Training and Events

In addition to our primary programs, the Franco Harris Pittsburgh Center at Penn State holds a variety of noncredit training and events led by Center staff and community leaders in our classrooms at the Energy Innovation Center.

Certificate programs provide an in-depth learning experience to expand knowledge and help enhance careers and are typically associated with continuing education credits, community volunteer requirements, or workforce development initiatives. Workshops, seminars, tours, and special presentations are provided by the Center’s staff and other Penn State staff and faculty, offering condensed, targeted learning opportunities. Check this page regularly to learn about upcoming training opportunities, or register to receive notification of upcoming events.

May 2025

City Semester Pittsburgh

When: May 19, 2025 – August 15, 2025
Where: Energy Innovation Center, Pittsburgh, PA

Students from several colleges and majors at Penn State will spend the summer in Pittsburgh exploring sustainability through City Semester Pittsburgh. The immersive experience includes an internship with a community partner and a course at the Franco Harris Pittsburgh Center on urban sustainability.

June 2025

High-Performance Building Summer Program

When: June 2, 2025 – June 20, 2025
Where: Energy Innovation Center, Pittsburgh, PA

For three weeks this summer, students from Penn State will join together with a cohort of students from South West College in Northern Ireland for the High-Performance Building Summer Program. This experience includes class discussions, hands-on group projects, field trips to local sites, and guest speakers exploring the foundations of sustainability in the built environment. 

November 2025

Pittsburgh Connect: Penn State Student Networking Summit

When: November 24, 2025
Where: Energy Innovation Center, Pittsburgh, PA

Penn State students are invited to meet with local and national employers, learn about upcoming internship opportunities, connect with Penn State's alumni network, and build strong connections for a successful future.