Come Here, Go Anywhere
Your Journey Awaits
Journey with Us
Wherever you come from—your city, your culture, your identity, your point of view— IUP can help you get where you’re going. IUP is a special place. It’s where you can come to learn and have fun, to feel comfortable and thrive, to find your people and find yourself, to carry out your plan or create a new one—and to become your best you. IUP is also a place where you will feel supported on every step of your academic journey. Whether you need help in or out of the classroom, at IUP you will find a community of people who want to help you achieve your goals so that when you graduate, you are equipped to go confidently toward your future. But don’t take it from me. Hear it from our students and new graduates, who know the journey better than anyone.
Michael A. Driscoll IUP President
Finding a Home When Dimonquie transferred to IUP as a freshman, she knew hardly a soul on campus. Putting fears aside, she went to a meeting of Creating Higher Standards, a student group that helps Black and Brown students succeed in college. There, she found her best friend, her mentors, and a chance to lead as the group’s president.
200+
Dimonquie A. Status: 2023 Graduate Major: English Education Hometown: Elizabeth, NJ
“They gave me that sense of home away from home. . . . Even though I’m not completely at home, and this is not my complete comfort zone, I feel comfortable enough to be myself.”
Student organizations covering every interest. They’re coordinated by the Center for Multicultural Student Leadership and Engagement—a hub for opportunities and resources that help students of all races, cultures, religions, and identities thrive.
Being Himself Thomas O. Status: Junior Major: Sociology and Political Science/Pre-law Hometown: McIntyre, PA
Based on the university’s rural location, close to the coal town where he grew up, Thomas was surprised to find a welcoming place in IUP. His first clue was during Welcome Week for new students, when he saw an LGBTQ sign in the Cook Honors College, outside the director’s office.
“Slowly I figured out that in the honors college environment, I could be whoever I was. Then I noticed it was outside the honors college as well. I started to wear clothes that I felt more confident in, that I could never have worn before, and I began to flourish.”
The Cook Honors College is a unique community that gives students a chance to read together, write together, and share ideas in small classes. The rainbow sidewalk represents IUP’s commitment to making all people feel welcome and supported on campus.
Finding Friendly Faces
Community can come in unexpected places. Gerald stays busy with academics in the Cook Honors College on top of playing for IUP’s championship-caliber football team. But he also had to “grow up quick” as a young father. He found support through a grant that pays for childcare and through the caring staff of the campus dining hall.
“I honestly love those people. They see my face every day, and I started to develop a relationship with them. And they’ve taken really kindly to my son. They had an old highchair that was broken, and they went out and bought a new one for us to use.”
67%
of IUP varsity athletes were named Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference scholar-athletes in 2021–22. That means they kept up a GPA of 3.25 or higher. If varsity sports aren’t for you, try club or intramural sports from hockey to esports or rugby to sailing.
Gerald C. Status: Senior Major: Exercise Science Hometown: Washington, PA
Milady L. Status: Senior Major: Political Science Hometown: Almoloya de Alquisiras, Mexico; Kennett Square, PA
Daring to Lead Since childhood, Milady was often the translator for her Spanish-speaking parents. She chose IUP—a college four hours from home—seeking a different kind of independence. Accustomed to figuring things out for herself, she said finding people here to support her was “like a weight lifted off your shoulders.” She also found opportunities, including as the first Latina president of the university’s student ambassador group.
Want to make connections? The IUP Ambassadors bring together students and generations of graduates to share experiences, advice, and opportunities.
“I’ve truly found me here—my leadership style, my way of navigating different scenarios. I’ve met people with very different mindsets. That’s important, because in the real world, not everybody thinks the same. I wouldn’t have found that back home.”
Choosing
Wisely Erika had her eye on a historically Black university out of state. After weighing the pros and cons and falling in love with IUP’s Cook Honors College and the psychology building, she made the “smart decision” to attend IUP. She gets support from the honors college, the Sutton Scholarship, and the competitive Promising Scholars Program.
$19 million+
Scholarship dollars IUP awarded students in 2023–24. Contact the Financial Aid office about opportunities.
Erika J. Status: Senior Major: Psychology Hometown: Monroeville, PA
“I do the financial aspect of college entirely myself, so having [scholarships] to support me has been really helpful, and I’m so appreciative.”
Teaming Up on Research Eman S. Status: 2023 Graduate Major: Biology/Pre-medical Hometown: North Sinai, Egypt; Indiana, PA
Eman came from Egypt to Indiana in high school. At IUP, she found a welcoming community in the Cook Honors College, in her academic and scholarship programs, and in a less-predictable place, a biology professor’s research lab. She was part of a team that studied tissue regeneration in flatworms.
“ We were studying a gene that we think helps them regenerate their tissue. . . . If one of these genes is lacking or not expressed as much in humans, that may be the key to the puzzle. My research is part of the puzzle.”
2,600+
Out-of-classroom experiences in 2021–22. These include internships, student teaching, clinicals, and funded research opportunities in all fields, across the country and around the world.
Bridging Cultural Gaps Shagufta moved from Bangladesh to Indiana in high school, when her mother enrolled in an IUP doctoral program. Now an IUP student herself, Shagufta has a full plate. She studies in the Business Honors Program, takes part in student government and other service groups, and has a job in the International Education office.
“ Working in the international office, I’m introduced to students who are coming here more recently. I get to help people now who are where I was a couple years ago.”
Want to learn about other cultures? Come to International Unity Day, the International Lunch Hour, or one of several other programs to celebrate cultures and meet students from around the world.
Shagufta H. Status: Junior Major: Finance and Economics Hometown: Sylhet, Bangladesh; Indiana, PA
Starting a
New Chapter For some of our students, the next stop on their journey is graduate school. Gerald, Erika, and Eman all will pursue doctoral degrees. Dimonquie plans to be a middle-school English teacher in a state that’s new to her. She credits the Black Experience Alumni Committee— a group of graduates looking out for current Black students—for inspiring her to go out in the world.
“These people were here [as students], and they’re telling you it’s okay that you’re going through stuff, you’ll make it through, and you’ll get to the finish line. . . . And, I know I can do it, because I’ve seen other people who did it.”
88% of 2021 graduates are employed in a field of their choice, according to a survey. IUP’s Career and Professional Development Center helps them get there.
Choose IUP today, and get started on your journey. IUP.edu/commit
