August 18, 2020
Volume 2 | Issue 33
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.
Auditor General Chat Highlights Value of Community Colleges
Elizabeth Bolden, President & CEO of the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges, recently joined Auditor General Eugene DePasquale for a Facebook Live chat about the impact of COVID-19 on higher education in the Commonwealth. The conversation prompted the Tribune-Review to editorialize on the need to support Pennsylvania's 14 community colleges.
Strategy Group Brief: Credentials are Key to Economic Recovery
Education Strategy Group recently released a brief that said, "…states should prioritize programs that most immediately respond to economic and industry needs and that put students on a path to high-demand, high-wage jobs." Community colleges in PA are proud to be economic engines that partner with local employers to train for in-demand, family-sustaining careers.
Meet Hunter: Adjusting College Plans in the Era of COVID-19
Like many students, Hunter Ringwood planned to attend a four-year university until a global pandemic disrupted his higher education plans. Now, he will attend Montgomery County Community College. “I decided saving money by taking general education classes at Montco would be a better decision for me,” he said in an article.
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. Pat Stefano, Rep. Marcy Toepel, Rep. Harry Readshaw, Rep. Wendi Thomas, Rep. Todd Polinchock, and Rep. Martin Causer.

Congratulations to Suzanne Wasilewski on recently being appointed the Butler County Community College assistant director of admissions. 

Editor's Note: Last week's e-newsletter incorrectly stated that Noe Ortega had been named the next Secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Mr. Ortega is Deputy Secretary of Postsecondary and Higher Education. Governor Tom Wolf announced his intention to nominate Mr. Ortega for Secretary when current Secretary Pedro A. Rivera departs from his role in October.