June 30, 2020
Volume 2 | Issue 26
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.
Seamless Online Transfer Agreement Saves Students Money
"... Ms. [Sarah] Polachek relayed that she saves approximately $100 a month with the 10 percent tuition reduction she received by transferring to SNHU. She accurately highlighted that the monthly savings equate about the cost of a textbook," writes Elizabeth Bolden, President & CEO of the Commission, in The Evolllution.
Overcoming Epilepsy, Community College Student Earns Degree
Lauren Lesko, a spring 2020 graduate of Northampton Community College, was recently profiled by Lehigh Valley Live. With medication to help manage her daily seizures, Ms. Lesko earned an associate’s degree in communications and design and enjoyed extracurricular activities like the college's anime club and photography.
Community College Student Donates Over 800 Face Shields
Jake Grim, a student at HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College, has made more than 800 face shields and distributed them to organizations in the local community. Mr. Grim, who is enrolled in the Business Administration Program, wanted to give back to his community during the global COVID-19 pandemic. 
Continuing Coverage
PA Community Colleges Respond to COVID-19 as Situation Evolves
Pennsylvania community colleges continue to evaluate their response to COVID-19. As guidance changes, the most up-to-date information from each community college is available through the Commission's website.
Birthdays & Milestones
Happy (belated) Birthday to Sen. Daylin Leach , Rep. Bud Cook and Rep. Joseph Hohenstein !

Congratulations to John J. “Ski” Sygielski, MBA, Ed.D. , President & CEO of HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College , on being elected to the American Association of Community Colleges Board of Directors!

Reading Area Community College was recently presented with the D istinguished Registered Respiratory Therapist Credentialing Success Award by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care .