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HARRISBURG -- Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and the PASSHE Foundation are launching a pilot initiative with major employers to increase work-based learning that provides real-world experiences for PASSHE university students.
Work-based learning, including paid internships and apprenticeships, enhances a student's higher education and launches graduates into better jobs with higher incomes, which positively impacts their long-term earnings and economic mobility, a release from PASSHE noted.
Highmark Health is the initial partner employer and PASSHE invites other statewide and regional employers to join the initiative. Strada Education Foundation awarded a $750,000 grant to support the pilot project.
"At Strada, our mission is to strengthen connections between education after high school and opportunity, with a focus on helping people who face the greatest challenges. PASSHE has delivered on its commitments to advancing social mobility, and we are pleased to partner with the State System through this investment," said Stephen Moret, president and CEO of Strada Education Foundation. "Our research demonstrates the impact of work-based learning on student outcomes. We are delighted to support the State System in expanding students' participation in these opportunities."
The pilot includes five State System universities from different regions of Pennsylvania: Cheyney (southeast), Commonwealth (north central), East Stroudsburg (northeast), Slippery Rock (west), and Shippensburg (central). PASSHE intends to expand the initiative to all 10 State System universities after the pilot is complete.
"The State System is incredibly excited to partner with Highmark Health and the Strada Education Foundation on this innovative initiative," said PASSHE Chancellor Dan Greenstein. "With 14 legacy campuses throughout the state, PASSHE is uniquely positioned to partner with employers in Pennsylvania. Together, we can connect classroom learning with real-work experiences and strategically build a better process for connecting students and employers. Ultimately, that will help launch more students into great careers and provide the workforce talent that employers need."
The three-year pilot will reach more than 1,000 students, beginning in Fall 2024.
"Highmark Health is proud to partner with PASSHE to support this initiative to combine classroom learning with work-based experiences for State System university students," said Dan Onorato, executive vice president, chief corporate affairs officer, Highmark Health. "Our team members are transforming healthcare, and this collaboration will help us share that valuable experience with PASSHE students and meet skilled and motivated people who after graduation might join our world-class workforce."
About PASSHE
Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) is the public university system of the commonwealth with a mission to provide a high-quality education at the lowest possible cost to students. The State System annually confers more than 20,000 degrees and has more than 800,000 living alumni, most of whom live in Pennsylvania. The State System universities are Cheyney, Commonwealth (Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield), East Stroudsburg, Indiana, Kutztown, Millersville, PennWest (California, Clarion and Edinboro), Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester universities of Pennsylvania.
About PASSHE Foundation
The PASSHE Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, which exists to build partnerships to secure funds to advance student success and support university excellence throughout the State System.