UPDATE, May 13 @ 4:46 p.m.: This story was updated to include more information from Penn Highlands Healthcare and Mount Aloysius College.
Penn State is leasing part of its DuBois campus, which is one of seven the university plans to close in a year, to Mount Aloysius College.
Leaders at the college based in Cresson, an hour and a half south of DuBois, say they’ll offer nursing, surgical technology and ultrasound in a portion of the Swift Building starting on July 1.
Officials at the Mount and Penn Highlands Healthcare say they'll offer scholarships to students and guarantee job placement after graduation, mostly at a Penn Highlands facility.
Mike Armanini, the state Representative for parts of Clearfield and Elk counties, announced the partnership in a video posted on social media. Armanini said this is only the first step in preserving the DuBois campus.
“It is the foundation of what I believe is going to be something big and better in DuBois for secondary education, for our community," Armanini said.
In a news release, Penn State officials say this agreement only lasts until the DuBois campus closes after the spring 2027 semester. Long-term ownership will be considered separately.
State Sen. Wayne Langerholc, whose district includes Cambria, Centre and Clearfield counties, said this partnership will help address the region's healthcare workforce shortage.
“By repurposing facilities at Penn State DuBois, the college is ensuring that students have convenient access to high‑quality training and employment opportunities while addressing healthcare needs in our community," Langerholc said.
Penn State DuBois launched its own practical nursing program in August.
Renata Engel, Penn State's vice president for Commonwealth Campuses, said they're paying attention to "local circumstances and long-term community context" of each of the seven campuses planned for closure.
“This agreement at DuBois reflects a campus-specific solution and meaningful progress in our work to identify responsible paths forward for each closing campus," Engel said.
Penn State DuBois will officially close after the spring semester of 2027. Commonwealth University is also closing its Clearfield satellite location that year.
