CCBC, Geneva College, Penn State Beaver, and RMU Announce Bridges and Pathways Partnership - Geneva College
Geneva College Logo
View More Stories

CCBC, Geneva College, Penn State Beaver, and RMU Announce Bridges and Pathways Partnership

Picture of CCBC, Geneva College, Penn State Beaver, and RMU Announce Bridges and Pathways Partnership

Beaver County, PA – Four Beaver-area institutions of higher education made their commitment to a shared future official on Tuesday (Dec. 12).

The Community College of Beaver County (CCBC), Geneva College, Penn State Beaver and Robert Morris University (RMU) held a joint news conference at Uncommon Grounds Café in Aliquippa to unveil the Bridges and Pathways College Partnership, a consortium dedicated to improving the lives of Beaver Valley residents through access to education, cultural events and economic opportunities.

This historic partnership is a response to the Beaver Valley’s rapidly changing economic identity and the institutions’ collective vision to serve the educational, workforce development and quality of life needs of residents and businesses in the area. As new industry and prospects for growth take root in the valley, the partnership is poised to fulfill the increased postsecondary needs of the region.

“Today’s announcement and the creation of this consortium signifies a turning point for higher education in Beaver County and the region,” said CCBC President Chris Reber. “CCBC, Penn State, Geneva College, and Robert Morris University will provide promise and opportunity through a partnership founded on a shared commitment to student success and a futuristic vision focused on community priorities and integrated educational and career pathways.”

Part of addressing those needs involves helping students – particularly those in underserved communities – gain access to higher education opportunities and secure the financial resources they need to attend a college or university. To that end, the partnership has joined with the Beaver County Council of Governments (COG) and the Beaver County Foundation to develop two scholarships for local students who attend one of the four Bridges and Pathways institutions.

The COG scholarship is open to a second-year student who has an interest in government and also includes an internship opportunity. The Pathways scholarship, which was established with an initial donation from the Beaver County Partnership for Community and Economic Growth, is open to any Beaver County, high school graduate.

“Robert Morris University is grateful to be a part of this coalition that will help launch Beaver County students into great careers and great lives. Given the looming workforce shortage in the Pittsburgh region, we must ensure all communities in the area have access to both a world-class education as well as cutting-edge workforce training,” said RMU President Chris Howard.

The partnership also plans to collaborate on an advisory group for local businesses and a cultural series that will offer entertainment and learning opportunities to the community.

The Bridges Advisory Group consists of faculty and students from the partner institutions who will solve problems and build projects for local businesses. The group will eventually be housed within the Beaver Valley Innovation Hub, a regional entrepreneurial and co-working space currently in the fundraising phase. Until the Hub is built, the group will operate out of the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce.

The shared cultural series is an effort to multiply the cultural impact of the partnership institutions on the community. The first effort, a common book project developed and facilitated by CCBC Professor of English and Yoga Dr. Cynthia Marshall, led to discussions between faculty, staff, students and community members on all four campuses and will culminate with trips to Jerusalem and the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., in the spring.

Future efforts could include a speaker series and arts offerings.

Dr. Calvin L. Troup, President of Geneva College, explained, “We’re committed together to extend cultural engagement. It’s vital to us as educational institutions. The rich cultural heritage of the Beaver Valley provides opportunities for meaningful cultural considerations through our partnership.”

The partnership has developed a website – bridgespathways.com – so that the community can keep abreast of the opportunities this conscious sharing of resources and ideas will afford them.

“We believe this historic partnership not only serves the needs of our students but also strengthens our community,” said Penn State Beaver Chancellor Jenifer Cushman.
Dec 12, 2017