UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State’s Board of Trustees approved the University’s new strategic plan, authorized several capital projects and elected new officers, among other actions, during its meetings Nov. 6-7 at the University Park campus.
Developed through a collaborative process that began in 2023, Penn State’s new strategic plan expands President Neeli Bendapudi’s priorities into a broader vision to advance the University’s mission and amplify its impact across the commonwealth and beyond.
The plan includes five strategic goals guiding the institution’s work: Enhancing student success; growing interdisciplinary research excellence; increasing land-grant impact; fostering diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging; and transforming health care through academic and clinical synergy.
President’s updates
In her report to the board, Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi highlighted the recent commitment by philanthropist and civil leader Tom Golisano of $50 million to name the Golisano Children’s Hospital at the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center to expand the University’s nationally recognized pediatric care, education and research programs; and a $25 million estate gift from Skip Smith for the Arboretum at Penn State.
Bendapudi also called out recent milestones that exhibit Penn State’s continued strength and momentum.
“Penn State remains a top higher education destination for students from Pennsylvania and beyond, with more than 86,000 students enrolled across the University,” she said. “Our University continues to rank highly, and again we are in the top 5 percent of institutions worldwide in the 2026 Times Higher Education World University rankings – a reflection of our continued excellence in teaching, research and impact.”
She also shared updates on the recent “State of State” town hall; the Global Impact Forum 2025, hosted by Penn State Outreach in Pittsburgh and focused on workforce readiness in the age of AI and automation; her visit to the 153rd annual session of the Pennsylvania State Grange in Williamsport; and efforts to advance rural health in Pennsylvania, among other items.
During its sessions, the trustees also approved:
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A $15 million plan to renovate and expand the microchip packaging cleanroom at the Millennium Science Complex at the University Park campus. The first phase of the project,which is designed to enhance the University’s capabilities and national preeminence in the critically important field of advanced semiconductor packaging, is slated to be completed in August 2026;
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An $11.37 million project for McKee Hall improvements at the University Park campus. The renovation will update the residence hall’s bathroom facilities and add 21 beds while helping to reduce maintenance costs and improve energy efficiency. McKee Hall was originally constructed in 1950 as part of the West Halls residence complex. Work is scheduled to be completed by August 2026;
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Repurposing the 331 Building at the University Park campus. The $16.4 million project at Innovation Park will provide new space as the Applied Research Laboratory continues totransition out of its current main lab facility at the core of University Park campus. The repurposing will be completed by September 2026;
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Naming the baseball field at Penn State Harrisburg “Whitey Kurowski Field,” after a 1940s-era professional baseball player from Pennsylvania. The naming came in recognition of a $250,000 commitment from Harrisburg-based K&W Engineers, a company headed by President and CEO Marc Kurowski, grandson of Whitey Kurowski, a 1992 Penn State civil engineering graduate, and a longtime supporter of the Harrisburg campus and its athletics programs.
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2026 election dates of trustees by delegates from agricultural societies, by alumni, for business and industry, and at-large;
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Selection of the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients. The Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor presented to Penn State alumni and its recipients will be announced in the coming weeks;
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The appointment of Dr. Gregory Moore to the Penn State Health board of directors;
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Standing operating committee guidelines for Audit and Risk, Equity and Human Resources, and Governance committees; and
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Changes to University bylaws and elections appendix, as recommended by the Governance Committee.
The board reelected David Kleppinger as chair and Richard Sokolov as vice chair, whose terms begin immediately.
In his remarks, board chair Kleppinger joined Bendapudi in honoring the memory of Mimi Barash Coppersmith, a Penn State alumna and philanthropist, publishing and advertising entrepreneur, and the first woman to chair the Board of Trustees, who died on Sept. 14 at the age of 92.
As Penn State celebrated Military Appreciation Week this week, Kleppinger also recognized the service and sacrifice of individuals who have been part of the U.S. armed forces.
The Board of Trustees’ next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 19-20 at the University Park campus. Find dates and information for all upcoming scheduled meetings on the board’s website.