Pitt trustees approve new vision for Titusville

From staff reports

The University of Pittsburgh’s Board of Trustees on Friday approved a new vision for the Pitt-Titusville campus.

At the board’s annual meeting, members moved to enlist state, county and educational partners to create a multi-institution education and training hub that will serve the six-county region.

The hub will operate as a shared campus and will provide a range of education and workforce training programs, according to a press release.

“The vision approved by the university’s board members today describes an innovative new approach for how Pitt, working with the community and region, can better support education and workforce development,” said Pitt Chancellor Patrick Gallagher. “As a community, and with the University of Pittsburgh as a founding partner, we will invest in growing skills and scholarship while also enhancing the economic stability of the region. It’s an exciting win-win opportunity for all involved.”

With the board’s approval in place, the university will begin working with the state as well as community, business and public sector groups to establish three founding partners for the campus hub.

The three core partners will be a training center, a community college and Pitt.

The university has already received proposals from potential partners, including the Manchester Bidwell Corporation, Butler County Community College and the Northern Pennsylvania Regional College, according to the press release.

“After many months of thorough evaluation and deep discussion about the future of Pitt-Titusville, it is exciting for the community of Titusville and the region as a whole that Pitt’s Board of Trustees has authorized a new direction,” said Patricia Beeson, Pitt provost and senior vice chancellor. “This new concept will include a Pitt presence but also include the strong presence of other partners working together to ensure student success.”

Under the campus hub model, partners will offer specialized programs with input from regional employers, the press release said.

The University of Pittsburgh at Titusville will continue to offer programs for traditional college-age students in addition to developing programs for nontraditional students, which may include online, evening, intensive and executive learning options, according to the press release.

Pitt students in Titusville will have the option to complete programs at the hub or seamlessly transfer to other University of Pittsburgh campuses.

Kevin Zwick, communications manager for Pitt, said the goal is to begin developing the new programs as soon as possible, but likely no sooner than January 2019.