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Penn State Altoona
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  • This is Penn State Altoona
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  1. Home
  2. Parents and Families
  3. Parents of Incoming Students

A Message from the Director of Student Affairs

On behalf of the Division of Student Affairs staff, I welcome you to the Penn State Altoona community.

Penn State Altoona faculty and staff offer an array of services and programs designed to help students achieve their goals and succeed. Our role in the Division of Student Affairs is to help your student develop as a total person. We hope to assist them in gaining life skills that will serve them well during and following their time at Penn State.

Your student will work with an outstanding faculty who will challenge them to develop critical thinking skills and become a more educated person. Encourage your student to create a positive working relationship with their faculty and take advantage of offerings such as drop-in office hours.

Encourage your student to become active in the co-curricular and social life of the campus. Your student will benefit greatly from involvement in at least one out-of-class opportunity. A few examples include the following:

  • Joining one of our registered student organizations.
  • Participating as a team member or fan in our NCAA Division III athletic program.
  • Playing intramural or club sports.
  • Participating in programming offered by departments for personal learning and growth.
  • Joining our Campus Activities Board or Student Government Association.
  • Supporting our THON organization.

If your student is struggling to find an out-of-class opportunity, please send them to see us in the Slep Student Center. We want to identify gaps in our offerings so we can change our programming to meet the current student body’s wishes.

Finally, please think about and discuss what it means to be part of the greater Penn State Altoona community with your student before the start of classes. How will they invest their time and connect with others? Please encourage them to think about how they can challenge themselves to grow holistically and live the Penn State values of Community, Discovery, Excellence, Integrity, Respect, and Responsibility in their daily lives.

Authentic learning occurs when we step outside of our comfort zone and challenge ourselves to look at things from a different or new perspective. We hope your student will recognize and appreciate that while we are alike in some ways and different in others, at our core, WE ARE (all) PENN STATE!

Dani Fry
Interim Senior Director, Division of Student Affairs

Parents of Incoming Students

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Pennsylvania map showing Penn State's campuses with Penn State Altoona highlighted

Penn State Altoona

A full-service, four-year, residential campus located less than 45 miles from the research campus at University Park. Offering 21 four-year degrees and the first two years of over 275 Penn State majors.
  • facebook
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Give Visit Apply
  • This is Penn State Altoona
    • Welcome from the Chancellor
    • Penn State Altoona At a Glance
    • Mission, Vision, and Values
    • College Leadership
    • Our History
    • Campus Map
    • Current Weather Conditions
    • Livestream
  • Academics
    • Majors
    • Academic Calendar
    • Out-of-Class Learning
    • Eiche Library
    • Registrar
    • Academic Advising
    • Honors Program
    • Campus Closures
  • Admissions
    • Visit Us
    • Information for First-Year Students
    • How to Apply
    • Accepted Students
    • Find Your Admissions Counselor
    • Experience Altoona
    • Virtual Tour
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Scholarships and Awards
    • Grants
    • Loans
    • Work-study
    • Financial Aid Basics
    • Tuition and Costs
    • Financial Aid Information
  • Student Success
    • Student Success Center
    • The Help Tool
    • Tutoring
    • Student Affairs
    • Student and Civic Engagement
    • Health and Wellness Center
    • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
    • Safety at Penn State Altoona
    • Career Services
    • Eiche Library
  • Research & Engagement
    • Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry
    • Faculty Research Resources
    • Internships
    • Study Abroad/Study Away
    • Internal Grants and Awards
  • Athletics
    • Schedule
    • Facilities
    • Recreation and Club Sports
    • Staff and Coaches Directory
    • Athletic Training and Sports Physicals
    • Athletics News
    • Camps and Clinics
    • Hall of Fame
  • Stay Connected
    • Faculty and Staff Directory
    • Offices and Divisions
    • Campus Calendar
    • PSUAlert Text Messaging Service
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Penn State University
3000 Ivyside Park, Altoona, Pennsylvania 16601 814-949-5000

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