April 21, 2019
Volume 2 | Issue 16
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.
PA Community Colleges Offer Mental Health Services to Students
It is important to address mental health needs during this unprecedented public health crisis. That is one reason why  Northampton Community College  is still offering counseling services to students, even though campuses are closed . Signs students should consider counseling include feeling angry, anxious or sad, as well as changes to eating, drinking or sleeping patterns.
Critical Medical Supplies Donated by Community College Programs
Pennsylvania community colleges are supporting medical professionals during the COVID-19 outbreak. Bucks County Community College programs donated gloves, masks, and other items to St. Mary Medical Center and Aria Torresdale Hospital. Westmoreland County Community College programs donated masks, gloves and sanitizing items to Adelphoi.
Programs Adapt to Best Serve Students during Pandemic
While the COVID-19 virus may have shut down access to Montgomery County Community College’s state-of-the-art recording studio, it wouldn’t stop students from finishing their projects online from home. Thanks to strategy and plenty of assistance from the Information Technology (IT) department, moving classes entirely online has been a success . 
Continuing Coverage
PA Community Colleges Respond to COVID-19 as Situation Evolves
Pennsylvania community colleges are being proactive in their response to COVID-19. As guidance changes, the most up-to-date information from each community college is available on the Commission's website.
Birthdays & Milestones
Happy (belated) Birthday to U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler , Rep. Mindy Fee , Rep. Donna Oberlander and Rep. David Zimmerman .

Congratulations to the Community College of Allegheny County ! The college was honored with two prestigious awards in the 35th Annual Educational Advertising Awards competition. More than 2,350 entries were received from 1,000+ colleges and universities from all 50 states.
Our Sincere Condolences
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital paramedic Kevin Bundy Jr. , who died last week of complications related to the coronavirus. A graduate of Delaware County Community College's paramedic program, Mr. Bundy also worked part-time for Crozer-Keystone Emergency Medical Services .

“He thought smiling and laughing could change anything," said Brittany Bundy in an article .