November 2026

Dear Friends,

As the leaves fall and the air turns crisp, I want to take a moment to share what's happening here on campus and to thank you for being part of it.

We've passed midterms, and the semester is in full swing. Our classrooms and labs are full of energy. Our student support staff are checking in with students to make sure each one has what they need to succeed. Our athletes are moving from fall sports to winter seasons, and behind the scenes, our staff keeps everything running smoothly day after day. Our faculty share their knowledge and passion with students who will soon go out and make a difference as graduates.

What inspires me most is how far this work reaches. Think of a student who gets a word of encouragement to keep coming to class on a hard day. Or one who gets the coaching that helps them land a job interview. Or one who simply feels seen when life has been tough. These moments may seem small, but they change lives. And those lives go on to strengthen our workplaces, our neighborhoods, and our whole region.

Our students are growing in skill and in confidence. Many are discovering just how far they can go, and it's a joy to watch. None of this happens alone. It happens because of a community that believes in them, and that includes you.

Later this month, we'll join the annual Lancaster County Extraordinary Give. Our goal is to raise $450,000, and every dollar up to $300,000 will be matched. I warmly invite you to join us and help open even more doors for our students.

Thank you for your support, your kindness, and your belief in what our students can achieve.

With gratitude,

President Pedro A. Rivera II, Ed.D.

Open House Success

The College had an amazing Open House in mid-October, with close to 1,500 guests on campus! We had higher registrations than our busiest Open Houses in recent years, and we saw more than 140 applications for enrollment filled out over the weekend! Thanks to everyone who supported the event – every team member, alumnus, and community member is part of making Thaddeus Stevens College a place where someone can see their future taking shape.

Senate Citation for Project MFG Winners

Senator Scott Martin formally entered the achievement of three recent graduates into the Senate's records. He presented a citation to the Computer Integrated Machining students who won the national Project MFG Clash of the Trades competition this summer. Hayden Telford and Trevor Masterson returned to campus to receive the citation, and the group celebrated with additional competitor Shaun Hershey in spirit, as he is in training to become a United States Marine. Thanks to Sen. Martin and the many state leaders who support our students!

Philadelphia Education Fund Partnership

Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology is pleased to become a Preferred Higher Education Partner of the Philadelphia Education Fund (PEF) through a new Memorandum of Understanding focused on strengthening pathways from high school to postsecondary education for Philadelphia students. Through this partnership, the College will create opportunities for students to explore Thaddeus Stevens College through campus experiences, recruitment and engagement activities, and connections to admissions, financial aid, scholarship, and enrollment information. The partnership also connects Thaddeus Stevens College to PEF’s College Access and Success Ecosystem (CASE), a network of more than 100 education, nonprofit, government, and higher education partners working to advance college access and student success. This collaboration reflects the College’s continued commitment to expanding access, reducing barriers to enrollment, and creating meaningful pathways that connect students with high-quality technical education and career opportunities.

Check Presentation for Almshouse Funding

Representative Smith-Wade-El visited campus to present a check for $4 million, funding from the Commonwealth's Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. The funds will go toward renovations of the Almshouse, a historic property that sits on Broad St. across from our Main Campus. A renovated building will help Thaddeus Stevens College create more space for general education classrooms, program labs, and Workforce Center trainings. The College will work to match these funds for the first phase of building renovations. We are so grateful for this support from state and local leadership!

Cross Country Regionals

The Men's Cross Country Team at Thaddeus Stevens College won the NJCAA Region 19 Men's Championship this past weekend. Tristan Weaver, a second-year student from our Collision Repair Technology program, took first place in the Men's Division III individual championship. We also had Kolin Long place second and Patrick Falk place fourth in Division III. Congratulations to our student-athletes who worked hard and put in a lot of miles to get there!

Strategic Planning Progress

Last week, Karinda Barrett and Diana Goldstein from our strategic planning partner, MGT, hosted a series of focus groups with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community stakeholders. The thoughtful conversations provided valuable insights and perspectives that will help inform ongoing strategic planning and continuous improvement efforts. In the coming weeks, a survey will be distributed to gather additional feedback from a broader group of stakeholders and ensure that a wide range of voices contribute to shaping future priorities.

