York College students to visit York College in Pennsylvania as part of 'exciting' new partnership

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed in York Minster by York College & University Centre Principal & Chief Executive Ken Merry and York College of Pennsylvania President Dr Thomas Burns that formed “an agreement to promote and enhance an exchange of knowledge by two organisations 3,520 miles apart geographically but closely aligned idealistically”.

Following Dr Burns’ visit to Yorkshire, Mr Merry accepted a reciprocal invitation to spend February half-term in the US, where he learned more about York College of Pennsylvania’s educational offering and teaching methods.

Along with exchange programmes for students, staff will be encouraged to share good practice, with Dr Burns having already introduced the Well-Being Drop-In sessions for students that are run on Campus at Sim Balk Lane. 

He was also impressed by the college’s apprenticeship provision and is keen to explore whether a similar educational model would work in Pennsylvania.

Mr Merry first broached the idea of a collaboration when he sent an email across the Atlantic last June.

Within half-a-day – “to allow for time difference” – he had received an enthusiastic reply from Dr Burns who quickly spotted that, aside from the name, there were many parallels that connected his organisation whose origins date back to the 1770s, with York College in the UK which will celebrate its 200th anniversary in two years’ time.

“The name was obviously the first connection but, when we dug further, we discovered that we cover very similar age groups as our students come to us for the end of secondary school,” Dr Burns said. “We then have a College, Masters and Doctorate route that matches very well with what happens here, whereas most places in America would not be the same fit. 

“Much like York College in the UK, we are also a very practical and hands-on focussed institution. Our biggest programmes are mechanical and civil engineering and nursing, but we’re an all-service college and I think there’s a chance for us to learn about new programmes and opportunities. 

“Ken’s idea for a partnership lit a fire in me and it’s exciting to be able to think about something new and different. It could easily be seen as a lovely gimmick – York College partnering with York College – but we have spoken about how we are going to create a relationship that is deeper and more sustainable and substantial.”

Students from Pennsylvania could be seen on Campus in York as early as this academic year.

Movement in the opposite direction might need to wait until 2025/26 when funding is secured, but it is an opportunity that Mr Merry is fully committed to realising.

He said: “It was great to visit York College, Pennsylvania and speak with colleagues there to see first-hand how enthusiastic the team were to bring this partnership to life. There were clear examples of how our curriculum offers align and we could immediately see the great opportunities for our students to benefit from the staff expertise and facilities that the other has.

“We have spoken extensively about how we could organise exchange programmes and it is also exciting to see the potential for our students to visit the range of world-famous cities that are near to York, Pennsylvania, such as New York City, Washington DC and Philadelphia. This would add to the richness of their visit and allow them to engage in cultural experiences that they would not otherwise get at home in York, North Yorkshire. 

“We’d like to get staff members to connect too. That might happen virtually or by visiting each other, because we want to share good practice where we can.”

Having never previously visited York in the UK, Dr Burns is certain that his students will be just as enamoured by the city’s unique charms and its college as he has been. 

“It’s fantastic here,” he enthused. “The city is absolutely beautiful and very welcoming with so much history.

“The college is amazing too and the tour I had was really eye-opening in terms of the quality of the facilities, instruction and opportunity. There’s a depth of artistry, craftsmanship and knowledge that really comes across and there’s so much opportunity for the creative enterprises that I didn’t expect.”