September 3, 2019
Volume 1 | Issue 35
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.
Featured News
Community College Cuts Ribbon at New Northumberland Location
With policymakers, local officials and faculty members, Luzerne County Community College recently cut the ribbon on its seventh branch location. The location is the Greater Susquehanna Center at the former Watsontown Elementary School and classes for college students will begin September 16.
Community Colleges are Offering 70 New Programs this School Year
Pennsylvania’s 14 community colleges are offering 70 new programs in wide-ranging and in-demand careers for the 2019-20 academic year. The in-person and distance education opportunities include programs in STEM, hydroponic agriculture and substance abuse treatment. 
New Programs in Visual Arts and Health Care Offered this Fall
Lehigh Carbon Community College is offering two new associate degree programs beginning in the fall 2019 semester in visual arts and health care office coordinator. Auditor General Eugene DePasquale and the PA Department of Health recently held a press conference to discuss a shortage of healthcare workers.
Nine New STEM Programs Now Available in Beaver County 
Students at the Community College of Beaver County had more options this fall - everything from meteorology to construction management.
The college announced nine new programs for the 2019-20 school year, with the majority of the programs being STEM-based, or focused on science, technology, engineering and math.
Partnership Provides Nursing Scholarships Worth Half of Tuition
Registered nurses with a HACC, Central Pennsylvania Community College, associate degree can earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology at half the cost of tuition through an agreement between the two institutions.
Congratulations to the members of the new Higher Education Funding Commission!
Members include Secretary of Education Pedro Rivera , Deputy Secretary for Postsecondary and Higher Education Noe Ortega , Governor Appointee Natalie Krug , Sen. Pat Browne , Sen. Wayne Langerholc , Sen. Ryan Aument , Sen. Joe Scarnati , Sen. Vincent Hughes , Sen. Andrew Dinniman , Sen. Timothy Kearney , Sen. Lindsey Williams Rep. Stan Saylor , Rep. Curtis Sonney , Rep. Aaron Kaufer , Rep. Brad Roae , Rep. Matthew Bradford , Rep. James Roebuck , Rep. Jennifer O’Mara and Rep. Wendy Ullman . We look forward to working with you!
Birthdays & Milestones
Hope you Enjoy a Fabulous Year!
Our Birthday column will return (and likely be quite robust) the week of September 16. Until then, we wish all you late-August and early-September babies a very Happy Birthday!

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