Susquehanna Valley Community Education Project Blog | Sunbury, PA

Ginny Burton: A Story of Success

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 20:27:00 GMT

Community College is a stepping stone...

Eric's Heroes: The redemption of Ginny Burton
SEATTLE - It was several years ago and I was working on a documentary that would eventually be called, "There But For The Grace of God...", trying to understand the epidemic of homelessness that had gripped Seattle and so many other places.
I was wandering the streets of Seattle with my cameraman Doug, going to the places where broken people sought refuge. I walked into a men's shelter called Lazarus Day Center, run by Catholic Community Services. I don't know what I was looking for. I just wanted to talk to somebody and learn. I introduced myself to a woman who was working there. She had long hair and seemed tired. She was being pulled in about five different directions, and seemed a little suspicious, but she stepped outside and talked to me for a few minutes.
We talked about drugs and addiction and homelessness. About the men at Lazarus. And then she excused herself and went back inside.
I sensed that there was more, that there were things she was holding back.
And, for some reason that I still don’t understand, I couldn't stop thinking about her. Again and again, over the course of many months, my instinct told me that there was something about the woman at the men’s shelter, something special. At the time I couldn't articulate what it was.
Years later now, I realize what "the something "was: an honest and profound truth born of a life lived authenticity.
Her name is Ginny Burton.
Two years later I was working on another project, and I called Lazarus, but Ginny no longer worked there. They gave me the number of someone who knew her, though, and that person relayed my message.
When she called I said, "I don't know why, but I think I need to talk to you again..."
And so we talked. Many times. And there was trust and eventually friendship. When she told me the story of her life, I was heartbroken and devastated. But I was also enthralled because I believed that the human suffering on our streets was unnecessary, that the addiction and death we had become so comfortable with didn't need to be so. That there was a path to freedom and redemption. And that here, before me, was living proof.
This is Ginny's story. She is my Hero.
She was born in Tacoma. 1972. She was one of seven children born to a mother who was a drug addict and a drug dealer and who suffered from mental illness.
Her father was sent to prison when she was four for a string of armed robberies.

Her mother introduced her to marijuana at the age of six.
She got her using meth at age 12.
By 14 she was smoking crack.
At 16 she was raped by a man who bought drugs from her mother.
By 17 she'd attempted suicide for the first of many times.
She got pregnant and the baby’s father was shot and killed.
She eventually had two children and married into an abusive relationship.
At 21 she started shooting heroin. By 23 she was a full-on, hardcore heroin addict.
Ginny Burton, a little girl surrounded by squalor and addiction and violence, had become a grown woman surrounded by squalor and addiction and violence. She never had a chance.

Ginny and a guy named Jack used to feed their addiction by robbing Mexican drug dealers at gunpoint. They knew that they wouldn't go to the cops because they were undocumented.
She was hell on wheels.
She said to me once, "I am that person. I have 17 felony convictions. I am the person you used to clutch your bag when I walked by you. I am the person that would randomly attack somebody in public. I was not a savory person. Everybody was a victim, and everybody was prey."
The pictures of Ginny in those days tell the story of a young woman who was reeling out of control, a swirling, churning blur of chaos and self-destruction. Jail cells, guys that hit her, self-loathing, criminal behavior. She stole cars. She shot somebody.
Her children were taken away. And drugs. Always, there were drugs.
I asked her what it was like in those days, what she saw when she looked in the mirror. And when she answered, her voice rose and she talked faster and faster, as if the memory was something she was trying to drive from her mind forever. And her words... her words have never left me.
“When you're stuck on the street and you smell like feces and you haven't showered in forever and you can't make it into a social services during working hours because you're too busy trying to feed your addiction, and your addiction is bigger than you... and you've compromised your integrity a number of times over and over and over again, and you're starting to be victimized by the people on the street... you're hopeless. You can't stand your life. You would rather be dead than alive. I spent most of my addiction wishing that somebody would just blow me away."
Three times she went to state prison. And she says that each time she got clean and had time to think and contemplate what she wanted to change about her life. “It really afforded me the ability to stop and think about what I wanted my life to look like. It gave me the opportunity to let the fog clear.”
The problem was that she didn’t have the tools to make that happen, and so she would get out of prison and go back to the same people, the same lifestyle.

