Since launching in 2021, the Readiness Institute at Penn State’s Summer Discovery program has become a defining experience for hundreds of rising high school seniors in southwestern and southcentral Pennsylvania, opening doors to new opportunities, new perspectives, and new futures.
As the final week of the Readiness Institute Summer Discovery program came to a close, students from Pittsburgh and Central PA reflected on five unforgettable weeks of growth, exploration, and connection.
As students entered the fourth week of Summer Discovery, their experiences centered on health care and wellness—both physical and mental—and the many career paths that make health care one of the most vital and varied fields in the world.
As the midpoint of the Summer Discovery program arrived, students from Pittsburgh, Altoona, and Johnstown channeled their energy into a week focused on building a better, more sustainable, and more connected future.
It may have been a shorter week due to the Fourth of July holiday, but students in the Readiness Institute Summer Discovery program made the most of every moment.
The Readiness Institute at Penn State officially launched the 2025 Summer Discovery program earlier this week—welcoming 64 rising high school seniors from across Pittsburgh and Central Pennsylvania.
These educators and mentors play a vital role in guiding students as they explore college and career pathways, engage in hands-on learning, and grow as leaders.
Whether walking alongside government leaders, advocating for policy change, or mentoring the next generation through the Readiness Institute, Fred Quinn is helping to shape a future where every voice matters and every student can make a difference.
The second annual PA Educators Rising State Conference included keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and opportunities for high school students to connect with college students, education professionals, and each other.
As many of the learners from our Readiness Institute Summer Discovery know, our connection doesn’t just end after the summer. We continue to stay in touch with learners when they go back for their senior year, after they graduate high school, and beyond. We’ve been checking in with some of the young adults who were a part of program and have now graduated high school and are on to their next steps of adulthood.