To SRU students,
On behalf of the faculty and staff of Slippery Rock University, welcome to the 2025-26 academic year.
Whether this is your first year with us or you are returning to SRU, the start of the school year is an exciting time. The anticipation of what lies ahead brings both enthusiasm and apprehension. Embrace the excitement and work to maintain it throughout your program. It is this excitement and passion for your work that will sustain you and carry you forward in your future careers. Apprehension is commonly experienced when beginning or transitioning into a new program. The faculty and staff are all here to facilitate your success. We believe in you and your ability to impact our community positively.
The value of the exemplary education you will receive at SRU cannot be overstated, despite any rhetoric or recent events in the world that may suggest that a college education is not worth it. Over a working lifetime, those with a bachelor’s degree earn on average $2.8 million, about 84 percent more than workers whose highest credential is a high school diploma, according to a 2019 report from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce.
SRU is an established university with a long history of engaged scholarship and a commitment to innovation and professional relevance. You made a great choice. You did not select a training program or a vast institution. You selected a university that will provide you with thoughtful and empirically based experiences through which you will learn. You will learn the “why” of your particular field and will be prepared to adapt to unexpected changes.
Our goal is to help you create your own foundation of knowledge and skills, a foundation that is both exciting to create and necessary for future growth. The experience of earning a degree is essential, so be present in your journey and open to the opportunities that will present themselves along the way. Neither knowledge nor skill alone will allow you to reach your potential as a leader in your field. You must have both, and you will begin building them on your first day.
Your education through SRU will not end upon your graduation. In our ever-changing world, you will continually need additional knowledge and require new skills. It is the development of your individual learning abilities that will enable you to thrive and, by extension, will allow those with whom you work to succeed as well.
At SRU, our history and future are built on a shared commitment to students. We remain dedicated to providing an accessible, affordable, and high-quality education that empowers you to succeed now and in the years ahead. By living our values and adapting to meet the needs of today’s learners, we ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive and make a lasting impact on the world.
Guided by our strategic plan, there is an expectation of excellence from within this organization and from those who come here to learn, to grow, and to thrive. Mediocrity has never been an option at The Rock, and we will not be content with the status quo. Our pride in ourselves, in each other, and in SRU will not allow it.
As president, I am both proud of Slippery Rock University and humbled by the amazing staff, faculty, and students with whom I work. You have made an excellent choice to further your education with us. I look forward to meeting you and learning about your accomplishments. I look forward to seeing you around campus and at one or more of the many student-focused events.
We need your energy and your perspective to elevate our impact. I hope you will also share your experiences with me through less formal means. Stop me while I am on a walk across campus, make an appointment to meet with me, or invite me to a gathering. The best part of my job remains engaging with students.
Here’s to a year of academic success, personal growth, and Rock Pride.
Sincerely,
Karen Riley
President, Slippery Rock University
