Empowering the Early Childhood Workforce in Northwest Pennsylvania
Welcome to the Northwest Professional Development Organization (NWPDO), proudly led by the Northwest Institute of Research, Inc. (NWIR) in partnership with Mercyhurst University and other trusted higher education institutions.
We are honored to support early childhood professionals across the Northwest region with accessible, high-quality pathways to degrees and credentials. Through continued collaboration with OCDEL and the PASSHE PDO, we are committed to building a strong, well-prepared ECE workforce that uplifts children, families, and communities.
About Us
Who We Are
The Northwest PDO is part of a statewide initiative funded by Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) to strengthen the early childhood education workforce. Our team at Northwest Institute of Research, Inc. (NWIR) brings decades of experience in workforce development and higher education partnerships.
Working alongside Mercyhurst University and other higher ed institutions, we’re here to support educators through every step of their professional development journey.
NWPDO Contact Us
We’re here to help!
Email: info@nwpdo.org
Serving 18 counties of: Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Potter, Venango, Warren
Use the form to contact us about any general questions, partner inquiries, or student support needs.
News & Announcements
Check back regularly for updates on funding, deadlines, and meeting opportunities.
Latest Updates:
NWIR Named New PDO for Northwest Region
NWIR, in partnership with Mercyhurst University, has officially been named the new PDO for Pennsylvania’s Northwest Region.
Student Spotlight
Anonymous NWPDO Student that Recently Graduated - 2026
- “I wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank you for your continued support and funding for my undergraduate course at PennWest University. I am truly grateful for everything you are doing to support students like me in achieving our educational goals.
Today, I received my grades for the last semester, and I wanted to proudly share them with you. I am very happy to say that I have earned all A grades so far in my program. This achievement would not have been possible without your financial support, encouragement, and belief in students like me. Because of your help, I am able to continue my education and work hard toward my future goals.
I would also especially like to thank Taylor Adams for always being so kind, supportive, and helpful throughout this journey. Taylor has been amazing and has always guided me whenever I needed help. It was also truly wonderful to meet Doug and Taylor during the last semester. Their support, encouragement, and kindness meant a lot to me.
Please extend my appreciation to the entire NWPDO team for everything you do for students. Your continued support is making a real difference in our lives, and I am very thankful for it.”
Maria G., Erie County - 2025
- “Thanks to the PDO, I was able to finish my associate degree without the stress of tuition. The support I received changed the course of my career.”
TRIB LIVE: Kyle Bender: More males in early childhood education - Nov 18th, 2025
Kyle is a current Northwest PDO–funded male student pursuing early childhood education, and he shares why having more men in early learning classrooms matters. He explains that male educators can offer children valuable role models and help create more diverse, supportive learning environments. Kyle also highlights how funding and fair wages are key to attracting more men into the field.