“This beast woke up,” she says now, this beast that was so much bigger than I was. I would tell myself, ‘I am not going to use tomorrow. I am not going to use’, but at the latest by 2 p.m. the next day I was always using.”
And she describes a “drug vortex” that she could never escape.
“When I was clean I thought about using, and when I was using I thought about getting clean.”
And so it went, on and on. Her last trip to prison was in 2008. She was in for 33 months, and she stayed clean for six months after she got out. But she relapsed for the umpteenth time and was arrested one last time on Dec. 5, 2012, and she says it saved her life.
She'd been committing forgery crimes in Tacoma and had been up all night, high on meth and heroin. She was heading to Walgreens. "I was in a stolen truck. A really slow one. I pulled out and a cop turned on the lights to pull me over for a light that was out. I took off and he chased me. I almost crashed into a tree in front of an apartment building. And that was it. that was the end."
She recalls sitting in the back of the police car, handcuffed and happy. Relieved. "I knew I was OK. I knew when he put the handcuffs on me and put me in his car, I knew my life was going to change and it was then, in that moment, that I made the decision to turn it around no matter what it took."
Her charges were transferred to King County, and she begged to be put into the Drug Diversion Court program. She went through a treatment program at the Regional Justice Center. And got clean. And stayed clean.
Ginny never looked back.
She did Social Service work for the Post Prison Education Program, and at Lazarus for seven years. And she watched and learned. She told me something that nobody wants to hear. She said that in those seven years, working with hundreds of addicts, she knew of exactly two people who were able to voluntarily get clean and who stayed that way. Two.
And she started going to school.
In the beginning, she took classes at South Seattle Community College, a grown woman taking classes with kids, feeling out of place and awkward, but also inspired. Awakened.
"It made me recognize how much time I had wasted in my life. And I also recognized that I was actually good at learning. something i enjoyed. "
She applied to the University of Washington and was accepted. In 2019 she was awarded a Martin Honor Scholarship to the UW and there before her the path opened up.
She studied political science. And maybe it was then, at the age of 47, surrounded by kids from nice homes with nice parents who attended college parties on weekends and whose paths had been laid out for them since birth, maybe it was then, perhaps for the first time in her life, that Ginny Burton realized just how smart she really is.
"I was entering into a bunch of areas I had never experienced before," she says now. "I had a lot of insecurity at first, I was significantly older than the majority of people I was sitting in classrooms with. And I was reading up to 350 pages a week in a field I had no understanding of."
But she did it, and she excelled.
She made the all-academic team at the university.
She was the 2020 Truman Scholar for the state of Washington.
While all of this was happening, she was working on reconciling her relationship with her husband, Chris Burton, who had been incarcerated and was recently released.
Chris, like Ginny, is clean now, and he has watched and learned as his wife has proven over and over again that for some people there are no limitations.
He says, "I see a lot of the things behind the scenes, the hard work she puts in, the passion, her fire. She really genuinely wants to help people. She wants to help those at the bottom rise to the top, and I believe that she will."
The other day Ginny put on a cap and gown and posed for graduation pictures. She looked happy and beautiful and proud and full of possibilities.
And she posted to Facebook two stunning before and after photos. One was taken in a red King County jumpsuit in 2005. Her head was shaved and there were sores from picking at her face during addiction. She'd been using 1/4 ounce of heroin per day when the picture was taken. She looked sad and strung out and infinitely tired.
In the other picture, taken that day with the cap and gown, she looked happy and beautiful and proud and full of bright, endless possibilities.
Next to the two pictures, she wrote these words: "Today I've let go of feeling insecure about my age, the lines on my face, my genetics, my failures, and imposter syndrome to recognize that no matter what if I'm still breathing, I can do anything I set my mind to. Graduating at 48 from the Political Science department at the University of Washington Seattle is a real accomplishment for this former quitter."
She and Chris have moved away from Seattle to the small town of Rochester. They are adding an apartment to the home of Chris's grandparents. There is peace and solitude around them. And flowers and trees.
Ginny wants to change the world and believes she can. She wants to get her master's degree and use it to save lives by changing prisons, so that addiction is tackled head-on on the inside, but also out in the world, where she sees what she calls a "learned helplessness" that she considers a death sentence.
She knows. Ginny says she's been to more than 20 funerals in the last seven years, funerals for friends who were drug addicts, people who she believes have been loved to death by Seattle and king County and a culture of tolerance at all expense.
"Nobody wants to hurt anybody's feelings," she says, "everybody wants to be loving and supportive, which means we don't hold up a mirror to people. We don't want to tell anybody they can't do this, we're just going to support them to death. We're gonna love them to death."
Sitting on the lawn with rhododendrons in full bloom behind her, she continues, "It's not love. I am grateful the Pierce County Sheriff's loved me enough to arrest me. I am grateful that the judges loved me enough to incarcerate me because those incarcerations gave me an opportunity to work myself into changing my life."
To know Ginny Burton's story is to believe that no soul is irredeemable. To look at her before-and-after pictures is to understand that truly, anything is possible.
"My story isn't an accident," she told me. "I think it will be used for everybody else. Maybe I can be some kind of Pied Piper, to help people recover their own lives. That's what I care about. There are some days that I wish I could just slip away here, with a garden, and open up a little cafe. But in reality, I know it's my job to continue to create hope."
Will she pull it off? I believe she will. The force of this woman’s will is indisputable. Her story is undeniable, her particular truth irrefutable. And now she understands these things. It’s what I sensed that first day at the men’s shelter, but couldn’t quite put my finger on: Ginny Burton is the truth.
We want to hear about the heroes where you live. Send us an email to heroes@komonews.com.

