Integrations

WHY INTEGRATION: Centered on student success, our shared vision is to expand high-quality educational opportunities for students, position institutions for growth, and meet regional economic and workforce needs across Pennsylvania. At a time when universities across the country, including our own, are financially challenged, integration would creatively ensure that its institutions are open, vibrant, and equipped to support our students toward building a successful future.

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The Northeast Integration of Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield universities is a bold investment in the future for our students and the communities and people of Northeastern Pennsylvania that allows each campus to continue sustainably fulfilling the missions of these pillar institutions.

• PRESERVING YESTERDAY: Preserving the founding principles of each campus and the communities we serve.
• ADAPTING TO TODAY: Answering the greatest challenges facing higher education: cost, quality, opportunity, and relevance.
• BUILDING A STRONGER TOMORROW: Changing the trajectory of public higher education in the Commonwealth.

TOP 10 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT INTEGRATION

1. IDENTITY – Honoring the legacy and traditions that bring all generations together.
   • Each institution’s name, logo, mascot and identity will remain. The names Bloomsburg University, Lock Haven University, and Mansfield University will not change.
     • The integrated entity name to be used only for accreditation documentation.
   • Athletics remain an important part of our campus culture, and we are pursuing a path with the NCAA where each campus will retain its current complement of athletic teams.
2. MISSION – Upholding and advancing our missions well into the future.
   • By leveraging the power of three, students will have increased access to exemplary academic programs and pathways to social mobility.
   • More pathways to move easily from high school dual enrollment through associate’s to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs.
3. ACADEMICS – Access a greater range of programs and faculty expertise than any single university can offer.
   • Select from an expanded “menu” of academic programs, offering nearly double the program options for Lock Haven and Mansfield students.
   • A typical student will take most in-person courses at their home campus and potentially some through real-time remote learning.
   • General education courses will be offered at each campus.
4. STUDENT NEEDS – Responding to the diverse needs of 21^st century learners with relevant academic programs, proven modalities, and flexibility that supports a diverse learning community.
   • A program array that will prepare students for careers of the future while maintaining efficient time to graduation.
   • On all three campuses, students can enjoy on-campus housing, student clubs and organizations, athletics and a vibrant campus life.
   • Students can design a university experience that works for them with dedicated support services on each campus.
5. CAREER PREPARATION – Equipping students with the skills and connections for an even greater degree of upward mobility.
   • Broader experiential learning opportunities extend to internships, career services, and an even larger pool of employers ready to recruit our graduates.
   • Build a resume and graduate career-ready.
6. OPPORTUNITY – Expanding high-quality experiential options while also reducing the total cost of degree attainment.
   • A financially-responsible degree creates a faster route to independence.
   • Benefit from all the opportunities of a larger university – with the same personalized, small-campus experience traditionally offered at Lock Haven and Mansfield.
7. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT – Cultivating and nurturing employer relationships to stay attuned to workforce demands.
   • We are committed to working with regional and statewide employers to build short-course and credentialing programs for working professionals, as well as traditional students who are looking pick up specific certifications and credentials as they progress through their education.
8. COMMUNITY – Evolving so that each campus can continue serving the needs of its home community.
   • From offering dual-enrollment opportunities for high school students to ensuring a vibrant campus life experience.
   • We look forward to deepening our Town Gown relationships and expanding our partnerships to provide more internships and mentoring programs, volunteerism/service, lively arts and cultural opportunities, and more that benefit the communities we call home.
9. ECONOMIC GROWTH – Stimulating new growth opportunities for businesses and community partners.
   • We’re building toward a stronger region, strengthening and elevating the quality of life for local and regional communities.
   • We remain committed to an environment where students live, work, and engage as members of the Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield communities.
10. PROCESS – To succeed individually, we must succeed in common.
    • 500+ students, faculty, staff, trustees, and community leaders are participating in the Northeast Integration planning.
    • Following the April Board of Governor’s Meeting, there will be a 60-day public comment period. At its summer meeting, the Board will vote regarding the integration moving forward.

 

In July 2020, the Board of Governors of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education passed a resolution authorizing the Chancellor to begin reviewing opportunities for integrating State System institutions. 

University integration is the coordination or blending of two or more institutions into more efficiently functioning entities, retaining the name, maintaining presence, and preserving the cultural and community identity important for regional institutions and their rural communities.

The goal of university integrations is to expand opportunities for students beyond those a single school can achieve on its own, with emphasis on supporting the success of all Mansfield University students. University integration is student-focused and aims to retain the high-touch, personal on-campus experiences, services, and faculty-student interactions that have historically reinforced our campus identity, brand, and value proposition. This will also build upon on an existing foundation of collaboration and partnership to efficiently expand and deliver undergraduate and graduate programs across the region and beyond. As envisioned, university integration would also focus on enhancing responsiveness to workforce-aligned, nondegree, certificate, and stackable credentialing programs to meet regional and statewide economic and workforce demands.

In September 2020, the Chancellor's Office announced that integration of Mansfield University, Bloomsburg University and Lock Haven University would be explored. The integration process is designed to be transparent and consultative, requiring a great deal of planning and careful implementation that will unfold over the next two years, including a year of review.

All Mansfield University students should be afforded the opportunity to receive a high-quality education that is tailored to their needs, academic abilities, and career or employment goals. The integration of Mansfield, Bloomsburg, and Lock Haven will:

• reinforce Mansfield University’s high-touch, on-campus experiences that preserve our historical identity, brand, and value proposition;
• build on a strong foundation of collaboration and partnership that already exists between these State System universities to efficiently deliver and expand undergraduate and graduate programs – at scale – across the region and beyond; and
• facilitate the development of workforce-aligned non-degree and certificate programs to meet the demand of post-traditional and adult learners.

“For our students enrolled at Mansfield University, and for students still considering Mansfield University as their destination of choice, your prospects have never been brighter. It is expected that this process of integration will provide even greater educational opportunities. In the future, you will have access to a broader range of programs while maintaining a campus experience that makes each institution unique at the local level.” – Dr. Charles Patterson, President of Mansfield University