STATE COLLEGE — American Association of University Women – State College has announced that it has been honored with the Five-Star Chapter Award by AAUW National, recognizing the branch’s outstanding achievement across multiple categories of the AAUW Five-Star Program. This designation highlights its commitment to AAUW’s mission of achieving equity for women and girls and reflects the hard work and dedication of our members over the past year.
The AAUW Five-Star Program is designed to help branches align with the national organization’s strategic priorities and strengthen their impact. To earn the Five-Star recognition, chapters must meet criteria in five key areas: advancement; public policy and advocacy; governance and sustainability; programming; and communications and external relations. This year, AAUW State College has met or exceeded the benchmarks in all five categories, earning the full Five-Star recognition — a noteworthy accomplishment among AAUW branches nationally.
Some of the branch’s accomplishments include:
- Public Policy & Advocacy: AAUW State College is actively engaged in education policy, including a member traveling to Harrisburg to meet with legislators about school vouchers, participation in Lobby Day, and publishing multiple op-eds and letters in the Centre Daily Times on public education and equity.
- Community Programs: The branch co-sponsored events focused on equity and inclusion, including the National Day of Racial Healing, the long-running Cultural Empowerment for Women Luncheon, and the International Perspectives on Women in Society program featuring global educators.
- STEM Initiatives: Through programs like STEMPOWERED and ENVISION STEM Career Day, the branch invested in the next generation of women in science.
- Scholarships & Support for Women: In 2025, the branch awarded $18,000 in scholarships to women returning to college, funded five Penn State students to attend the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL), and supported girls attending Penn State’s Science-U camps.
- Fundraising & Community Impact: The 63rd Annual Used Book Sale drew nearly 7,800 shoppers and raised about $161,000, which funded all of the scholarships, local grants, and community programs advancing equity for women and girls.
Linda Higginson, Five-Star Chapter Committee Lead said, “The Five Star program fosters local branch initiatives enabling members to participate in shaping and advocating for state and national policies aimed at gender equity. I am so proud that the State College Branch is recognized for its many initiatives supporting the national strategic plan during the past year.”