Mother of 4 Pursues Dream of Teaching

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 16:54:00 GMT

Mother of 4 Pursues Dream of Teaching

Xiomara Pagan, an alumna of Lehigh Carbon Community College, recently shared her aspirations of becoming a teacher and some of the challenges she had to overcome to earn her associate degree. She found an affordable transfer pathway to pursue her dreams at community college.
Ms. Pagan is just one of the thousands of students that transfer from a Pennsylvania community college annually. Last year, more than 31,000 community college students transferred to another college – and 79 percent of them transferred in-state. For example, nearly half of all incoming Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) transfer students in the Fall 2021 semester came from a Pennsylvania community college, making up a total 12 percent of the new undergraduate population that semester.
Pennsylvania community college transfer students also continue – persist in or complete their program of study – at a higher rate than non-transfer students. All this correlates to a higher rate of student success for community college transfer students – and when you look at employment data, it’s clear that continued investment in community colleges and this higher education pipeline is critical for Pennsylvania’s vibrant future.
At least 80 percent of community college transfer students who graduate from a PASSHE university with a bachelor’s degree are still employed in the Commonwealth three years after graduation. These alumni earn family-sustaining wages that are above median income. Ten years after graduation, 70 percent of these students are still working in Pennsylvania, contributing to a thriving economy and prosperous communities.

BC3 Graduate shows how Community Colleges help more than just their students.

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 16:39:00 GMT

Community College Alumna has “Helped Hundreds” as a Nurse

“Someone in my family has been in service to our country since the Civil War. I started out as a reservist,” said Jodi Catanzarite, R.N., a member of the Air Force Reserve who earned an associate degree in nursing from Butler County Community College (BC3) in 2018. “I always knew I wanted to be in health care, and I found my pathway (to) the career I wanted at (a) community college.”
Ms. Catanzarite says she chose a community college because she was working full time and needed the flexibility offered by BC3 to pursue her nursing degree. She completed her classes, but she was not able to attend the pinning ceremony in 2018 because she was required to attend a mandatory two-week training before she deployed.
Her classmates didn’t forget her, though. Ms. Catanzarite received her pin a few weeks later during BC3’s 2018 commencement. She wore her white nursing scrubs under her gown and on which she would receive her pin. As a tribute to Ms. Catanzarite and her fellow servicemembers, BC3’s registered nursing club worked with the Yellow Ribbon Girls to collect items such as batteries, powdered drink mix, protein bars, microwave meals, battery-powered fans, and two-ply tissue paper for U.S. troops.
Now, nearly five years later, Ms. Catanzarite is working as a registered nurse in the spinal cord injury unit at a VA hospital while she pursues a bachelor’s degree. The reservist’s dream is to become a nurse with the Air Force. “I’ve helped hundreds of people thanks, in part, to the education I received at (a) community college,” Ms. Catanzarite explained. “I walk into the room and my patients see my Air Force lanyard and we immediately relate to each other. I love being a nurse.”
Pennsylvania community colleges recognize the sacrifice of those who have served in any branch of the United States Armed Forces and are honored to assist those who have served our country. Veterans, servicemembers, survivors, and spouses or dependents of a veteran may be eligible for veterans’ educational benefits to help achieve educational goals. Many community colleges offer an office or resource center dedicated to services for veterans on their campuses where veterans, servicemembers, spouses or dependents can receive assistance with their transition to college life, learn about educational benefits and work-study opportunities, or meet with other veterans. The departments also provide referrals for campus and community services for veterans. At some colleges, veterans can receive college credit for some of their military training, including basic training.

Welcome

Sat, 09 Jan 2016 19:32:00 GMT

INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF THE GREATER SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY FOR 5 MINUTES…

Commissioner Joe Klebon of Northumberland County has requested that a public survey be conducted to determine the interest in creating a new regional community college to serve Pennsylvania’s middle counties. Click on the image above or link below to complete the 5 minute survey.

Regional Public Anchor Community College Interest Survey

May 2021

Marywood University Pledges Partnership with SVCEP

and Proposed Regional Community College

______________________________________

Thank YOU to the Community Giving Foundation

The Community Giving Foundation generously awarded $20,000 to launch a state certified Nursing Assistant program in Sunbury.

