The March 18 event brought together faculty and professionals from across the Greater Pittsburgh region to strengthen curriculum, expand learning opportunities and prepare students for careers in high-demand fields.
McKEESPORT, Pa. — Penn State Greater Allegheny held its first Campus Program Advisory Board meetings on March 18, bringing together faculty and regional industry leaders to guide degree programs on campus. The boards are designed to ensure curriculum remains aligned with workforce needs and that students benefit from relevant, hands-on learning opportunities.
The advisory boards are part of a campus-wide strategy to create multiple pathways for students by connecting programs with professionals from the Greater Pittsburgh region, allowing faculty to design learning experiences that meet regional workforce demands, including class projects with industry partners, job shadowing opportunities, guest speakers, high-quality internships and undergraduate research projects.
“These partnerships help ensure our graduates leave with the skills and confidence to succeed,” said Barrett Scroggs, interim chief academic officer. “I’m deeply appreciative of our faculty for fostering these relationships and of our community partners for their thoughtful guidance.”
The March 18 event began with a shared dinner in the campus Ostermayer Room of the Student Community Center, followed by program-specific breakout sessions where board members provided input on curriculum priorities, emerging trends and professional opportunities for students.
“I love working with the students from Penn State Greater Allegheny for internships, so joining the psychology advisory board just made sense,” said Megan Matejcic, SNAP program manager at Auberle. “Creating intentional relationships with surrounding organizations is a fabulous way for Greater Allegheny students to connect with the workforce and their passions. A student’s recent immersion in academia will also make them sensitive to seeing what isn’t being done well in our communities, what is outdated and what could be done better — and perhaps they will be the ones to identify those gaps and create those opportunities themselves.”
For faculty, the advisory boards provide an opportunity to collaborate directly with industry partners and ensure academic programs remain responsive to workforce needs.
“I love the idea of putting students in touch with industry leaders and connecting them with mentorship, internship and potential employment opportunities,” said Michael Vicaro, associate professor of communications and program coordinator for multidisciplinary studies. “Advisory boards also help keep programs timely by identifying upcoming trends and employment needs.”
Advisory board members represent organizations across healthcare, technology, education, nonprofit leadership, and community development. Community and industry professionals interested in learning more about serving on a Greater Allegheny program advisory board can email bws74@psu.edu.
Current participating organizations by program include:
Biobehavioral health
- Clinical Research Strategies
- University of Pittsburgh
- UPMC
Business/project and supply chain management
- RMP
- UPMC Health Plan
Criminal justice
- Allegheny County
- Auberle
- Center for Victims
- Operation Better Block
- PA Women Work
- Wesley Family Services
Cybersecurity analytics and operations/information technology
- CEEVA
- Echelon Risk & Cyber
- Pittsburgh Technology Council
- Women in Cyber
Multidisciplinary studies
- Next Pittsburgh
- Vibrant Pittsburgh
- Point Park University
Psychology
- Allegheny County
- Auberle
- Community College of Allegheny County
- TCV Community Services
Recreation, park and tourism management
- LaRosa Youth Club
- Kristen Kane Events
- Dragon’s Den
- McKeesport Parks and Recreation
Social work
- Auberle
- Community Care / UPMC
- Passport Academy Charter School
- Upward Bound West
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