February 4, 2019
Volume 2 | Issue 5
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 College Partners for Seamless Degree Pathway
Butler County Community College (BC3) and Clarion University are teaming up to offer students a pathway to success in the mathematics field. One student, Jacob Slagle, entered the BC3 math program, transferred to Clarion in 2016 and graduated in 2018. Now, he teaches math in the Seaford School District.  
STEM Grant Benefits Economy
Funding announced by the  Wolf Administration aims to boost careers in STEM. The grant benefits STEM Ecosystem EnVISION, which includes Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. Sen. Wayne Langerholc noted that the grants also benefit employers and the local economy. Rep. Frank Burns said the grants will help to identify and target skill gaps in the local workforce.
Free Metalwork Training Upskills and Retrains Workforce
Governor Tom Wolf recently announced $200,000 in new funding for the Bucks County Community College Metalwork Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program. The grant will help the college with an awareness campaign about the free, 12-week, program that retrains unemployed and underemployed individuals.
Students and Faculty Give Back to Local Community
In honor of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,  Montgomery County Community College students, employees and their family members spent Martin Luther King Jr. Day volunteering at various sites in Montgomery County, PA. These individuals believe in the value of giving back to the community.
Community College President Elected as MSCHE Commissioner
Congratulations to  Reading Area Community College President  Dr. Susan D. Looney, J.D. , on being elected a Commissioner of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)! She and other individuals were elected by a vote of MSCHE member institutions this past fall and serve now through December 31, 2022.

The Commission is a voluntary membership association that defines, maintains, and promotes educational excellence in higher education.
Birthdays & Milestones
We Wish You A Very Happy Birthday!
Happy (belated) Birthday to Sen. Art Haywood and Rep. Garth D. Everett ! We wish you the best year yet.

Congratulations to Vicky Krug , professor at Westmoreland County Community College , who was recently honored with the college's annual Excellence in Teaching Award .