Dear Penn State Fayette student body,
It is no secret that our campus provides tremendous benefits for our local communities! Not the least of which is limited to the exceptional academic opportunities for Fayette’s residents, as the campus represents an unparalleled commitment to Fayette County priorities at both a humanitarian and economic level. Be it a local food drive or a vaccination clinic, Penn State Fayette continues to recognize the importance of our community’s welfare and aids the economy of our communities through continued job creation and millions in economic contributions.
It is time, however, that our local school boards recognize the importance of such academic institutions by considering the campus’ struggles regarding enrollment. After all, the only way Fayette County residents will be able to continue to reap the benefits of Penn State Fayette is if the campus continues to thrive within Fayette. Indeed, Penn State Fayette has suffered an enrollment decline of 47% from the Fall 2008 semester to the Fall 2020 semester, a decline that is consistent with campuses in similar rural, economically struggling areas. The reasons for such a decline can be traced back to an obvious mix of both social and financial circumstances, with a lack of preparation for career ambitions among our youth plaguing those who are already in undesirable academic circumstances.
Our school boards must recognize that preparation during secondary education serves as a vital stepping stone to potential postsecondary education. Research has proven that improved high school climate contributes to high postsecondary enrollment, implying that a heightened emphasis on high school programs to assist Fayette County students’ future would go a significant way towards quelling the enrollment decline.
It is for this reason that I believe an expansion of programs dedicated to career readiness in our high schools would be beneficial for the future of those who attend our schools.
Increasing the role of counselors and recognizing the potential career mentoring services they could provide students would help do this. Paris Cooperative High School, in Paris, Illinois, has adopted such a system that local school boards could use as an example. Our local districts could dedicate a period each year to proving the essential skills necessary for future success, as well as providing students with awareness of college applications and scholarships. The program would allow local youth to build on the skills necessary for a successful career while reaping the benefits of counselors in regards to college enrollment.
While implementing such a program obviously wouldn’t be free, costs could be mitigated through pursuing help from local counselors and applying for grants. However, it is imperative that school boards, as well as our student body, serve as advocates for increased educational funding to make programs such as this increasingly feasible to implement.
Local school districts should also look to expand the successful “career academy” programs that have been adopted by the Laurel Highlands and Connellsville Area School Districts. Such programs allow local youth to discover careers in areas such as business and engineering through electives within the curriculum. I have experienced firsthand the effectiveness of such programs, as my own decision to pursue a business degree was influenced by Laurel Highlands’ “Finance” career academy. Academic research only further proves this system’s positive impact on postsecondary applications rates, especially for those who are at risk, such as rural youth..
Many in the student body might wonder, “Why not do something simple like adding a new degree?”. While this would temporarily bump numbers up, I believe my approach would more so tackle the heart of the issue, that being inadequate preparation for postsecondary opportunities. Not only would an increased emphasis on career preparation increase college enrollment at campuses such as Penn State Fayette, but it would also strengthen our local high schools, consequently improving Fayette County academically and as a community.
Sincerely,
Maximus Nassar
Penn State Fayette SGA Senator