August 6, 2019
Volume 1 | Issue 31
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.
Meet Carlos Alcantara, Hospitality Management Graduate
Carlos Alcantara, who graduated from Luzerne County Community College in 2012, is now a strategic account manager for Royal Caribbean Cruises. After holding jobs in factories and restaurants, he found a successful pathway to a family-sustaining career through the college's Hospitality Management Program.
Colleges Respond to Growing Industries with New Programs
Philadelphia's hotel industry is booming. In response, Community College of Philadelphia is adding a new associate degree program in tourism and hospitality management. The college has been collaborating with the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association to create a pipeline of qualified workers.
Welding Graduates Earn Certificates and College Credits
Several students recently received certificates in the welding technology program coordinated by Venango Technology Center, the Keystone Community Education Council and the Community College of Allegheny County. All students also received OSHA 10 certification and forklift training.
U.S. News' Top Ten Reasons to Attend a Community College
U.S. News & World Report released a list of the top 10 reasons to attend community college . The recently released list includes affordability, academic flexibility and STEM opportunities.

In Pennsylvania, students can save more than $20,000 by starting their higher education journey at community college. While there are dozens more reasons to attend or start at community college, U.S. News covers many of the best reasons to consider community college.
41 Cadets Graduate from Community College Police Academy
Members of the local law enforcement community, along with family and friends, recently celebrated the graduation of 41 cadets from the 115th Municipal Police Academy of HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College .
 
HACC’s Police Academy is the second largest in Pennsylvania, with two 25-week, full-time basic training courses and a 48-week, part-time basic training course mandated by the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission . 
Birthdays & Milestones
Hope you Enjoy a Fabulous Year!
Happy (belated) birthday to Auditor General Eugene DePasquale , Sen. John Blake , Sen. Judy Schwank , Rep. Jerry Knowles , Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta , Rep. Patty Kim , Rep. Curt Sonney , Rep. Wendy Ullman , Rep. Dan Deasy , Rep. Ryan Mackenzie and Rep. Mike Turzai , Speaker of the PA House of Representatives!

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