Become an Advocate
When Penn Staters speak with one voice, elected officials stop and listen.
Advocates have the opportunity to share their Penn State stories and let elected officials know just how valuable Penn State is to students, families and communities across Pennsylvania and beyond.
Becoming an advocate is as easy as joining our network.
Strengthening Pennsylvania
Advancing Our Communities
Through its partnership with the commonwealth, Penn State receives state funding annually to advance its mission of educating the citizens of Pennsylvania. These state dollars make it possible for Penn State to offer an in-state tuition rate that provides significant cost savings for resident students and their families, while fulfilling our land grant mission of teaching, research, and service in communities across the state.
Educating Pennsylvanians
As one university with the resources of 24 campus locations and an online World Campus, we're setting students up for greater career potential and empowering them to positively impact the world. Our unique educational model makes a Penn State degree accessible to students from all backgrounds, from first-generation students to adult learners.
Creating Opportunities for Everyone
Penn State takes pride in providing opportunities for first-generation students and incredibly talented students from diverse and low-income backgrounds. With nearly 80 percent of Commonwealth Campus students being Pennsylvania residents, the in-state tuition rate is especially critical to continue affordable access across the state.
Solving Universal Problems
The University’s brilliant faculty and students generate $1 billion in annual research expenditures and are working to solve pressing problems that impact our world. As a research enterprise grounded in an interdisciplinary spirit, Penn State’s breadth of expertise allows us to tackle the most pressing issues for the Commonwealth and beyond. Fifteen disciplines—from psychology to atmospheric science and materials engineering—rank nationally in the top ten for research expenditures.
Impacting the Pennsylvania Economy
By leveraging our size and research strengths, Penn State drives job creation, economic development, and student career success while contributing more the $11.6 billion annually to the state’s economy. Through the Invent Penn State initiative, the University has made a $30 million investment in economic development that supports entrepreneurs in their communities through partnerships with Penn State campuses.
Serving Communities Across the State
We serve Pennsylvania’s communities through partnerships that include county extension offices, philanthropy, and a teaching hospital. Through Penn State Extension offices—located in all sixty-seven Pennsylvania counties—residents have access to practical training and advice based on University research. Penn State Health's comprehensive health network provides residents with high-quality care and treatment at locations throughout the state.
