Along N. 13th

Recent tragic events in our country have left hearts heavy and minds reeling with questions about how unspeakable acts of systemic discrimination, ignorance and intolerance continue to occur in the world today.

Albright’s first institutional priority is to create a thriving, inclusive and fully participating community. As such, we must be better prepared to speak out and take action in the face of these atrocities.

Indifference, and even confused silence, allow hatred and intolerance to grow,” said Karen Campbell, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.

“It is our responsibility as a college, as a community, and as people, to stand together in the face of hatred and bias, to fight ignorance and intolerance, to say no to apathy and indifference, to speak out, and to offer profound compassion for all who live in fear that the color of their skin, gender identity, ethnicity or religion makes them a target of hate. It is simply not enough to do no harm; we must be anti-racist.”

A new initiative, Albright TutorDen allows parents of K-12 students to enroll their children in personalized, online tutoring services, or create pods of up to five students. Certified by the international College Reading and Learning Association, Albright College student-tutors (“Zutors”) provide educational, cognitive and emotional support — while at the same time gaining real-world education leadership and effectiveness experience.

Albright College was one of only 224 schools named a Best College in the Northeast by the Princeton Review. In addition, Washington Monthly ranked Albright as one of the 120 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and 157 on its Best Bang for the Buck in the Northeast list.

The college also secured a place in this year’s Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education Northeast region (top 142) and National College rankings. Only 797 schools appeared on the national list.

The U.S. News and World Report also ranks Albright a Top 40 National Liberal Arts College for Social Mobility. First released last year, U.S. News and World Report’s social mobility list recognizes colleges that are more successful than others at enrolling and seeing economically-disadvantaged students through to graduation.

Filling a need created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Albright Science Research Institute has partnered with BCIU to offer Solve-It Berks and Solve-It Berks Kids, providing free career internship, mentorship and digital curriculum to all Pre-K to 12th grade students, teachers and school districts in Berks County.

With various restrictions in place, we knew students would not have opportunities to participate in in-person internships, job shadowing or field trips to businesses,” said Stacy Dunleavy, program administrator for Career Ready Berks at the Berks County Intermediate Unit.

Recognizing potential difficulties of schools meeting PA Standards in Career Education and Work requirements, Adelle Schade, dean of pre-college and summer programs and director of the Science Research Institute at Albright College proposed the collaborative initiative.

Live, online networking and recorded sessions with career professionals help teachers and students adapt to diverse scheduling needs and develop “visionary solution proposals” for business or industry experts. Students participate in small group meetings, led by trained Albright College students.

And because Solve-It Berks also provides intern experiences and job opportunities for college students, the initiative is a win-win for all involved,” said Schade.