The LearningWell Coalition is proud to welcome Penn State as its newest member. Penn State joins through its EMS Academy for Global Experience (EMSAGE), a signature undergraduate program in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences that cultivates student purpose, belonging, and lifelong wellbeing.

As one of the nation’s largest public research universities, Penn State serves more than 70,000 undergraduate students across campuses throughout Pennsylvania and beyond. The university’s 2025 Strategic Plan, launched by President Neeli Bendapudi, places Enhancing Student Success as its first priority — with a focus on co-curricular experiences, academic preparation and[PC2.1] a caring community oriented around student flourishing. EMSAGE is a direct embodiment of that vision.

Launched in 2009, EMSAGE recognizes students who intentionally pursue achievements beyond their degree requirements in scholarship, experiential learning and global literacy and service. Since 2019, the program has grown into a tiered peer community of Protégés, Practitioners and Laureates, guided by faculty mentorship and a spirit of collaborative rather than competitive achievement. Students develop five core engagement competencies — professional development, multicultural awareness, civic responsibility, systems thinking and ethical reasoning — while strengthening their sense of identity, agency, purpose and belonging.

Through Coalition membership, Penn State will integrate LearningWell focus areas into monthly EMSAGE programming and implement a comprehensive mixed-methods assessment framework to evaluate student outcomes, including reflective essay analysis, focus groups and post-graduation surveys aligned with the Gallup-Purdue “Big Six” experiences. Findings will inform program refinement and guide efforts to scale EMSAGE across Penn State’s colleges and campuses — and potentially to institutions beyond.

“Penn State’s 2025 Strategic Plan calls for co-curricular experiences that align students’ passions, aptitudes, and ambitions within a caring flourishing community,” said Karen Marosi, EMS director of student engagement and associate teaching professor. “EMSAGE has been doing exactly that for over fifteen years. Joining the LearningWell Coalition gives us the professional community, shared expertise and visibility to strengthen this work and extend its reach across our institution and beyond.”

As a member of the LearningWell Coalition, Penn State will both contribute to and benefit from a national network of institutions advancing evidence-based, learner-centered approaches that prepare students to flourish in work and in life.

“We are delighted to welcome Penn State into the Coalition,” said Keith Buffinton, executive director of the LearningWell Coalition. “EMSAGE is an intentional and replicable program that is an integral part of Penn State’s strategic plan to prioritize student success and wellbeing. Their ultimate goal of scaling EMSAGE and related programs across a large, complex public university system is a significant contribution to the broader transformation of higher education.”

About Penn State

Penn State is a major public research university serving more than 70,000 undergraduate students across campuses throughout Pennsylvania. The College of Earth and Mineral Sciences encompasses majors spanning social science, physical science, and engineering, and is home to the Ryan Family Student Center, which serves as the hub for undergraduate student support and community. EMSAGE, the college’s signature undergraduate program, has recognized student achievement in scholarship, experiential learning and global literacy, and service since 2009.

About the LearningWell Coalition

The LearningWell Coalition is a national network of colleges and universities committed to transforming higher education so every student is prepared to flourish in work and in life. Through research, collaboration and the sharing of best practices, the Coalition advances approaches that foster lifelong wellbeing, purpose, and engagement.