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Welcome to Penn State Hazleton

Objectives

After completing this module, you will be introduced to:

The history of Penn State Hazleton
Ways to Partner for your Student’s Success
Knowledge of the Resources to Help Your Student

Overview

Welcome parents! Although summer is typically a time for relaxation and reprieve, we are busy preparing for you to join the Penn State Hazleton community! In the coming weeks you will see that your commitment to join our community of scholars, award-winning faculty, dedicated staff and the world’s largest alumni association was the right decision! We recognize the unprecedented times we’re all navigating. Rest assured, however, that WE ARE committed to continuing to foster and to advance our world-renowned research, a robust out-of-the classroom experience, and rigorous academic curricula. Coupling the resources of a University that consistently ranks in the top one percent of the world’s universities with the individualized attention and care Penn State Hazleton is well known for will surely set you on the path for success.

Agenda

Welcome to Penn State Hazleton
Hazleton Campus Resources
Department Contact Listing
Partnering for Your Student’s Success
What’s next for your student?
Knowledge Check

Penn State Hazleton: The Chancellor's Welcome

A welcome from the Chancellor of Penn State Hazleton, Dr. Gary M. Lawler

Penn State Hazleton is a friendly, welcoming, student-centered campus of about 700 students. Penn State Hazleton is an integral part of Penn State University - a university with an international reputation.

A Penn State education opens many doors to intellectual, personal, and professional development; career opportunities; and further lifelong education. The Penn State Hazleton experience includes classes that are generally small, along with a faculty and staff that take great pride in giving students individual attention. Our faculty includes award-winning teachers and scholars who care a great deal about their discipline, are committed to teaching and learning, and focus on the educational experience they provide students.

Penn State Hazleton offers opportunities for residential or commuter students, traditional or adult returning students, and degree and non-credit offerings. Some of our students complete their baccalaureate degrees at the University Park campus or at one of Penn State's other campuses after completing two years at Hazleton. A growing number of students who choose to stay at Hazleton are offered a range of options including five associate degrees and ten baccalaureate degrees. These include our newer degrees in Project and Supply Chain Management, Administration of Justice, Corporate Communication, and Rehabilitation and Human Services.

In each of our roles - undergraduate education, research, lifelong learning, and community service - the Hazleton campus seeks to make a difference. We are proud of Penn State Hazleton.

Campus History

The Hazleton Undergraduate Center opened in September 1934 and was housed in various locations in downtown Hazleton. A permanent home came in December 1948 through a purchase and donation when the college acquired the 66-acre former estate of the Markle family. The estate consisted of four buildings, including a 32-room fieldstone mansion, giving the university the space it needed. The campus sits on 125-acre scenic campus, overlooking the Conyngham Valley. Conveniently located near Interstates 80 and 81 in northeastern Pennsylvania. There are 700 full- and part-time students from 20 states and 10 countries The average class size is 21 students with a student /teacher Ratio of 13:1. This is how Penn State Hazleton can personalize the experience of our students.

View our campus map to learn more.

Penn State Hazleton is committed to working with a diverse student body with varied needs and interests who want to take advantage of a world class education close to home. Our service to you makes us unique by providing a solid learning environment leading to academic excellence. Our faculty and staff are committed to your academic and personal growth through access to academic support services, participation in intercollegiate athletics and access to a variety of campus organizations to support and challenge you to achieve your educational and personal goals.

Penn State Hazleton Campus Resources

Penn State Hazleton is here to lend you and your student support throughout the college experience. We offer a variety of resources, including academic, personal, and social to help you connect with campus faculty and staff, other students and to support your journey to graduation.

Academic Success Resources

Academic Advising

Academic advisers help students identify and achieve their academic goals through directed interaction with both faculty and professional advisers. The intention is to facilitate informed decision making in and out of the classroom. Since advising is a shared enterprise, both advisers and advisees need to be actively engaged in the process. Advisers encourage advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning. Ultimately, advisees will assume final responsibility for the successful completion of their program requirements.

