Have you ever sat at a table with passionate people determined to tackle tough challenges through meaningful conversations and collective actions? If so, then you’ll understand the atmosphere in the room when the Philipsburg Keystone Community Partnerships steering committee met on a warm Monday evening in July to kick off an exciting new partnership. The steering committee is made up of dedicated local leaders who are working closely with Penn State Outreach through the Keystone Community Partnerships initiative, which aims to build and foster respectful and sustainable collaborations between Pennsylvania communities and Penn State.
Working Together to Shape the Future in Philipsburg
The Philipsburg steering committee members are united by a shared goal: to identify and address the community’s most pressing needs—particularly in youth, economic, and community development. This includes a diverse group of stakeholders:
- Ethan Wendle, Penn State alumnus and founder of DiamondBack truck bed covers
- Becky Briggs, DiamondBack’s community engagement director
- Dr. Dan Potutschnig, superintendent of the Philipsburg-Osceola (P-O) School District
- Linda Hockey, P-O High School principal
- John Streno, mayor of Philipsburg
- Eric Rusnak, Philip Rossi, and Teresa Mull, Philipsburg Revitalization Corporation members
All committee members are united by a shared goal: to identify and advance the community’s most pressing needs—particularly in youth, economic, and community development.
Creating Impact in the Commonwealth
In his song Paradise, John Prine reflects on a once-thriving mining town in Kentucky. He could just as easily have been describing Philipsburg—a former coal town with a rich 200-year history and unwavering community pride. Philipsburg, like many other small Pennsylvania communities, has seen its economic base shift, but has maintained its strong sense of local pride. As Mayor John Streno says, “Some places have the looks, but we’ve got the personality.”
This same sense of pride and perseverance embodies Outreach’s partnership with Philipsburg and other communities like it. Through Keystone Community Partnerships, the University is living its land-grant mission—connecting Penn State’s expertise, research, and resources to Pennsylvania communities, then working with community partners to address local challenges and co-create opportunities for long-term, community-driven impact.
Invaluable, Experience-Based Learning
At the heart of Outreach’s partnership approach are the Keystone Community Scholars—Penn State graduate students trained in community engagement. In Philipsburg, Keystone Community Scholar Rachel Layvey is working with students at P-O High School to launch a youth participatory action research (YPAR) project, ensuring young voices participate in shaping the town’s future. Through her work, Rachel is gaining valuable hands-on research and leadership experience while supporting student success.
At their core, Keystone Community Partnerships are about building bridges—aligning Penn State’s strengths with the vision and resilience of Pennsylvania communities. It is a privilege to collaborate with such dedicated individuals working for lasting, inclusive change.
Look for news on more Keystone Community Partnerships coming soon!