GREENVILLE, Pa.—Thiel College, a leading liberal arts college in northwest Pennsylvania, joined 18 other regional colleges and universities signing on as members of The Pittsburgh Promise’s Preferred College Partner program on Wednesday.
Since its inception in 2008, The Pittsburgh Promise has funded more than $102 million in scholarships for about 7,300 students enrolled in 124 public and private colleges across Pennsylvania. Students of Pittsburgh Public Schools are eligible for the program. They receive scholarships to attend post-secondary education programs. Through the Preferred College Partner program, Promise scholars will receive additional financial and academic support services. Preferred College Partners will provide grants for room, board or books to Promise eligible students who are accepted to the institution, beginning with the Class of 2018. The schools will also provide targeted transition and academic support services to ensure student retention and success.
“Thiel has been a source of educational opportunity since its founding,” Thiel College President Susan Traverso, Ph.D., said. “A large portion of our students are the first in their family to go to college. We support The Pittsburgh Promise’s mission and ideals and are excited about the opportunities the Pittsburgh Promise-Thiel partnership creates for students. We value the life- and community-changing impacts these scholarships and support provide.”
The Pittsburgh Promise Executive Director Saleem Ghubril said post-secondary education is essential for students to be successful in the modern economy.
“Because financial and social barriers prevent many students from pursuing and completing their education and training, the Preferred College Partners initiative will work to help The Promise and post-secondary institutions to remove such barriers and fortify the foundations that all students need to succeed,” Ghubril said. “We know that targeted support services are essential to student success, especially among low-income and first-generation college students.”
About Thiel College
Thiel College is an independent college founded in the Lutheran tradition. Located in Greenville, Pa., the College offers 60 majors and minors, 24 varsity sports, and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The College is also home to a new Master of Science in speech-language pathology and 2Master of Business Administration. Both master’s degree programs offer innovative and accelerated five-year paths which allow students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. The speech-language pathology program also has an accelerated 15-month graduate-level program. The M.B.A. program also has a 12-month post-graduate program.A dedicated faculty paired with dynamic research and internship opportunities produce numerous graduate school and job placements. Coeducational from its beginnings, the College remains committed to combining tradition with innovation as it celebrates 150 years.