Academic Advising and Career Services

Career Services

Career Services assists students in preparing for and pursuing meaningful and rewarding careers through a comprehensive array of programs and services. Students can use career services early in their collegiate career to pinpoint their unique attributes and consider various career paths and academic tracks.

Services include: Career Counseling and assessments, review of resume and cover letters, assistance with job and internship searches and interview preparation as well as teaching you how to network to create professional relationships.

Contact: Kaity Krasucki, Career Services Specialist, kak6071@psu.edu or visit the Penn State Hazleton Career Services website.

Library

The Hazleton campus Lofstrom Library provides a comfortable environment in which to study, collaborate on group assignments, and relax. We offer study rooms, a one button studio to create videos, a makerspace with state of the art technology, and a retro area with vinyls. We are a modern library with a traditional twist. Students have access to print and electronic material from a large research university to help them succeed academically.

Penn State Hazleton Library

Student Success Center

The Student Success Center houses three academic support services at Penn State Hazleton – Tutoring Services, Student Disability Resources and The Writing Lab. The Success Center provides students with FREE academic support in a variety of formats and schedules as well as academic accommodations for students with disabilities.

Tutoring Services:

Free tutoring and academic support opportunities include the following:

Individual and small group tutoring by faculty-recommended peer tutors
Professional tutors for writing (Writing Lab) and mathematics (Math Dimension)
Study skills, time management, exam forensics and academic organization assistance
Mini computer lab
Study and collaboration areas
Telephone and video communications equipment for collaboration with online courses or job interviews
SmartKapp interactive white board
AirMedia – wireless presentation technology

Student Disability Resources:

Penn State is committed to providing a welcoming, encouraging, and empowering environment for students with disabilities to ensure equal access, full participation, and reasonable accommodations for their academic pursuits.

To secure academic accommodations to support your student success:

Student contacts the Student Disability Resources (SDR) office to set up a registration intake appointment
Student provides documentation which meets Penn State guidelines
Student and coordinator meet to review accommodation letters
Student presents accommodation letters to professors
Student receives ongoing support from the Student Disability Resources office

Student Disability Resources Website

Documentation Guidelines

Services are determined based on the approved accommodation and may include:

Testing accommodations
Use of assistive technology
Reasonable academic adjustments
Use of auxiliary aids
Access to alternative format texts
Note takers
Academic support

For academic accommodations, please contact Tammy Spevak, Student Success Center Coordinator, by email.

The Writing Lab:

The Writing Lab is located in 203 Butler in the Student Success Center. Walk-in appointments are available during the posted hours. Writing lab hours are determined each semester, so please check with the Student Success Center to find when the Writing Lab is open.

The Writing Lab offers professional help through all stages of the writing process from topic proposals to rough drafts, and even revisions of graded papers to turn in for a better grade. We can help with everything from English papers and writing projects for other courses to texts for speeches and important business letters and resumes. The services provided by the Writing Lab are free to all students. The sessions are confidential, and the lab has a friendly and open environment.

Good writing is an essential skill for success in college and beyond. Let us help you become a better writer!

Contact: Eileen Morgan, Writing Lab Coordinator, can be contacted by visiting the office's website, email - egm1@psu.edu or calling 570-450-3565.

Student Success Center Contact Information

Tammy Spevak – Coordinator, tus25@psu.edu and 570-450-3017

Charles Dewald - cxd35@psu.edu and 570-450-3558

Eileen Morgan - egm1@psu.edu and 570-450-3565

Math Dimension

The Math Dimension is the math learning center located in the lower level of the library. The Math Dimension provides a great place for students to do homework, study alone or with friends, or receive assistance with math courses. No appointment is needed! Help is available for all Math & Statistics courses offered at Penn State Hazleton.

Contact: Gina Monks, Math Dimension Coordinator, can be contacted by visiting the office's website, email - monks@psu.edu, or by calling 570-450-3093

Student Services & Engagement

Benjamin Franklin said “Tell me and I’ll forget. Show me and I may remember. Involve me and I learn.”

