Rural Education Alliance for Leadership Institute (REAL Institute)
About the REAL Institute
The Rural Education Alliance for Leadership (REAL) Institute is designed to help local communities and educational agencies come together in efforts to support the needs of rural schools.
- Through discussions, forums, and guest speakers, school district teachers and members of the Institute immerse themselves in understanding the challenges rural communities encounter.
- The REAL Institute serves as a catalyst for change within rural school districts, equipping educators and stakeholders with the necessary tools and resources to enact meaningful action.
- One of the Institute's central objectives is to facilitate dialogue with key stakeholders, ensuring informed policymaking and educational initiatives tailored to the unique needs of rural areas.
As a school district, you have the opportunity to join as a REAL member, providing access to member benefits for all your employees. View the list of current member institutions.

Unlock Exclusive Benefits: Membership Perks at a Glance
- Reduced rate for Act 45 PIL hours
- 25% tuition discount for all teachers and staff of REAL member schools who enroll in Graduate Education, Graduate Business, or Division of Professional Studies online programs
- Exclusive invitation to guest lectures
- Special invitation to legislative forums
- Workforce development programming
- Access to online education repository
To receive the benefits listed above, your school district must enroll as a member of the institute for a two-year period ($500/year). Register below.
Become a REAL Member
If your school system is interested in exploring a REAL membership, please feel free to reach out to:
Mr. William Marshall
Executive Director of the REAL Institute
wmarshall@francis.edu
Dr. Melissa Peppetti
Director of Graduate Education
mpeppetti@francis.edu
Our Member Institutions
- Admiral Peary AVTS
- Altoona Area School District
- Altoona-Johnstown Diocese Schools
- Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
- Bishop McCort Catholic Academy
- Bald Eagle Area School District
- Bellwood-Antis School District
- Bishop Guilfoyle Academy
- Blacklick Valley School District
- Cambria Heights School District
- Central Cambria School District
- Conemaugh Valley School District
- Forest Hills School District
- Glendale School District
- Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center
- Greater Johnstown School District
- Harmony Area School District
- Hollidaysburg Area School District
- Ignite Education Solutions Learning Lamp
- Indiana Area School District
- Juniata Valley School District
- Moshannon Valley School District
- Milton Hershey School
- Northern Cambria School District
- Penn Cambria School District
- Penn-Mont Academy
- Portage Area School District
- Spring Cove School District
- Tyrone Area School District
- West Branch Area School District
- Windber Area School District
Our Executive Committee
Community Participants
- Dr. Jennifer Anderson Assistant Executive Director
Appalachia Intermediate Unit 08 - Dr. Francine Endler Adjunct Professor, SFU
- Ms. Brandy O’Hare Superintendent
Moshannon Valley SD - Dr. Bob Gildea Chief Education Officer
Bishop Guilfoyle High School - Dr. Hobart Harmon Leader of Strategic Advancement
Appalachia Intermediate Unit 08 - Dr. Mike Vukovitch Superintendent
Windber SD
Saint Francis University Participants
- Dr. Frank Montecalvo Vice President, Innovative Partnerships & Student Development
- Dr. Melissa Peppetti Director of Graduate Education
- Dr. Kerri Golden Dean, School of Health Sciences and Education
- Dr. Peter Skoner Former Dean of STEAM
- Dr. Tricia McFadden Executive Director of Ed.D.
- Mr. William Marshall Executive Director, REAL
Rural Outreach Liaison
Professional Resources
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- Broadband Support
- Education Advocates Highlight Devastating Impacts of Inadequate State Funding for K-12 Public Education in Pennsylvania
- HB 1800 - Vouchers for the Harrisburg School District
- HB 2169 Coalition Letter
- Oppose HB 800 - Private/Religious School Scholarship Expansion Through the EITC Program
- Opposition to House Bill 1254 Letter
- Opposition to House Bill 1254 Announcement
- PA School Funding Coalition Supports Increased Investment for Public Schools in State Budget, Says More Work is Needed
- Penn Wood High School Building Facade
- Pennsylvania's Landmark School Funding Lawsuit
- Property Tax Elimination
- SB 168 (PN 140) and SB 592 (PN 670)
- SB 733 Education Opportunity Account Scholarships (EOASs) Coalition Letter
- SB 1230 Joint Letter September 2020
- Broadband Support
- Education Advocates Highlight Devastating Impacts of Inadequate State Funding for K-12 Public Education in Pennsylvania
- HB 1800 - Vouchers for the Harrisburg School District
- HB 2169 Coalition Letter
- Oppose HB 800 - Private/Religious School Scholarship Expansion Through the EITC Program
- Opposition to House Bill 1254 Letter
- Opposition to House Bill 1254 Announcement
- PA School Funding Coalition Supports Increased Investment for Public Schools in State Budget, Says More Work is Needed
- Penn Wood High School Building Facade
- Pennsylvania's Landmark School Funding Lawsuit
- Property Tax Elimination
- SB 168 (PN 140) and SB 592 (PN 670)
- SB 733 Education Opportunity Account Scholarships (EOASs) Coalition Letter
- SB 1230 Joint Letter September 2020
Engage, Empower, Excel with REAL
Through various initiatives, the REAL Institute actively fosters community engagement and intellectual enrichment by sponsoring diverse activities, from community outreach endeavors to guest speakers.