The Community Foundation may be best known for our grantmaking, but a considerable portion of our time is spent on community initiative work. One such project is focused on attracting and retaining college students to Berks County.
Albright College, Alvernia University, Kutztown University, Penn State Berks, and Reading Area Community College have long been cornerstones of our community. The addition of Drexel University’s medical school campus in West Reading has created even more opportunities for higher education in Berks County.
Data from Albright, Alvernia, and Penn State Berks shows that they enroll about 35% of their students from Berks County. That means that 65% of their students have chosen to relocate to Berks County for four years of their lives.
The Community Foundation began to investigate this topic by gathering a group of Berks County residents – college and university leaders, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, business owners, and civic groups to discuss ways to attract and retain students to Berks County. Student engagement with the local community supports better retention.
One focus area emerged: it is essential to make it easier for students to find local employment through internships, mentorships, and better connections between employers and campuses.
As a result of these conversations, a first-of-its-kind event is happening soon! On July 10th, 2025, Alvernia University is hosting a collaborative Internship Summit.
This event is designed for businesses and employers to help create meaningful and effective internship opportunities. For more information and to register, click on the link.
