November 19, 2019
Volume 1 | Issue 46
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.
Community Colleges Are Preparing Students for Plastics Careers
The American Chemistry Council says the Commonwealth could become the second center for plastic manufacturing in the United States - which means the western Pennsylvania region would see 100,000 unfilled jobs in the coming years. The Community College of Beaver County and the Pennsylvania Department of Education are preparing students for these family-sustaining careers.
HACC Celebrates International Students, Including Bachir
Bachir Harou Oumarou, an international student from Niger, has learned much at HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College, both in his studies and through his on-campus job. “HACC has really provided me with a lot of good work experience. I have a job in the cafeteria that has really taught me a lot.”
New Century Transfer Scholar Talks Recovery on WBPH
Michelle Tatosian, Northampton Community College alumna and 2019 Coca-Cola New Century Transfer Scholar of the Year, recently joined Sam Chen on WBPH's "Face the Issues." She discussed her seven stints in rehab, overcoming addiction and the challenges she faced in her new sober life.
Sen. Kearney Tells Comcast Newsmakers that
Community Colleges are "Key" to Higher Ed in PA
Sen. Tim Kearney recently appeared on Comcast Newsmakers and shared his confidence in community colleges' ability to provide quality, affordable higher education . He touted them as flexible, nimble and the "key" to affordable higher education in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Birthdays & Milestones
Happy (belated) Birthday to Gov. Tom Wolf , Senate Minority Leader and Community College of Allegheny County alumnus Sen. Jay Costa , Rep. Mary Isaacson , Rep. Ryan Bizzarro , Rep. Jennifer O'Mara , and Rep. Adam Ravenstahl !

Congratulations to Delaware County Community College Associate Professor of Mathematics Dr. John Boncek , who recently received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award to Myanmar (Burma) in the field of Mathematics.