On Course with Community Colleges: Transfer Offers Affordable Pathway to Private College Degree

December 15, 2022

Panelists Caro Mercado, M.S., Associate Dean for Admissions & Director of Partnerships at Bucknell University; Meredith Goldsmith, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer and professor of English at Ursinus College; and Miles Noecker, Montgomery County Community College alumnus and current undergrad, recently joined us to discuss how well community college alumni are performing at private colleges and universities in Pennsylvania and the value they bring to these top tier institutions.


Community College Alumna and Mother of Four Pursues Dream of Becoming a Teacher

October 19, 2022

Xiomara Pagan, an alumna of Lehigh Carbon Community College, recently shared her aspirations of becoming a teacher and some of the challenges she had to overcome to earn her associate degree. She found an affordable transfer pathway to pursue her dreams at community college.


Graduate Imagines a Future as a Medical Assistant Thanks to Community College

August 10, 2022

Clintaysha Hampton, a Spring 2022 graduate of Montgomery County Community College, recently shared her journey of finding a workforce pathway to a career in the healthcare field. After several tries at college, she found the affordable, accessible higher education offered by community college was the best fit for her as a working mother.


Congratulations to our 2022 All-Pennsylvania Scholars!

May 10, 2022

The Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges is proud to honor the 28th Annual All-Pennsylvania Academic Team, a remarkable group of community college students who have achieved academic excellence and demonstrated a commitment to their colleges and communities. More: https://bit.ly/AllPA2022.


On Course with Community Colleges: Imagining a Prosperous Pennsylvania

April 1, 2022

While the Commonwealth is still grappling with disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, state leaders imagine a prosperous future for Pennsylvania – and believe community colleges have a significant role to play in getting us there. During Community College Week 2022, we heard from two of those leaders – Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-46) and Rep. Joe Ciresi (D-146) – who discussed that vibrant future and the critical role of community colleges in Pennsylvania. Panelist biographies are available here.


Transfer Student Imagines a Brighter Future Thanks to Community College

March 7, 2022

Robert Reed, a December 2021 graduate of HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, recently shared his story and experience with higher education. He credits his bright future to community college. Mr. Reed graduated from high school in 1998 and went straight into the workforce. After a 20-year break from school, he began attending community college in the fall of 2019. He made the dean’s list every semester since restarting his educational journey and served as the student speaker at his Commencement Ceremony.


On Course with Community Colleges: Making Postsecondary Transfer Easier for Pennsylvanians

October 13, 2021

Each year, thousands of Pennsylvanians enroll in a community college with plans to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete their bachelor’s degree. Community colleges and state system universities have been working together on an institution-to-institution basis for decades to align programs and customize pathways to degree completion.

Recently two college presidents who are working together for the benefit of students – Dr. Ann Bieber from Lehigh Carbon Community College and Dr. Kenneth S. Hawkinson of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania – discussed the innovative and effective ways they are and have been partnering to streamline the transfer process. Two students, Madison McGlinchey and Danny Melin, also explained how these institution-to-institution policies make it easier for students to navigate the postsecondary landscape as they pursue a bachelor’s degree.


Celebrating that 2021 All-Pennsylvania Academic Team

May 14, 2021

Congratulations to the 2021 All-Pennsylvania Academic Team! Together with presidents and trustees from all the Pennsylvania community colleges, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, the American Association of Community Colleges, and the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, we applaud these exceptional students on being recognized with this prestigious academic honor.


On Course with Community Colleges: Reducing Barriers in Higher Education

April 30, 2021

A panelist from the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice joins Dr. Charlene Newkirk of the Community College of Allegheny County, and Delaware County Community College student Victoria Wilson to discuss barriers to higher education such as food and housing insecurity, family obligations and employment responsibilities, as well as what community colleges are doing to reduce these obstacles. Panelist biographies are available here: http://bit.ly/OnCourse4PA.


Dr. Grawe Speaks on Demographic Trends at 2021 Annual Meeting

April 26, 2021

At our 2021 Annual Meeting last week, Dr. Nathan Grawe, author of “Demographics and the Demand for Higher Education” and “The Agile College”, reviewed recent demographic trends and their implications for higher education during an interactive session. He also shared how proactive institutions are attacking demographic challenges through initiatives in recruitment, retention, academic programming, and consortial collaboration. 


A Message of Encouragement from the 2021 New Century Transfer Scholar

April 15, 2021

All-PA Academic Team Member and Coca-Cola New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar, Kerry Katz of the Community College of Allegheny County, shares that she didn’t consider herself a good student and urged other students to believe in themselves. She also expresses her gratitude and hope that she will make a positive impact on the world.


2021 Workforce Pathway Scholar Shares Life Story of Growing Up in an Orphanage

April 15, 2021

All-PA Academic Team Member and Coca-Cola New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar Josephine Milanzi from Northampton Community College, who grew up in an orphanage after her parents passed away, encourages her fellow students to practice gratitude and never stop learning. She said she is thankful for the many blessings in her life, including this opportunity.


Rep. Mark Gillen Graduates from Bucks County Community College

April 9, 2021

To help celebrate Community College Month in 2021 April, Rep. Mark Gillen (R-128) was awarded an Associate of Arts degree by Dr. Stephanie Shanblatt, president of Bucks County Community College (Bucks), and David Breidinger, chair of the Bucks Board of Trustees, in a virtual graduation ceremony hosted by the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges.

Rep. Gillen, who attended Bucks prior to transferring to other postsecondary institutions to complete his undergraduate and graduate degrees, used a process called reverse transfer to complete his associate degree at the community college. Reverse transfer is an opportunity available to students who have transferred from a Pennsylvania community college to another higher education institution, to earn their associate degree.


On Course with Community Colleges: Supporting Substance Abuse Recovery

October 15, 2020

The Commission’s first On Course with Community Colleges webinar – Supporting Substance Abuse Recovery with Education and Intervention Services – features panelists Luzerne County Community College President Thomas P. LearyButler County Community College President Dr. Nicholas Neupauer, and an individual in recovery, community college alumna Ashlynn Heller.