July 23, 2019
Volume 1 | Issue 29
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.
Rep. Gaydos Visits Local College
Rep. Valerie Gaydos recently toured the Community College of Allegheny County West Hills Center. She said she was impressed with the Mechatronics and science labs. She also learned about CCAC workforce programs, including partnering companies. While there, Rep. Gaydos indicated her support of both CCAC and quality, affordable higher education.
Meet Natasha: Community College Student and Single Mom
With help from the  Pennsylvania Department of Human Services  KEYS Program and Northampton Community College, Natasha is going back to school to pursue a degree. Her advice? Never give up on your dreams! Watch her compelling video by Achieving the Dream here.
Student Who Started College at 11 on the Verge of Ivy League Degree
Community College of Philadelphia (CCP) says they are "in awe and extremely proud" of alumna Soleil Hawley. She started at CCP at 11 years old, and is on track to obtain her bachelor’s in fine arts from the University of Pennsylvania in December.
Montgomery County Community College Names Interim President
The Montgomery County Community College Board of Trustees has named Dr. Victoria Bastecki-Perez Interim President and Provost of the college until a permanent college president is named following a nationwide search. Dr. Bastecki-Perez is stepping in for President Kevin Pollock , who is on a year-long sabbatical after he elected to not renew his contract.  

Best wishes to Dr. Bastecki-Perez!
New Leadership Appointments at Community College of Beaver County
Community College of Beaver County recently announced that it has appointed Dr. Shelly Moore as Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost and Elaine Strouss as Dean of the School of Health Sciences.

Dr. Moore will be responsible for innovative leadership in support of a learning environment that values student achievement and degree completion by overseeing all credit and non-credit instructional programs.
Birthdays & Milestones
Hope you Enjoy a Fabulous Year!
Happy (belated) birthday to Rep. Mike Tobash , Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler and Rep. Brett Miller !

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