Season's Greetings

As we approach the end of the fall semester across our Commonwealth University locations, please enjoy this holiday message. 

I wish you a safe, happy, and restorative holiday season. 

Bashar W. Hanna, President 

A Spirit of Gratitude

Here in Pennsylvania, the weather has let us know that the holidays and winter are fast approaching. With the changing of the seasons comes the opportunity to reflect and acknowledge the accomplishments of the past year while giving thanks for the remarkable team at Commonwealth University that has made it all possible.

Reflecting on this past year fills me with pride and gratitude for our Commonwealth University family. Together, we continue to work every day toward providing students a life-changing education. I am continually inspired by the classroom stories about everything our students are doing, learning, and achieving together. Great achievements are happening at Commonwealth U thanks to our dedicated faculty and staff who hold our students as their first priority.

It is easy to get caught up in the “busyness” of our life and work—to keep pushing and striving to achieve the next goal, submit the next assignment, complete the next project. This tight focus and striving often prevents us from taking a step back and recognizing how far we have come and all we have accomplished.

As we enter this season of gratitude and thanksgiving, I encourage you to do just that. Take time to consider the strides you have made in your life, your work and your pursuits over the past year. Perhaps this year marked monumental change in your life, moving away from home, beginning a new journey, taking on a challenge that, at the time, seemed insurmountable. Perhaps this year brings you closer to the accomplishment of major goals and milestones. Whatever situation you are in, I urge you to be gracious with yourself—to look back on the achievement of both the big and small goals with pride.

This time of the semester can be challenging as we look to finish strong and complete our end-of- semester tasks and assignments. Taking time to connect and socialize can be difficult this time of year given the expectations we place upon ourselves and the impending rush of the holiday season. I encourage you to reach out for the help and support of your family, friends, professors, and staff. During times of stress and anxiety, it is important to look to one another for support. As a Commonwealth University family, we care about one another. So, let’s protect one another and take time for the things that matter most this time of year.

I encourage each of us, as we endeavor to end the semester strong and tackle our holiday responsibilities, to prioritize time for reflection, self-care, and gratitude. Don’t be afraid to take a break. Go for a walk, call a friend you haven’t talked to in months, have lunch with a coworker or classmate. Tell someone how much their friendship or encouragement has meant to you over the past few months. We are all at our best when we’re surrounded by people we care about and doing the small things that lift our spirits and fill our hearts with gratitude. That is my hope for all of us as we enter this holiday season.

Bashar W. Hanna, President 

Students First: CU Launches Strategic Plan

Earlier this month, Commonwealth University’s Council of Trustees formally approved and endorsed the university’s first-ever strategic plan.

The life of a university is marked by many notable milestones. As Commonwealth University continues to grow and evolve, the launch of our first strategic plan is an important accomplishment. I am proud beyond measure of the talented team members who have devoted their time, energy, and talent to the strategic planning process over the past year. Their collaborative efforts have brought forward a long-range plan that is notable for its focus and commitment to putting students first.

Each of the plan’s four strategic priorities is built around the principle that students are at the heart of our mission, goals, and purpose. Not only does the plan lay out measurements of success through well-defined metrics, but each of the plan’s strategic priorities is buoyed by three core commitments that will guide and inform our work well into the future.  

Strategic Plan Priorities ·         Student Success ·         Academic Excellence and Innovation ·         University Success ·         Welcoming and Inclusive Community

Strategic Plan Core Commitments ·         Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging ·         Strategic Communications ·         Thriving Students, Faculty, and Staff

The four priority areas speak to our areas of greatest urgency and significance, starting with student success. As we implement the strategic plan, we will offer inclusive support to meet the needs of all students as we champion initiatives designed to provide meaningful opportunities for career readiness, grow our exemplary and holistic student support services, offer support to graduates as they launch their careers, and embed financial literacy into the learning process. 

The Academic Excellence and Innovation priority focuses on incorporating high-impact practices, accelerated programs, and innovative credentialing opportunities into the educational offerings, as well as investments in both employee professional development and student-faculty engagement to foster innovation and the development of scholarly and creative works that make an impact far beyond the campus community. 

The University Success priority focuses on student enrollment, retention, and graduation rates, as well as employee recruitment and onboarding. It includes the launch of strengthened marketing efforts and fundraising campaigns to support our plan’s progress. 

