UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Sustainable Communities Collaborative (SCC) at Penn State Sustainability (SustainPSU) has coordinated a record number of partnership projects with the Borough of State College this semester.
State College has been a community partner to the SCC since the program’s inception in 2012. SCC pairs Penn State classes from across disciplines with communities on partner-identified and defined community projects. During the years of collaboration, 1,306 students guided by 51 faculty have addressed more than 100 projects in partnership with the municipality. Student work, even at a discounted rate, is estimated to be valued over $600,000. And this semester, the partnership set a new record with 11 projects ranging from stormwater mitigation to public policy.
“We are very pleased to have the opportunity to work with State College Borough on these projects that will provide students with such a rich experience,” said Ilona Ballreich, SustainPSU’s associate director for experiential learning and program director of the Sustainable Communities Collaborative. “We have a number of capstone projects, and this experience in the field with a real-world client not only tests the students’ cumulative knowledge but provides them the additional engagement experience that prepares them for their future careers.”
Agricultural engineering students regularly work with Pennsylvania community partners, often addressing stormwater runoff issues with creative and technically insightful mitigation recommendations as part of their capstone projects. For example, an earlier partnership between State College and agricultural engineering has led to the implementation of stormwater mitigation at Holmes-Foster Park. This year, students in BE 460/466 have been addressing a rain event flooding issue in College Heights.
"We are very excited to have real work experience,” said Kennedy Brown, a fourth-year ag engineering student working on the project. “It has been so interesting to realize all the complexities we don't see in classroom examples."
Additionally, civil engineering students are examining the hydrology and ecological function of Westerly Parkway Basin.
“Civil and environmental engineering is an inherently applied discipline, so it's essential that our students get exposure to working on real-world challenges,” explained Lauren McPhillips, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering and of agricultural and biological engineering. “Working on these local projects is helping them to learn more about the place they've called home for several years, and to give back by applying their developing skills to help envision innovative solutions and improvements for these aging stormwater management features.”
New this year is a partnership with Penn State’s Master of Public Policy program. Emily Vargo, director of graduate studies for the School of Public Policy, said she is enthusiastic about the collaboration.
“The SCC’s creation of synergistic opportunities between the State College Borough and Master of Public Policy students has not only facilitated the fulfillment of capstone requirements but has also fostered a mutually beneficial relationship for all involved,” she said. “This collaboration exemplifies the power of partnership in driving sustainable community development.”
Public policy capstone projects deal with a variety of topics ranging from housing to pollinators, and student work will support the necessary and rigorous research for policies, ordinances, and planning decisions by the borough.
Students focused on community development, meanwhile, are exploring next steps towards an arts district and public art installations in the borough, while Schreyer Honors science students have explored the natural assets of Thompson Woods Preserve.
These student projects and those in collaboration with other community partners will be on display at the public Campus and Community Sustainability Expo from 5-7 pm on Dec. 12 in the State College Municipal Building. For more information about SCC and how to participate, contact Ilona Ballreich at ixb20@psu.edu.