Historically Black Lincoln University of Pennsylvania has recently signed an agreement with Alvernia University in Reading, Pennsylvania, that will create new opportunities in entrepreneurship and health sciences for graduate students.
As part of the agreement, Alvernia’s O’Pake Institute for Economic Development & Entrepreneurship will collaborate with Lincoln University’s Lincubator, an innovation center and business development hub, to strengthen training and operations at both institutions. Additionally, the Chester County Economic Development Council has pledged to fund the placement of one Lincoln University graduate annually into a fully funded graduate assistantship at the O’Pake Institute. In this role, the chosen student will work on various business and creative projects, supervise institute fellows and interns, and provide mentorship for undergraduate students working in the Lincubator.
In addition to entrepreneurial collaboration, Alvernia and Lincoln have established an admissions agreement that will allow eligible students from the HBCU to pursue graduate degrees at Alvernia’s College of Health Sciences. Going forward, Alvernia will reserve up to two seats for its doctor of physical therapy program, three seats for its master’s degree in athletic training, five seats for its master’s degree in occupational therapy, and two seats for its master’s degree in physician associate studies for Lincoln graduates. In the future, the two universities plan to create undergraduate pathways for various engineering degrees.
“This agreement, and the articulation pathways it outlines, make clear what higher education must do more of – open doors, not build walls,” said Alvernia University President Glynis A. Fitzgerald. “Our collaboration stands as an example of what is possible when public and private institutions act not as competitors, but as co-investors in the common good. We are not just educating students – we are preparing the next generation of healers, innovators, and leaders who will uplift the communities we serve.”
