The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology this week issued a report titled “Engage to Excel: Producing One Million Additional College Graduates with Degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.”

The university was founded in 2001 with the purpose of providing hands-on training for workforce needs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields, known collectively as STEM.

The report identified evidence-based teaching methods as a way to retain students and increase the number of college graduates in those fields.

Harrisburg University was one of seven postsecondary institutions in the country recognized in the report.

The partnerships between area businesses and Harrisburg University were listed as enhancing education in the STEM fields.

“Involvement of the private sector in training of the future workforce can provide motivation and confidence for students in their ability to perform a STEM-capable job, enhanced training and useful experience, and career readiness,” the report stated.

The report highlighted Harrisburg University’s teaching format, corporate partners, communication and teamwork.

Employers of 18- to 22-year-olds who were graduates of or enrolled in Harrisburg University noted not having to spend up to 18 months teaching new hires how to fit into corporate culture — the students already were mentored through internships and academic-year projects based on workplace needs, according to the report.

“It puts the region on the national map for STEM education,” university President and CEO Mel Schiavelli said. “It says to employers, here’s a region that is working on having a workforce available with the right skills.”