York College of PA receives $35,000 It’s On Us PA grant from PA Department of Education

York College of Pennsylvania was awarded an It’s On Us PA grant of $35,000 by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. York was one of 37 institutions of higher education and postsecondary schools to receive the awards to combat sexual assault and make campuses safer. 

“This is the largest grant the Title IX Office at York College has received,” said Miguel A. Pereira III, Title IX Coordinator. “It was a team effort from the Title IX staff, Katie McLaughlin, Brenda Holmes, and me.

“The award will provide additional professional development for all York College employees, funding for a Take Back the Night event, and events to bring awareness about sexual violence and sexual misconduct on campus for future and current Spartans,” he added. 

It’s On Us PA is a statewide campaign that invites everyone to play a role in ending sexual assault. Building off the momentum of the national It’s On Us movement, It’s On Us PA brings together college and university presidents, superintendents, administrators, teachers, students, families, and community members to reframe the conversation around sexual violence and pledge to be part of the solution. 

The grants provide funding from January 2024 through May 2025 to implement strategies on campuses to address the goals of the It’s On Us PA campaign, which include: 

1. Improve awareness, prevention, reporting, and response systems regarding sexual violence in schools, colleges, and universities to better serve all students. 
2. Remove or reduce barriers that prevent survivors of sexual violence from reporting incidents or accessing vital resources by creating a more consistent, empowering reporting process for student survivors of gender-based violence. 
3. Demonstrate significant, proactive, and sustainable leadership to change campus culture by challenging Pennsylvania’s education leaders — including college and university presidents — as well as students, teachers, faculty, staff, families, and communities to pledge to improve their institutions’ climates. 

“The It’s On Us PA campaign cultivates changes and provides colleges, universities, and postsecondary career and trade schools with the support and resources necessary to protect learning environments and ensure they are free from sexual assault, harassment, and violence,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin. “All Pennsylvanians deserve a safe learning environment. By participating in the It’s On Us PA grant program, higher education institutions are making their campus communities safer and more welcoming for the students who call them home.”