As a student at Penn State Hazleton, there are a variety of opportunities for you to get involved and connected on campus. The Office of Student Services and Engagement is committed to encouraging student growth and development by complimenting the academic experience. We provide services and programs designed to foster a sense of engagement, inclusivity, and citizenship to support and challenge you to achieve your educational and personal goals.

Athletics and Recreation

Penn State Hazleton offers intercollegiate athletic competition in eight sports for full-time students. Student-athletes compete both locally and nationally through our affiliation with the Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) and the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA). Intercollegiate athletics at the campus complement the student educational experience by promoting academic success and personal growth through engagement in campus life, hard work, and outstanding competition. The athletics department is committed to providing its student-athletes with equitable and championship caliber athletic opportunities.

Sports teams include:

Men's Sports	Women's Sports	Club Sports
Baseball	Softball	Cheerleading
Basketball	Basketball
Golf	Volleyball
Soccer	Soccer

Highlights from the 2019 – 2020 seasons:

69 PSUAC Academic All-Conference Athletes (3.0 Cumulative GPA or better or 3.0 GPA or better in season of competition)
20 USCAA Academic All-American Athletes (Sophomore, Junior, or Senior with Cumulative GPA 3.5 or better w/ minimum of 24 credits earned)
1 PSUAC Player of the Year Award
1 Co-Defensive Player of the Year Award
13 PSUAC All-Conference Awards
8 USCAA All-Americans (bringing the total to 67 since 2008)

For more information visit: PSU Hazleton Sports

Penn State Hazleton Athletics offers competitive and recreational sport opportunities that allow students to continue to maintain an active lifestyle while developing leadership, teamwork, and physical skills. Intramural and recreational sport activities are open to students enrolled at the campus and come in a variety of opportunities ranging from: league play, weekly, and special events. Please check the website for a list of current activities being offered at Intramural and Recreational Sports.

Contact: Patrice Lombard, Director of Athletics, can be contacted by email, pmj103@psu.edu

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Resources

As a campus community, we strive to be warm and welcoming to all students. We value diversity in the collegiate environment and celebrate the differences among us. We also recognize that students come with individual and unique needs and may need additional support while they are in college. To provide this support, Penn State Hazleton offers the following resources related to diversity, equity, and inclusion:

The Committee on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is a recommending body that raises questions and suggestions for continuous improvement to support the campus’ mission of welcoming all students, staff, faculty, and visitors. The committee includes members from various levels of faculty, staff, and students from various functional areas of the campus so that issues can be considered from a variety of perspectives.

Contact: Tracy Garnick, Director of Student Services and Engagement, or Rob Knight, Interim Associate Director of Student Services and Engagement, by email, tlg19@psu.edu or rmk367@psu.edu

Gender & Sexual Diversity Resource:

Students of all genders and sexual and romantic orientations are welcomed at Penn State Hazleton. To offer a support system to our members of the LGBTQA+ community and spread awareness about the unique needs of this community, Penn State Hazleton offers a Gender & Sexual Diversity Resource person, Devon Whalen. Additionally, the students have formed and maintained the Gender & Sexuality Alliance over the last several years. This student organization provides a social outlet and support system for students of any gender or sexual/romantic orientation.

Contact: Rob Knight, Interim Associate Director of Student Services and Engagement, by email, rmk367@psu.edu

Health and Counseling Services

Our professional staff is here to help you in the event of illness or other health-related concerns. We are committed to promoting the physical and mental well-being of all Penn State Hazleton students through health education, preventive health strategies and, most of all, quality health care.

It is the mission of Health and Counseling Services to make a difference in the lives and experiences of the students at Penn State Hazleton and to do justice to the potential of each individual to think, to learn, to create, to adapt.

Contact: Laura Gerth-Makarczyk, Campus Nurse, via email, lmg192@psu.edu and Dana Sukeena, Campus Counselor, via email, dlf130@psu.edu

Healthy Lions Program

The Healthy Lions Program is a student-based wellness program offered through the Student Activity Fee and Health and Counseling Services at Hazleton. The program encourages living well and provides a multitude of activities and educational programming to help students reach their health and wellness goals. Through a partnership with Lehigh Valley Health Network, students may participate in a wide variety of fitness classes, free of charge with Student ID, both at the Health & Wellness Center at Lehigh Valley Health Hazleton and at Penn State Hazleton.