_________________________________________

YOU Gave to Raise Up

Our Own Regional Sponsored Community College!

ENVISION

HOW DOES IT PAY?

Higher wages. Better jobs.

Preventing student debt.

Keeping our kids & jobs in the valley.

Growing local economies.

• $3,500 tuition per semester.

• Voter cost is 50 cents a household per week. Equals a cup of coffee – a month!

• $5 of tax money is returned for every $1 of tax money spent.

• 67% of PA students have loans that average $36,193 – highest in the nation.

• 94% of community college student stay in PA.

• Currently, our largest employers must bring skilled employees in from OUTSIDE the valley.

• Traditional & online courses offered to a multi-county region.

Where are Pennsylvania’s community colleges located?

There are 14 community colleges in Pennsylvania.

They are clustered around Philadelphia and Pittsburgh with one in the northeast and one in the state capitol city, Harrisburg.

Where are Pennsylvania Workforce Development Areas?

Where are the corresponding 14 regional community colleges?

Is there a corresponding regional community college for the Central Workforce Development Area?

Why an independent over a branch, center, or satellite site of another college ?

Like other PA Workforce Development Areas there would be a Corresponding Regional Community College governed by leaders of the serviced counties.

Our own community college would provide the most relevant programming a full catalog of certificates and degrees and student services where students can complete their degrees and certification close to family, home, and work.

There are more than 5,000 high priority job openings in our central Pennsylvania region each year that go unfilled and 11,000 total job openings.

Only an independent, full service community college can fill that level of employer need.

• Community colleges give a 400% return on investment. With a branch, that money would leave the Valley.

• 3,100 expected enrollment of an independent community college serving Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties.

• 300 – at a branch center location of another college.

Thank you, Mark Lawrence, and Sunbury Broadcasting, for giving airtime to national and local community college advocates. Listen to the podcasts here:

3/25/2020 WKOK Sunrise: Dr. Lenaire Ahlum

What community colleges can do during a crisis, how their agility and resiliency can help a region when a flexible learning setting is needed.

10/25/19 WKOK Sunrise: Dr. Randy Smith

10/25/19 On The Mark: Mark & Ben host local community college advocates – wkok.com

Thank YOU, Chris Elio, for an enlightening and informative interview about

establishing OUR OWN NEW Community College!

Dr. Randy Smith, President of the Rural Community College Alliance and

Dr. Lenaire Ahlum, Executive Director of the Susquehanna Valley Community Education Project discuss –

HOW MUCH is SPONSORSHIP?

WHAT is the RETURN ON SPONSORSHIP INVESTMENT?

Listen Now – Click Here.

This NCC grad went from rehab to Pa.’s top community college scholar

3/22/19 On The Mark: Mark and John Shipman talk community college

Mark Lawrence and guest co-host John Shipman host Dr. Lenaire Ahlum, Susquehanna Valley Community Education Project, and (her sister) Lt. Col. Malia Pearson, US Army Reserves/US Army Corp of Engineers, on the mission and progress of creating a Sunbury based community college.

Q: Why is education in Pennsylvania important to you? A: As a leader in education, I recognize that the future of our economy and workforce are dependent upon a highly trained and qualified employee. I support funding for Community Colleges and the expansion of existing, and development of new, career pathways for students.

Q: What knowledge, background or skills do you bring to the Community College Caucus?
A: I am a former professor having spent 14 years in the classroom. In addition, I have been the Chairman of the House Democratic Education Committee for the past 18 years, as well as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Community College of Philadelphia and have been actively involved in the issues facing our Community Colleges.
Q: How would you describe the impact of community colleges in your district and statewide?
A: Community colleges provide young people with a foundation on which to build successful lives. It affords them the opportunity to better themselves and to reach their dreams.
Q: What motivates you to improve access to education in Pennsylvania?
A: If we want to keep up with the ever-changing workforce, Pennsylvania needs to prioritize increasing attainment of education certificates and associates degrees for our working families. Community Colleges help achieve that by providing the most affordable options for students to obtain a degree.
Q: What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing community colleges in the Commonwealth?
A: One issue facing community colleges is keeping the students in school until graduation. The primary challenge is remedial students who struggle at the beginning of their college career, and shortly give up and drop out before completing their degree. We need to close the gap! Students need to come ready to learn.
Across the board, the price of attending college has risen dramatically in recent years. While Community college has been the most affordable option, they are no longer the exception to this trend.
Q: Anything else?
A: Investing in higher education, and in community colleges in particular, is one of the best investments a state can make. Pennsylvania needs to improve its investment in its community colleges to ensure they remain an accessible and affordable pathway to higher education for students.

