Greater Allegheny

Greater Allegheny builds momentum with new programs, campus improvements

New academic offerings, accreditation and campus improvements accompany a year of enrollment growth for Penn State Greater Allegheny

A prominently displayed “Welcome to Greater Allegheny” sign greets visitors in the Student Community Center stairwell. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

McKEESPORT, Pa. — The hallways and sidewalks are busier, classrooms are filling with new faces and students are settling into refreshed spaces. There are signs of visible change at Penn State Greater Allegheny during a year of growth and expansion, as students find new degree options and projects take shape across campus.

A milestone year for enrollment

Based on preliminary fall 2026 enrollment figures, the number of students new to the Greater Allegheny campus has increased by 50% compared with the previous year. That figure does not include students who changed their campus to Greater Allegheny, bringing overall enrollment up approximately 7% over last year, ahead of the University’s official census. The increase comes as the campus continues to build on its academic offerings and strengthen its role as a Penn State campus near Pittsburgh.

Expanding academic opportunities

Three new associate degree programs have launched at the Greater Allegheny campus this fall. The Biomedical Engineering Technology (BET) and Radiological Sciences programs bring new opportunities in health care and technology to students in the region. Their arrival is also reshaping the third floor of the Frable Building, where new laboratory spaces are being developed to support both programs. Plans for the laboratories are being displayed in the building’s hallway as work continues.

Architectural plans and renderings outline upcoming renovations to support expanded biomedical engineering technology and radiological sciences learning spaces at Greater Allegheny. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

Construction begins in a laboratory space for renovation with mechanical, electrical and HVAC systems exposed. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

An existing academic space is transformed as part of a renovation project that will create updated biomedical engineering technology and radiological sciences laboratory facilities in the Frable Building at Greater Allegheny. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

Renovation work progresses on biomedical engineering technology and radiological sciences laboratory spaces, with infrastructure upgrades underway to support enhanced student learning and research experiences at Greater Allegheny. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

Architectural plans and renderings outline upcoming renovations to support expanded biomedical engineering technology and radiological sciences learning spaces at Greater Allegheny. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

Construction begins in a laboratory space for renovation with mechanical, electrical and HVAC systems exposed. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

An existing academic space is transformed as part of a renovation project that will create updated biomedical engineering technology and radiological sciences laboratory facilities in the Frable Building at Greater Allegheny. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

Renovation work progresses on biomedical engineering technology and radiological sciences laboratory spaces, with infrastructure upgrades underway to support enhanced student learning and research experiences at Greater Allegheny. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

Multidisciplinary Studies has existed on the campus for some time as a four-year degree program. Now also offered as a two-year degree, the program gives students a flexible option to build their Penn State experience around their individual academic interests.

Earlier this year, the Bachelor of Social Work program earned national accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation, marking another academic milestone for the campus. Learn more about the Social Work accreditation in the announcement from the Greater Allegheny campus.

Creating spaces for the student experience

Students also are seeing changes beyond the classroom, including updates to some of the places they gather, study and spend time between classes.

The upper concourse, Café Metro and Ostermayer Room in the Student Community Center received a fresh coat of paint over the summer, along with new signage that brings Penn State pride to the spaces. The work in the Student Community Center is continuing with a focus group survey to gather student input on ideas for transforming the lower level, giving students a voice in the future of one of the campus’s central gathering spaces.

A new “For the Glory of Old State” wall graphic adds a nod to the Penn State alma mater in the Ostermayer Room of the Student Community Center. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

Updated Penn State Greater Allegheny branding enhances the Ostermayer Room in the Student Community Center with a prominent campus identity display. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

New signage at the entrance to the Ostermayer Room highlights upgrades made to the Student Community Center's event and meeting spaces. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

A new Penn State shield display enhances a welcoming lounge area in the Student Community Center, reinforcing campus pride and identity. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

Updated Café Metro signage contributes to the refreshed look and feel of the Student Community Center's dining and gathering spaces. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

A new “For the Glory of Old State” wall graphic adds a nod to the Penn State alma mater in the Ostermayer Room of the Student Community Center. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

Updated Penn State Greater Allegheny branding enhances the Ostermayer Room in the Student Community Center with a prominent campus identity display. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

New signage at the entrance to the Ostermayer Room highlights upgrades made to the Student Community Center's event and meeting spaces. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

A new Penn State shield display enhances a welcoming lounge area in the Student Community Center, reinforcing campus pride and identity. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

Updated Café Metro signage contributes to the refreshed look and feel of the Student Community Center's dining and gathering spaces. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

Wunderley Gymnasium has also received a facelift, upgrading the student-athlete experience on campus. The renovated upstairs athlete lounge features new furniture, illuminated signage and a fresh look for Greater Allegheny athletics. Work continues on the back tunnel of the gymnasium, where LED lighting and additional Penn State elements are being added.

