Days after its accrediting agency warned that Pittsburgh Technical College lacked a clear plan for hundreds of students, the school’s board said it will close its doors on Aug. 9, once the spring quarter ends.
The closure was due to “persistent challenges of declining enrollment and financial difficulties, leaving us with no viable path forward,” trustees said in a Monday letter to the community.
“We took every possible measure to address these issues, including extensive fundraising efforts, cost-cutting measures, and strategic partnerships. Unfortunately, these efforts have not been sufficient.”
Specific board members did not sign the letter and one former trustee, Oakdale Mayor Steve Trusnovic, said it was unclear how many trustees were still serving.
“The remaining staff and faculty are rallying to support our current students in their next steps outside of the PTC campus,” said Nick Orell, a career adviser at the school. “There aren’t many of us faculty left so we are all covering a few extra bases, and without management in place are working as peers to pull together and do the right things for our students.”
A separate announcement posted on the school’s website and distributed by its public relations firm cited “orchestrated attacks against the institution” as another reason for the closure.
It said PTC has made teach-out agreements with “multiple colleges and universities” and will hold informational sessions for currently enrolled students “providing guidance on the closure process, details about the teach-out plans, financial aid, transcripts, and other topics.”
The trustees’ letter stated an “immediate priority” to “support our students in completing their education and transitioning to other institutions.”
It also pledged “resources and assistance to ensure this process is as smooth as possible,” but it did not give specifics. More details would be provided in the coming weeks, the letter stated.
The 75-year-old college, formerly called Pittsburgh Technical Institute, was restructured as a nonprofit in 2017. Based in Oakdale, it offered certificates, associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in more than 30 fields, including computer programming, nursing, welding, HVAC repair and culinary arts. According to its website, 1,066 students were enrolled in the fall of 2022.
PTC was put on probation in March for failing to demonstrate sound leadership and financial stability, according to its accrediting agency. The Post-Gazette first reported on allegations of mismanagement by the school’s president, Alicia Harvey-Smith, in October.
Middle States Commission on Higher Education said Friday that PTC leadership must demonstrate why its accreditation should not be withdrawn by June 28. The commission also found that the school’s teach-out plan — designed to keep nearly 1,000 students on the path to degrees at partner institutions — was “insufficient.”
“We still have no teach-out plan,” said Bryce Bladen, a student, said Monday.
Mr. Bladen organized a walkout in May to protest the lack of transparency about the school’s future. Ms. Harvey-Smith had said repeatedly that the school had no plans of closing.
Ms. Harvey-Smith did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The trustees’ letter said Ms. Harvey-Smith, who was appointed in April 2019, “accepted the challenge to lead our institution and has made significant advances during her tenure. Her leadership brought about the establishment of the Pittsburgh Technical College Foundation, Corporate College, Health, Wellness and Fitness Center, and the acquisition of multiple grants totaling more than twenty-five million dollars. We commend her for her courageous and committed leadership."
The Community College of Allegheny County has been working with PTC for months to develop a teach-out plan. The school previously told the Post-Gazette it could receive most of PTC’s students into similar programs for information technology, culinary arts and other trades.
Colleges across Pennsylvania and the country have faced declining enrollment in recent years. But students and staff said leadership strife at PTC appeared to have made the situation worse.
Its fundraising foundation dissolved last fall after a vote of no confidence and investigation into Ms. Harvey-Smith’s actions were made public, prompting departures of top staff and board members. The school explored other options, including a sale or merger, but struggled to find a willing buyer.
“This is a time of great sadness for all of us, but it is also a time to reflect on the rich history and the many lives that have been positively impacted by PTC,” Monday’s letter states. “The legacy of Pittsburgh Technical College will live on through the achievements and successes of our alumni who have made significant contributions to their communities and professions.”
Evan Robinson-Johnson: ejohnson@post-gazette.com and @sightsonwheels
First Published: June 11, 2024, 12:37 a.m.
Updated: June 11, 2024, 4:27 p.m.
