July 9, 2019
Volume 1 | Issue 27
Your Weekly Commission Update
Community colleges play an important role in educating and training current and future generations of workers,
in addition to providing affordable and responsive higher education to thousands of Pennsylvanians every year.
Student Finds Self-Confidence and Scholarship at Community College
It’s difficult for anyone to overcome self-doubt, but students who learn from their mistakes will often achieve great things. That was the case with Kira Williams, who graduated from Lehigh Carbon Community College in May and earned a two-year scholarship to Kutztown University.
Meet Jose: Community College Student Aide to Veterans
Jose Velez recently enrolled in the Nursing Program at HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College. A father and a retired Army infantryman who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, Jose juggles the demands of a rigorous academic program and family life with his work as HACC's Military and Veteran Affairs Office student aide.
Community College Graduate Wants Justice for All
“Most of my family, whom I respect and love, are in law enforcement,” says Northampton Community College criminal justice graduate Ashley Klostermann. “I grew up loving the field of criminal justice, and since I was a little kid, I wanted to... help people.” Watch her video here.
Community College of Allegheny County and Montgomery County Community College named Most Promising Places to Work
Diverse: Issues In Higher Education recently released its annual list of the most promising community colleges for employees .* 

*Editor's Note: We previously congratulated HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College , but failed to recognize that Community College of Allegheny County and Montgomery County Community College also made the 2019 list. Kudos to these stellar institutions!
Birthdays & Milestones
Hope you Enjoy a Fabulous Year!
Happy (belated) birthday to Rep. Rich Irvin , Rep. Martina White , Rep. George Dunbar , Rep. Valerie Gaydos , Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski and Rep. Aaron Bernstine ! (Oh, and AMERICA .)

Did we miss someone? Birthday submissions are welcomed to media@pacommunitycolleges.org .