"The College of Arts and Humanities (CAH) provides a transformative educational experience that combines a broad range of arts and humanities fields with Christian values that enable students to apply their knowledge, creativity, and skills to impact the world. CAH has responded to the needs of students by expanding its academic offerings and incorporating real-world opportunities for our students to develop through the expansion of new programs and innovative course offerings, while also fostering opportunities for student leadership, mentorship, and more." 

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS: 

• Expanded Programs: New academic offerings like Music Technology, Musical Theatre, and a Dance Education certificate meet the growing student interests and career demands. 
• Community and Global Engagement: Many of our programs continue to engage in various outreach initiatives to engage the local and global community. 
• Expanding Facilities: Templeton Hall will provide new state-of-the-art spaces for the fine and performing arts, including a performance hall, art gallery, and recital spaces.

"The College of Business and Leadership (CBL) is committed to delivering high-quality, affordable, accessible education that not only equips students with the essential tools and skills they need to excel in business and leadership careers, but grounds them in Faith, Reason, and Justice to become transformative change agents in society. CBL actively engages students in hands-on learning opportunities, such as internships, real-world projects, and credentialing programs, to ensure they graduate workforce-ready."

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS: 

• Tremendous Growth: All of our programs continue to grow, providing high-quality business and leadership education with a strong return on investment. 
• National Recognition: Our PhD Program was ranked #3 among Forbes' Best Online Doctorates in Organizational Leadership. 
• Innovative Approaches: Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming both the business and education landscapes, and we are integrating new curricular approaches to proactively equip students to use AI tools both ethically and effectively.

"The College of Education and Behavioral Sciences (CEBS) was started with a vision to prepare educators through the lens of Christianity, and that legacy has set the trajectory for our robust programs that we have today. For decades, CEBS has utilized creative modalities to equip educators to meet the ever-changing needs of students through staying abreast of trends in K-12th grade education. CEBS continues to develop programming that prepares competent teachers in areas of technology and instruction by providing high-quality, affordable, flexible education.”

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS: 

• New Programs & Certifications: We recently launched our MEd in Educational Leadership, MA in Marriage and Family Therapy, Undergrad Psychology Flex program, and many certifications. 
• Intentional Grant Application: CEBS faculty have secured numerous grants that greatly benefit our school, totaling over $2 million in funding. 
• Culturally Relevant Education: The integration of Culturally Relevant and Sustaining Education Competencies prepares our educators to meet the needs of a continually changing student population. 

"The College of Health and Sciences (CHS) is at the forefront of equipping graduates with the knowledge, skills, and ethical foundation needed to thrive in fields that directly impact the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. CHS integrates transformative Christian values into our curriculum, preparing students to approach their work with both professional competence and moral integrity. The College also fosters a culture of research and community engagement that addresses real-world challenges while providing our students with hands-on opportunities to apply their learning in meaningful ways.” 

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS: 

• Accreditation Celebrations: This year, we celebrate the accreditation of our MSW, BSN, and MSN programs, the 10- year reaccreditation of our Exercise Science program, and the 50-year anniversary of our BSW accreditation. 
• New Program Launches: Launching the Master’s in Data Science, Master’s in Social Work, and our online MSN has been a point of pride for our college. 
• Pennsylvania School Nurse of the Year: MEd in School Health Services graduate, Emily Hunter, MEd ’21, BS, RN, CSN, was named the Pennsylvania School Nurse of the Year by the National Association of School Nurses for 2024.

"For nearly 25 years, Esperanza College has been reaching the Latino community of North Philadelphia by providing quality education, much-needed community resources, and hope to enhance the outlook of our neighbors to help them thrive. In addition to our academic programming, our summer experiences for high school students, including career exploration, STEM and internships, our education workshops, our intentional community engagement, and our cutting-edge technology, tools, and pedagogy have firmly planted Esperanza within the community of Hunting Park as an invaluable institution as we seek to close the gap and bring higher education and a flourishing future to North Philadelphia by offering hope, grace, and redemption.”

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS: 

• Student Supports: We continue to meet our students' needs by offering academic and career advising, coaching, tutoring, clubs and groups, a food pantry, and additional support including mental health counseling, housing, immigration services, arts and culture, and more. 
• Conferences & Workshops: We continue to host events including the Early Childhood Education Conference: Advancing Early Childhood Education in the Latinx Community, the Minorities in Health Sciences Symposium, Esports tournaments, and Health Career Series as well as workshops on digital skills and well-being in the classroom. 
• HOSA Team Places: Esperanza College’s HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) Team scored medals at the 45th State Leadership Conference of HOSA Future Health Professionals.

"The Palmer Theological Seminary & College (PTSC) at Eastern University is growing and expanding to extend the reach of our lasting legacy and pave the way for a flourishing future founded on Biblical and Spirit-inspired principles. From our Openseminary programs to our Maestría en Estudios Teológicos, Palmer’s mission to serve God and the Church by providing theological education for all types of ministry throughout the whole world is flourishing. Accessible theological education, alumni support through the CARES program, and a transformative seminary approach are reflective and honoring of the founders that came before us.” 

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS: 

• Science and Religion Symposium: Palmer continues to host a popular Science and Religion Symposium that creates opportunities to engage in conversation around the intersection of faith and science. 
• Lilly Endowment: The $1,250,000 received grant serves to cultivate and to strengthen PTS’s “Compelling Preaching for the 21st Century: Whole Gospel. Whole World. Whole Persons.” project.
• New Program Launches: Recent programs include a PhD in Professional Practice, a new LMin Cohort in Cuba, and the Doctor of Ministry now available in a 100% online LifeFlex format. 
• Prison Education Program: This year, we graduated 24 students within our Prison Education program and continue to provide hope for incarcerated students through our programming.

"As we celebrate 25 years of the Templeton Honors College, we celebrate 25 years of pursuing the True, Good, Beautiful, and Holy through our transformative academic culture and curriculum. As it has for a quarter century, the Honors College continues to shape thoughtful students determined to order their loves, worship God, serve their neighbors, and pursue the common good wherever God calls them.” 

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS: 

• MAT Program: Templeton’s Master’s in Teaching Program recently celebrated its 6-year anniversary of shaping outstanding educators for classical schools. 
• Templeton Hall: The current renovation and expansion of the new Templeton Hall promises to provide students with beautiful spaces for study, classroom conversations, community, and the nurturing of their faith. 
• Summer Scholars Program: The celebrated Summer Scholars Program for high school students returns in Summer 2025 with courses in “The Moral Vision of C. S. Lewis” and “American Revolutions.” 

This article was originally featured in the Spring 2025 Centennial Edition of Eastern Magazine.