LATROBE, PA – Saint Vincent College has announced a new articulation agreement with Phi Delta Kappa (PDK) International’s Educators Rising, an initiative aimed at eliminating the teacher shortage by reimagining educator pathways, creating a streamlined trail for high school students to earn college credit toward teacher certification programs at the College.
Through this partnership, students who successfully complete designated components of the Educators Rising curriculum and demonstrate mastery of key teaching competencies may earn up to nine college credits upon enrollment at Saint Vincent College. Eligible students may apply these credits toward a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education, health and physical education, and a wide range of secondary education programs including art, English, mathematics, science, social studies, Spanish and others.
“Educators Rising students enter college with real teaching experience,” said Jeanie Lee, chief executive of Educators Rising at PDK International. “This partnership recognizes that experience by translating proven competencies into college credit, saving students time, reducing costs and removing barriers on the path to becoming a credentialed educator. It’s a meaningful step toward building a stronger, more accessible pipeline into the teaching profession.”
Under the agreement, students may earn credit for foundational education coursework by completing Educators Rising micro-credentials aligned with Saint Vincent College’s curriculum or by achieving qualifying scores on approved assessments. This competency-based approach values authentic classroom experience, lesson design, formative assessment, collaboration and effective classroom leadership—skills that are essential for today’s educators.
“This agreement reflects Saint Vincent College’s commitment to innovative, student-centered pathways into the teaching profession,” said Dr. Tracy McNelly, chair of the Education Department, housed within SVC’s School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. “By honoring the high-quality preparation students receive through Educators Rising, we are strengthening the educator pipeline while supporting affordability, access and workforce readiness.”
Saint Vincent College and Educators Rising will collaborate on outreach and promotion to students, counselors, teachers and school leaders across the region, with the shared goal of encouraging talented young people to pursue careers in education. The College’s Department of Education is nationally recognized for its early and sustained field experiences, values-based preparation and commitment to developing reflective, service-oriented educators who are prepared to lead in diverse PreK-12 settings.
About Educators Rising
In 2015, PDK International—in its 115-year commitment to the profession of education—launched Educators Rising, formerly the Future Educators Association. Today, Educators Rising is cultivating a new generation of highly skilled educators by guiding young people on a path from high school through college and into their teaching careers. By working with aspiring educators who are passionate about serving their communities through public education, Educators Rising is changing the face of teaching.
