UPPER BURRELL, Pa. -- Beginning its second year at Penn State New Kensington, the Penn State in Pittsburgh series provides opportunities for students from four campuses in western Pennsylvania to experience the best of what the city of Pittsburgh has to offer. The program brings together students from the campuses of Beaver, Fayette, Greater Allegheny and New Kensington for a series of events highlighting the city’s educational, cultural, athletic and shopping benefits. Eight events, an increase of three since last year, are scheduled throughout the fall and spring semesters and most will be held on the weekend. During the next seven months, campus students can shop the Strip District and take in a movie at the Waterfront, head to a Pirates game, tour haunted Pittsburgh, visit the Carnegie museums and science center, skate at the Rink at PPG Place, stroll downtown at Christmas, tour the Turkish Cultural Center and attend the Broadway play “Beauty and the Beast” at the Heinz Hall. There is free transportation from the campus.

More than 50 Penn State students and alumni attended the inaugural Leader Launch conference Jan. 18 and 19 in Pittsburgh. A Penn State initiative to provide a professional conference for student leaders, Leader Launch was an opportunity for Penn State students from the western campuses to enhance their knowledge of transferable skills, networking and professionalism. Current students and recent alumni from Penn State New Kensington and the western campuses of Beaver, Fayette, Greater Allegheny and Shenango were joined by business leaders in a professional conference environment. Topics included communications, goal setting, the job search process, social media, networking, business ethics, leadership and presentation skills.

A new Penn State initiative provides opportunities for students from four campuses in Western Pennsylvania to experience the best of what the city of Pittsburgh has to offer. The program brings together students from the campuses of Beaver, Fayette, Greater Allegheny and New Kensington for a series of events highlighting the city’s educational, cultural, athletic and shopping benefits. Five events are scheduled throughout the fall and spring semesters and most will be held on the weekend.