Franco Harris Pittsburgh Center at Penn State

09/16/2026

Six Penn State students who gained hands-on experience with organizations working to strengthen communities across the Pittsburgh region through the City Semester Internship Program, hosted by Penn State Outreach’s Franco Harris Pittsburgh Center at Penn State.The program connects students with in...

08/03/2026

07/24/2026

We had an incredible group of students join us yesterday for our LinkedIn and Personal Branding Workshop at the Franco Harris Pittsburgh Center, both in person and online.

A huge thank you to Jamie Orlando for leading such an engaging session and sharing valuable insights!

Students learned how to build a standout LinkedIn profile, grow their professional network, research companies and career opportunities, and showcase their skills and experiences. They walked away with practical tips they can put to use right away.

Thank you to our partners at Penn State Career Services for helping make this workshop possible.

07/09/2026

Our city = our classroom.

Every street, neighborhood, organization, and partnership creates opportunities for learning beyond the classroom walls.

That's what the Franco Harris Pittsburgh Center is all about.

07/02/2026

06/30/2026

Last month, the Franco Harris Pittsburgh Center welcomed principals, teachers, and counselors from 10 Pittsburgh-area high schools for the inaugural Summit on Flourishing in Adolescence.

The summit was hosted by Penn State's Prevention Research Center and introduced educators to The Science of Human Connection, a new high school course focused on helping students develop the "four pillars of flourishing": awareness, insight, connection and purpose.

The course recognizes that young people are currently navigating a time of rapid technological change and increasing social challenges, and aims to equip students with the human-centered skills that are essential for success in school, work, and life.

We're proud to serve as a space where educators, researchers, and community leaders come together to explore innovative approaches that support the next generation.

Read more:

Blake Colaianne, a researcher at Penn State's Prevention Research Center, hosted the first Summit on Flourishing in Adolescence at the Franco Harris Pittsburgh Center at Penn State on May 1. The event brought together principals, teachers and counselors from 10 Pittsburgh-area high schools with one....

06/26/2026

Recently, the Franco Harris Pittsburgh Center welcomed students from Penn State's Cocoziello Institute of Real Estate Innovation for their "Constructing Tomorrow: Penn State Student Summit."

Students explored how emerging technologies, workforce trends, and industry partnerships are shaping the future of construction through conversations with leaders from Advanced Construction Robotics, Mascaro Construction Company, and SunCap Property Group.

“I especially enjoyed learning more about the business development side of construction and how critical it is to build strong relationships for success in the industry. Being able to make these connections is great for developing students' communication skills and making connections within the Pittsburgh construction market." -Lindsay Baer, a junior in architectural engineering.

We're proud to support opportunities that connect students with industry leaders and help prepare the future workforce.

Read more about the summit:

Penn State students got a firsthand look at the future of construction during the Cocoziello Institute’s Constructing Tomorrow Student Summit in Pittsburgh. From construction robotics demonstrations to networking with industry leaders, the trip showcased how innovation, workforce development and c...

06/24/2026

Penn State students and recent alum: join us for a LinkedIn and Personal Branding Workshop with Jamie Orlando, Vice President of Market Development, Clinical Group at Life Science Connect and Past President of the American Marketing Association–Pittsburgh.

📅 July 23, 2026
⏰ 4:00–5:30 p.m.
📍 In person at the Franco Harris Pittsburgh Center at Penn State or online via Zoom

Register by July 16 (in-person spots are limited and filling up fast):

Penn State students are invited to join us in person or online for an interactive workshop on building your professional brand and making the most of LinkedIn.

06/18/2026

Say hello to the 2026 City Semester Pittsburgh interns! 👋

This summer, five Penn State students are gaining hands-on experience with organizations working to strengthen communities across the Pittsburgh region through our City Semester Pittsburgh Internship Program.

We're excited to partner with organizations including Tree Pittsburgh, Riverlife, Allegheny County Conservation District, Green Building Alliance, and 412 Food Rescue to provide experiential learning opportunities that connect classroom knowledge with real-world challenges.

Join us in welcoming Alina, Kaitlyn, Lucy, Henry, and Olivia, and follow along this summer as they share their experiences and the impact they're making across Pittsburgh.

Read more about this year's cohort:

This summer, five Penn State students are gaining hands-on experience with organizations working to strengthen communities across the Pittsburgh region through the City Semester Pittsburgh Internship Program.

06/03/2026

Penn State students got a firsthand look at the future of construction during the Cocoziello Institute’s Constructing Tomorrow Student Summit in Pittsburgh. From construction robotics demonstrations to networking with industry leaders, the trip showcased how innovation, workforce development and c...