Contact: Ryan Aten, Assistant Director of Athletics, via email, rta10@psu.edu

The Lion’s Pantry

Food fuels the brain, and when you’re in college, you need all the brainpower you can get. Housed in Health and Counseling Services, The Lion’s Pantry is stocked with free, non-perishable items for students in need. The confidential program is open during normal business hours. Both on- and off-campus students can receive food from the Lion’s Pantry. To sign up to use the pantry, you fill out a form and then you will be contacted to set up an appointment. All information is kept strictly confidential.

Contact: Laura Gerth-Makarczyk, Campus Nurse, and Program Facilitator, via email, lmg192@psu.edu

The LOFT

A unique feature of Penn State Hazleton is the Lions of Fusion Territory – the LOFT – which serves as an inclusive space on campus for students to explore their own identities and the way in which they relate to their campus community. Resources and programs in the LOFT invite students to self-reflect and to exchange their individual stories through the lens of diversity, inclusion and social justice.

The LOFT is designed to:

recognize and celebrate the identities of our students
expose students to stories that may differ from their own
challenge students to consider their own privilege
encourage students to use inclusive language and behaviors
teach students how to be allies and social justice advocates.

Contact: Rob Knight, Interim Associate Director of Student Services and Engagement, by email, rmk367@psu.edu or Kate Lewis by email

International Student Support Services

International students are supported by the International Student Liaison to Global Programs, Rob Knight, and the International Student Support Assistant, Kate Lewis. Together with the Committee for International Student Recruitment and Support, these individuals work to assist in the onboarding and transition experience of international students and encourage engagement with the international student community across the commonwealth as well as the local Hazleton campus student community.

Contact: Rob Knight, Interim Associate Director of Student Services and Engagement, by email, rmk367@psu.edu or Kate Lewis by email.

Prayer Room and Worship

The campus is situated within a local community that offers a number of different places of worship. Students who identify with a particular religion or wish to explore one are encouraged to seek out any of these local opportunities. Additionally, the campus offers a prayer room where students of any religious affiliation or spiritual identity are invited to think, pray, meditate, worship, or otherwise practice their beliefs.

Contact: Rob Knight, Interim Associate Director of Student Services and Engagement, by email, rmk367@psu.edu

Residence Life

Penn State Hazleton’s Office of Residence Life works closely with University Park’s Office of Residence Life and Penn State Hazleton’s Office of Student Affairs to provide a positive experience for students choosing to live on campus. Residence Life work is supported by four professional staff members, including an associate director, two residence life coordinators, and the administrative support assistant. Additionally, Residence Life is also supported by the efforts of Resident Assistants (RAs), a small team of paraprofessional student leaders who live within the residential community. Together these staff members work to support residential students in a variety of ways.

Students with pom poms all gathered around the lion shrine.

Some of the designated interactions of Residence Life staff with students include:

Community engagement
Co-curricular learning
Leadership development
Roommate relationship development
Crisis response and resource referral
Policy and conduct referrals
Living & Learning Communities

For a glimpse into the type of engagement, information sharing, and learning we promote through social media, please look us up on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook: PSUHN_ResLife. Details about our department, student support, and our curriculum, please visit Penn State Hazleton Residence Life.

Contact: Rob Knight, Interim Associate Director of Student Services and Engagement, by email, rmk367@psu.edu

Student Engagement

Student Engagement at Penn State Hazleton offers a robust out of class experience. With over two dozen student organizations including Lion Ambassadors, the Student Government Association and THON, you’re sure to find opportunities to get involved in from the start and develop a sense of community! For our emerging leaders, Student Engagement offers a series of leadership development workshops each semester to grow and fine-tune your skills in areas such as public speaking, understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion and best practices in running meetings. These transferable skills are sought out by employers and will help ensure your post-collegiate success! Perhaps service is your area of interest. Student Engagement offers an array of service opportunities such as an international Alternative Spring Break trip. All of your hard work is recognized with the opportunity to participate in the Gamma Beta Phi National Honor Society which recognizes excellence in leadership and service. Your weekends will be just as busy with national touring comedy and music acts performing on campus, trips to professional sporting events and Broadway shows.

