broader outreach community at Penn State. Stay tuned for updates on initiatives demonstrating our commitment to creating a unified outreach community across Penn State and how a future-focused, collaborative vision can create positive impact with tangible benefits.