PASSHE Institutions Merging

[Ship69]

PASSHE average debt I'll also throw in average cost of a Pennsylvania wedding in 2024 was $33,000. One of these expenses is a gateway to significantly better lifetime earnings, the other two don't directly improve your income, and one depreciates in value.

Choosing other options over college isn't showing in other options. College enrollment by percentage for high school graduates is down slightly; headcount is pretty much in line with population changes.

Our schools are losing students because they focus on recruiting high school students whose numbers are rapidly declining. There are PA counties on track to lose 30% of their birth rate in the next 15-20 years.

There are simply fewer students. They certainly could do better in recruiting late learners or offering programs for non-traditional students. Ship is actually starting a program that includes a camp for those interested in construction jobs. But most colleges seem to be in the same boat. I don't think numbers are going back to what used to be considered the norms any time soon.

[Ship69]

I would guess Wilkes Barre closes in the east with an enrollment of only 329 students and several other colleges in the area. Hazleton has some degrees that may keep it alive, like the only branch with alternate energy and power engineering program and a physical therapy assistant degree.

When you start getting under 500 students, I would think it is difficult to have any type of functioning college. If an elementary school or high school loses enrollment, you can simply reduce the number of teachers at a grade level or go to two English teachers instead of three. At a college, where you're trying to teach multiple disciplines, a major that doesn't attract enough students probably will end up on the chopping block.

[Fightingscot82]

There are simply fewer students. They certainly could do better in recruiting late learners or offering programs for non-traditional students. Ship is actually starting a program that includes a camp for those interested in construction jobs. But most colleges seem to be in the same boat. I don't think numbers are going back to what used to be considered the norms any time soon.

That's really the only market to pursue for any sort of stability. Late learners, career changers, and the really big one, finishing incomplete degrees. The largest category of student loan debt holders is some college no degree (drop out, fail out, etc). This will take the biggest internal change, though, something colleges generally aren't good at and PASSHE schools are terrible at. Online classes. Short term skill credentials like boot camps and certificates beyond the traditional 15 week courses. Flexible operations to accommodate fully time working adults (PASSHE school offices are generally open 8:00-4:30 weekdays).

[Fightingscot82]

Worth sharing in our new world of merged universities...

Findlay and Bluffton have called off their merger.

[WarriorVoice]

Worth sharing in our new world of merged universities...

Findlay and Bluffton have called off their merger.

Someone was bluffing?!...Couldn't resist

[IUPNation]

Rosemont College is merging with its next door neighbor…Villanova.

https://www.phillyvoice.com/rosemont...NaWzKZ2PYZardA

[shipfbfan1]

Rosemont College is merging with its next door neighbor…Villanova.

https://www.phillyvoice.com/rosemont...NaWzKZ2PYZardA

Second neighboring school Nova has acquired in the last year. Took over Cabrini's campus this past fall now Rosemont. Could Eastern University be next???

[IUPNation]

Second neighboring school Nova has acquired in the last year. Took over Cabrini's campus this past fall now Rosemont. Could Eastern University be next???

It’s not a Catholic school. Cabrini and Rosemont are/were. So I doubt it.

[Fightingscot82]

Second neighboring school Nova has acquired in the last year. Took over Cabrini's campus this past fall now Rosemont. Could Eastern University be next???

Eastern is also in hail mary mode. They've started football and added some majors popular with the kids these days, but they're still an also-ran in the smaller, faith-based private liberal arts school with D3 sports and no student experience.

Being the alma mater of Doug Mastriano surely isn't helping.

[iupgroundhog]

I see that Christopher Fiorentino, former President of WCU, has officially been appointed the Chancellor of PASSHE.

[Fightingscot82]

Edinboro adding women's golf and women's wrestling starting immediately.

https://gofightingscots.com/news/202...wrestling.aspx

[iupgroundhog]

Edinboro adding women's golf and women's wrestling starting immediately.

https://gofightingscots.com/news/202...wrestling.aspx

Great! I think that makes 4 PSAC schools with women's wrestling; ESU, Gannon, LHU, and Edinboro. Probably enough to have a conference tournament.

[Fightingscot82]

Limestone playing in the SAC will close at the end of May. Their head coach was former NFLer Jerricho Cotchery.

[Horror Child]

I see that Christopher Fiorentino, former President of WCU, has officially been appointed the Chancellor of PASSHE.

In August, Cindy Shapiro said that Fiorentino did not intend to apply for the permanent position. How things change.

[Bart]

Hanna stepping down for the position of "vice chancellor for strategic initiatives for Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education".

https://www.wvia.org/news/local/2025...p-down-in-july