Faith Bentz '25 is among the first Alvernia Engineering graduates and the first of a new pipeline of talent for Brentwood Industries, Inc.
In 2021, while many colleges were scaling back programs in response to the pandemic, Alvernia University took a bold step forward. With direct input from regional manufacturers and community leaders, the university launched the John R. Post School of Engineering, designed to address a pressing challenge: the shortage of skilled engineers in Berks County and across central Pennsylvania.
From the beginning, Brentwood Industries, Inc. played a pivotal role. As a Reading-based global plastics manufacturer, Brentwood had experienced firsthand the difficulty of attracting and retaining engineers locally. Peter Rye, then president and CEO and now chief strategy officer, was among the first to advocate for a program that would prepare regional students for technical careers close to home.
“There’s a brain drain here regionally,” Rye explained. “Graduates are looking for exciting places to live. It makes it a challenge to find people to work here. The idea behind Alvernia’s engineering program is that graduates who come from the region are more likely to want to stay.”
Partnering to Shape a Program
Brentwood’s partnership with Alvernia began at the advisory board level, where industry leaders helped shape the new program’s curriculum. Together, they identified workforce needs, aligned technical courses with industry standards and ensured students would graduate with both the technical skills and interpersonal competencies required to succeed.
"Our Engineering Advisory Board helps shape a curriculum that gives students the technical and interpersonal skills employers demand so they graduate ready to succeed from day one,” said Joseph Mahoney, Ph.D., director of John R. Post School of Engineering.
Brentwood also made a tangible investment in the program, contributing to the design and funding of state-of-the-art labs where students gain hands-on experience in product design, testing and manufacturing processes.
“Ultimately, adding the engineering component to Alvernia’s offerings broadens the economic impact of the university to our community,” Rye said. “As the faculty and enrollment expand, the research opportunities will become a bigger opportunity for students and sponsoring businesses.”
From Classroom to Career
The results are already visible. In May 2025, Alvernia celebrated the graduation of its first engineering class—12 students who entered during the uncertainty of the pandemic and emerged as workforce-ready professionals.
Among them was mechanical engineering major Faith Bentz, who interned in Brentwood’s cooling tower lab during her senior year. The experiential learning built into the program not only prepared her technically, but also gave her direct exposure to industry expectations. Upon graduation, Bentz was hired by Brentwood as a product development engineer.
“This is exactly the outcome we hoped for by launching engineering,” Rye said.
Other graduates of the inaugural class accepted positions at East Penn Manufacturing, Carpenter Technology, Rehau North America and Stryker, demonstrating the program’s growing reputation among employers across the region and beyond.
Expanding Regional Impact
Alvernia’s engineering programs continue to evolve in step with industry needs. New offerings such as Industrial Engineering, Technology and Management and Civil Engineering are expanding opportunities for students while providing employers with a stronger pipeline of skilled professionals.
The Brentwood–Alvernia partnership illustrates the power of collaboration between higher education and industry. By shaping curriculum, investing in facilities and providing internships that lead directly to employment, Brentwood not only met its own workforce needs but also helped secure the region’s talent pipeline for years to come.
For regional employers, the message is clear: Alvernia University is not simply educating students—it is developing the next generation of professionals who will strengthen local companies and expand the region’s economic vitality.
An Invitation to Partner
Alvernia continues to seek regional employers who share a vision for workforce development, innovation and community growth. The success of its engineering graduates demonstrates what is possible when industry and education align with purpose.
To learn how your organization can partner with Alvernia University to shape programs, develop talent and secure the region’s future workforce, please visit Alvernia.edu/Partner.
