Central Penn College freezes tuition for a second consecutive year

President Linda Fedrizzi-Williams announced that Central Penn College will be freezing tuition rates for the 2020–2021 academic year. This will be the second consecutive year that the college has instituted a freeze.

“Central Penn’s leadership team is focused on doing everything we can to make college more affordable for students in this area and beyond,” said Dr. Fedrizzi-Williams.

Since being appointed president in June 2018, Fedrizzi-Williams has made affordability a critical focus of her administration. In addition to the tuition freeze, the college launched the Free Housing Initiative in February 2019. The initiative provides free campus housing to full-time students during their first academic year.

The college also––in combination with the nonprofit Education Foundation––awards more than $650,000 in annual scholarships to current and new students.

To help students get the most out of their education dollars, Fedrizzi-Williams made it a priority for the college to provide more robust student support services, adding staff in key areas such as counseling and the advising center.

Fedrizzi-Williams’ story mirrors that of many Central Penn students:

• First-Generation College Student – She and her siblings were the first in their family to attend college and earn a degree. Many Central Penn students also are the first in their families to pursue a college education.
• Attended Local College – Growing up in Middletown, N.Y., she attended the local community college, SUNY Orange, where she earned her associate degree. Seventy-six percent of Central Penn’s students live within a 50-mile radius of the college.
• Transfer Student – After working in her field (radio) for five years, she decided to pursue her bachelor’s degree in Communications from Marist College. Nearly two-thirds of our current students have transferred to Central Penn after attending other colleges and universities––with many earning their associate degrees at local community colleges and two-year schools––before entering a bachelor’s program at Central Penn.
• Adult Learner / Working Parent – Married with two young children and working full-time, Fedrizzi-Williams continued to pursue her education, completing a master’s degree at Marist College and a doctorate in education at Benedictine University. Many of our evening and online students also are working parents.

“Higher education is a path to a better career and a better life,” said Fedrizzi-Williams, who previously served as provost/vice president of academic affairs at the college before being appointed president two years ago.

“I come from a working-class background, and I know the very real struggles that our students and their families have, as they grapple with the costs associated with a college education,” said Fedrizzi-Williams.

“For nearly 140 years, Central Penn College has been a difference-maker for our students as well as the entire community, and we will continue to build on that worthy tradition,” she added.

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