Mercyhurst earns ‘It’s On Us’ grant for seventh straight year

Mercyhurst University has been awarded the It’s On Us PA Grant for the seventh consecutive year.

Launched in 2016 by Gov. Tom Wolf, the grant aims to increase awareness, education, and resources for sexual assault prevention and victim support initiatives at higher education institutions. Mercyhurst was awarded $40,000, the full amount requested.

The latest grant enables several new initiatives, said Ann Miller, Title IX Coordinator and Compliance Officer. The first is a peer educator program. Peer educators will be paid a stipend to assist with programming both on campus and with community partners.

Next, in addition to its ongoing alliance with Mercyhurst Preparatory School, the university will partner with the Erie School District to educate students, teachers, and staff on sexual assault.

Lastly, the university will enhance its awareness campaign through innovative programming, events, resources, RA trainings, and workshops covering issues like sexual harassment, what is and what is not consent, how to support victims, and more.

“There is immense value in being provided this grant to aid in our initiatives, which we continue to adapt and grow,” said Miller. “Partnering with members of the Erie community to provide education and resources at a younger age builds on prevention education, while providing resources and knowledge earlier for students to understand healthy relationships and boundaries.”