January 28, 2019
Volume 2 | Issue 4
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.
Wolf Administration Awards Grants to Help Combat Sexual Assault
Pennsylvania Department of Education Secretary Pedro A. Rivera recently announced nearly $1 million in grants from the  Governor Tom Wolf Administration to help combat campus sexual assault. Among the recipients were  Butler County Community College and the Community College of Allegheny County.
Community College May Save Students 25 Percent on Higher Ed
Justin Landes didn’t initially choose HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College. However, after a financial aid issue at a four-year institution and joining the National Guard, he discovered HACC and “was set on applying.” The tuition for a full-time student at HACC is approximately 25 percent less than the average full-time tuition at nearby four-year institutions.
Community Colleges Offer Free Classes to Inmates through Grant
A partnership between two community colleges, county courts and the Workforce Board Lehigh Valley was recently announced. Funded through a $988,000 state grant, participants - who can be incarcerated or on probation - will be offered tuition-free classes or vocational training through Lehigh Carbon Community College or Northampton Community College.
Westmoreland County Community College President Appears on PCN
Dr. Tuesday Stanley , President of Westmoreland County Community College , recently appeared on an episode of  PCN's "Inside PA Boroughs" . The episode will air Sunday, February 2 at 8:30 p.m. or you can catch it online here .
Birthdays & Milestones
We Wish You A Very Happy Birthday!
Happy (belated) Birthday to Rep. Lloyd Smucker and Rep. Brian Kirkland ! We wish you the best year yet.

Congratulations to Reading Area Community College associate professor Denise Strohmayr on winning the prestigious Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty Recognition Award !