Check the listing of clubs and organizations. Don't see a club you are interested in? You can start your own!

Contact: Rob Knight, Interim Associate Director of Student Services and Engagement, by email, rmk367@psu.edu

Student Care and Advocacy

The Penn State Hazleton Student Care and Advocacy team is a small group of professionals from various departments who work to support the diverse needs of the Penn State Hazleton students. The team strives to ensure the safety, well-being and success of each student at Penn State Hazleton by providing them with a support network and easy access to existing campus resources.

The Student Care and Advocacy team has been created to:

serve as a central point of communication regarding student concerns from other students, staff, and faculty in order to connect seemingly disparate concerns
review and document reports regarding student concerns
coordinate support efforts to students and families in times of crisis and emergencies
advocate for students who find themselves in difficult situations and need assistance navigating the University
develop action plans for connecting students to the appropriate campus and local resources
evaluate the campus’s efforts to support and retain students who experience difficulty during their college experience

Creating a Report

Faculty, staff, students and family members are all able to make reports using the Student Care and Advocacy form.

Title IX/Sexual Misconduct Resources

In addition to support from the Office of Sexual Misconduct Prevention & Response at University Park, students at campus locations are supported by a Title IX Resource Person. Any individual who experiences, witnesses, or becomes aware of an incident of sexual or gender-based harassment or misconduct is strongly encouraged to seek help and report their experience as soon as possible. The University provides a variety of options for reporting incidents, holding offenders accountable, and obtaining assistance and support.

Contact: Tracy Garnick, Director of Student Services and Engagement by email, tlg19@psu.edu

Housing and Food Services

Housing and Food Services is in charge of billing for room and board, room assignments and waiting lists, residence hall maintenance, meal plans, and all other areas regarding the physical aspects, upkeep, and financial support of the residence and dining halls.

If you are living in the residence hall, you may be interested in connecting with other students who have similar interests. Living and Learning Communities group students interested in similar academic areas to live and learn together.

Living & Learning Communities

The Living and Learning Communities (LLC) Program at Penn State Hazleton helps to create experiences that enhance the formal academic education of Penn State students by providing opportunities for creative expression, experiential learning, ethical leadership, and service in a learning environment.

We offer three LLC options which include a team approach from Residence Life and discipline-specific faculty or staff to create an enriching experience for the members of each House. Together, the leadership team will work to engage students in a variety of activities that are educational, social, and service oriented.

Options include Discover House , PTA House or STEM - If you are interested in one of these housing options, please contact the Office of Housing and Food Services at Hazleton Campus Living.

Financial Aid

Student Employment and Work Study

The Federal Work-Study Program is awarded to you as part of your financial aid package. This program allows you to obtain a part-time job on campus and earn a biweekly paycheck for time worked. The current pay rate for Federal Work-Study students is $9.50 per hour. You are able to earn up to the amount of your award. In order for you to be considered for the Federal Work-Study Program, you must complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and answer yes to the work study question.

The Federal Work-Study job listing and application are through Workday - Select Career application to search on-campus positions.

Important: If you are not hired by the end of the second week of fall semester, your fall/spring award will be cancelled.

Contact: Office of Student Aid by calling 570-450-3163.

Scholarships:

Most scholarships at Penn State Hazleton recognize academic potential or accomplishment; financial need may also be a consideration. All students who are offered admission to Penn State Hazleton are considered for scholarships. Please visit the Scholarship and Awards website to review all options.

Contact:Office of Student Aid by calling 570-450-3163.

Information Technology Services

The Information Technology Services staff is available to help faculty, staff and students Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Please contact the Hazleton IT Service Desk by submitting a Request Form or call 570-450-3456.

