PennWest Viewbook 2023-2024

Better Together

Pennsylvania Western University combined the resources and traditions of three top universities into one, which means:

More expert faculty

Greater opportunity for mentorship, collaboration and growth

A chance to meet lifelong friends at California, Clarion and Edinboro College experiences you can’t get anywhere else

We’re here for the hard workers, the life changers, the ones who want something more from life.

Welcome

The Power of PennWest

We’ve taken a modern approach to education.

PennWest gives you access to combined resources, in-demand programs, expert professors and hands-on adventures that you won’t get anywhere else.

100+ Academic Programs

185,000+ Alumni

300+ Clubs and Organizations

What’s more is your education fits into campus traditions and extracurricular activities that reinforce not only your learning, but who you are as a person. And it creates one amazing college experience!

12,700+ Total Enrollment

Academics

Getting the classes you need won’t be a problem here.

Before you arrive on campus, your schedule will be prepared for you which ensures you get the best start. You’ll have mostly traditional face-to-face classes in your first year, which will help you get to know your chosen campus and other students, who will share in this unique college experience.

Our more than 100 programs are housed in three colleges including the College of Education, Arts and Humanities; the College of Health Sciences and Human Services; and the College of Science, Technology and Business.

We deliver our courses in three ways:

Why so many options?

An In-Person degree emphasizes traditional courses at one or more of our locations.

As a first-year student, your classes will be predominately delivered in-person. However, you may have some online classes. As you continue your college career, you’ll be able to schedule classes that suit your requirements, needs and schedule. VIEW PROGRAMS

Because it allows you to shape your education according to your schedule and needs. It also allows you to take advantage of all PennWest has to offer.

A Blended degree combines traditional in-person courses with flexible, online educational experiences.

An Online degree is offered 100% online.

You are no longer defined by one campus. You now have an entire network of faculty and staff at your disposal.

Supporting You

Choosing Pennsylvania Western University means individualized guidance in each stage of your academic career.

Pennsylvania Western University provides a good balance of comfort and challenge that will prepare you for tomorrow. It also will feel like home.

From the beginning, we have professionals who will help you get a jump on your college experience.

Your success coach will help you get off to a great start in your classes, and then will be there to support you throughout your college career.

We also understand that college life can be stressful and we’re here to help you through life’s ups and downs. Each campus has a counseling/health center geared to keeping your mental health and overall wellness on track:

California

calu.edu/health

Clarion

clarion.edu/health

Edinboro

edinboro.edu/health

You can rest well on our campuses that are protected by an accredited police department with notification systems to keep you informed.

At PennWest, we have an entire support system to make sure you get the best possible college experience –whatever your path. We’re dedicated to community safety by providing our students with all of the resources they need to feel right and right at home.

Careers and Internships

At PennWest, we do more than just prepare you for a career. We help you get your foot in the door.

From Day 1, each student is paired with a Career Coach who is dedicated to getting you where you want to be.

• Explore majors and careers

• Prep for interviews

• Get that top internship

• Learn how to search for and apply for jobs

• Gear up for graduate school

We also connect you to networking opportunities with more than 185,000 alumni.

And our research shows, these efforts are paying off. Our graduates consistently land impressive jobs in their fields or continue their education in distinguished graduate programs.

Of our surveyed graduates, 97% of them are employed or continuing education within six months after graduation. Not only are they employed, but of those graduates, 94% of them are working in their chosen field.

That’s solid proof that a PennWest education gets you where you want to go.

We’ll help you become career ready by helping you:

Out of the Classroom

Learning doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It also doesn’t just happen in the classroom.

We believe the best way to learn is through action and immersion. Professors create classes to prepare you for jobs in the real world. That’s why so many of our programs are built around lab work, field research, externships and work experiences.

We have 24/7 access to digital resources and technology linking you to more than 500,000 job and internship opportunities from companies, nonprofits and government organizations.

Our students secure internships at some prestigious places. You’ll recognize many of the names on this list:

• Allegheny Health Network

• Amazon

• Baltimore Ravens

• Bayer Corp.

• Buffalo Bills

• Busch Gardens

• Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

• Center for Arabic Culture

• Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

• Department of Defense

• Department of Environmental Protection

• Drug Enforcement Administration

• Edgar Snyder & Associates

• General Electric

• Giant Eagle

• Highmark Health

• Kennywood

• Kohl’s

• Lehigh Valley Health Network

• Maryland Department of Natural Resources

• Municap Public Financing

• National Security Agency (NSA)

• Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS)

• Pittsburgh Penguins

• Pittsburgh Pirates

• Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium

• PNC Bank (Corporate)

• Rosapenna Golf and Hotel Resort

• The Walt Disney Co.