U.S. Department of Labor Looks To Community Colleges To Build The Nation’s Workforce

AACC to Lead Efforts to Build Apprenticeship Network

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-department-of-labor-looks-to-community-colleges-to-build-the-nations-workforce-300785467.html

Posted on August 14, 2018 by amorgsuperuser

Charting a course to success for low-skill and working adult students

Adult learners bring incredible diversity into classrooms across America. Their variety of life-experiences and perspectives, their determination to succeed, and their work-ethic make them model students in many ways. However, adult learners also face special challenges. They need support dealing with new technology, financial issues, and intergenerational classroom dynamics.

Adult learners make up a large part of the student body at community colleges, and so whether they succeed or fail will impact these schools’ enrollment goals and financial targets. Community colleges and non-traditional students succeed together when schools understand how best to serve this important demographic.

Community Colleges are an important resource for adult learners

A study from the College Research Board shows that community colleges are a key resource for adults returning to school. In 2011-12 about 44% of first and second year undergraduate students in the public two-year sector were older than twenty-five. This is more than double the percentage of older students in the public four-year sector, which served only 20% of students over twenty-five. The percentage of full-time adult students in the public four-year sector was even lower, only 10%, a third of the number of full-time adult learners in the public two-year sector.

Although community colleges are not the only institution serving adult learners, they are often the first choice for returning students looking to pick up new job skills or obtain a degree. Both affordable and friendly to working students, community colleges appeal to returning adult learners. In turn, adult learners provide a large part of the tuition dollars that community colleges need to keep functioning each year.

Adult learners need help picking up the pieces

Returning adult learners often have had some previous college experience. The difficulty is how to best fashion it to support their new academic goals. Obtaining decades old transcripts can be difficult, and even once the official copies are delivered the courses may not be up to the institution’s transfer standards. However, adult learners are highly motivated and returning to school with clear objectives in mind. Whatever missteps they’ve had in the past, with the right support they can flourish in an academic setting.

Admissions officers should encourage adult students to request old transcripts that could reduce the credit load they have to take to complete a degree. Even just helping adult learners find the right number to call at their previous institution can make the process easier. The credit transfer process should also be as simple as possible. Otherwise, adult learners lose time and money re-taking courses they’ve already had.

Adult learners need wrap-around support services

Adult students are likely to be financially independent from their parents, and so assuming the entire financial burden of college. NPR reports than half are financially independent, and 1 in 4 have their own children to support . Because of this, they may need more vertical support from advisors, teachers, and financial aid counselors, as well as additional services like technology classes or childcare assistance.

How well a community college can provide this kind of support will have a measurable impact on whether these students thrive. Of course, colleges are financially limited in what they can do. Yet, an adult student without a ride to school, or childcare, or a home computer is bound to struggle with completing assignments. If your institution can proactively work with students to confront these challenges, they are more likely to matriculate.

Financial aid makes a difference to adult students

A longitudinal study of community colleges in Washington state showed that adult students enrolled in community colleges were more likely to earn a credential or complete at least 45 credits when they received financial aid. However, the same study showed that less than a majority of low-skill adult learners received this kind of support. This meant more returned to the workforce without the additional earning power a community college could provide.

Other adult learners might be returning to school to retrain for a new job after years in the workforce, when they’ve suddenly lost a long-term job. With their own retirement looming, it can be difficult to know how to factor in student loans or pay for courses. Having a financial aid staff that understands the special challenges that older students face, from paying for courses to planning for retirement, is an important part of supporting mature students.

Adult learners worry about navigating relationship with younger students

Adult learners might be anxious about participating in study groups or other peer learning opportunities. Joining a classroom with much younger students, especially those that seem adept at the kinds of academic tasks that adult learners find intimidating, can be very difficult. In fact, fear of humiliation can keep adult learners from forming invaluable student-to-student relationships.

However, teachers can help draw adult learners into the classroom experience. Their life-experience enriches classroom discussion and their mature perspective and determination to succeed can motivate younger students. With the right encouragement, older and younger students can develop mutually beneficial relationships.

Community colleges succeed when adult students succeed

Adult learners are a critical part of the community college student body. To continue to meet enrollment goals, community colleges must be appealing to adult learners. Doing this means showing that the school understands the kind of support these students need. Every interaction with admissions staff and financial aid officers should leave returning adult learners feeling satisfied that the school can help them overcome the unique kinds of challenges they face.

However, the college needs to communicate this message to prospective adult students long before they arrive on campus for a visit. We believe the best way to do this is by providing clear and informative content that engages prospective students and the community at large. This is the best way to attract adult students in today’s competitive college marketplace. If you want to know how your college can do this economically and effectively, request a demonstration of our services today .

MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT : APERTURE CONTENT MARKETING

THANK YOU FOR A FANTASTIC EVENT!!!

SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY

COMMUNITY COLLEGE SUMMIT

FRIDAY OCTOBER 19 2018

WELCOME!

YOU are visiting the website dedicated

to forward the effort to establish

a new and independent

Susquehanna Valley Community College

Vision, Mission & Values

For a

Susquehanna Valley Community College

Vision – Providing hope and direction to our community through education.

Mission Statement – The Susquehanna Valley community college promotes student success and lifelong learning through accessible, empowering, and innovative programs and partnerships.

Core Values

Connected Nation

Connected Nation believes that states, communities, families, and individuals can realize great economic and social advantages when we accelerate broadband availability in underserved areas and increase broadband use in all areas, rural and urban, alike.

A bipartisan agenda to expand new collar jobs

In July, several members of Congress introduced the New Collar Jobs Act, a bill aimed at growing America’s cybersecurity workforce by incentivizing training, increasing scholarship funding and providing student debt relief.

As the company that coined the term, IBM is delighted that policymakers have adopted new collar jobs as an economic priority. We truly believe that helping more Americans build the skills for fast-growing new collar careers — roles that do not necessarily require a bachelor’s degree — can help close this country’s widening skills gap.

At IBM, we have seen numerous examples of students, young professionals and mid-career workers alike who have learned the skills necessary to thrive in today’s modern economy. They are former teachers, fast food workers and rappers who now fight cyber threats, operate cloud platforms and design digital experiences for mobile applications.

They’ve acquired new collar skills through community colleges… read the full article here.

At IBM, we are working hard to make today’s tech workforce more diversity and inclusive. That diversity is reflected in the ways that many of our professionals have built the skills required for success in these exciting fields. In fact, around 15% of the new employees IBM hires in the US each year have less than a traditional bachelor’s degree.

These IBMers’ roles aren’t white collar or blue collar jobs, they’re New Collar jobs – where skills matter more than degrees. From coding camps and P-TECH (which IBM pioneered) to community colleges, new collar IBMers have built in-demand skills that qualify them for jobs in fast growing fields that offer significant upward mobility. Read the full article here.

The current presidential administration has an inter-agency Rural U.S. and Prosperity Task Force through the United States Department of Agriculture working with stakeholders to address four key areas of rural development: 1) quality of life, 2) economic development 3) workforce development and 4) innovation. More information can be found at this website- https://www.usda.gov/ruralprosperity

Community College Event Showcases the Power of Business, Education Collaboration

Click on this link to read the full article: https://learningfirst.org/blog/community-college-event-showcases-power-business-education-collaboration

The value of an associate’s degree has never been clearer. Currently, the median salary for someone with only a high school diploma is $36,000. For those with a community-college degree, it’s $42,600. And that gap is projected to grow as automation transforms the U.S. workforce, making higher-level science, technology, engineering and math skills critical in fields that once required little more than manual dexterity. Earlier this year, 48% of small businesses reported that they couldn’t find qualified job applicants to fill open positions, according to the National Federation of Independent Business…

The problems are particularly acute in places that stand to benefit most. In Pennsylvania, which has a need for skilled workers after losing tens of thousands of blue collar manufacturing jobs, community-college graduation rates are some of the lowest in the country. Bucks County Community College in Newtown, Pa., graduated 12.3% of its students in 2014, according to the U.S. Department of Education. At Community College of Philadelphia, the figure was just 9.8%.

The culprits are many. Pennsylvania’s 14 community colleges are run as stand-alone shops, without a state-level office to coordinate them. Unlike South Dakota’s LATI, which shapes its coursework around the needs of employers and relies on their donations of heavy-duty machinery for its classrooms, Keystone State schools have been left largely on their own. “The chronic lack of resources makes it more difficult for community colleges to respond to the workforce needs than in a state where they’re better supported,” says Kate Shaw, executive director of the Philadelphia-based education nonprofit Research for Action.

Thank you to Jerry Spegman, Community Coach with County Health Rankings. County Health Rankings publishes data relevant to health factors and health outcomes for every county in the United States. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funds the research to assist policy makers with 30 measures of their regional health. Jerry presented the annual county health rankings for Pennsylvania and honed in on counties that would be serviced by the Susquehanna Valley Community College.

Research the health of counties at this website – County Health Rankings and Roadmaps website or at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation website.

The study concludes: “If the country is to retain its competitive edge, it must reverse the current policies that result in providing the lowest levels of taxpayer support to institutions that enroll the highest percentage of low-income, nontraditional and minority students—the fastest-growing segments of the population.”

READ the full article here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/realspin/2017/03/21/community-colleges-are-not-the-minor-leagues-anymore/#1e36ace77bff

CNN MONEY

A degree from this college all but guarantees you a job

by Katie Lobosco @KatieLobosco March 17, 2017: 12:28 PM ET

An associate’s degree from a small technical college in South Dakota is proving to be more valuable than a degree from some four-year schools.

