Student Support for MPA Students
 

Table of Contents

Harrisburg Supporting Functions:

Please note: The residential supporting functions are available for BOTH residential and online students.

Job Support and Placement

The Career Services Office at Penn State Harrisburg helps to create networking opportunities with relevant employers, locate current employment opportunities and resume workshops with alumni. Resources of the Career Services Office include:

  • Nittany Lion Career Network (NLCN): The primary online resource for connecting students with employers. All students have a free account. 
  • LionLink: Offered through Alumni Career Services, is a professional networking program that links Penn State students and alumni with alumni volunteer Career Coaches.
  • Career Guidance: Information on Resumes, advice on interviews and tips on how to market yourself to employers and more. 
  • Resumes and Cover Letters: Students are able to schedule a meeting with a Career Counselor to have their resume and/or cover letters reviewed. Career Services provides examples and information on how to write resumes, cover letters, thank you letters, acceptance letters, etc. The Graduate Student Success Specialist makes the connection for students to work with a Career Counselor. 
  • Interview Skills: Career Services also offers interviewing skills resources. 

Alumni Relations: The Alumni Relations Office at Penn State Harrisburg has offered the Master of Public Administration program to test a pilot alumni connection project this semester. The Associate Director for Alumni Relations at Penn State Harrisburg will reach out to alumni with an information about the pilot program, provide a form for alumni to complete about themselves to match students with the interested alumni and work with the Graduate Student Success Specialist to see what students are interested in being paired with an alumni. The alumni will be able to work with their paired student to offer the student resume review, networking opportunities, a mentor, etc. The pilot program will determine if the Alumni Relations Office will open the program to other majors. 

Student Support

Counseling Services: Crisis, consultation, and counseling services.
Designated Point of Contact: Patricia Foote.

Student Advocacy Committee: Helps students facing adverse events (eg., housing/ financial distress, mental health/medical/family emergencies) and coordinates care across campus. Designated Point of Contact: Kelly Weaber.

International Student Support: Support for international students, how to prepare, advice on visas, and immigration issues. Designated Point of Contact: Cindy Domingo.

Diversity/ Multicultural Resources: Provides support, advocacy, and education for underrepresented populations. Designated Point of Contact: Wanda Knight

Office of Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response (OSMPR): Report sexual or gender based harassment or misconduct (e.g., sexual assault, exploitation, stalking, dating/domestic violence), investigates concerns; provides resources, support, and accommodations. Call: 717-948-4381.

Student Disability Resources: Provides reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities. Designated Point of Contact: Alan Babcock M.Ed

Office of Student Life: Adult Learner Support which includes child care subsidy options as well as programs such as Continuing Education. Call: 717-948-6273 or Email: [email protected]. Designated Point of Contact: Deb Lerchen.  Follow the links here for more information on the Office of Student Life, the Adult Learner Support, and the Continuing Education program.  

Russell E. Horn Sr. Learning Center: Provides tutoring options in subject areas including: writing, speeches, Academic Success Coaching, American and academic literacy and many math, science, and business courses. The center supports students’ self-management of academic and professional goals through collaboration, guidance, and practice in an environment of inclusive excellence.

  1. Writing: assists with brainstorming, drafting, revising, and polishing your papers. Designated Point of Contact: Damien Cowger
  2. Academic Success Coaches: assists with improving test or quiz results, how to make sense of difficult concepts, and memorization strategies.Designated Point of Contact: Armon Hasheminejad.

Harrisburg Library: Provides print and online resources and research services. Resources include print books in the Harrisburg Library stacks (books can be requested from any PSU Library location), loanable equipment and technology, desktop computers in the library, access to online proprietary research databases, online research guides, and course reserves. Services include reservable study rooms, virtual and in-person research assistance, and interlibrary loan. 
Designated Point of Contact: Emily Reed
Follow the links here for more information on the University Libraries, the Harrisburg Library, and the Public Administration Research Guide.

World Campus Supporting Functions:

Job Support and Placement

Career Services: World Campus Student Affairs offers a variety of career services and tools are available to you as a student. 

Career Counselors: The career counselors are professionals who assist people with career and personal development concerns. They can help you develop a meaningful career path by empowering you with the tools and resources you need to make educated decisions about your career, or help you consider what personal issues may influence your career.

Follow the links here for more information on Career Counseling, and how to make an appointment. 

Nittany Lion Career Network (NLCN): The primary online resource for connecting students with employers. All students have a free account. 

Career Resources: Enhance your career decision-making with information on jobs, majors, how to interview, networking, and strategies for making career changes. Email: [email protected]. 

LionLink: Offered through Alumni Career Services, is a professional networking program that links Penn State students and alumni with alumni volunteer Career Coaches. The Graduate Student Success Specialist guides students to the following resource page. 

Connect with Employers: Through online and in-person career fairs, you can network and build professional connections with potential employers. For more information go to Career Fairs or contact them through email: [email protected].

Student Support

World Campus: World Campus Student Support page.

Mental Health Services: If you are experiencing personal circumstances that feel overwhelming, Penn State World Campus can provide an assortment of valuable mental health resources. Follow the links here to access the Mental Health Services page and Red Folder, or contact them through email: [email protected]. 

Diversity and Inclusion: Provides diversity and inclusion services and programming to students in a virtual, convenient format. For more information go to Diversity and Inclusion site or contact them through email: [email protected].

Office of Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response (OSMPR): Report sexual or gender-based harassment or misconduct (e.g., sexual assault, exploitation, stalking, dating/domestic violence), investigates concerns; provides resources, support, and accommodations. Call: 717-867-6025. 

Student Disability Resources: Provides reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities. E-mail: [email protected]

Student Engagement 

Student Organizations: There are a variety of clubs and organizations available for students. 

Student Engagement Events: Current social and academic events that let you connect with faculty, staff and fellow students. 

World Campus Student Advisory Board: The World Campus Student Advisory Board is an extension of Student Affairs whose members provide advocacy on behalf of students, through collaborative partnerships with administrators and faculty.