Penn State Berks is helping a future generation of engineering students succeed through the college’s Engineering Ahead Program, which is now in its eighth year. The goal of the four-week summer “bridge” program, which ran from June 25 to July 21, is to increase retention rates among a diverse group of engineering students by enhancing academic preparedness and developing a support network.
Penn State Berks kicked off the 2023-24 academic year on Aug. 21 with its fifth annual convocation ceremony for incoming and transfer students to welcome the members of the Class of 2027 to campus.
Seven incoming Penn State Berks students were awarded a scholarship to study engineering through the campus' Leveraging Innovation and Optimizing Nurturing (LION) STEM Scholars Program. The program, funded through a National Science Foundation grant, is in its second year and provides support in the form of a four-year, renewable $6,250 scholarship to talented engineering students with demonstrated financial need.
Beginning in mid-September, Penn State Berks will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a variety of events; each event is intended for a specific audience, including prospective and current students, the campus community, and the general public. Members of the general public must register in advance.
The Berks LaunchBox powered by Penn State recently announced the pitch winners of its Summer 2023 Pitch Competition: Bapanada took first place, 4G Nutrition took second, and Aquamate and Mindful Roots tied for third place. Total prizes awarded totaled $1,200 in seed funding.
When Iris Richardson began her studies at Penn State Berks in 2003, she never dreamed that 20 years later, she would be employed as the first director of diversity, equity and inclusion for Penn State’s Police and Public Safety Office. Her career has brought her Penn State journey full circle.
Penn State Berks will welcome approximately 370 first-year students to its residential community as part of the campus' annual orientation program beginning on Friday, Aug. 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Returning students will move in from Saturday, Aug. 19, and Sunday, Aug. 20.
Penn State Berks will host its 15th annual, on-site, document-shredding event on campus for faculty and staff from 9 to 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 18, in the Franco Building parking lot.
Penn State Berks officially welcomed its sixth leader when Radha Pyati assumed the role of chancellor and dean of Penn State Berks, effective July 1, following a national search. Formerly dean of the College of the Sciences and Mathematics at West Chester University, Pyati is an accomplished researcher, teacher, chemist, author, award-winning environmentalist, and a leader in STEM education.
A Penn State Berks team, comprised of one student, three staff and three faculty members, participated in the Summer Institute on Equity in the Academic Experience hosted by the American Talent Initiative (ATI) and Georgetown University. This three-day institute was held virtually with various colleges and universities offering local convening opportunities.