On campus at Lake Area Technical Institute , students are operating excavators. Others are working on the engine of a 727 airplane. Future nurses are learning how to draw blood from a patient.

And almost all of them will leave school with a job.

READ the full article here: http://money.cnn.com/2017/03/17/pf/college/community-college-aspen-prize/

College of DuPage 2014 Commencement Ceremony

New community college study eyed

County Council on Dec. 13 is expected to sign off on allocating $60,000 toward a feasibility study for a community college in the Erie area.

The nonprofit Empower Erie, led by Erie lawyer Ron DiNicola, will use the money to hire a consulting firm familiar with the framework of community colleges to conduct the study. That analysis is expected to examine possible locations for the school; staffing requirements; community needs; accreditation; funding sources, and other factors.

County government’s contribution would supplement $300,000 given by the Erie Community Foundation, the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority and the Susan Hirt Hagen Fund for Transformational Philanthropy.

If County Council eventually votes in favor of creating the college, as well as county sponsorship of the school, the Hagen Fund, foundation and ECGRA have promised an additional $3.7 million in support.

Community college students often include men and women who did not go on to college immediately after high school; displaced workers looking to be retrained for a new occupation; and college-educated adults who want to further their education to help advance their careers.

DiNicola said that there remains “compelling” evidence in favor of establishing a community college.

He noted that none of the state’s 14 community colleges is located near Erie; the region continues to see high poverty rates; the area is still suffering from the loss of manufacturing jobs at places like GE Transportation; and access to affordable postsecondary education remains an issue for many students with limited financial means.

According to a recent report by Research for Action, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit education research organization, Pennsylvania has the lowest rate of community colleges per capita in the U.S. Further, Erie County is one of the largest areas in the state without direct access to a community college, DiNicola said.

“We feel we need to move with great speed,” DiNicola said, adding that both the community college study and a strategic plan for launching the school could be completed by the end of June. “It’s a rather elaborate research project.”

Political support

Unlike 2010, there appears to be majority support on County Council for launching a community college.

Four of the panel’s seven members – Chairman Andre Horton, Councilwoman Kathy Fatica and Councilmen Jay Breneman and Fiore Leone – have told the Erie Times-News they plan to support the community college study on Dec. 13.

All support the notion of establishing a new school as well.

“I admire all the work all of those (colleges and trade schools) have done to provide affordable, accessible, quality education,” said Horton, a strong supporter of the Empower Erie effort. “But I do believe there’s still room in that space for a community college. I believe there is a vast amount of need not being met, particularly in the urban core, in terms of meeting employers’ needs and preparing people for the workforce.

“The county has the political will, I believe, to see it through this time,” Horton said. “And I think this study will show there is still a need.”

According to the College Board, the average cost of tuition and fees nationwide for the 2015-2016 academic year was $32,405 at private colleges, $9,410 for state residents at public colleges, and $23,893 for out-of-state residents attending public universities.

By contrast, average tuition and fees at a community college was $3,131, and many students receive financial aid that covers most or all of that cost, the College Board’s research shows.

Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper also supports the study, and would like to see a new community college eventually created in Erie County.

“One thing about community colleges, they are very nimble. So as business needs change, the community college can react to that,” Dahlkemper said. “That’s something that has really been missing in our region.”

However, County Councilwoman Carol Loll said she still opposes establishing a community college – and is likely to vote no on the study – because she feels the school would duplicate what other colleges, universities and trade schools do.

“The taxpayers don’t need to pay for something that’s already being offered,” Loll said.

Community college costs are typically covered by the school’s local sponsor, through state funding, and student tuition.

County Councilman Kyle Foust, a director of internship programs at Mercyhurst University, has indicated he will abstain from voting on the community college study because of concerns that the school would compete with his employer.

Foust also abstained from voting on county sponsorship of a community college in 2010.

Councilman Edward T. DiMattio Jr. said he might also abstain because he has a relative who works for one of the state’s other community colleges.

“A necessary thing”

Since 2014, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania has been among the schools trying to fill the local community college void.

At its 26-acre Porreco College campus, 2951 W. 38th St., Edinboro offers two-year associate degrees in applied technology, business administration, criminal justice, human services, liberal studies and preschool education, as well as other programs. Porreco College’s enrollment for the fall semester is 381 students, up from 320 students in the fall of 2015, Edinboro spokesman Jeffrey Hileman said.

Tuition and fees for full-time students are $4,347 annually, but Erie County residents are eligible for endowment funding of up to $1,500, which lowers the total to $2,847, Hileman said.

