Pennsylvania Western University

The Student Activities Board at PennWest California has been named the 2026 National Student Programming Board of the Year by the Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities (APCA), recognizing the group's outstanding work creating engaging programs and events for students.

Two PennWest University students from the Department of Business, Economics and Communication were selected to present original research at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland's annual Economic Scholars Program on April 17, continuing a growing record of strong student scholarship.

Addison Gregory, a sophomore biology/pre-medical science major at PennWest University's California campus, has been selected to serve as the student trustee representing California on the Pennsylvania Western University Council of Trustees.

PennWest Clarion sophomore Raechel Braun has been selected to serve as the student representative on the Pennsylvania Western University Council of Trustees - a role that places her at the center of university leadership and decision-making.

Taylor, an early childhood education major and honors student at the PennWest Edinboro campus, has been selected to serve on the Board of Governors for Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education - a prestigious role that places her among the key decision-makers shaping the future of public higher education across the Commonwealth.

Ashley Paulisick, a senior criminal justice major at PennWest Clarion, has earned Tau Beta Sigma's highest student honor, The Baton Leadership Award. Paulisick, president of the PennWest Clarion chapter of Tau Beta Sigma Band Sorority, received the award after attending the Northeast District Convention held in March.

PennWest California hosted its annual STREAMfest, an educational event designed to give future teachers hands-on experience creating and delivering engaging, standards-based lessons for young learners.

Students, advisors and campus leaders gathered to celebrate the energy and impact of PennWest Edinboro's student organizations during the PennWest Edinboro Club and Organization Awards. The annual event recognized the students and groups whose leadership, service, creativity and advocacy help shape campus life.

Audiences at PennWest California will soon have the opportunity to experience a magical and thought-provoking theatrical production. Cal Theatre and the University Players will present Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim, with performances scheduled for 7 p.m. April 17-18 and 2 p.m. April 18-19 in Steele Hall's Blaney Theatre. Two school performances will also be held.

The Bruce Gallery on the PennWest Edinboro campus is proud to announce the opening of Celebrate the Artist: The 16th Annual Michael V. Gmitter Memorial Scholarship Exhibition. An opening reception will be held on Wednesday, March 19, from 5-7 p.m., with awards announced at 6 p.m. During the reception, more than $4,000 in scholarships will be awarded to student artists.

Three PennWest University students recently stepped onto a regional stage to showcase their financial analysis and presentation skills at the CFA Society of Pittsburgh's Investment Research Challenge.

Audiences at PennWest California will soon have the opportunity to experience a powerful and thought-provoking theatrical production. The University Players will present "The White Rose" by Lillian Groag, with performances scheduled for 7 p.m. February 26-28 and 2 p.m. February 28 in Steele Hall's Blaney Theatre. A special school performance will also be held at 10 a.m. on February 26.

Pennsylvania Western University announces Winter 2025 graduates.

Brianna Fisher is building a future around preserving the past. "I'm passionate about archival work because I believe in the importance of preserving stories for future generations," she said. "So much history gets lost as people grow and change, and I want to make sure it's taken care of and appreciated by the right people."

Pennsylvania Western University honored its fall 2025 graduates during simultaneous commencement ceremonies on December 13 across the California, Clarion and Edinboro campuses.

Madison Messina walked across the stage on December 13 to receive her Master of Science in speech-language pathology, marking the culmination of a two-degree journey at PennWest Edinboro.

Nearly 3,000 undergraduate students at Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) have been named to the Dean's List for the Fall 2025 semester, recognizing their outstanding academic achievement.

Kyla Kowinsky graduated a semester early from PennWest California with a bachelor's degree in secondary education with a concentration in general science. A highly engaged student leader, she completed her student teaching this fall at Mount Pleasant Area Junior High School and is now working as a substitute teacher while preparing to launch her teaching career.

A lockdown-era spark became a calling. Fredericktown, Pennsylvania, native Lauren Sims started tinkering with computers around age 15 and then enrolled at PennWest California as a criminal justice major. Conversations with faculty - and a course that covered cybersecurity and cyber forensics - showed her how to merge that passion with justice. She added concentrations in cyber forensics and forensic investigation, plus a computer information systems minor to "get the best of both sides."

When Bailey Mutschler arrived at PennWest Edinboro, journalism wasn't even on her radar. A STEM major in her first semester, she never imagined herself stepping behind a microphone, let alone leading a campus radio station or building a career in television news.

Ansley Burke remembers having a student teacher from Clarion during her 5th grade year at Immaculate Conception Parish School. She recalls the fun that the student teacher brought and her own sadness when the student teacher completed her assignment at IC.

PennWest Edinboro senior Gavin Mitsdarfer is earning national recognition for their leadership, advocacy, and passion for education. Mitsdarfer, a secondary education major with dual concentrations in English and special education and a minor in literature and culture, appeared on the Fall 2025 cover of NEA Today for Aspiring Educators in the feature story, "Why We Teach."

When Coal Center, Pennsylvania, native Addison Gregory enrolled in her first PennWest course as a sophomore at California Area High School, she didn't realize just how far the opportunity would take her. Today, she's a biology/pre-medical science major with an honors interdisciplinary minor - already a sophomore in her first semester of college - and on a clear path toward a career in dentistry.

Neonatal speech-language pathology is a big goal, but Camryn Humes started building toward it before day one of college. "I started Dual Enrollment in the spring of 2025, and I took Intro to Psychology," she said.

Selamawit Yilma is the 2025 Keepers of the Flame recipient for PennWest Clarion. The Keepers of the Flame Award honors individuals whose leadership, dedication and impact have strengthened the PASSHE community.

PennWest California senior Nikkisha Thompson has been recognized with the 2025 PASSHE Keepers of the Flame Award, an annual honor celebrating individuals across Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education who advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging on their campuses. Recipients from each campus in the State System were recognized during the PASSHE Summit on Oct. 29 at PennWest Clarion.

A team of nine students from the PennWest Edinboro Beehive has taken the lead in a major regional economic development initiative, designing the brand and website for NWPAMade, a collaboration with Bridgeway Capital that empowers maker-entrepreneurs across Northwest Pennsylvania.

Madison Wakefield grew up watching her mother work with individuals with disabilities, planting a seed of purpose early on. When she arrived at PennWest Edinboro, a nationally recognized disability-friendly campus, Wakefield knew she wanted to help. Yet, when graduate students spoke to her class about the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA), she was intimidated.

Three PennWest University students are gaining valuable hands-on experience in finance and investment research as participants in the CFA Society of Pittsburgh's Investment Research Challenge, a regional competition that mirrors the work of professional financial analysts.

The PennWest Department of Visual and Performing Arts will present Law and Order: Fairy Tale Unit - a hilarious twist on the classic tale of the Three Little Pigs - Oct. 16-18 in Steele Hall, located on the PennWest California campus. Showtimes are Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 8 p.m.