About
Alvernia University defines the community. It is a vibrant intellectual environment in which students learn, discover, give and grow as leaders with moral courage. Guided by Franciscan values and the ideal of “knowledge joined with love,” and rooted in the Catholic and liberal arts traditions, Alvernia is a rigorous, caring, and inclusive learning community committed to academic excellence and to being and fostering:
• Broadly educated, life-long learners
• Reflective professionals and engaged citizens
• Ethical leaders with moral courage
Core Values
The Alvernia community embraces service, humility, peacemaking, contemplation and collegiality.
History
It began in 1926 when the Bernardine Sisters established an orphanage in Francis Hall.
Strong Reputation
Alvernia consistently ranks among U.S. News and World Report’s top regional universities in the North.
Experiential Learning
Defining the Alvernia experience, experiential and service learning empowers students to apply knowledge through hands-on practice, building a solid foundation for real-world success.
Over 800 students named to Spring 2026 Dean's List
To be eligible for the Dean's List, students must carry a semester GPA of 3.5 or better and take a minimum of 12 credits.
Alvernia adds four business leaders to Board of Trustees
Quartet with strong legacies of expertise, service and philanthropy join the university’s Board.
Alvernia names new Provost and Chief Academic Officer
Attorney and Professor of Business Mary Ellen Wells, JD, LLM most recently served as Interim Provost and Associate Provost.
Over 90 Students Awarded at 2026 Honors Convocation
Addictions and Mental Health Online Information Session
- Jun 17, 2026
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
- Zoom Virtual Event
With over 40 years of history, Alvernia’s Addictions and Mental Health Treatment degree is one of the oldest and best of its kind to be found at the college or university level. Now, you can experience this same level of excellence in a flexible, online degree program. Through this program, you’ll earn academic credentials required to take you one step closer for the certified alcohol and drug counselor (CADC) certification.
Grad & Adult Admissions
Addictions and Mental Health Online Information Session
- Jun 17, 2026
- 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
- Zoom Virtual Event
With over 40 years of history, Alvernia’s Addictions and Mental Health Treatment degree is one of the oldest and best of its kind to be found at the college or university level. Now, you can experience this same level of excellence in a flexible, online degree program. Through this program, you’ll earn academic credentials required to take you one step closer for the certified alcohol and drug counselor (CADC) certification.
Grad & Adult Admissions
The Leadership Pathway: From Master’s to Ph.D.
- Jun 23, 2026
- 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
- Zoom Virtual Event
Join us for The Leadership Pathway: From Master’s to Ph.D. at Alvernia University on June 23, where you’ll learn more about our Ph.D. options.
Grad & Adult Admissions
2026 TExpL Conference: Designing for Real-World Impact
- Jul 07 - Jul 08, 2026
- 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
This second annual TExpL Conference will bring together educators, practitioners, and community partners to explore how meaningful learning experiences can connect students with authentic challenges, real-world contexts, and opportunities for contribution.
Grounded in the principles of Total Experience Learning (TExpL), the conference will showcase practical approaches to inquiry-driven, experiential, and community-connected learning. Through presentations, workshops, and collaborative discussions, participants will discover strategies for designing learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom and engage students in meaningful work alongside community and industry partners.
Presented by educators completing the TExpL Graduate Certificate, featured sessions offer practical, classroom-tested examples that can be adapted across grade levels and disciplines.
Total Experience Learning
