WAYNESBORO – As Pennsylvania State University considers possible cuts to its satellite campuses, the Advisory Board Executive Committee of Penn State Mont Alto has expressed its strong support for the 612-student campus, noting it is confident that the campus will continue to be an asset.
Originally opened as a forestry school in 1903, the wooded campus north of Waynesboro had 612 students enrolled last fall, compared to 710 in 2020 and about 670 the next two years. In fall 2023, enrollment dropped to 587.
Mont Alto is among the 12 smaller Penn State satellite campuses being considered by a university committee for closure. No closure would occur until after the end of the 2026-2027 academic year.
The letter to Penn State trustees notes, “On behalf of the Advisory Board Executive Committee of Penn State Mont Alto, we write to express our strong support for the Penn State Mont Alto campus. We firmly believe that Penn State Mont Alto is an invaluable asset to the University, our students and the surrounding community. We believe the evaluation being conducted by the University’s Administration will show that Penn State Mont Alto will continue to be an asset to the Penn State system moving forward.
“For nearly one hundred years, Penn State Mont Alto has provided high-quality education to students who may not have otherwise had access to a world-class institution. Many of our students are first-generation college students, working professionals or individuals who rely on the affordability and accessibility of our campus to pursue higher education. Penn State Mont Alto plays a critical role in the local economy. Faculty and staff contribute to the community through their work, research and civic engagement, while students bring vitality and economic support to businesses in the area. Our business community relies on Penn State Mont Alto to train and prepare a quality workforce.”
The board’s letter continues, “As the oldest Commonwealth Campus in the Penn State system, Penn State Mont Alto has many strengths to offer. It is located in Franklin County, consistently one of the top fastest growing counties in the Commonwealth. We have a strong demand for the majors offered – Nursing, Occupational Science, Forestry, Project and Supply Chain and other health related majors – in our business community. The business community has also formed a great partnership with Penn State Mont Alto to offer continuing education to current workforce and adult learners. The community and business partners have demonstrated this support by significant financial investments in campus buildings, equipment and programs – we are committed to honoring these partnerships and investments with our community stakeholders.
The group also suggested, “Rather than closure, we advocate for strategic investments, program expansions and stronger recruitment efforts to revitalize and strengthen our campus for the future.”
They urged a transparent decision-making process involving all stakeholders – students, faculty, staffr, alumni and the community and pledged full cooperation in the process.
