Central Pa. PASSHE Universities, employers expand workforce partnerships

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Pennsylvania‘s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and employers are expanding partnerships to prepare students for in-demand careers. 

PASSHE is expanding the pilot program to more courses this spring semester, Including at Shippensburg University and Commonwealth University in Central Pennsylvania. According to a release, the partnerships between faculty and employers bring professional projects into the classroom, connect students with local businesses and prepare graduates for in-demand careers across the commonwealth. 

“With universities across Pennsylvania, PASSHE is uniquely positioned to partner with employers,” PASSHE Chancellor Christopher Fiorentino said in a statement. “These pilots connect classroom learning with real-world experience. Employers share their expertise, students build career skills and together we’re helping to address the shortage of well-prepared workers and keep talent in Pennsylvania.” 

The PASSHE Foundation announced a series of grant awards to faculty to support that work-based expansion. The grants support faculty collaborations with employers to design assignments and projects that simulate real-world workplace experiences. Per the release, the goal is to develop a sustainable model that can be scaled across PASSHE universities, enabling students to gain practical experience while supporting a classroom-to-career pipeline of talent that helps employers meet workforce needs. 

“The PASSHE Foundation is excited to bring together employers and PASSHE university faculty. Research shows that these collaborations help connect students with good jobs right out of college and deliver the workforce talent Pennsylvania’s companies need to grow and thrive,” said Shelley Scherer, president and CEO, PASSHE Foundation. “We are committed to supporting our faculty in building real-world work projects into their courses, so that students gain meaningful career exposure early and often in their college journey.” 

Funding was secured by the PASSHE Foundation through the Strada Education Foundation and the Appalachian Regional Commission. 

The following faculty-led projects in Central Pennsylvania received grants: 

Commonwealth University and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
Biology students will study stream health through hands-on fieldwork using DEP protocols. DEP experts lead field demonstrations and guest lectures, while students gain experience in aquatic insect collection, data analysis, and environmental monitoring. Led by Dr. Gregory Moyer and Dr. Steve Rier, Department of Biological and Health Sciences. 

“I am excited that our students will learn using Department of Environmental Protection protocols integrated into their coursework,” said Gregory Moyer, Department of Biological and Health Sciences at Commonwealth University. ”This work-based learning experience equips students with the technical and analytical skills that today’s employers demand. We are preparing career-ready professionals who will safeguard Pennsylvania’s water resources and develop lasting competencies to strengthen the environmental workforce of the future.” 

Shippensburg University and Gate 7 LLC
Students in Applied Artificial Intelligence for Business will consult with Gate 7 LLC to connect with local employers, helping them adopt and integrate AI-driven technology. This will enhance technical and problem-solving skills while supporting business innovation. Led by Dr. Viet Dao, Department of Business Management. 

Shippensburg University and South Mountain Partnership
Students in Professional and Technical Communications will serve as consultants, managing projects, writing grants and presenting real-world solutions to strengthen community organizations through the South Mountain Partnership. Led by Dr. Carla Kungl, Department of Accounting, Information Systems and Analytics. 

“Partnering with a local business on projects gives our students the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills gained from the class to a real-world business context,” said Viet Dao, Professor of Information Systems and Analytics at Shippensburg University. “The students will coordinate with the employer to develop business plans for the client’s potential use of AI technologies. It’s a powerful way to connect classroom learning with a competitive market and help a local business succeed.”