The Welcoming and Inclusive Community priority seeks to build a culture that embraces change, improves communication across the complex organization, supports the affinity groups that foster a sense of belonging through student organizations, athletics, and other co-curricular programs, and enhances the university’s mutually beneficial relationships with its surrounding communities. 

As we begin the important work of bringing our strategic plan to life, I want to thank our entire strategic planning committee, especially our core team members who have worked tirelessly to lead this process with a robust and bright vision for the future of Commonwealth University and its students. Cori Myers, John Bodenman, and Amy Osborne are to be commended for the yeoman’s work they have done in shepherding the strategic plan from concept to completion.

Dr. Cori Myers, Associate Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness, notes that, “CU engaged in a consultative, data-informed process that identified priorities essential to delivering transformative educational experiences that will be life-changing for our students. The plan emphasizes having a culture that embraces change and an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity of thought and intellectual inquisitiveness.  Work to operationalize the plan currently ensues as all divisions and units have defined actions that will mark definitive progress toward the achievement of key measures of success and excellence.”

“Now that we have a dynamic plan, the most important part lies ahead of us to bring our institutional priorities to life,” shares Assistant Provost Amy Osborne. She says, “The plan is bold and simple, which will allow us to execute with focus and speed.  There is so much we are already doing, but the plan intentionally embraces innovation from the experts across all levels of our new institution.  It will be exciting to see everyone emerge and engage.” 

Dr. John Bodenman, Professor of Environmental, Geographical and Geological Sciences, acknowledges the challenges Commonwealth University has faced in its early stages, but also recognizes the significant achievement in launching our first strategic plan. He says,  “For many of us, aspects of integration have certainly been challenging and difficult, but most surprising to me was how well the students, faculty, staff, coaches, administration, and alumni representatives from each of our four campuses--serving alongside our partners at Blue Beyond—were able to come together as a Committee and create a strategic plan for Commonwealth University that reflects input from our many stakeholder groups--a truly unique experience, and a pleasant surprise indeed!”

Witnessing our university community work through the process of developing a strategic plan and now beginning to bring it to life through dynamic and impactful initiatives has affirmed my belief in the strength and heart of our Commonwealth University family. I look forward to continuing this important journey together in service to our students as we work to ensure a promising future for them.

If you want to learn more about the strategic plan, visit www.commonwealthu.edu/strategic-planning 

Bashar W. Hanna, President 

Workforce Development: Creating Pathways for Education and Employment

 Earlier this month, Commonwealth University announced the launch of a partnership with Google for a public-private partnership enabling our students to earn industry-recognized certificates during their regular undergraduate degree programs. The program will prepare students for careers in the fields of cybersecurity, data analytics, digital marketing/e-commerce, business intelligence, IT support, project management, and user experience (UX) design.

Partnerships like this continue our foundational mission to expand the opportunities available to both our students and the people in the communities our campuses call home. Inaccessibility to education often stands as a barrier for individuals looking to upskill and reskill and earn relevant credentials that today’s employers need. I am pleased that this program will address the critical access issue in a way that offers real-world skills in the most relevant and rapidly growing fields.

Cynthia Shapira, PASSHE Board of Governors chairwoman

Google developed its Google Career Certificates specifically for in-demand fields. Numerous Pennsylvania-based companies are part of Google’s employer consortium, including Bayer, CMI Media Group, SAP, Expedient, and The Project Management Institute. Other employer consortium members include Deloitte, Walmart, Verizon, and, of course, Google.  All provide input into the skills and competencies their employees need, and those are incorporated into the training. 

Most university students work to pay for their education while in college. These credentials help students start jobs while still in school. The training can be offered through workforce development on a non-credit basis. Certificate programs offer more options and opportunities to earn skills and acquire education.  Earning certificates can help people enter high-growth jobs and continue earning more advanced credentials or enroll in the university to pursue associate and bachelor’s degrees. When paired with a degree, certificates add value and often increase entry-level salaries.

