McKeesport, PA, May 22, 2025 – State Sen. Nick Pisciottano (D-Allegheny) today celebrated the decision that the Penn State Greater Allegheny campus will remain open. Faced with ongoing budget shortfalls, Penn State University President Neeli Bendapudi announced in February that a dozen Commonwealth Campuses were under consideration for closure, including Greater Allegheny. Today, the Board of Trustee’s voted to certify the recommendations of the Commonwealth Campuses Recommendation Workgroup convened by President Bendapudi which did not suggest Greater Allegheny for closure.

“I am thrilled to see that the Penn State administration recognizes the unique role that Greater Allegheny plays not just for McKeesport and our region, but for the higher education ecosystem across Pennsylvania,” said Sen. Pisciottano. “Greater Allegheny has long been a vital resource for young people in our community to get the education they deserve and need to thrive in the modern world. It is crucial that the campus continues to serve its diverse student population and get them the skills needed to fill critical workforce needs in our region.”

Over half of Penn State Greater Allegheny’s student population are first-generation college students, over 40% receive Pell Grants, and over a quarter identify as underrepresented minorities. Penn State Greater Allegheny also offers Penn State’s only bachelor’s degree in social work, as well as its only undergraduate clinical research program. These programs, in addition to the campus’s partnerships with area employers, set Penn State Greater Allegheny apart as a resource to meet the region’s workforce demands, while also serving as a pathway to affordable higher education for many who may otherwise not have that opportunity.

“Throughout the spring, Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis and I have been in contact with President Bendapudi, Regional Chancellor Megan Nagel, and others at Penn State, highlighting the value of Greater Allegheny and fighting for our region,” said Sen. Pisciottano. “I am extremely proud that this important community asset will remain open. Penn State Greater Allegheny offers its students the kind of affordable access to high-quality higher education that we owe every Pennsylvanian, and I will continue to fight to fund Penn State and our other state-related universities to make that opportunity available to even more students in the future.”