Penn State Harrisburg To Host Annual Research And Discovery Day

The event will showcase the college's growing research enterprise and foster collaboration across institutes and centers.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 7:00am

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A highly structured abstract painting in earthy tones, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise botanical spirals, conceptually illustrating the interconnected research institutes and centers at Penn State Harrisburg.An abstract visual representation of the collaborative research ecosystem at Penn State Harrisburg, where interdisciplinary partnerships are fueling innovation and discovery.Harrisburg Today

Penn State Harrisburg's Office of Research and Outreach will host the annual Research and Discovery Day on April 22, celebrating the college's record research productivity and providing programming to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration. The event will feature a research growth and impact celebration, a centers connection and engagement forum, and a collaboration café networking session.

Why it matters

As Penn State Harrisburg's research expenditures have grown by 32% in the last year, this event highlights the college's expanding research enterprise and efforts to foster cross-disciplinary partnerships that can drive innovation and discovery.

The details

The Research and Discovery Day will include three main components: a Research Growth and Impact Celebration recognizing faculty research achievements, a Centers Connection and Engagement Forum where institute and center directors will present on their work and collaborations, and a Collaboration Café networking session designed to spark new interdisciplinary research projects.

  • The event will take place on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
  • In fiscal year 2025, Penn State Harrisburg had $9.8 million in research expenditures, a 32% increase over the previous year.

The players

Philip Sirinides

Director of the Institute of State and Regional Affairs.

Steph Wehnau

Director of the Center for Survey Research.

Jennifer Shultz

Director of the Pennsylvania State Data Center.

Shaunté DePaso

Industry relations coordinator for the Pennsylvania Center for Latino Research.

Weston Kensinger

Director of the Douglas W. Pollock Center for Addiction Outreach and Research.

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What’s next

The Collaboration Café networking session will provide an opportunity for faculty to discuss emerging focus areas and explore new interdisciplinary research partnerships.

The takeaway

Penn State Harrisburg's growing research enterprise and focus on fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration demonstrates the college's commitment to driving innovation and discovery through its faculty and programs.