Public hearing at Thiel College on rural Pa. population change features Trustee, President

Posted January 29, 2024 Print

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- Thiel College President Susan Traverso, Ph.D. and Chair of the Board of Trustees and Executive Director of the Penn-Northwest Development Corporation Rod E. Wilt ’86 will be among the speakers at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 31 at Thiel College during a public hearing on population changes in Pennsylvania’s rural regions.

The Center for Rural Pennsylvania Board of Directors, Center staff, and other state and local officials and stakeholders, are holding a public hearing in the College’s Lutheran Heritage Room of the Howard Miller Student Center to address rural population change in light of the Center’s recent population projections through 2050. Changes in Pennsylvania’s population will likely affect a wide range of policy issues, including workforce availability, housing, healthcare, education, and transportation.

“It is an honor for Thiel College to host such a significant public hearing, bringing attention to the demographic shifts impacting rural Pennsylvania. Our commitment to education, community engagement, and economic development aligns seamlessly with the issues that will be discussed. We are also grateful that Rod Wilt, an alumnus, community leader and advocate for the region, will include his valuable perspective,” Traverso said. “Collaboration between educational institutions, local leaders, and policymakers to address the unique needs of rural areas is essential. Thiel College is dedicated to being a proactive participant in these conversations, contributing to the development of strategies that will empower rural communities to thrive in the face of demographic changes.”

State Senator Gene Yaw, a Republican representing Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Tioga and Union Counties, is the chair of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania Board of Directors and state Representative Eddie Day Pashinski, a Democrat serving part of Luzerne County, is the vice chair. Also on the board of directors are other state legislators and representatives of higher education. Also scheduled to participate are Mercer County state legislators Senator Michele Brooks and Representative Parke Wentling.

Other expected speakers are:

Mark Critz, Western Regional Director of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, and Executive Director of the Rural Development Council
Jill Foys, Executive Director of the Northwest Commission
Thomas Kreiner, McKean County Commissioner
Albert “Chip” Abramovic, Venango County Commissioner, and Board Chair of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania
Kate Brock, Executive Director of the Community Education Center of Elk and Cameron Counties, and Leadership Elk and Cameron
Andrew Sokolski, Executive Vice President of Strategic Alliances, Whirley Drink Works, and Member of Warren Worx
Amanda Hetrick, Superintendent of the Forest Area School District
Janice Walters, Interim Executive Director, and Chief Operating Officer of the Rural Health Redesign Center