So far in the U.S., more than 200,000 people have graduated from Google’s program. Of those, the vast majority have reported a positive career impact such as higher pay, a promotion, or a new job. Earning certificates in high-demand fields adds value to a degree. A study done in 2022 by Strada Outcomes Survey showed that history majors who acquire data analysis skills increase their entry-level salary by 38%. Sociology majors who acquire UX/UI design skills increase their entry-level salary by 32%.

These results are why we are so eager to provide this opportunity to our students. By embracing a student-first mentality and collaborating with employers to bring initiatives like the Google partnership to Commonwealth University, we’re positioning our students for success in a rapidly evolving economic landscape.

In addition to the Google Career Certificates, Commonwealth University is pursuing many other workforce development initiatives across the region. We have teamed up with Thrive International and UPMC to offer free courses in English as a Second Language (ESL) at our Lock Haven location. Removing the language barrier is the first step that unlocks the promise of education for many students, as it did for me. This leads to employment and enables degrees. Our evening classes are reaching some 50 area students. In the spring, Commonwealth U students in our ESL certificate program will volunteer as part of their field experience.

We have partnered with Career and Technology Centers across the region to form 15 articulation agreements for career and educational pathways into Commonwealth U’s Criminal Justice and Early Childhood Education programs. This fall we are welcoming new students in these two areas. With the success of this program, we are working toward additional pathways in business. Over the past year, our Public Safety Training Institute has grown the total number of training and contact hours by more than 70%.

I am excited about the work taking place in Workforce Development and what it means for our students and our communities. When we work together to find opportunities and entry points to education that make learning accessible, we improve the lives of those around us and help to ensure a more vibrant living, learning, and working environment.

Read more about the Google Partnership here: https://www.commonwealthu.edu/news/commonwealth-university-launch-partnership-google

A Message to Commonwealth University Students

 

As the end of August nears, Commonwealth University is off and running in its second academic year. Last week we were thrilled to welcome our students to campus and witness the successful start of classes.  As President, I am eager to see the achievements our students will realize this year under the mentorship and guidance of our dedicated faculty and staff.

To our students—whether you are beginning your first year of college or are returning to campus—I ask you to pursue your dreams with all your energy. The beginning of a new school year is full of promise and possibility. The university holds the promise of exceptional academic experiences and the possibilities offered by extracurricular activities designed to position you for success. It’s up to you to turn possibilities into opportunities.

I have no doubt that every Commonwealth U student has the potential to graduate and go on to make a real difference in the world, no matter what degree you choose to pursue. That is why we want your time as Huskies, Bald Eagles, and Mounties to be rich with learning and growth. I encourage you to fill your time at Commonwealth U with new experiences. Don’t be afraid to push past your comfort zone, reach for unexpected goals, and boldly imagine your path for the future. The world needs your talent, your perspective, and your unique gifts.

Students walk to class at CU-Lock Haven

As educators, your faculty and staff are here to do all we can to support, encourage, and challenge you on the path to success. We always encourage students to reach out for help when you need it. It’s true that we do all we can to support you. But let me also urge you to seek out ways to get involved. Ask your professors how you can enhance your academic experience through research, field experiences, or internships.

CU-Mansfield ushered in the start of the semester with a Convocation Ceremony 

Your college years can change and shape your life. They will provide you with new perspectives, expand your horizons, and help you envision how your unique talents can change the world. I hope you will make good on the Commonwealth U promise by developing a lifelong love for learning and a passion for excellence in all that you do. Get involved on campus through our many clubs and organizations. Try something new. Join your campus student government association. Attend an athletic event and cheer on your fellow students. Get to know the local community your campus calls home. Explore the experiences for networking and personal growth available through Professional U.

Students pause for a photo during the first day of classes at CU-Bloomsburg 

Your college years are what you make them—so make the most of them!

Our campuses are filled with future leaders and changemakers who will go on to make an impact in their communities by using the lessons they learned, the skills they gained, the connections they made, and the opportunities they seized as Commonwealth U students.

I believe in you. And I wish you a wonderful year ahead.

Bashar W. Hanna, President 

Celebrating Our 2023 Graduates

 

Earlier this month, I had the privilege of presiding over Commonwealth University’s commencement ceremonies. Over two days, three campuses, and four ceremonies 1,775 graduates walked across the stage to receive their diplomas and begin the next stage of their lives. I am so incredibly proud of the commitment, perseverance, and heart they have shown in earning their degrees. During my remarks to the class of 2023, I shared a favorite quote by Nelson Mandela. He said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to the change the world.”

