CAIMS is devoted to the promotion of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, continuing its founding mission to improve the delivery of STEM content, while forging a new path that strengthens research, professional development, entrepreneurship, and information services through collaboration between and among faculty on all Penn State campuses, other universities, local school districts, community centers, businesses, and industries. 
 
CAIMS brings the strength of Penn State’s expert faculty and research resources to bear on the problems facing our region’s STEM educators, as well as coordinating STEM summer camps and other programs that give students, teachers, and community members engaging  experiences to which they might not otherwise have access. CAIMS has collaborated with various departments and campuses to provide unique outreach opportunities. In 2018-2019 alone, CAIMS professionally developed 98 teachers from 34 school districts, having a reported impact on 38,000 students annually. 

The Career Studies Program is a U.S. Department of Education approved Comprehensive Transition Program (CTP), where individuals with intellectual disabilities can obtain a high-quality, individualized post-secondary education that leads to social and professional networks, careers, and a bright future. Career Studies is an inclusive two-year, four-semester program that includes academic and social enrichment, career exploration, and practical work experiences. The program's mission is to provide enriching and inclusive post-secondary education and career exploration experiences that lead to independence and competitive employment.

Program Themes and Principles

  • Embracing Diversity
  • Exploring Careers
  • Focus on Ability not Disability
  • Identifying Strengths and Interests
  • Importance of Work and Career
  • Inclusion
  • Independence
  • Learning and Growth
  • My Voice Matters!
  • Obtaining recognizable credentials
  • Person-First Language
  • Professionalism
  • Providing Supports - Fading Support
  • Self-Advocacy
  • Self-Determination
  • Sense of Belonging

These themes are supported by completing a person-centered planning process, auditing academic courses, enrolling in Continuing Education courses, vocational theme mapping, job coaching, career field trip experiences, job shadowing, and practicums. Peer Mentors provide students with support in their academic classes as well as for other on-campus activities. Individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities between the ages of 18 and 25 who seek a higher education experience with a focus on career growth are encouraged to apply.

Besides being an inviting physical space providing research materials in print and other media in the Penn State Harrisburg library, the Center for Holocaust and Jewish Studies is actively involved in outreach programming such as public performances of music, drama, and dance; screenings of films along with discussions by their makers; and lectures and book talks with nationally recognized writers and researchers on the Holocaust and Jewish studies. The Center works to bring people from the Central Pennsylvania region and the University together in a common interest of remembering and teaching the Holocaust and Jewish studies. In addition to its annual event series, the Center regularly presents art and history exhibitions in its Linda Schwab Gallery, manages a curriculum of course offerings for undergraduate students to learn about the Holocaust, as well as Jewish history and culture, and maintains an archive of materials from survivors in the Central Pennsylvania region.

The Penn State Harrisburg Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) houses the Harrisburg LaunchBox startup program, connecting early-stage entrepreneurs to resources to build scalable and sustainable business models with viable strategies for growth. A number of trainings, accelerators and community events are presented throughout the academic year, including the Startup Challenge Weekend, Student Startup Showcase, Veterans Bootcamp, SCALE Founder's Circle and Idea Test Lab, a signature customer discovery accelerator. The Center works collaboratively with the statewide LaunchBox Innovation Network and regional ecosystem partners, including Ben Franklin Technology Partners, the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC, PennTAP, Small Business Development Center, U.S. Small Business Administration and more to provide a pipeline and hub of support to our startup community. 

The goal of the Center for Signal Integrity is to support signal integrity research and product development for local and national companies and advance the research collaboration between Penn State Harrisburg and industry.

The Central Pennsylvania Research and Teaching Laboratory for Biofuels serves as a center to discover and disseminate knowledge addressing challenges in sustainable agriculture while providing interdisciplinary research training in plant tissue culture and molecular biology with the goal of cultivating diversified pools of talented students and under-represented minorities into careers in biotechnology, medicine and health sciences.

Penn State Harrisburg Continuing Education is the local connection to the extensive intellectual resources available through Penn State. Organizational and individual partnerships and collaborations help to foster professional and personal economic development and growth. Whether a small non-profit or a global corporate leader, Continuing Education works to develop solutions for training, education, and professional development needs. 

Areas of expertise include organizational development, strategic planning, leadership, communication, and technical knowledge in a wide range of disciplines. Programs are available in a variety of delivery times and formats (classroom, distance, hybrid) and can be customized for specific needs. Continuing Education is also proud to support socially responsive education for nontraditional students through programs that collaborate with the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Department of Human Services. For more information email [email protected] or call 717-948-6500. 

