The Pennsylvania State University

The Pennsylvania State University is a public land-grant research university founded in 1855 as Pennsylvania's first and only land-grant institution. It employs some 20,000 faculty and staff and enrolls nearly 90,000 students across 24 physical campuses in Pennsylvania, alongside World Campus, an online platform that extends the same accredited degree programmes to learners beyond physical boundaries. The institution consistently ranks among the top institutions globally and counts more than 750,000 alumni worldwide. Penn State's technical work spans fundamental science research, applied innovation, health outcomes research and national security research. Its research enterprise ranges from basic science addressing questions about the universe to applied developments intended to strengthen industry, improve health outcomes and support national security. The university operates across higher education, research, healthcare, technology, business, public service and national security, with a geographic reach covering Pennsylvania, the United States and, through World Campus and its alumni network, the rest of the world. The institution's guiding principle is that knowledge should be accessible to all, not only to the privileged few. Its stated values, in place for nearly 170 years, emphasise impact on communities over ranking positions, community partnerships and public service, and access and opportunity regardless of geography. The university describes its aim as producing graduates who lead with purpose and integrity. Roles at Penn State sit within a large, distributed organisation delivering residential and online education at scale alongside a broad research portfolio.