Department Contact Listing

Academic affairs: Dr. Elizabeth Wright ejw12@psu.edu
Academic advising: hn-a-advising@lists.psu.edu
Admissions: hn-admissions@psu.edu
Alumni relations: Jaculin Scarcella jbs22@psu.edu
Bursar/Student billing: Kimberly Lombardo kll73@psu.edu
Career services: Kaity Krasucki kak6071@psu.edu
Continuing Education: Debra Conway dxk40@psu.edu
Development: Christen Reese car255@psu.edu
Financial aid: 570-450-3163
Health and counseling: hnhealth@psu.edu
Housing and food services: housingHN@psu.edu
Registrar: hn-registrar@lists.psu.edu
Student engagement (activities, clubs/organizations, service, leadership): Rob Knight rmk367@psu.edu
Student services and engagement: Tracy Garnick tlg19@psu.edu

Penn State Hazleton - Contact Us

Partnering for Your Student’s Success

We recognize and appreciate the important role that you have played in the life of your student prior to arriving at Penn State. We want this role to continue by cultivating an effective partnership during your student’s college career even as your role changes to that of a coach or mentor.

Many incoming college students see their family members as trusted coaches and sources of support, which is not likely to change when they begin their Penn State career. Students need you to support their growth, development, independence, and to also be a stable force in their ever-changing world.

Penn State First-Year Learning Outcomes

The First-Year Learning Outcomes were created to improve student success by increasing academic and social integration into the University. The vision that Penn State has for each student is highlighted in these Learning Outcomes. We hope that your student has successfully completed these outcomes by the end of their first year.

Understand and meet academic expectations; engage in active learning and use effective time management to balance academic work with extra-curricular activities.
Learn about the value of higher education to both society and to individuals; appreciate the value of the General Education curriculum and the worth of lifelong learning and scholarship.
Be familiar with student services and academic resources on campus; actively use those resources and interact with staff.
Engage with faculty in and outside of the classroom.
Interact effectively with peers in social settings, and through educationally purposeful student activities.
Refine short-term and long-term academic goals; learn about career management; establish more specific career goals.
Achieve a higher competency in writing, note-taking, active reading, critical thinking and quantitative reasoning to be able to master college-level work.
Expand knowledge of human diversity and cultural competence; effectively interact with others.
Engage in activities leading to improved personal health and fitness; learn about making responsible decisions in a college environment.
Be a positive and contributing member of the Penn State community; engage in community service activities; develop an understanding of sustainability and how to incorporate sustainable behaviors in daily activities.

In addition to these Learning Outcomes, students will work towards achieving Penn State’s General Education Learning Objectives. Learn more at: https://gened.psu.edu/learning-objectives

Preparing for the Start of the Semester

We know that you have a lot on your mind and preparing for the start of the semester can be overwhelming for you and your student. Here is a checklist of items to consider:

Paying the Tuition Bill

All students must sign the Financial Responsibility Agreement in LionPATH prior to enrolling for classes each semester.
If you plan to view and/or pay your student’s tuition bill, your student needs to grant you parent/family Authorized Payer Access in LionPATH.
An email is sent to the student’s Penn State email address when the tuition statement is ready.
To plan for future semesters, please visit:http://tuition.psu.edu/. Tuition rates will be set in mid-July
Encourage your student to enroll in eRefund for the quickest delivery of refund payments

Submitting Healthcare Information

Students must submit proof of immunization to University Health Services. Visit the UHS website for instructions: https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/health
Students must submit proof of adequate insurance in LionPATH. Students without health insurance can purchase the Penn State Student Health Insurance Plan

General Topics for Discussion

Encourage your student to participate in campus Welcome activities
Discuss campus safety and decisions regarding alcohol and drug use
Discuss time management, study skills, and mutual expectations for staying in touch
Talk about and plan how your student will finance their education
Provide reminder of life skills (including doing laundry, managing bank account, eating well, etc.)
Remind your student to check their Penn State e-mail account frequently. University offices or departments communicate important information to their (…..@ psu.edu) address
If your student is living in University housing, be sure to have your student check eLiving for all of the information pertaining to move-in (dates, roommate info, what to bring, etc.)
Sign up to receive email from the Parent & Family Experience portal
Stay connected with us online (see website listing at the bottom of this module)

Parent and Families Guide

A comprehensive guide for parents and families will be available via PDF format on our campus website. Once completed, you will receive an email with a link to the guide. In the guide you will find all of the helpful information that you will need to assist your student on their Penn State journey.

