From its roots as Penn State’s New Kensington Center, Penn State New Kensington has evolved into a modern facility on 72 wooded acres in Upper
Burrell Township in Westmoreland County. The campus was founded in 1958 in New Kensington (hence our campus name), moved to the old
Parnassus School in 1963, and finally settled in at the present-day location in 1966 with the opening of the Engineering Building on 35 acres donated by ALCOA. Today, the New Kensington campus boasts ten buildings.

As a first-year student, you may choose from among 20 Penn State campuses to start your education. Many students (about 60 percent) spend their first two years at one campus, then move to another location to finish their degrees. Where you finish depends on your major and the type of campus you prefer.

First Year Seminar:

This is a required course designed to ease the transition from high school to college. The small size of the seminars allows for more discussion in class, interaction with the professor, and attention to writing skills. In addition to fulfilling the University’s first year seminar requirement, each three-credit seminar fulfills a general education requirement in either the humanities or social and behavioral sciences.

Honors Program:

Designed for stronger students in all majors who want the challenge of learning to their full
potential, the Honors Program at Penn State New Kensington seeks students with a record of
academic achievement and a commitment to scholarship.

Penn State New Kensington Honors students:

1. Individually design their first two years of University study.

2. Work closely with professors and fellow honors students in honors courses and independent study.

3. Earn honors credits which appear on Penn State transcripts.

4. Develop stronger communications skills in writing, speaking, presentation, and discussion.

5. Receive honors scholarships each semester.

College in High School:

Penn State now offers high school students the opportunity to take college courses at a nearly 50 percent tuition reduction. This enables students to get a real head start on their college careers by earning college credits while still in high school. Students participating in this program may choose from a variety of courses offered at the campus.

High school students taking advantage of this exciting opportunity may earn an additional $1,000 scholarship for their first year in college by completing three courses (9 credits) and maintaining a 3.0 (B) grade point average. This additional scholarship would apply to any student enrolling for his/her freshman year at Penn State New Kensington.

Lion Leadership Challenge:

Becoming a leader just doesn’t happen, it
takes hard work and practice. Each Fall Semester the Office of Student Activities at
Penn State New Kensington will offer students the opportunity to gain experience and learn new skills through participation in a series of workshops entitled the "Lion Leadership Challenge." Interactive teambuilding exercises led by faculty and professional staff are just
some of what students can expect while learning about leadership techniques that can be put to use in any organization.