Higher education

Lackawanna College, based in Scranton, announced on Wednesday that it has received final approval from the U.S. Department of Education for its merger with Peirce College, an online school based in Philadelphia.

Lisa Lori was among delegates of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities who attended a special audience with Pope Leo earlier this month while visiting Rome for ACCU’s 2026 Rome Seminar.

Graduates of Luzerne County Community College can now enroll at Misericordia University with all core curriculum requirements waived upon admission. The partnership between the two schools will increase affordability and accessibility, their leaders said as they signed the agreement Thursday morning.

Leaders in southern Luzerne County want Penn State Hazleton to offer more programs, strengthen school district partnerships, better reach Spanish-speaking families and make affordability a priority.

Lackawanna College's expansion will continue, as the school plans to open three new satellite centers. The centers — in Bethlehem, Chambersburg and Greensburg — will focus on skilled trades, the school announced Tuesday.

Colleges in Northeast and Northcentral Pennsylvania generate more than $2.3 billion in annual economic impact, according to a report from the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania.

Luzerne County employees can now take classes or earn a degree from Luzerne County Community College at 50% the normal cost of tuition. The partnership will help with recruiting, retaining and strengthening the skills of county employees, officials said Monday.

Almost 700 international students studied at colleges in Northeast and Northcentral Pennsylvania last year. They bring an economic boost and a global perspective to campus — benefits that the schools hope won’t wane under policy changes from the Trump administration.

The challenges faced by higher education are only expected to grow larger in coming years. The new State Board of Higher Education must prepare a plan by September.

The school in Lackawanna and Wyoming counties can remain open and recruit students again.