What’s Next for Your Student?

Working Through the Canvas Modules

Your student will work through specific modules in Canvas on Day 2 of orientation that will prepare them for their advising appointment. Please encourage your student to complete all of the assigned Canvas modules as well as their orientation homework to be ready for their academic adviser meeting!

Scheduling Classes with an Academic Adviser

Students will schedule an appointment (on Orientation Day 1) to meet with an adviser to register for classes on Orientation Days 3 or 4.

Advising in college is different than in high school. It is a partnership between the adviser and the student. The student is responsible for initiating contact with the adviser plus keeping communication lines open with parents. Since our students are considered adults, they are responsible for their academic progress. It is important to know that advisers work directly with the student, therefore, information flow to the parents should be from the student to the parents. This supports the belief that our students are responsible young adults who can make sound decisions about their academic programs. This also encourages open communication flow between the student and parent/guardian.

During your student’s orientation meeting with their adviser, all advising appointments should occur between the student and the adviser. Express permission must be given by the student to the adviser, permitting others to join the conversation. Please allow your student to participate fully in the advising conversation during orientation by having your student meet one-on-one with the academic adviser. If time permits for questions at the end of this meeting, the adviser will be happy to listen.

Academic planning is key to your student’s academic success at Penn State. There are numerous tools and resources available to students to help them in their journey to declaring their major! Because students are admitted into a college and not a major, it is important for them to understand the requirements of the major(s) they would like to pursue. Please visit the Bulletins website: https://bulletins.psu.edu/ to search for a particular major using the following pathway: Undergraduate>Programs>Baccalaureate

Once a student finds a major that interests them, please ask them to check out the following important area within the bulletin to start their planning process. For example, if your student is interested in pursuing a Business degree through the Hazleton campus, please select Hazleton from the Campus tab. This will produce a list of the degrees offered at our campus. Click on Business, BS tile to reveal specific information about our Business degree. Pay particular attention to the tabs on the right-hand side, especially “How to Get In” and the “Suggested Academic Plan” tabs.

The “How to get in” tab will reveal the Entrance to Major requirements for this major. Students must meet the established requirements in order to declare the major. If they do, they are guaranteed enrollment in that major.

Another helpful tool is a suggested Academic Plan (SAP). A SAP is an 8 semester roadmap that helps students to plan course selections. The SAP provides only one of the many possible ways to complete a degree. Please suggest that your student consult each semester with an academic adviser to construct a plan that works for them.

A listing of our campus degree programs can be found at here: Penn State Hazleton: Academics

Academic Calendar

Parents are encouraged to educate themselves of important dates on the academic calendar and ask questions to the student to encourage conversation regarding their academic success. Please be sure to view the calendar.

Accessing Your Student’s Record

Parents and guardians may gain access to some parts of the educational record through the Student Delegation module in LionPATH. Please visit: Parents Rights

Preparing for Arrival

Whether students are commuting from home or living on campus, acclimating to a new community can be difficult. Rest assured, however, that Penn State Hazleton is here to guide your student every step of the way! Their transition to our community will be staffed with opportunities for them to explore the campus, develop a sense of belonging and connectedness, and heighten their navigation of our beautiful 125 acres. There will be no shortage of social activities that will extend well beyond the initial welcome. Students will be exposed to the many clubs and organizations we offer as well as other opportunities to get involved inside and outside of the classroom. Staff will facilitate experiences to meet peers and begin to develop lifelong friendships!

Welcome Events

Stay tuned for a schedule of Welcome events that will be sure to peak interests and make all feel a part of the Penn State Hazleton family! Activities include sessions for students and parents!