About
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology is an acclaimed residential two-year college accepting students from throughout the state of Pennsylvania as well as veterans, members of the armed forces, and their families. As an accredited technical college, we are dedicated to preparing students for high-demand careers with family-thriving wages.
Founded as Stevens Trade School in 1905, the school was initially a public institution for orphans of the state who learned a trade combined with academic education. It was begun based on a bequest in the will of Thaddeus Stevens, a statesman who dedicated his life to creating access to education and equity among those who faced injustice.
Today, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology offers two-year associate degrees in 24 programs to more than 1,400 students. In addition, the college offers four nine-month certificate programs as well as six-month and six-week short-term training at our Workforce and Economic Development Center in partnership with Tec Centro in Lancaster.
Inspiring Student Outcomes
An education from Thaddeus Stevens College provides the springboard for a sustainable future.
98%
placement rate:
90% with jobs;
8% continuing ed
18
job opportunities
per graduate
Mission
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology educates Pennsylvania’s economically and socially disadvantaged as well as other qualified students for skilled employment in a diverse, ever-changing workforce and for full effective participation as citizens.
Vision
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology will be the best two-year technical college of its kind by adding value to the lives of our students so that they will find skilled employment, be effective citizens, and reach their full potential.
Core Values
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology is committed to structuring and maintaining its daily functions around these core values.
Integrity
We value the commitment to high moral/ethical standards, honesty, and fairness in teaching and learning, social engagements, and professional practices.
Diversity
We value the recognition of the variety of unique individuals within our world and the interdependence upon each other, each other’s culture, and the natural environment. We value the differences and respect the qualities and experiences that are different from our own.
Respect
We value the unbiased consideration, treatment, and regard for the rights, values, beliefs, and property of all other people.
Teamwork
Teamwork: We value working cooperatively and collaboratively as part of a group in which there is a shared mission and vision aligned toward a goal.
Life-Long Learning
We value the relentless dedication to increasing the knowledge and competencies of all individuals associated with the College. We recognize that human resources are the College’s only sustainable competitive advantage.
Accountability
We value taking responsibility for actions and the results of those actions; honoring obligations, expectations, and requirements; delivering what is promised; and owning up to shortcomings and mistakes.
Fast Facts
- Location: Just a few blocks from Downtown Lancaster in Southeastern Pennsylvania, 71 miles west of Philadelphia and 38 miles east of Harrisburg.
- Ownership: Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology is owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
- Campus: Five locations in and around Lancaster City. Six residence halls, a dining hall, Library, and many lab and classroom buildings, as well as office buildings. Multipurpose Activity Center with three NCAA-sized basketball courts, large fitness center, racquetball courts, an indoor track, and an athletic field with an outdoor track.
- Cost: Tuition and housing/meals costs can be found on the Tuition and Fees page. More than 90 percent of those attending receive some form of financial aid.
- Student population: About 1,400 students who are co-ed. The College only admits Pennsylvania residents with the exception of veterans and active-duty military personnel who may not be Pennsylvania residents.
- Calendar: The academic year begins in late August and ends in early May. The semesters consist of 16 weeks of instruction
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: The College’s administration, staff, faculty, and board of directors seek to provide an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and fosters equity for all students. Learn more about our focus on DEI here.
Accreditation and Approvals
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology (Stevens College) is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) www.msche.org.
Stevens College was granted initial accreditation in 1991. The most recent action was in 2017 when MSCHE reaffirmed the College’s accreditation and commended the institution for the quality of its self-study process and report. The next evaluation visit is scheduled for 2025 – 2026. The current Statement of Accreditation Status is available here. Pennsylvania Department of Education Since 1998, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology has been authorized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to award the Associate in Applied Science Degree.
What is accreditation?
Accreditation is a means of accountability through self-regulation and peer review. The MSCHE reviews institutions in their entirety rather than evaluating individual programs of study. Accreditation means that expected standards of quality and excellence have been met by an institution, including but not limited to the quality of faculty and academic programs, sound fiscal planning and processes, and the assessment of student’s total educational experience. Simply put, the accreditation process provides assurance that an institution is worthy of the public’s trust in producing an educational experience that leads to its purported goals as a postsecondary education provider.
Why is accreditation important?
Institutional accreditation is required to obtain loans and grants issued by the federal government Student Assistance Programs via Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA), as amended. Accreditation means that expected criteria for quality and excellence have been met by an institution regarding its operational capacity and provision of education and training to students, signifying that it is worthy of the public’s trust as an education provider.
How are institutions evaluated?
Institutions earn and maintain accreditation through a rigorous evaluation process that requires compliance in meeting MSCHE’s Standards of Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation. These criteria are represented in postsecondary institutions’ policies, processes, and procedures that guide every institution in fulfilling its mission, values, and goals with respect to student learning outcomes and operational behavior.
More Information and Resources
Access more information about the Middle States Commission on Higher Education via their official website: http://www.msche.org
History
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology has a long history of equitable access to education and inclusion. The institution was founded based on a bequest in the will of Thaddeus Stevens, the statesman.
President
Pedro Rivera is the tenth president of Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology. He joined the College on October 1, 2020. Prior to joining the College, he served as Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
He was appointed to the Pennsylvania State Board of Education in 2022 and serves as Chair of the Board’s Council of Higher Education.
Dr. Rivera is a lifelong educator, a practitioner, and a leader, with a focus on ensuring equitable access and funding for education. In September 2014, Rivera was honored by the White House as a Champion of Change for his efforts to transform urban education with his holistic approach to student success. He also served as president of the board of directors for the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and was a member of President-Elect Joseph Biden’s educational transition team.
“My whole career has been focused on serving students from underrepresented communities and providing opportunities for first-generation college graduates, and high school graduates. Being able to engage firsthand with an institution and to engage with faculty, staff, and students who are focused on the same things that I believe in made me think, ‘This was an opportunity of a lifetime.’ And being able to do so from my home in Lancaster was the icing on the cake.”
– Pedro Rivera
He currently serves on the board of directors for the Aspen Institute K12 Climate Action and The Hunt Institute and is a member of the Science of Learning & Development (SoLD) Alliance. He demonstrates his commitment to his local community by serving on the boards of Community First Credit Union; Economic Development Corporation of Lancaster County; Lancaster County Community Foundation; Lancaster County STEM Alliance; Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health; and WITF Public Broadcasting.
Rivera is a native of Philadelphia (and all things Philadelphia sports fan) who calls Lancaster home with his wife Erika, son Lucas, and daughter Elena.
Contact us
Office of the President
Mellor Building, First Floor
Stacy Thornwall-Rogers, Executive Assistant to the President
Holly White, Director of Communications
All media inquiries:
Careers
If you are interested in working for Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, we’d love to hear from you! You can check out our job postings at any time or get in touch with our Director of HR and Engagement on our Careers page.
News
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College News, Programs
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Strengthens Workforce Development Partnership with $25,000 Grant from Pennsylvania American Water
December 5, 2024
