UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — As part of a longstanding partnership with Penn State, Barnes and Noble College — a Barnes and Noble Education company that operates the Penn State Bookstore — has awarded a series of 2023-24 grants to support a range programs and initiatives. across the University. Since the company launched the grant program in 2015, more than $1.2 million has been awarded to priorities that directly benefit the university community, with an emphasis on programs related to books and reading. This year, the grant program distributed $139,000 to 12 academic initiatives across eight Penn State campuses.
“We are excited to continue our partnership with Barnes and Noble,” said Margo DelliCarpini, vice president of Commonwealth Campuses and executive chancellor of Penn State. “These grants will create a very positive effect across the Commonwealth when it comes to meeting the financial needs of our students, generating engagement opportunities, and creating inspiring impact across our colleges and campuses.”
To target its investments for maximum impact on Penn State’s colleges and campuses, Barnes and Noble College works through the Corporate Engagement Center to announce the grant program and facilitate funding applications and awards. This latest call for proposals resulted in 24 requests.
“We are excited to support a series of initiatives that help make the Penn State student experience even more enriching and beneficial,” said Jennifer Guyer, executive director of the Penn State Bookstore.
The following initiatives have been selected to receive funding:
Penn State Berks Common Reading Program
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The Penn State Berks Common Reading Program is designed to introduce students to the academic environment of the college and provides first-year students with a positive reading experience, reinforces the message that reading is an integral part of the college experience and promotes a sense of community. among first-year students.
Penn State Fayette Barnes and Noble STEM Camp
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Penn State Fayette’s Office of Continuing Education offers a STEM camp for high school students in grades 9-12. Last year, in addition to the traditional high school camp, it launched a 3-day STEM camp for middle school students in grades 6-8. Previous camps have brought together students representing homeschooling, cyber, private and public schools.
Penn State Great Valley Barnes and Noble Engagement Series
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The creation of the Barnes and Noble Engagement Series at Penn State Great Valley aims to enhance the student experience by providing a series of events and educational opportunities for resident students and provides international students with the opportunity to interact with other graduate students.
Penn State Harrisburg celebrates diversity of voices through poetry
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This public lecture and day of workshops with students and public lecture aims to invite an award-winning poet to Penn State Harrisburg in spring 2024. The program as a whole promotes increased awareness of literature and its relevance in society, develops appreciation for diverse voices and stories. and promotes intercultural links between disciplines.
Penn State Mont Alto Sustainability Committee Book Club
Penn State Mont Alto Wellness Series
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Penn State Mont Alto students will be invited to participate in a four-session workshop series where they will learn important aspects of wellness, including managing depression, anxiety, academic stress, worries about exams, healthy eating, exercise, healthy relationships, sleep hygiene and suicide. prevention, finances and drug addiction.
Penn State Schuylkill Textbook and Scholarship Fund
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Selected on-campus students will have the opportunity to receive gift cards and scholarships that will allow them to purchase textbooks, supplies and more from the campus bookstore and increase their chances of academic success.
Penn State University Park – Continuing Penn State Astronomy Workshops from the Eberly College of Science
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Penn State Internal Astronomy Workshops (PSIWA) aim to help high school and select college educators educate students more confidently and effectively on cutting-edge topics in astronomy, physics, and technology, thereby increasing the number of college-ready STEM students. skilled students in Pennsylvania and beyond.
Penn State University Park – Engineering Ahead from the College of Engineering (Abington/Berks)
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Engineering Ahead at Penn State Abington and Penn State Berks began in 2016 as a National Science Foundation-funded project designed to address the national need to diversify the STEM workforce. The goal of Engineering Ahead is to increase the recruitment and retention of students from underrepresented communities in engineering.
Penn State University Park – Financial Wellness Outreach, Sokolov-Miller Library
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The Sokolov-Miller Family Center for Finance and Life Skills will invest in the creation of a financial wellness library available at its University Park location as well as satellite libraries on all 19 Commonwealth campuses and a library in line for Global Campus students. This library would be a resource for students to explore different aspects of their financial lives by selecting a free book on a topic that interests them.
Penn State University Park – Family Outreach and Literacy with WPSU!
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Funding will cover the purchase of books – aimed at children, young adults and adults – that emphasize the importance of learning about Native American culture; shared attention on this topic will allow families to read and learn together.
Penn State York Nittany Scholars Program
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The Nittany Scholars Program at Penn State York is an access and success program designed to support capable students who, for a variety of reasons, may not have the resources or social privileges they need to ensure lifelong success of their university experience. It reinforces Penn State’s values of integrity, respect, responsibility, discovery, excellence and community.
Grant requests 2024
The next round of grant applications will open on May 1, 2024 and close on May 31, 2024. Barnes and Noble College has a particular interest in hearing from programs related to books or reading, with connections to Penn’s campuses State, focusing on Penn State students or local communities with financial or finance-related needs and have the opportunity to tap into the local Barnes and Noble College campus bookstore. Contact Beth Colledge, director of business engagement, at bac39@psu.edu for more information about the grant program or awards.
Donors like Barnes and Noble College advance the University’s historic land-grant mission: to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends help students join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; stimulate research, awareness and economic development that builds our shared strength and readiness for the future; and increase the University’s impact on families, patients and communities across the Commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu.
About the Business Engagement Center
The Corporate Engagement Center connects industry partners to Penn State’s strategic opportunities in research and development, philanthropy and talent recruitment. Assembled in 2019, the center serves as a hub for industry/university relationships, helping companies navigate Penn State’s vast resources. The team is here to help build lasting, mutually beneficial relationships.
The Corporate Engagement Center is a joint initiative of the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research and the Office of Academic Development, working in partnership with Career Services.