Dedicated in August 2019, The Douglas W. Pollock Center for Addiction Outreach and Research works to develop and implement effective programs, policies, and practices aimed at preventing and treating addiction and its spillover effects on children, families and communities. The Center is focused on connecting community-based organizations and veteran populations to information, strategic planning, evidenced-based education, tools, and resources needed to effectively and efficiently make measured, impactful change in combating the multiple types of addiction. 

The Douglas W. Pollock Center for Addiction Outreach and Research plays a key part in the Penn State Consortium to Combat Substance Abuse by connecting Pennsylvanians with the expertise of researchers, educators and practitioners from across the University. The goal of the Center is not solely to end deaths, but also facilitate the opportunity to recover to safe, healthy, and productive lives.

The Pennsylvania Center for Folklore (formerly the Center for Pennsylvania Culture Studies), founded in 1990, is committed to studying, documenting, and interpreting historical and contemporary cultural traditions and communities, especially in Pennsylvania, in order to promote greater knowledge of the diverse range of folklore and folklife across the Commonwealth, region, and nation. 
 
Advised by a board of experts from several Penn State campuses, as well as institutions and organizations regionally and nationally, the Center develops and supports research, collections, courses, degrees, and events related to folklore and folk cultures. The Center is affiliated with the Penn State Harrisburg School of Humanities and its American Studies program. 

The Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center (RMC) is an independent, Pennsylvania non-profit corporation with a mission to reduce or eliminate barriers that lead to new expanded use of Pennsylvania’s recycled materials. The RMC team brings markets development assistance to a nearly endless list of stakeholders, including entrepreneurs, manufacturers, recycled material processors, collection programs, haulers, and governmental agencies. In operation since 2005, and with funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the RMC has an affiliation with Penn State and is headquartered at Penn State Harrisburg with an office in Pittsburgh. Core areas of RMC outreach include feedstock conversion pairing, applied research and commercialization assistance; technology acceleration; and service as a concierge to technical and business growth information. Building and supporting Pennsylvania’s $22.6B recycling marketplace, the Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center bridges relationships between economic development and recycled materials supply. Expediting time-to-market of recycled-content products and processes, RMC creates circular economy in Pennsylvania. 

Pennsylvania is ranked fifth in the U.S. for number of elderly residents, with an elderly population (65+) of 2 million. This number is estimated to be 3.2 million in 10 years, a growth of 60%. Couple this with the fact that 90% of the aging population still live in their homes or apartments, and the need is evident for research into smart living and “aging in place.” 

The vision of the Smart Home Research Initiative is to become the premier research and advancement hub for smart home design, technology, lifestyle, energy, and policy in South Central Pennsylvania. See our website for current projects and partners.  

The Institute of State and Regional Affairs (ISRA) at Penn State Harrisburg brings together faculty and research specialists from the Pennsylvania State Data Center (PaSDC) and the Center for Survey Research (CSR) to provide research and data services in areas such as public policy, community planning, information management, and evaluation. Established in 1973, ISRA is the oldest and largest research unit on the Harrisburg campus, serving as a connection between Penn State and the state capital community.

  • Pennsylvania State Data Center (PaSDC) Founded in 1981, the Pennsylvania State Data Center is recognized as the Commonwealth’s official source for population and economic statistics. As a premier partner of the U.S. Census Bureau, PaSDC offers essential data and analysis to support informed decision-making across various sectors. The Center combines diverse data sources and collaborates with state partners to provide expert training, analysis, and practical applications of census data.
  • Center for Survey Research (CSR) Established in 1987, the Center for Survey Research has built a reputation as a reliable partner for comprehensive survey research services. CSR works with a wide range of clients, including state government leaders, academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, and private industries, to track public policy, assess opinions, conduct benchmarking, and measure satisfaction. Using rigorous methodologies and advanced technologies, CSR delivers actionable insights that inform decision-making and drive positive change.

Shared Resources and Organizational Structure

ISRA, PaSDC, and CSR share resources such as facilities, equipment, IT infrastructure, and administrative support while maintaining independent operations with distinct missions. The ISRA director oversees all three entities, managing resources and setting goals to ensure efficient collaboration and support for various research initiatives. This shared structure enables staff across the centers to contribute to ISRA-wide activities, fostering a collaborative environment that enhances the research and services provided by each center.