• Travel Centers of America

• UPMC, UPMC Children’s Hospital

• U.S. Department of Defense

• U.S. Department of Justice

• U.S. Department of State

• USPS

• U.S. Steel

• Wild World of Animals

• WMBS Radio

• WVU Medicine

• YMCA

In addition to internship opportunities, our students can join any of our 300+ clubs and organizations to hone their professional skills and have fun while they’re at it. In addition to providing you with the opportunity to develop skills and experience that can help you land a job after graduation, becoming involved helps you meet new people, develop community and discover your strengths and passions.

If you wish for a more formal study abroad option, we have those opportunities throughout the world with short-term (two to 10 weeks), semester, or full academic year experiences. Learn more: PennWest.edu/ academics/study-abroad.

All of these opportunities mean the world is now your classroom.

PennWest California is located just 35 miles from Pittsburgh, on a beautiful riverside campus that includes top recreation facilities, best-in-class housing options, green space and modern science spaces that accommodate our high-tech majors like mechatronics engineering technology and our vet tech programs.

Each spring, Student Government sponsors the Big Event so students can show their appreciation to the California community with a day of service. The program provides local residents with help washing windows, painting and completing other needed work. The Underground Café is a student organization that hosts special events and performances throughout the year, from a homecoming celebration to hip-hop nights and food drives. It’s best known for its open mic night every Thursday.

Cal’s mascot, Blaze the Vulcan, embodies Cal pride. He loves football season when he hits our steel beam with his hammer in celebration of every point scored. Not only is Blaze the biggest Vulcan sports fan, he’s also present at all other types of Cal events throughout the year.

Enjoy all that Cal has to offer while living in our oncampus residence halls. Learn more about your options at PennWest.edu/california-housing. Additional questions can be directed to calreslife@pennwest.edu or by calling 724-938-4444.

PennWest Clarion is close to Cook Forest but also conveniently located in Clarion’s charming college town with its cozy Main Street atmosphere. The stunning campus features state-of-the-art learning facilities like our nursing simulation laboratory and our hands-on communication studios for TV, radio and print media experience.

Our most popular event, by far, is homecoming, which coincides with the town’s nine-day Autumn Leaf Festival. Homecoming events include a parade and, of course, the big game. Students, alumni and the entire town get in on the fun.

PennWest Clarion also has locations in Venango and Somerset counties. Venango specializes in associate degrees, as well as career and workforce education and programming. Somerset offers the two-year Associate of Science in Nursing, which fully prepares students to sit for the RN licensure exam.

One of the biggest traditions of being a Clarion student is simply enjoying the campus’ proximity to downtown amenities and outdoor activities. With a bustling main street featuring shops and restaurants, the community embraces our students. There’s also a hiking trail that begins on campus and a popular swimming location just a short drive away to the Toby Bridge on the Clarion River.

Ernie the Eagle is Clarion’s Golden Eagle mascot, who hatched in 1979. He’s had many makeovers throughout the years to become the buff specimen you see today. You can see him strutting his stuff all over campus and at Clarion sporting events as he prides himself on being the biggest Golden Eagles sports fan. Live, laugh and let loose in one of our many room style options. Learn more about your options at PennWest.edu/clarion-housing. Additional questions can be directed to clarionreslife@pennwest.edu or by calling 814-393-2352.

@ Jim Prokell

PennWest Edinboro is situated just south of Erie, in a bustling college town. The picturesque lakeside campus offers modern learning facilities, suitestyle housing options and incredible outdoor recreation opportunities for every season.

Much like the town, some of The Boro’s most popular majors are focused on the arts like animation, illustration, drawing and painting. Held during Welcome Weekend, Boro Bash is the perfect opportunity to meet your classmates, make new friends and have some fun before the start of the fall semester. The celebration features music, food, games and more.

The good times continue as each fall, The Boro’s campus is filled with the colorful traditions of Scotland during the Highland Games and Scottish Festival. Featuring world-class musicians, highland dance performances, athletic competitions and traditional Scottish food, the festival serves as a tribute to the Scottish heritage of the Edinboro campus and surrounding community.

We ARE the Fighting Scots. Clad with a Royal Stewart Tartan kilt and headband, steadfast shield and leather wrist guards and boots, our mascot, MacCato, is the embodiment of our tenacious spirit and abounding campus pride.

Embrace all the charm The Boro has to offer in one of our many room style options. Learn more about your options at PennWest.edu/edinboro-housing. Additional questions can be directed to bororeslife@pennwest.edu or by calling 814-732-2818.

Athletics

Ready to wear a varsity uniform? Want intramural bragging rights? Or are you just looking to stay active and healthy?

