Who We Are and Why We Exist
The Franco Harris Pittsburgh Center serves to advance the development of healthy, sustainable, innovative, and equitable communities by connecting the Pittsburgh region with the University’s faculty, staff, students, and programs in support of community-based research, local outreach, engaged scholarship, and educational opportunities.
The Center is located in Pittsburgh’s historic Hill District, adjacent to the city’s Golden Triangle, in the LEED Platinum certified Energy Innovation Center. Our offices are also home to staff from Penn State Extension, Readiness Institute at Penn State, Allegheny County, Penn State Career Services, and other Penn State units and community organizations.
We are one of two community centers at Penn State and are a part of Penn State Outreach. Learn more about the other community center, Penn State Center Philadelphia.
What We Do
Our team works to create opportunities for mutually beneficial campus-to-community connections, strengthening Penn State’s collective impact across the Pittsburgh region and beyond. By serving as a bridge between the Pittsburgh region and Penn State’s extensive resources, we address local needs and unify outreach efforts to foster community growth and equity.
Our efforts are rooted in sustainability and provide meaningful and immersive experiences for our partners, students, and faculty. We host programs, events, and research initiatives that foster collaboration and align with Penn State’s commitment to addressing the needs of Pennsylvanians.
A key focus of our efforts is enhancing student success by offering experiential learning opportunities. Through our partnerships and programming, we engage Penn State students in hands-on projects, workforce development initiatives, and real-world problem-solving, helping them gain valuable skills while contributing to community development.
Who We Work With
The Center collaborates with Penn State students, faculty, staff, and alumni to create opportunities for meaningful engagement and impact. We partner with community-based organizations, including nonprofits, sustainability advocates, neighborhood groups, and local government agencies, to address social, environmental, and economic challenges in the Pittsburgh region.
We also work with other universities and green industry professionals, sharing research and expertise to drive innovation in sustainability and community development, ensuring long-term benefits for the region.
Our efforts extend far beyond our location in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, reaching the surrounding neighborhoods and communities, local Penn State campuses, and Penn State University Park.
We strive to always abide by the following Penn State values:
Integrity
We act with integrity and honesty in accordance with the highest academic, professional, and ethical standards.
Respect
We respect and honor the dignity of each person, embrace civil discourse, and foster a diverse and inclusive community.
Responsibility
We act responsibly, and we are accountable for our decisions, actions, and their consequences.
Discovery
We seek and create new knowledge and understanding, and foster creativity and innovation, for the benefit of our communities, society, and the environment.
Excellence
We strive for excellence in all our endeavors as individuals, an institution, and a leader in higher education.
Community
We work together for the betterment of our University, the communities we serve, and the world.