DUBOIS — Mount Aloysius College recently announced the launch of a new nursing program in DuBois designed to address the ongoing shortage of health care providers in rural communities. The initiative is supported through a new collaboration between the Mount and Penn Highlands Healthcare, who will provide significant funding for these new nursing students.
Penn Highlands Healthcare and the Mount will provide scholarships to nursing students, along with guaranteed job placement upon graduation, many at a Penn Highlands facility, for the associates of nursing degree. Beginning this fall, Mount Aloysius will lease space on the current Penn State DuBois campus to host its pre-nursing courses, as well as courses for its two current DuBois offerings — surgical technology and radiography.
The Mount’s growth arrives at a pivotal moment, as several established institutions have scaled back or exited the region entirely due to shifting demographics and statewide consolidation.
“This program advances our mission to meet workforce needs while making highest- quality education more accessible and affordable,” said John McKeegan, president of Mount Aloysius College. “We are thrilled to extend our offerings in the DuBois community and ensure that critical professional pathways remain accessible to north-central Pennsylvania. We are deeply thankful for the collaboration from Penn Highlands Healthcare and the DuBois Educational Foundation, as well as the support of local legislators and the Pennsylvania State University system.”
The nursing program will extend jobs to new nurses in the region and help fill positions at Penn Highlands Healthcare facilities.
Locally, Penn Highlands Healthcare operates a major, opened a hospital facility in Centre County in 2024, known as Penn Highlands State College, located at 239 Colonnade Boulevard. This 110,570-square-foot facility acts as a micro-hospital with 24/7 emergency services, specialized cancer care, surgical services, and primary care to meet local needs.
“Partnering with Mount Aloysius College allows us to assist new nurses growing in their field of study and provide advanced experience in a clinical setting,” said Heather Franci, MBHA, BSN, RN, chief nursing officer for Penn Highlands Healthcare and service line director for The Heart Center, The Lung Center, Brain & Spine and Oncology Services. “We are excited to support higher education and look forward to expanding our partnership with Mount Aloysius College.”
The launch and collaboration was supported and guided by elected officials and foundation support in the region, who share the Mount’s and Penn Highlands’ excitement for these next steps.
Students in the program will receive scholarship funding from the Mount and be eligible for scholarships from Penn Highlands Healthcare. The new nursing program
launch and new site are pending Middle States approval. Pre-nursing courses will begin Fall 2026, and nursing courses are set to begin in January 2027.
