Harrisburg University

OVERVIEW

As a private comprehensive science and technology-focused institution chartered in 2001, opened in 2005, and accredited in 2009, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology offers a 21st century curriculum designed to meet the demands of the technologically advanced economy that is the world today. It approaches science, technology, engineering and math – the STEM subjects – through classroom experience and experiential learning, the philosophy of learning by doing.

The University opened its doors in 2005 to 113 students. Today its undergraduate, graduate, dual-enrollment, and professional and continuing education programs serve >1000 students (~400 FTE), 99% of the degree seeking students demonstrate financial need. The student body is 53% women and 43% minority.

Students get a balanced, competency-based education – traditional academics through strong general education requirements, specialized training in their field of study, and significant career-oriented experiential components – that upon graduation leaves them more prepared and competitive in their career and their life. Classroom work correlates with a total of three required internships, co-ops and/or job sharing providing real world experience that allows students to apply classroom learning in the field. The University assigns students to a local company in their field of study. A Business Mentors program matches students with professionals in their career field.

Corporate support represents ~50% of the University’s private funding primarily through scholarships and internships provided by regionally important industry sectors. Such support allows these corporate partners to connect to a potential future employee early in his or her learning career thus obtaining and training the talent in applied science and technology fields critically important to their businesses.

The University does not offer tenure to faculty who serve on annually renewable 12-month contracts, has no academic departments, and charges its students no additional fees beyond its $22,500 tuition. It operates on a calendar that includes three 15-week semesters of instruction each year allowing students the opportunity to accelerate their time to a degree. With the philosophy that its core competency is instruction and student development, the University outsources as many functions as possible, including housing, career services, food services, and wellness support to area businesses. It utilizes laboratories and equipment in its $73MM high- rise Academic Center as well as state-of-the-art facilities in local businesses. In addition to its full-time faculty, HU Corporate Faculty deliver instruction, design courses, and vote on the curriculum. Each program of study is designed and overseen by a corporate advisory committee.

Harrisburg University has been recognized as a new and replicable national model for higher education—one that focuses on the development of talent necessary for participation in the 21st century knowledge economy by students, corporations, and regions. It has been the subject of in-depth profiles and editorials appearing in the Wall Street Journal, NBC Nightly News, U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek, USA Today, Philadelphia Inquirer, The Economist, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Inside Higher Education, ABC National News, The Associated Press, National Public Radio, BBC, Chicago Tribune, and the Los Angeles Times.

FAST FACTS

At a Glance:

Only science and technology-focused comprehensive university between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh
One of the lowest tuitions of any private university in the Commonwealth
Supports the academic success of members of groups historically under-represented in applied science and technology fields
Private, non-sectarian, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) university
Incorporated in Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: December 12, 2001
Chartered by Pennsylvania Department of Education: January 20, 2005
Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education June 22, 2009
Signature 16-story $73-million state-of-the-art Academic Center
Wireless campus encompassing Strawberry Square
Agreements with other higher education institutions--including Harrisburg Area Community College--for transfer students
Full-time faculty with Ph.D. or terminal degree: 100%
Student/Faculty Ratio: 9 to 1
Average Class Size: 12

Institutional Leadership

Robert Dolan, Chairman of the Board, Conrad Siegel Actuaries
Mel D. Schiavelli, Ph.D., President & Professor of Chemistry
Eric D. Darr, Ph.D., Executive Vice President & Provost
Duane F. Maun, CPA, Vice President for Finance

Student Body

1022 total student enrollment

43% minority

99 percent of HU students receive some form of institutional financial aid

53% female, 47% male

Students

Have increased five-fold in number since our founding
Receive an exclusive experiential science & technology education in the Philadelphia-to-Pittsburgh corridor
Benefit from The CONNECT Campaign for Harrisburg University reaching $40 million in funds
Are taught & mentored by corporate-anchored faculty
Are hosted as interns by these same corporations of the region
Are a diverse base of young people meeting the needs, as identified by the White House in 2009, for expertise
Ninety-two percent of students have been employed in their field of study on the day they graduated

Academics:

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees awarded in Biotechnology and Biosciences, Computer and Information Sciences, Management and eBusiness, Geography and Geospatial Imaging, and Integrative Sciences
Master of Science (M.S.) degrees awarded in Information Systems Engineering and Management, Project Management, and Learning Technologies
Trimester system

Centers & Programs

Harrisburg University is home to the Center for Advanced Entertainment and Learning Technologies, The Consumer Insights Research Lab, The Government Technology Institute, The Food Science and Technology Center, and the National Center for Science and Civic Engagement (NCSCE). NCSCE's projects include the National Science Foundation-funded Science Education for New Civic Engagements and Responsibilities (SENCER)