UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – When students enroll at Penn State, they’re given the keys to a metaphorical sports car, according to President Eric J. Barron.

Those who only go to class, he said, are taking a high-performance vehicle “20 miles an hour,” and the University has an obligation to empower students through engagement, maximizing their Penn State experience.

“Let’s put the blue and white sports car through its paces,” Barron said in his remarks today (Nov. 14) to the University Board of Trustees. “Let’s take it more than 20 miles an hour.”

The sports car comparison is one that Barron uses frequently when discussing his deep belief in student involvement and its ability to transform a student’s college experience.

Student engagement/engaged scholarship is one of six topics that have been major talking points since Barron’s presidency began earlier this year. Research has shown that engaged students are healthier, happier, get better grades, have strong resumes and higher quality career opportunities, he said.

Barron defined student engagement experiences as out-of-class activities that promote student success and engaged scholarship as experiences that complement class-based learning.

Engaged students learn time-management and face fewer unhealthy distractions, associate with engaged peer groups that reinforce success, have higher grade-point averages and build a resume throughout their college careers. Committing to engagement will promote recruitment, retention and graduation at Penn State, he said.

Barron discussed engagement activities such as one-on-one research with faculty or creative undertakings; leadership opportunities; internships; international experiences, service or even a part-time job have been shown to lead to a host of positive outcomes.

Among the highlights of student involvement in these areas:

-- In 56 countries, approximately 2,500 Penn State students are studying abroad.

-- Currently 28 percent of students at University Park along with 20 percent at Commonwealth Campuses are involved in one-on-one projects with faculty. 

-- Penn State’s more than 1,200 clubs and organizations present myriad options for students to assume leadership positions.

-- 52 percent of undergraduates have participated in at least one internship in industry, government or within the University.

-- Service learning and community-based research opportunities are available across Penn State, the nation and the world. THON has raised $114 million to fight pediatric cancer and is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. 

With improvements, Barron said, more students can benefit from the opportunities at Penn State.

Those measures include adopting a University-wide goal that every undergraduate have at least one engaged scholarship experience before graduating; and creating an Engaged Scholar Medal to recognize students who made exceptional strides in engagement. Expanding funds for study abroad opportunities and faculty collaboration also are being considered. 

“Many of our students are making the most out of their time at Penn State,” he said. “But Penn State has an obligation to target those barriers – particularly financial ones – that are preventing more students from being engaged. Steps can be taken so more are happier, healthier and primed for success.”

In September’s remarks to the trustees, Barron addressed another of his six imperatives: bolstering Penn State’s role in the state’s economic development and reinforcing student career success.