The city of Harrisburg recently took a step forward in an effort to provide a better future for its citizens. In an agreement between Harrisburg and Eastern University made earlier this year, full-time city employees and their dependents are ensured a tuition discount of 25 percent. Eastern’s support is a part of Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse’s Live and Learn Partnership, which plans to create more opportunities for adults to pursue their professional and post-secondary goals. City employees will have the choice between online classes or classes at Eastern’s Harrisburg campus. The partnership includes undergraduate and graduate programs for city employees who may have lost the opportunity for higher education or simply laid their dreams of higher education aside.
On May 10, in the atrium of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. City Government Center in Harrisburg, Eastern University and the Mayor’s Office officially signed the partnership. Regarding the partnership, Mayor Papenfuse says, “I am most appreciative of Eastern University’s partnership to support our city. We thank Eastern University for reaching out to offer valuable educational opportunities for our employees. We encourage others to follow Eastern University’s lead and join hands with the city to ensure the success of the city’s recovery.”
“Eastern University is the first participating institution in the mayor’s tuition discount program in the city of Harrisburg,” Mumia Parham, Executive Director of Strategic Alliances and Partnerships, says. “This is an exciting opportunity for both the university and the city to advance shared goals and achieve great outcomes. I am enthusiastic about the prospects of this tuition partnership, and I am eager to aid and support incoming adult students’ return back to school as they pursue their degree at Eastern.”
For nearly 20 years, Eastern has offered bachelor and master degrees at their Harrisburg campus. This agreement to expand educational opportunities by partnering with the city displays Eastern’s commitment to older students, as well as its commitment to providing affordable education.
Source: eastern.edu
Grace Nealy 
Jason Karch 
Josh Steen