New Program Brings Local Interns To Downtown Scranton Businesses

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Lackawanna County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Local talent meets opportunity

Students at local colleges shouldn’t have to go out of town to get professional experience as interns, and local business needn’t look further than local institutions to get the talent they need.

That was the consensus of a group of business, college and government leaders who Monday announced the Small Business Internship Initiative to connect students and downtown business, a program they hope will expand to a multi-county area.

“If you look at the diversity of the higher education institutions in our area – there is no skill a business can not find,” said Gerald C. Zaboski of the University of Scranton, after a news conference on Courthouse Square announcing the pilot program.

Read more:  http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/new-program-brings-local-interns-to-downtown-businesses-1.1484808

Alvernia University On The Rise

English: Alvernia University Category:Alvernia University Category:University logos (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When Dr. Thomas F. Flynn took over the presidency at Alvernia University in 2005, the future looked bright.

The university was growing rapidly, and officials were putting together an aggressive plan to expand the campus in the next decade.

Then the recession hit in 2008, just as the university began not only its strategic plan, but its first comprehensive capital campaign.

Despite the challenges of the past five years, Alvernia flourished and moved forward faster with its plans than anyone expected.

Read more:  http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=446239

HACC Placed On Accreditation Warning Status

The accrediting organization overseeing Harrisburg Area Community College has placed the system on warning status.

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education found HACC was lacking in three of its 14 criteria during the five-year periodic review.

But HACC and Middle States officials emphasized the system, which includes a York campus, is not in any immediate danger of losing its accreditation, which allows a college to grant diplomas.

The periodic review, done halfway after HACC was given its 10-year accreditation, helps make sure a college is fulfilling its obligations, said Middle States spokesman Richard Pokrass.

HACC had issues in the areas of Institutional Assessment, which deals with how well a college can monitor and show it’s doing everything it says its doing; Assessment of Student Learning, which deals with a collegetracking classroom learning and having a system to improve instruction; and General Education.

Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/787730_HACC-placed-on-accreditation-warning-status-.html#ixzz2DjFwCK3s

Reading Area Community College Likely To Raise Tuition Nearly 6%

Students at Reading Area Community College could see a 5.84 percent tuition increase this fall.

The $28.77 million budget proposed for 2012-13 calls for raising the cost per credit $8, to $145 from $137, for part-time students.

For full-time Berks County students, tuition would rise to $2,175 per semester from $2,055.

RACC’s president, Dr. Anna D. Weitz, said the proposed increase is a response to several factors, including a 5 percent decrease in state funding, increased expenses and a decline in full-time enrollment at community colleges across the state.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=391115

MCCC West Campus: FREE Making College Adordable Information Session

Montgomery County Community College is proud to present a FREE!

MAKING COLLEGE AFFORDABLE information session.

PA State Treasurer Rob McCord will be on hand to discuss the state’s 529 Savings and Investment Plans. 

This information session will also feature information on filling out a FAFSA and the financial aid process.

Childcare for children ages 2-11 will be available during session.

Monday, April 18, 2011 * 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Community Room, South Hall • 101 College Drive • Pottstown

For more information and to register, visit:

mc3.edu/admissions/affordability.aspx

or email admissions@mc3.edu

Bad Economy Is Good For Harrisburg Area Community College

Ever since the economy nose-dived in 2008, enrollment at Harrisburg Area Community College has increased dramatically.

In 2008 enrollment at HACC’s 5 campuses was 19,866.  Last year enrollment hit 22,529.  This year enrollment is expected to come in at 25,000 students!

Community college offers students a close to home and much less expensive educational alternative versus going to one of Pennsylvania’s universities and staying in a dormitory or apartment.  The cost per credit hour and the ability to avoid paying for room and board, on top of tuition, is economically achievable for many students.

Montgomery County Community College has also experienced an enrollment boom from the bad economy.  Our own West Campus here in Pottstown continues to exceed enrollment expectations.

Pottstown Promenade Project

There has been talk about this project recently which prompted me to do some research.  The Promenade project has been on the books for some time, however funding kept it from becoming a reality. 

PennDOT recently opened up their coffers and we are getting almost a million dollars to complete this project.  I could not remember specifics on what the project entailed except that the name does infer certain things.

I found this information after doing to internet surfing:

Pottstown Promenade – was conceived as a pedestrian and bicycle link between Downtown Pottstown and the Montgomery County Community College. The promenade is expected to be constructed in 2005, and will connect Hanover Street to the bus stop facility adjacent to the community college with a link to Riverfront Park and the River Center at Pottstown.

Personally, I think this is a great idea because it addresses quality of life issues in an urban area.  Green space is important if we are trying to attract middle-class people to Pottstown as taxpaying permanent residents.

The revitalization of Pottstown hinges on projects like these and the ability to attract new residents, business and industry.

Kudos to Jason Bobst, Borough Council and everyone involved for making this project a reality.