Newswise — HARRISBURG, PA — On Thursday, March 26, 2026, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU) and Select Medical welcomed the inaugural student cohort in the newly launched Doctor of Physical Therapy program at HU. The new degree program, now fully integrated into the Select Medical Institute for Physical Therapy and Movement, welcomed its first 52 students, who hail from 12 US states and represent a wide range of lived experiences, professional backgrounds, and career aspirations.
While this first cohort officially began their studies in January, this was the students’ first visit to campus and the beginning of their first week-long lab immersion. The program offers a hybrid course delivery experience, joining online instruction with rigorous, hands-on lab activities and collaborative research projects.
You can meet three students in the inaugural DPT cohort right here.
To mark the occasion, Harrisburg University and Select Medical hosted a welcome breakfast and kickoff ceremony, featuring opening remarks from HU and Select Medical leadership.
“This Institute Is a Declaration”
Dave Schankweiler, Interim President, Harrisburg University
“This institute is a declaration. It says that Pennsylvania’s only independent STEM university and one of the nation’s leading healthcare organizations have come together with the shared belief that the future of physical therapy education must be shaped by the people who practice it, teach it, and lead it, working together under one roof. This is truly a nationwide program, which is another testament to the tenaciousness of our faculty, and a validation of their vision.
“You probably can’t tell, but I have two new knees and structural screws in my ankles. This is something that can happen when you play basketball for far too many years, which in my case was until I was 52. I went to physical therapy four times over 10 years because of sports injuries. And all four times, I made sure I went to the same therapist. She was amazing. Because of the work she did with me, I can do things today that I could not do for years. My surgeon put me back together, but my physical therapist gave me my life back.
“I tell you that story because each student in this room is going to be that person for someone. You are going to be the reason someone walks without pain again, the reason someone picks up their grandchild, or the reason someone gets back to the sport, the job, and the life they thought was behind them. That is what physical therapy does. And that is what you are here to learn how to do.”
“Collaboration. Integrity. Innovation. Accountability”
John Saich, President, Select Medical
“I can’t tell you how honored and privileged all of the colleagues in Select Medical are to be part of the program, and to be part of Harrisburg University. In early 2004, Select Medical and Harrisburg University united around a shared mission to help shape the next generation of physical therapists and advance the future of rehabilitative care. That mission is grounded in common values, collaboration, integrity, innovation, and accountability.
“Over the past two years, those values have guided our work as we partnered closely to design a truly innovative doctor of physical therapy program. One that will educate, prepare, and inspire students to pursue highly rewarding careers in movement science. At Select Medical, we deeply believe in creating accessible academic pathways that lead to long-term professional growth and opportunities. Building these pathways is essential. And when we get that right, everyone benefits.”
“A Watershed Moment”
Kevin Purcell, Ph.D., Provost, Harrisburg University
“This program is the culmination of an incredible amount of work, but it’s also a watershed moment for us as an institution. Our commitment to healthcare, and serving our region and the nation, is a core part of this program. I want to take a moment to recognize the faculty, who have worked diligently and incredibly hard to bring this program to fruition, and to bring it in a way that’s innovative and changing the way that this market is going to be fed in the future. To the students in the room: Congratulations on making this far! I wish you the best of luck in your studies.”
“Curiosity. Grit. Joy.”
Tonya Miller, PT, DPT, Ph.D., Program Lead for Physical Therapy
“Today, we are not simply beginning a lab session. We are launching a vision. We are building community. Together, we are going to shape the future of physical therapy. As you begin this journey, I want to offer three guiding principles that will shape your experience here and bar beyond it. They are curiosity, grit and joy.
“These are not just ideas. These are the same guiding principles that got us here to this exact moment. Each new
path forward starts with curiosity. Someone having the courage to ask what if? is what brought the DPT program at HU to life. Curiosity is what brought each of you here today. It’s you asking: What if I started this journey? What more could I learn? How could I grow? How can I make a difference? Curiosity fuels innovation. It fuels growth. And curiosity will be the foundation of your success here.
“But curiosity alone is not enough. While passion gets you started, grit is what keeps you going. There will be moments when you think things are difficult. You might have already seen some of those moments. There will be long nights. There will be moments when you question whether you can do this. The answer is yes! You can do this. And not because it will be easy, but because you will develop your grit. Grit is persistence. Grit is showing up, even when it’s hard.
“Finally, I want to challenge you to be intentional about joy. Celebrate those small wins. Celebrate making it through this first lab practical this week. Celebrate the moment when something finally clicks. Celebrate the connections, the new friendships, and celebrate your curiosity and your grit, because each one of those moments is progress. Each one of those is a step closer to your goal. Today, we celebrate something meaningful. We celebrate the beginning.”
A Commitment to Diversity and Excellence
“One thing we’re most proud of is the diversity in this room,” added Dr. Miller. “The diversity of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives. It’s this diversity that will make you stronger practitioners, better collaborators and more effective leaders. We span the country, from the Northeast to the South, the Midwest to the West Coast. We have three generations working side by side in this class. And so many of you bring vastly different life experiences to the table. That is what will set you apart.”
Over half of the Class of 2028 is made up of physical therapy assistants (PTAs). Other backgrounds include fitness professionals, athletic trainers, and newly minted bachelors of science looking to expand their skills and horizons. The average age for the inaugural cohort is 33 years of age, and the group has a 50/50 male-female ratio.
Harrisburg University was founded with a specific mission: To provide students with a workforce-ready education in the fields that matter most to our communities and to our country. This new academic program is not simply an addition to Harrisburg University; it is an expression of HU’s most closely held beliefs and aligns perfectly with the institution’s mission. HU takes complex science and turns it into practical human impact. “Helping patients recover from injuries, nurture their bodies, and turn a page to a new chapter in their life is as practical as it gets,” noted President Schankweiler.
Harrisburg University once again thanks Select Medical, all of the HU faculty who brought this program to life, and the students who brought their ambitions and dreams for the future. When you earn your degrees in 2028, you will not only be Harrisburg University’s first Doctors of Physical Therapy. You will be the standard that every class after you aspires to. We wish you great success in your studies and your future endeavors.
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ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU) is an independent, nonprofit university offering degrees in advanced manufacturing, engineering, robotics, nursing, cybersecurity, and other critical fields. Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, HU serves a diverse student body through bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs that link learning and research with practical applications. For information about HU’s affordable STEM degrees and professional development programs, call 717.901.5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu. Stay in the know by following Harrisburg University on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
MEDIA CONTACT
Do you have questions about this story? Interested in lining up an interview? Please contact Dan Wilhelm, Communications Manager for Harrisburg University, at DWilhelm@HarrisburgU.edu or 717.901.5100×1724.
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