Each of our campuses offers competitive opportunities and state-of-the-art, open-to-all athletics facilities.

Between our three campuses we have:

• 48 varsity athletic teams

• 49 intramural programs

• 24 club teams

• Indoor running tracks

• Climbing walls

• Indoor pools

• Miles of trails for hiking, biking and more!

Each campus has many other unique features to help you stay active. So, no matter your speed, we have what you need to keep you in the game.

Cheer on our athletic teams and student-athletes who have had stand-out performances in the past year. Some highlights include:

California:

The Cal women’s basketball team continued its winning streak by clinching this year’s PSAC Championship and Head Coach Jess Strom became the coach with the most wins in school history with a 258-78 record over 12 seasons. They also were the NCAA National Champions in 2004 and 2015. Track & field All-American Divonne Franklin continues to break records. In fact, she’s the fastest woman of all time in PSAC history in the 60m (indoors), 100m (outdoors) and the 200m (indoors and outdoors).

Clarion:

Freshman diver Luna Castellanos continued to make a splash as she won the national championships in the women’s 1-meter and women’s 3-meter dives, en route to earning Division II Women’s Diver of the Year honors.

Senior wrestler Will Feldkamp became a Division I All-American when he placed seventh in the 184-pound bracket at this year’s NCAA Championships.

Edinboro:

The men’s and women’s cross country teams continue to set a victorious pace. The men’s team won their fifth straight PSAC title, the women their fourth.

calvulcans.com

California NCAA Intercollegiate Athletic Programs

MEN’S Baseball Basketball Cross Country Football Golf Soccer Track & Field

WOMEN’S Basketball Cross Country Golf Soccer Softball Swimming

Clarion NCAA Intercollegiate Athletic Programs

MEN’S Baseball Basketball Football Golf Swimming & Diving Wrestling (Division I)

WOMEN’S Basketball Cross Country Golf Soccer Softball Swimming & Diving

Tennis Track & Field Volleyball

Edinboro NCAA Intercollegiate Athletic Programs

MEN’S Basketball Cross Country Football Swimming Tennis Track & Field Wrestling (Division I)

WOMEN’S Basketball Cross Country Lacrosse Soccer

The men’s tennis team continues to serve success as they won their third straight PSAC title. clariongoldeneagles.com gofightingscots.com

Tennis Track & Field Volleyball

COED eSports Wheelchair Basketball | P ennWest.edu 21

Track & Field Volleyball ATHLETICS

Financial Aid

Investing in a college education is one of the most important financial decisions you’ll make. That’s why at PennWest, we’re dedicated to making sure you get a good return on that investment.

And a degree still makes good sense.

• 98% of new jobs go to degree holders; 72 percent of those individuals have a bachelor’s degree (CNN Business).

• 134% higher earnings than non-bachelor’s degree holders (Lumina Foundation).

• 72% more likely to have a retirement plan (Lumina Foundation).

• 47% more likely to have health insurance (Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities).

The best news of all? It’s reported that 94% of people with a bachelor’s degree are happier with their lives (Pew Research Center survey).

More good news?

Our Financial Aid team is here to help make your educational goals a reality. Our counselors explore every avenue of student funding including scholarships, grants, loans and student employment to ensure you have the most comprehensive aid package possible.

Your eligibility for scholarships will be determined by filling out one scholarship application when you officially become a student. Each year, we award $18 million in scholarships to our students.

Your eligibility for grants and loans will be determined when you file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (commonly known as the FAFSA).

Campus student employment opportunities also are available. Our students tend to find employment opportunities in the shops, businesses and restaurants near their chosen campus.

We know how hard you work to pay for college; that’s why we work just as hard to make it affordable and worthwhile.

We’re here for hard workers, who know the value of a college education and a dollar.

Visit

Visit campus

Come see for yourself all that we have to offer! We have a variety of tour styles as well as virtual visits to make it easy to fit into your schedule. Once you see our campuses, you’ll understand why more than 185,000 alumni have chosen us and still think of us as home. Learn more at PennWest.edu/visit.

Pennsylvania Western University 250 University Ave. California, PA 15419

Still have questions? Our Admissions team is here to help.

Feel free to reach out any time at admissions@pennwest.edu or visit PennWest.edu/admissions.

PennWest.edu

admissions@pennwest.edu

PennWest.edu/admissions

Keep connected: @PennWestUniversity @pennwestuniv @pennwestu

Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest California, PennWest Clarion, PennWest Edinboro, PennWest Global Online) is an academic community dedicated to the ideals of justice, fairness, and equal opportunity for all. In compliance with federal and Pennsylvania laws, the university is committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or status as a veteran or disabled veteran. The university will not tolerate any type of discrimination, harassment, or violence.