Studies begin to help form future of closing Penn State campuses

The sites are set to close at end of the spring 2027 semester, and no decisions for the properties have been announced.

By KELLEN STEPLER
TribLive

Fayette and Westmoreland county officials are studying the best future use for the Penn State branch campuses in their communities that are closing next year.

In Fayette County, leaders hired the consulting firm Fourth Economy to help determine the best future use for the campus in Lemont Furnace. The study is expected to begin in the coming weeks.

And an effort is underway to collect community feedback to outline the future of the Penn State New Kensington site in Upper Burrell.

Penn State trustees in May 2025 voted to close the New Kensington and Fayette campuses, along with five others statewide, in response to declining enrollment, finances and a reported limited opportunity for growth. No final decisions have been made for the future use of the properties.

New Kensington

The Economic Growth Connection of Westmoreland group, in coordination with Penn State and other county and regional officials, have started the PSU (Re)New Kensington Campus public engagement and visioning initiative. Its goal is to collect public feedback and explore possibilities to reuse the campus property.

Meetings are scheduled at New Kensington’s Fridays on Fifth events at Voodoo Brewing and the Digital Foundry this Friday and July 24. A survey is available until Aug. 6.

“It’s important to me that this process is completed in the most transparent way possible and in a manner that values

participation and engagement, so I strongly encourage every community member to take part in the discussion,” said state Rep. Jill Cooper, R-Murrysville. “For generations, Upper Burrell and its surrounding neighborhoods have demonstrated resilience and creativity, two qualities that will certainly be relied upon as this next chapter begins.”

Fayette

Fayette’s feasibility study will evaluate the campus, market conditions, workforce needs, educational opportunities, community priorities and potential future uses for the property.

“Penn State appreciates the continued efforts to explore potential future uses for the Fayette campus,” said university spokesman Andrew Krebs. “The university will continue to collaborate with the Commonwealth, local leaders and community partners as that work moves forward. Discussions regarding the future of the campus remain ongoing, and no final decisions have been made regarding its long-term direction.”

The study comes just less than a year after Fayette officials announced the “Eberly Campus Transition Team,” a group that’s since met regularly to better understand educational and workforce needs and future plans.

Through those discussions, officials have identified a need to preserve and expand affordable educational opportunities for Fayette County residents and create stronger paths to employment and career advancement.

“The closure of the Penn State campus presents significant challenges, but it also creates an opportunity for Fayette County to think strategically about the future,” said Scott Dunn, chairman of the Fayette County commissioners’ board. “This process is about ensuring that future generations have access to affordable education, workforce training and opportunities that allow them to build successful lives right here in Fayette County.”

Leaders said they are exploring a concept of a “hub” that would support workforce training, adult education, dual-enrollment opportunities, credentialing programs, entrepreneurship, community programming and partnerships with educational institutions. Financial support for the study has been funded through private donors.