Campus leaders join mayor for annual 'State of the City' address in Allentown

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. — “Question the Status Quo” was the theme of the annual State of the City Address by Mayor Matt Tuerk in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Hosted at the new Archer Music Hall in Downtown Allentown, the event brought together local elected officials, business leaders, and community partners to reflect on the past year and outline priorities for the future. Penn State Lehigh Valley served as a sponsor of the event.

“We sponsor this annual event as a visible reminder of Penn State’s commitment to the Lehigh Valley and the city of Allentown,” said Chancellor Tina Richardson. “As the region’s public educational anchor institution, our mission is to inspire all people through academic excellence, access and inclusion and educational innovation.”

Penn State in the Lehigh Valley since 1912

Penn State’s history in the Lehigh Valley began in 1912 in the attic of the Stevens School at Sixth and Tilghman Streets in Allentown. In cooperation with Penn State’s School of Engineering, local citizens helped establish a technical center that offered evening courses to members of the community.

During World War I, the Allentown classrooms welcomed women who trained for roles supporting the war effort, filling workforce needs in the region’s steel and cement industries. By 1923, Bethlehem Steel was offering employees opportunities to enroll in engineering courses through Penn State.

In the second half of the 20th century, Penn State’s presence in the Lehigh Valley expanded across multiple locations throughout the region, eventually leading to a permanent home on 40 acres near Fogelsville, Pennsylvania, and the name "Penn State Allentown."

As the campus entered the 21st century, it continued to grow — introducing associate degrees, expanding to four-year bachelor’s degrees, and developing continuing education programs designed for learners at every age and stage of life and career.

Today, the campus is located in Center Valley, serving as Penn State’s voice and educational gateway for the people of Pennsylvania and beyond.

Mayor highlights Allentown’s growth

Allentown and the Lehigh Valley are among the fastest-growing regions in Pennsylvania, with the population surpassing 700,000 residents. Growth among families and young adults has increased demand for infrastructure investment, affordable housing, and high-paying jobs.

“We have a sense of now,” said Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk. “Every day drives us to get things done.”

Penn State Lehigh Valley well positioned to meet regional needs

Allentown and the surrounding region have experienced significant job growth in logistics, manufacturing and healthcare — fields where Penn State Lehigh Valley is already preparing graduates to meet workforce demand.

The campus recently launched a four-year engineering degree program supported by major facility upgrades, including two new engineering laboratories. Designed with workforce readiness in mind, the labs feature state-of-the-art equipment and professional-style workstations, including multiple screens at each workspace — mirroring real-world engineering environments.

Taught by faculty with decades of industry and academic experience, the program prepares graduates for careers in mechanical design, product development, manufacturing engineering and related fields.

Campus experiences extend into Allentown through work-based learning

Penn State Lehigh Valley’s work-based learning program provides students with a head-start on their careers by combining academic study with experiential learning both on and off campus. Many of these opportunities take place in Allentown with local employers.

“Today’s students expect experiences that give them a competitive advantage after graduation,” said career strategist Jamie Merida. “Our work-based learning program strengthens career readiness while helping students demonstrate critical thinking, communication, leadership, and professional skills to potential employers.”

Lehigh Valley LaunchBox supports Allentown entrepreneurs

The Penn State Lehigh Valley LaunchBox is an entrepreneurship accelerator that offers valuable resources to entrepreneurs at every stage of business development, including idea validation, mentorship, legal services and coworking space. The program brings together industry partners, workforce development organizations, the Veterans Business Outreach Center and community leaders to support sustainable economic growth.

“Allentown is home to talented and creative entrepreneurs ready to take their ideas to the next level,” said Cindy Evans, director of the Lehigh Valley LaunchBox. “LaunchBox exists to leverage the opportunities within our community, strengthen the local economy, and create pathways for business growth that benefit the entire Commonwealth.”

About Penn State Lehigh Valley

Founded in 1912, Penn State Lehigh Valley brings together more than a century of academic excellence with personalized instruction delivered by industry-connected faculty. The campus serves students from Bucks County, Lehigh County, Northampton County, and surrounding regions, as well as students from across the country and around the world. Penn State Lehigh Valley offers 12 bachelor’s degree programs that can be completed entirely on campus and provides pathways into more than 275 Penn State majors through the University’s 2+2 program.