CollegeTowne Initiative
51³Ô¹Ï launched the CollegeTowne initiative in Reading in late 2019. The concept featured three objectives:
• Changing how the university operates and grows
• Affecting the surrounding community and spurring economic development
• Helping Alvernia get noticed as an innovative force in higher education
Successful Start
More than five years on, Alvernia has completed two phases of Reading CollegeTowne, investing $43 million into the City of Reading.
John R. Post Center at Reading CollegeTowne
Alvernia purchased and renovated the John R. Post Center at Reading CollegeTowne, a 250,000-square-foot living and learning facility at 401 Penn Street.
Pottsville CollegeTowne
The university opened Pottsville CollegeTowne in downtown Pottsville in January 2023.
American House at Reading CollegeTowne
Phase III will include the renovation of the American House at Reading CollegeTowne, which will include a state-of-the-art community-based health center in partnership with Berks Community Health Center.
O’Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship
The university will also add additional business incubator space for the O’Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship and retail space.
Learn More
CollegeTowne initiative fuels regional expansion
Alvernia's forward-thinking initiative spurs development in downtown Reading and Pottsville.
Alvernia to launch three engineering programs
New programs meet student interest, market demand and region’s workforce needs
RKL joins CollegeTowne; Barrett named Executive-in-Residence
Local entrepreneurs, Alvernia students can access business valuation services, expertise as RKL joins Reading CollegeTowne initiative
Alvernia’s O’Pake Institute joins Ben Franklin Technology Partners Incubator Network
New partnership jump-starts university’s CollegeTowne initiatives
Alvernia and DoubleTree partner for student housing
Resident students experience downtown Reading as part of campus de-densification
O’Pake powers CollegeTowne
The re-engineering of the O'Pake Institute is powering the CollegeTowne initiative
Customers Bank joins Reading CollegeTowne initiative
Partnership with Alvernia’s O’Pake Institute funds business incubator and student mentorig
Alvernia and Kutztown partner for small business development
O’Pake Institute and Small Business Development Center advance Reading entrepreneurship
Pepsi® partners with Reading CollegeTowne
Initiative’s first corporate partnership supports experiential learning and local entrepreneurs
