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.

View Current Members Schools

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 Vuckovich 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

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.

REAL Institute News

Blog

Educators meet for AI Forum hosted by SFU REAL Institute

Dr. Melissa Peppetti, Director of Graduate Education | 10/01/2025

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping education, and school leaders play a critical role in guiding its impact. SFU's Rural Education Alliance for Leadership (REAL) Institute fall workshop examined opportunities and challenges of AI in classrooms, school operations, and district leadership.

Screen shot Kaleidoscope March 10 episode

A new high school sport that connects all the students

University Communications & Marketing | 03/25/2024

On the March 10 episode of Kaleidoscope, host Sara Cameron introduced viewers to Unified Bocce Ball, a competitive co-ed high school sport similar to lawn ball that taking hold in the region.

Unified Bocce Ball: A Journey of Unity and Joy

William W. Marshall, Penn Cambria School District | 01/26/2024

The Penn Cambria School District Superintendent shares the emotional "why" of how he brought an activity that showcases the power of unity and inclusion to his students by partnering with Saint Francis University's Rural Education Alliance for Leadership (REAL) Institute.

SFU's Rural Education Alliance for Leadership Institute Hosts National Expert

University Communications & Marketing | 11/29/2023

Saint Francis University's Rural Education Alliance for Leadership (REAL) Institute invited Dr. Richard Ingersoll, a leading national expert on America’s elementary and secondary teaching force, to address a crowd more than 70 educational leaders on Nov. 16, 2023.

Addressing the Teacher Shortage: SFU and TEACH

Dr. Melissa Peppetti | 05/09/2023

While the teaching crisis impacts all locales, rural schools are having issues finding teachers for specific classes and grade spans, especially the disciplines of math and science. Saint Francis University's Graduate Education Department is committed to improving teacher quality by offering research-based solutions that may serve as viable solutions to the teacher shortage.

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