Join us for the Extraordinary Give on November 20!

On Friday, November 20, the Thaddeus Stevens College Foundation will once again join our community in the Extraordinary Give, Lancaster County’s largest day of giving. Thanks to an anonymous donor, we will have matching dollars up to $300,000!

Join us downtown at the corner of King and Queen Streets to celebrate the day from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with activities, hot chocolate, high-fives from Champ the Bulldog, and more! Donations can be made only on November 20, from midnight to 11:59 pm, at ExtraGive.org. Let's see our community Give Like Thad!

Build Her Future Event Recap

On October 27, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology hosted its Build Her Future event, welcoming eight prospective students and their parents/caregivers for an evening focused on exploring skilled trades and technical careers. Participants engaged in hands-on experiences across three technical programs, connected with female alumni working in the field, and learned more about educational and career pathways. Survey feedback was very positive, with all eight respondents reporting increased awareness of trade and technical career opportunities and seven indicating they could picture themselves succeeding and working in these fields. Participant comments especially highlighted the value of the hands-on activities, providing encouraging feedback as we continue creating opportunities for young women to see themselves thriving in technical careers.

Construction Movement

Construction has officially begun at the future Stevens Hall and Michael C. Mylott Dining Hall on Main Campus! This facility will feature housing for 150 students, as well as a mail room, security station, and dining area for 500 students. It will take about two years for construction to be completed.

DGS is working with the College to finish the remaining items at the Steinman Community Learning Center, to align with the College's branding and some finishing work on systems. The Center is moving toward being fully operational!

Marotta/Main architecture firm has been selected by DGS as the architect on the Snyder and Woolworth buildings renovation. The design phase has begun.

The feasibility study of campus facilities is in the process of organizing different stakeholder groups to participate in the initiative to ensure the company conducting the study has the information needed to develop a comprehensive plan.

The design for renovating existing residence halls on Main Campus is nearly complete, with the current project estimates below budget.

Recent Team Awards

Johnnie Hicks, Head Football Coach and Recruiter for Thaddeus Stevens College, was recently recognized by the Susquehanna Township High School Alumni Association for his outstanding accomplishments, leadership, character, and service. He was inducted into the inaugural class of the school's Hall of Fame, honoring the lasting impact he's made on the students and community he serves.

City & State recently named President Rivera to its annual Labor List as well as its Lifetime Achievement Awards. These awards represent direct alignment with the mission of Thaddeus Stevens College, to create opportunity for an education that leads to thriving careers in needed workforce roles.

Congratulations to our leaders who continue to be honored for their community impact!

Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees

Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology celebrated the 20th Annual Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Banquet by welcoming four distinguished Bulldogs into our 2026 Athletic Hall of Fame: Mason Bossert (HVACR ’19), the basketball program’s all-time leading scorer; Paul Junas (Millwork and Cabinetmaking ’61), a four-sport student-athlete who went on to a career in education and coaching; Lamont Kennard (Business Administration ’06), a record-setting football player and national-level track and field competitor; and Maryn Zazzi (Residential Remodeling ’21), a Region XIX cross country champion and Pennsylvania National Guard member. Together, the inductees exemplify the athletic excellence, leadership, perseverance, and service that define the Bulldog experience and demonstrate how Thaddeus Stevens College student-athletes continue to make an impact in their careers and communities long after graduation.

Workforce Center Receives Support from PNC

The Workforce & Economic Development Center at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology is bustling with activity as learners build skills and prepare for new opportunities! From six-month skilled trades programs and our 10-week construction apprenticeship readiness academy to automotive certifications, 40-hour CNC training, and the Supervisor Series, the Center offers pathways for individuals starting a career and employees advancing their skills. We are grateful for PNC’s generous $37,000 investment to support low- to moderate-income individuals pursuing skilled trades training, helping reduce financial barriers and connect more people to rewarding careers while meeting regional workforce needs.