Local officials invited to discussion about Penn State New Kensington's future

Some area leaders are invited to a meeting Wednesday afternoon with Penn State officials to discuss the future of the Penn State New Kensington campus in Upper Burrell, when it closes in two years.

State Rep. Jill Cooper, R-Murrysville, and New Kensington Mayor Thomas Guzzo, both of whom were invited, confirmed the meeting.

Asked if the meeting was public, Cooper said: “I don’t think so.”

“At this point, I’m obviously open to any decent proposition. It would be nice if it’s still set up to be some sort of educational endeavor, so I think we should be looking at that,” Guzzo said. “I’m looking forward to seeing what some of the other ideas are from others in our area.”

“I am encouraged that they are asking for our input.”

The New Kensington campus — as well as Penn State’s locations in Fayette, DuBois, Mont Alto, Shenango, York and Wilkes-Barre — will close at the conclusion of the 2026-27 school year.

Penn State officials said those campuses were recommended for closure due to declines in enrollment, poor financials and minimal room for growth.

The executive committee of Penn State’s Board of Trustees met Aug. 21.

There, university officials said they have started holding community engagement sessions in each of the areas where a campus is slated to close, according to a report from the Centre Daily Times.

“There have been discussions with local leaders and potential partners on how these campuses could continue serving their regions after the transition, and there’s been coordination, clearly, with academic student support and workforce planning to ensure a smooth transition for all of our students, our faculty and our staff,” board Chairman David Kleppinger said, according to the Times.

The board’s executive committee will provide updates on the process at each of its future meetings.

Renata Engel, interim vice president for commonwealth campuses and executive chancellor, said those discussions have begun at Fayette, DuBois and Wilkes-Barre and plans future ones at Mont Alto, New Kensington, Shenango and York sometime this week.

Fayette County leaders have established a Eberly Campus Transition Team to outline future possibilities for the Fayette campus. State Rep. Charity Grimm Krupa, R-Uniontown, has suggested turning that campus into a military college.

The discussions will be the first of many: Penn State will also plan additional, future meetings, until the board can solidify and finalize how the campuses will be repurposed.

Penn State’s media relations team didn’t respond Monday or Tuesday to TribLive requests for comment on the meeting or the future of Penn State New Kensington. They’ve said previously that they want the process to be transparent, have local communities involved in the future of the facilities and land, and to make sure the future use benefits the surrounding area.

It’s not quite clear who all is attending Wednesday’s meeting. Longtime Upper Burrell Supervisors Chairman Ross G. Walker III and Lower Burrell Mayor Chris Fabry said they were unaware of any discussions taking place or a meeting Wednesday.

“I’ve heard not a word,” Walker said.

Dan DeBone, CEO of the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce, also said he was not aware or invited to a meeting Wednesday, but that it’s reassuring that some discussions are being held.

“The fact (that) someone’s meeting, I hope something good comes out of it,” DeBone said. “I hope they can keep these discussions moving forward.”