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Portrait orientation indoor photograph of an older bald man presumably a campus professional individual in thin black prescription eyeglasses, dark navy blue business blazer suit, tan dress pants, and dark brown work dress shoes is visibly seen walking forward, gesturing with hands in air in motion as he is next to a smiling young man presumably a college student in a gray hoodie, black pants, and black/red basketball casual sneakers as they are located inside a modern, brightly lit indoor space with colorful walls and other people working or sitting in the background at the Campus Success Center at Slippery Rock University

Open for Success

Successful alums start with student success. The new Campus Success Center is where students meet with dedicated professionals to help them achieve their personal best. It’s where eight certified academic life coaches engage and empower students through innovative methods that go beyond prescriptive advice, helping them design their own path.

The new space is also home to increasing opportunities for students to connect with future employers, with more than 10 hiring events featuring over 300 employers planned next year.

From career fairs and single-employer meet-and-greets to tailored sessions with coaches that optimize students for career success, the new center is the place where connections are made and dream jobs are shaped into reality.

Rock-Solid Selectivity

SRU is getting recognized for selecting the best students who make The Rock their first choice for a college destination – and there are data to support it. A recent article published in the Pittsburgh Business Times revealed SRU as the:
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#2
Most selective college or university in the Pittsburgh area (behind only Carnegie Mellon), and the
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#11
Most selective college or university in Pennsylvania.
The PBT used a recent analysis conducted by its parent company, The Business Journals, that sourced U.S. Department of Education data and a weighted formula that considered both acceptance rates and matriculation rates.
Two people smiling indoors, one holding a Slippery Rock University pennant, the other holding a foam finger.
outdoor view of the Student Health Center
student sitting at a booth and wearing headphones while reading a book
SRU’s Campus Success Center opened in January. The newly renovated center is the former University Union located at 103 Central Loop.

This modern facility houses the:

  • Office of Disability Services
  • Financial Aid Office
  • Dean of Students Office
  • Mailing Services
  • Parking/ID Office
  • Student Counseling Center
  • Center for Career and Academic Progress
  • Student Health Center

Student Health Center

In addition to having a new space, the Student Health Center is now managed by the Allegheny Health Network Primary Care Institute, providing students convenient, on-campus access to high-quality health care led by medical director and family medicine, along with a staff of experienced AHN registered nurses and advanced practice providers.
Click here for a retrospective about the former University Union.
student using a remote controller to direct a robot arm to move small colorful blocks

Program Growth

SRU is adding programs and pathways for students to pursue careers in occupations that are in high demand. Starting in Fall 2025, students at SRU can begin building their future with Bachelor of Science programs in:

Electrical and
Computer Engineering

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Construction
Management

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Nursing
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Electrical and
Computer Engineering

green lightning bolt icon

Construction
Management

green hard hat icon

Nursing
1+2+1

green nurse symbol
The first two join a suite of four engineering programs at SRU that are accredited by the globally recognized Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). The nursing pathway adds to SRU’s existing online RN-to-BSN program where students take general education classes at SRU in their first year, earn their RN through clinical rotations at Community College of Beaver County or the Allegheny Health Network Schools of Nursing in the second and third years, and complete their BSN degree from SRU completely online during their fourth year, allowing for full time work as an RN while completing their four-year degree.

Executive Hires

Prasad Vemala headshot
Prasad Vemala, Ph.D., is the new dean of the College of Business after he served as interim dean of Rockwell School of Business at Robert Morris University. Vemala will lead the college that consists of four departments, including the School of Business that is accredited by AACSB.
Timothy Slekar headshot
Timothy Slekar, Ph.D., is the new associate provost for academic innovation and dean of graduate and continuing education. The former executive director of Muskingum University’s Department of Education Studies, Slekar will help identify and develop new opportunities for academic programming to enhance SRU’s existing offerings by partnering with industry and state and local governments to better understand the workforce needs of the regional economy.
group of people in business attire posing with a certificate at a table

Economic Advocate

SRU President Karen Riley has been appointed by Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro to join two key commissions to drive economic growth in the state: the Pennsylvania-Ireland Trade Commission and the Rural Population Revitalization Commission. The first, pictured above with Riley behind Gov. Shapiro (middle), helps promote business and academic exchanges between Pennsylvania and Ireland and the second reviews and recommends solutions to attract and retain residents in rural areas of Pennsylvania.
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