Walsh Working to Save PSU’s Branch Campuses in NEPA

March 7, 2025

HARRISBURG – Following up on his pledge to take every step necessary to prevent the possible closures of Penn State Wilkes-Barre and Penn State Hazleton, Rep. Jamie Walsh (R-Luzerne) is taking a closer look at the university’s financial figures, enrollment numbers and academic programs.

Walsh’s efforts follow last week’s announcement by Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi that the university may close some of its smaller branch campuses due to mounting financial challenges, including four in northeast Pennsylvania. Walsh and other lawmakers in the region are united in their opposition to Bendapudi’s plan. 

“As promised, I am undertaking a deeper dive into the financial numbers for the Commonwealth’s four state-related universities – Penn State, Pitt, Temple and Lincoln – to gain a better understanding of how our state funding support of these schools is being used,” said Walsh. “There is no question enrollment is down significantly at all our local branch campuses, and we need to find out why. I believe the university could be doing a better job of attracting students by offering majors in more practical careers that match the needs of Pennsylvania’s workforce.” 

Walsh cited a recent report released by the Joint State Government Commission that found in academic year 2023-24, 7,918 Penn State students were enrolled in Area, Ethnic, Cultural and Gender Studies and Social Sciences programs compared to only eight students enrolled in Trade/Industry programs. In addition. Social Sciences program enrollees greatly outnumbered Agriculture program enrollees, 7,603 to 1,515. 

“Penn State appears to be wasting money on academic programs that have little ‘real world’ demand and enrollment at the branch campuses has suffered as a result,” Walsh added. “Perhaps the focus should shift to offering majors that are related to the trades, manufacturing or agriculture, which is our state’s No. 1 industry, to attract students interested in careers that are much more employable in today’s job market. Enrollment would grow, and our local campuses could remain open.” 

Walsh plans to continue his financial review of the four state-related universities as he prepares for the upcoming debate and vote in the House of Representatives regarding their state appropriations requests for Fiscal Year 2025-26. 


Representative Jamie Walsh
117th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Andy Briggs
717-260-6474
abriggs@pahousegop.com
RepWalsh.com / Facebook.com/RepJamieWalsh