In 2016, Penn State Abington and Congreso de Latinos Unidos partnered to transform both organizations’ communities. With a shared vision of creating high-impact opportunities that make education more accessible, engaging, and community-oriented, the Abington-Congreso partnership has developed into a robust model for collaboration and shared service. Here’s some examples of that relationship:
The College Immersion Program
Every year, Abington hosts Philadelphia high school students from Congreso for monthly events demonstrating the complete college experience. Students visit science labs, work in the maker space, cheer on the Nittany Lion’s athletic teams, and attend workshops hosted by the college’s premiere academic programs. This is far more than a college visit…this is Congreso students working alongside Abington students and faculty to discuss real issues and work on real projects.
High School Dual Enrollment and Certification
Penn State Abington runs college courses at Congreso’s Education and Workforce Services building for high school students in Philadelphia public schools. Incoming high school juniors can get an early taste of the rigors of college coursework while earning a Penn State certificate in Rehabilitation and Human Services before they graduate high school. Seniors can get a head start on general education requirements and meet faculty before arriving on campus.
Shared Community Service
Congreso and Abington students and staff do community service together, often to benefit the communities and schools served by both organizations. Last year, the two partnered with Mural Arts Philadelphia to create banners remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s messages of courage, hope, and justice.