Our Commonwealth University graduates have the power to do just that. They are a class of world changers and difference makers, willing to work hard, sacrifice, and give back to others. They have overcome much in their journey to a degree. The pandemic marked their academic experience and tested their resolve and resilience. But they did not give up. Surrounded by a caring community of friends, family, professors, and staff, they found the strength to keep going and achieve more than they may have thought possible.

In his address to the Lock Haven graduates, 2023 graduate and student trustee Justin White shared, “Here we are, ready to take on the world, to pursue our dreams, and to make a difference. We may have different paths ahead of us, but we share one thing in common: the determination to succeed.” Justin’s sentiments captured the spirit of this year’s class of Huskies, Mounties, and Bald Eagles; they are a group of ambitious and determined, strong and selfless, caring and creative individuals who are poised to make a difference in everything they do.

My message for the graduating class of 2023, whether you are graduating from high school, college, or have earned an advanced degree is to focus first on the strength of your character and success will follow. As I shared with our Commonwealth U graduates, character is something that you develop over time. Character is built through your experiences, your relationships, and your choices. As you go through life, make choices that will strengthen your character. Choose to be honest, even when it is hard. Choose to be kind, even when it is not reciprocated. Choose to be responsible, even when it is inconvenient. Make choices and stand up for what you believe in, even in the face of adversity. Your unique character is what will guide you through life’s journey. It will set you apart and make you successful in all aspects of your lives. Embrace the choices you make today, for they shape the person you become tomorrow.

Class of 2023, the world needs you and your potential to be extraordinary. I am proud of you. I believe in you. I can’t wait to see all the good you will do for the world. Congratulations!

Mansfield Graduation 

Lock Haven Graduation 

  

   Bloomsburg Graduation 

Bashar W. Hanna, President 

Growing and Giving Back

 

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” These words from Helen Keller epitomize the events taking place across our campuses as we launch into the spring season and the final weeks of the semester.

Spring is a time for growth, and it’s been in full bloom these last few weeks as we’ve all enjoyed the warmth and sunshine the season has brought. Earlier this month, students at Bloomsburg and Lock Haven participated in The Big Event—a campus-wide day of service focused on sending student volunteers out into the community to complete service projects. I’m incredibly proud of the selflessness exhibited by our students and their willingness to give back to the communities our campuses call home. Over 1,000 students took part in The Big Event, making a big impact on the towns of Bloomsburg and Lock Haven. At Mansfield, students rallied together through the annual Paddy Murphy fundraiser to raise $10,000 for a local teacher battling cancer. The campus also hosted Relay for Life this month.

Bloomsburg students at the start of the Big Event 

Lock Haven students filled Jared Boxes during the Big Event 

Mansfield students gather during Paddy Murphy Week

Volunteerism centers around selflessness, and at this busy time of the semester when many priorities compete for our students’ time and attention, it’s inspiring to witness them take a step back to give back. I’m always incredibly proud of our students and their dedication to excelling academically. Our campuses are filled with future leaders who will go on to achieve great things and contribute to their communities in meaningful ways. I have always believed that effective leadership is rooted in servant leadership, which is why it’s so heartening to see our students embracing these principles. Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” Our students are living this truth by doing work that matters, both in and out of the classroom.

We know that our students carry these values with them long after their days on campus. The generosity of our alumni prove it year after year. April has been a month of giving for our proud alumni and supporters as well. They are supporting our students in big ways through the All In Days of Giving, which took place earlier this month and raised over $375,000. These gifts make a tremendous difference in the lives of our students and support valuable initiatives that lead directly to enhanced learning experiences and outcomes for our students.

Growth. Giving Back. In so many ways, this is what the college experience is all about. I often speak about our number one priority at Commonwealth University—student success. As president, it’s incredibly rewarding to see our students grow as individuals in their four years here. It’s even more rewarding to know that the students who came before them are instilling the value of giving back—demonstrating the truest measure of success.

Thank you, sincerely, to every student and supporter for the generosity of spirit and selflessness you have demonstrated this month. Your actions have made a difference in the lives of others!

    Bashar W. Hanna, President