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Community Breakfasts Reflect on Past – Give A View of the Future at Clarion

September 2, 2016
David McFarland
Dr. Karen Whitney shares insights into Clarion University's future at a recent breakfast meeting.

Clarion University held breakfast meetings for the community to look back on past accomplishments and learn what is ahead for the next 150 years as the university is set to celebrate its sesquicentennial anniversary in 2017.

 “Clarion University: 150 Years of Academic Excellence. What’s Next?” was the topic of the breakfast held at Clarion’s Suites on Main on Monday, August 22.

Dr. Karen Whitney, president, and interim provost and vice president for academic affairs Dr. Todd Pfannestiel led a discussion about new programs and those in differing stages of development.

“Clarion has great programs across the board, but our renewed emphasis is on our core programs: business, education and health sciences,” said Pfannestiel.

 “We do our best at Clarion to be on top of things so our students are prepared for whatever comes their way.”

Venango College will continue to build upon its strong health sciences programming that includes a full ladder of credentials in nursing from associate to doctoral degrees, sport management, athletic training, speech pathology, rehabilitative sciences, as well as nutrition and fitness.

With enrollments growing in accounting, finance, computer information sciences (CIS) and the Master’s of Library Science degree, the College of Business and Information Sciences (CoBAIS) is also experiencing great growth.

Students can pursue several new degrees including Bachelor’s degrees in paralegal and accounting, an online Master’s degree in accounting, and a Master’s degree in applied science/data analytics.

CoBAIS is currently developing a credentials program for entrepreneurship as well.

According to Pfannestiel, “Clarion’s bread and butter has been and will continue to be our education program.”

The School of Education is continuing its emphasis on dual/multiple certifications as well as introducing an MS degree in Special Education, graduate-level endorsements or certificates in online instruction, gifted education and Autism Spectrum Disorders.

The emphasis on dual/multiple certifications was in direct response to area school superintendents who spoke with the president, provost and other academic leaders during their annual Roads Scholar Tour to discuss the needs of area employers.

In response to growing concern in the community, Concussion Management and Dyslexia programs are also in development.

Clarion is also planning to offer its second doctorate degree in Higher Education Administration in the near future.

Dr. Whitney concluded by saying, “Regardless of what walk in life you’re prepping for, a good university – and we are a great one – prepares you for the jobs we can’t even imagine yet. I don’t know what the future holds, but I know it’s going to be great.”

Venango College hosted a second community breakfast in the Robert W. Rhoades center on August 23 entitled “What will Clarion University’s Venango Campus Look Like in 2046?”.

President Whitney, Dr. Pfannestiel and Dr. Roxanne Gonzales, executive dean of Venango College, gave an overview of Venango’s programs now and into the future.

Dr. Gonzales outlined the wide range of degree options available at Venango from an Associate’s degree in industrial technology to a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, and applauded the diversity in the student population.

Gonzales said, “We have a mix of traditional and non-traditional students.  Our youngest students in our Dual Enrollment program are coming in at 17, and currently our oldest student is 70.  We are serving 58 dislocated workers through Trade Act funding, and a moment of pride is that we have 19 male students in the Associate of Science in nursing program at Venango campus.”

She explained that the focus of the campus will remain on workforce development and healthcare with degrees, certificates and stackable credentials provided in traditional and more innovative formats.

The creation of new healthcare programs such as a three-year Bachelor's degree in respiratory care and a certificate in opioid addiction are on the horizon of Venango’s already robust course offerings.

Venango is proud of its long-standing tradition of partnerships with employers and other organizations across Pennsylvania, and plans are under way to expand these partnerships and collaborations. 

Discussions to  expand services to assist online and veteran learners, expand programming in a variety of areas including business and information security for telemedicine, as well as possible development of a Center for the Study of Rural Healthcare as a long term goal are in progress. 

Venango is currently developing a redesign of the Charles L. Suhr Library to a learning commons model including career services, open spaces for students to sit and study, technology supported areas for group work and tutoring areas.

Also on the horizon is the renovation of science labs in Frame Hall to better serve students in the healthcare programs.

Gonzales added, “We are currently revisioning the Venango campus and how it can better support the student population that it serves.  We are exploring bringing in training programs and activities, cultural events, expansion of non-credit certificate programs, such as emergency medical technician, and other programming that is needed for the workforce." 

President Whitney closed the breakfast session by telling the audience, “We are always searching for new opportunities and are very open to suggestions, so let’s keep talking.”

”We realize that there has been and continues to be a strong campus commitment by the Oil City community, and we invite you to continue to work with us and help us be relevant to the needs of our region.”

Dr. Whitney concluded by inviting the community to help celebrate Clarion’s sesquicentennial celebrations at both the Clarion and Venango campuses in the coming year.

Last Updated 1/11/21