New LED lighting and Greater Allegheny branding transform the Wunderley Gymnasium tunnel, enhancing the student-athlete experience and school spirit. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

Updated signage, digital displays, and illuminated branding give the Wunderley Gymnasium lobby a refreshed look and a stronger Greater Allegheny identity. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

New furnishings and bold wall graphics create a modern gathering space for student-athletes in the renovated Wunderley Gymnasium lounge. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

New furniture, collaborative workspaces, and Penn State branding create a modern athlete lounge designed to support student-athletes on and off the field. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

New signage gives the Wunderley Gymnasium lobby a refreshed look while strengthening the visibility of Greater Allegheny athletics facilities. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

LED lighting, updated furnishings, and bold inspirational graphics transform the athlete lounge into a welcoming space for Greater Allegheny student-athletes. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

New LED lighting and Greater Allegheny branding transform the Wunderley Gymnasium tunnel, enhancing the student-athlete experience and school spirit. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

Updated signage, digital displays, and illuminated branding give the Wunderley Gymnasium lobby a refreshed look and a stronger Greater Allegheny identity. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

New furnishings and bold wall graphics create a modern gathering space for student-athletes in the renovated Wunderley Gymnasium lounge. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

New furniture, collaborative workspaces, and Penn State branding create a modern athlete lounge designed to support student-athletes on and off the field. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

New signage gives the Wunderley Gymnasium lobby a refreshed look while strengthening the visibility of Greater Allegheny athletics facilities. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

LED lighting, updated furnishings, and bold inspirational graphics transform the athlete lounge into a welcoming space for Greater Allegheny student-athletes. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

The Admissions and Student Aid suite has also been refreshed with a new meeting room and updated signage throughout the space. Relocated to 101 Frable Building, the improvements provide a more welcoming setting for prospective students and families as they visit campus, meet with staff and explore their options at the Greater Allegheny campus.

A new meeting space in the Admissions and Student Aid suite provides a welcoming environment for prospective students and families visiting the Greater Allegheny campus. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

Updated branding and comfortable seating create an inviting welcome area for prospective students and families in the relocated Admissions and Student Aid suite. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

Modern furnishings and updated workspaces enhance the Admissions and Student Aid suite, creating a functional and welcoming setting for student visits and engagement. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

A prominent “We Are” display and Penn State-inspired branding help create a welcoming and recognizable environment in the newly renovated Admissions and Student Aid suite. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

A new meeting space in the Admissions and Student Aid suite provides a welcoming environment for prospective students and families visiting the Greater Allegheny campus. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

Updated branding and comfortable seating create an inviting welcome area for prospective students and families in the relocated Admissions and Student Aid suite. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

Modern furnishings and updated workspaces enhance the Admissions and Student Aid suite, creating a functional and welcoming setting for student visits and engagement. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

A prominent “We Are” display and Penn State-inspired branding help create a welcoming and recognizable environment in the newly renovated Admissions and Student Aid suite. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

The J. Clarence Kelly Library has received new carpeting, giving the library a fresh look for students as they return to one of the campus’s primary spaces for studying, and current home to services such as the John H. Gruskin Student Success Center and the ACE Program (TRIO Student Support Services).

Building connections in the Mon Valley

The changes aren’t limited to the campus itself. The Mon Valley LaunchBox is preparing to move into a new upgraded space at 409 Walnut Street in the Tube City Center for Business and Innovation in downtown McKeesport. The new location will be celebrated on Tuesday, Sept. 29, with a ribbon-cutting at 11 a.m. followed by an open house from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Private office space at the Mon Valley LaunchBox provides entrepreneurs, startups, and community partners with a professional environment for meetings and business development. Credit: Bill Hager / Penn State. Creative Commons

A flexible event space at the Mon Valley LaunchBox is designed to host workshops, presentations, networking events, and entrepreneurial programming. Credit: Bill Hager / Penn State. Creative Commons

Modern office space at the Mon Valley LaunchBox offers entrepreneurs and innovators a comfortable place to work, collaborate, and grow their ventures. Credit: Bill Hager / Penn State. Creative Commons

City of McKeesport employees assist with furnishing and preparing the Mon Valley LaunchBox space at 409 Walnut Street, highlighting the collaboration behind the project's launch. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

Private office space at the Mon Valley LaunchBox provides entrepreneurs, startups, and community partners with a professional environment for meetings and business development. Credit: Bill Hager / Penn State. Creative Commons

A flexible event space at the Mon Valley LaunchBox is designed to host workshops, presentations, networking events, and entrepreneurial programming. Credit: Bill Hager / Penn State. Creative Commons

Modern office space at the Mon Valley LaunchBox offers entrepreneurs and innovators a comfortable place to work, collaborate, and grow their ventures. Credit: Bill Hager / Penn State. Creative Commons

City of McKeesport employees assist with furnishing and preparing the Mon Valley LaunchBox space at 409 Walnut Street, highlighting the collaboration behind the project's launch. Credit: Nick Trunzo / Penn State. Creative Commons

The Mon Valley LaunchBox, a collaboration between the campus, Invent Penn State, and the City of McKeesport, engages the community and entrepreneurs to develop ideas into businesses while supporting economic development in the Mon Valley. Additional details about the Mon Valley LaunchBox and its new space will be shared as they become available.

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