Academics

Snow falls on Old Main bell

Penn State to begin spring semester remotely, delay in-person classes

Penn State has decided to delay the start of in-person classes and transition to a fully remote learning environment for the beginning of the spring 2021 semester at all campus locations. This decision was made following extensive analysis and scenario planning given worsening virus conditions nationally and across the state indicating predictions of rising hospitalization rates in the coming weeks.
"First-Generation College Celebration" with an open book and mortar board

Shining a light on first-generation students at Penn State

As part of National First-Generation College Celebration, the Student Success Center is pleased to highlight stories of several first-generation students who, with support from Complete Penn State, overcome obstacles to earn their Penn State degrees and achieve their academic goals.
“Ask a Librarian” campaign

'Ask a Librarian' online chat service helps with Penn State Libraries questions

The Penn State University Libraries’ “Ask a Librarian” online service instantly connects users to a Penn State librarian via live chat. Every day, “Ask A Librarian” serves numerous visitors and offers assistance with locating books and documents that are not available online, uncovering and accessing online information that may require an expensive subscription, untangling complex questions, and connecting researchers with the Penn State information specialist who can best address a specific inquiry.
“Ask a Librarian” campaign

“Ask a Librarian” service

The Penn State University Libraries’ “Ask a Librarian” online service instantly connects users to a Penn State librarian via live chat. Every day, “Ask A Librarian” serves numerous visitors and offers assistance with locating books and documents that are not available online, uncovering and accessing online information that may require an expensive subscription, untangling complex questions, and connecting researchers with the Penn State information specialist who can best address a specific inquiry. 

image of tree with the word compassionate in the middle and supporting words, such as empathy and present, surrounding

Penn State course provides framework for addressing racism and bias

University students and educators alike are grappling with turbulent times, and Penn State’s course on the “Art and Science of Human Flourishing” is well-positioned to help undergraduates to develop strategies for caring for themselves and others. Robert Roeser, Bennett Pierce Professor of Caring and Compassion, explored ways to adapt the course to current events, along with 23 colleagues from 10 Penn State campuses, University of Virginia and University of Wisconsin-Madison, during the morning of the 2nd Annual Human Flourishing Summer Teaching Institute, held on June 16 and 17 via Zoom.
Back to State graphic

Penn State plans to resume on-campus work and learning in fall semester

Following a three-month comprehensive planning process, Penn State officials have determined that the University can meet or exceed the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s guidelines for colleges and universities, and look forward to welcoming back faculty, staff and students to resume on-campus, in-person classes and other activities this fall in a limited fashion.

Three selected as Administrative Fellows for 2020-21

The Administrative Fellows Program offers Penn State faculty and staff the opportunity to work with senior University officers to gain knowledge and experiences pertaining to the challenges of leadership in the academic community. The Administrative Fellows for 2020-21 are Andrea Tapia, Linghao Zhong and Moradeyo Olorunnisola.