Hileman said that Edinboro “is neutral on the plan to conduct a new feasibility study” for a community college.

However, Hileman said that if a new Erie County community college is established, “it is likely that the relationship between the university and a community college would be complementary rather than competitive. Porreco College was created, and continues to develop, to fill the community college void in Erie County. That’s one of many ways that Edinboro University strives to fulfill its mission.

“The university, through Porreco College, will continue for the foreseeable future to work with area employers and other educational institutions to offer associate degree, certificate and training programs that fill workforce needs,” Hileman said. “If a community college is created that addresses all or part of those needs, the university will respond to the specific set of new circumstances in a way that best serves its mission, the region and students.”

Hileman added that a new community college could prompt Edinboro to develop programs that serve students who begin their postsecondary education at a two-year school “and then choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree.”

Local for-profit trade schools such as Fortis Institute and the Great Lakes Institute of Technology also offer a variety of two-year degree programs. In addition, Mercyhurst has offered freshman-level courses at Erie’s Booker T. Washington Center at low or no cost to inner-city students, and the school’s North East campus has provided a curriculum similar to community college offerings since 1991.

DiNicola said that as the community college study progresses, Empower Erie hopes to bring all local postsecondary schools into the discussion.

Horton added that supporters of the plan have discussed community college issues with officials in Harrisburg and they are confident that the state Board of Education – which must sign off on a new community college – supports Empower Erie’s efforts.

“We believe they’re sympathetic to our plight,” Horton said.

Leone, County Council’s longest-tenured member, voted against county sponsorship of a community college in 2010, concerned that the county could be held financially responsible for millions of dollars each year in community college operating costs.

He has a different take now.

Leone said he will support the community college study because “I’ve always thought it was a necessary thing. Will it bring economic development and jobs here right away? I don’t know. But we need it and I support it.”

Kevin Flowers can be reached at 870-1693 or by email. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ETNflowers.

http://www.goerie.com/news/20161206/new-community-college-study-eyed

Kevin Singer, John Kurelja, and Keri Albright discuss the advantages of a regional community college on WKOK. Their topics and explanations are clear and compelling. PLEASE listen to the outstanding interview with host Mark Lawrence at this link:
http://wkok.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Kevin-Singer-Keri-Albright-and-John-Kurelja-10-5-16.mp3

Here is a link to the interview by Mark Lawrence with Kathy Specht and Lenaire Ahlum promoting the fall 2016 courses and discussing the topic of community college expansion:
http://wkok.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Lenaire-Ahlum-and-Kathy-Specht-9-26-16.mp3

SPECIAL VISIT

Exploring options in higher education

Jennifer Wakeman | September 26, 2016

SUNBURY – The state Department of Education met with local leaders about bringing a community college to The Valley. Dr. Wil Del Pilar, deputy secretary of post-secondary and higher education met with members of the Susquehanna Valley Community Education Project (SVCEP) Monday.

Dr. Del Pilar says the committee has a number of options to consider, “Well, I think that it’s really wide open at this point, because there is an established relationship. We can explore a number of different options. If it’s a community college, and we’re starting from scratch and going through that process, I think it’s a little bit longer term. If it’s a private license school, then I think there’s definitely a process for that. Or if it’s through partnership, we really discuss what all the possibilities are.”

Dave Zartman, president of SVCEP says the ideas from Dr. Del Pilar will help them tailor a plan that works for the region, “What he imparted with us was the fact that there is not one model to base the community college off of. So we can put together, the package that will work for the Susquehanna Valley.”

Having access to postsecondary education means more people are likely to further their studies, “Most of the research shows that students go to college within 40 to 50 miles of their home. So if there is not an option for them to go, they’re not going to go to college. And so I think an access institution provides that first step to get people a taste of what post secondary education is. Then you can decide, do you want to go onto a two-year, do you want to get a credential, do you want to get the associate’s degree? But if you don’t have the institution, you’re really cutting students off in even exploring what the opportunities are.”

Community education classes are already being offered at the Shikellamy High School. You can find more information at www.newcommunitycollege.org .

Vision, Mission, & Values

For a

Susquehanna Valley Community College

July/2016

Vision – Providing hope and direction to our community through education.

Mission Statement – The Susquehanna Valley community college promotes student success and lifelong learning through accessible, empowering, and innovative programs and partnerships.

Core Values

Accessible

Empowering

Innovative

SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROJECT

ON THE BIG SCREEN

AUGUST 2016

We had two wonderful weather days at the Sunbury River Festival that were fantastic! We shared 30 community education courses handouts and conducted two interviews. We networked with many who were excited about the prospect of having a regional community college. A picture of our booth is attached – thanks to Sunbury Revitalization we had a prime spot under a shady tree.

A special shout of thanks to Tom Rall, Kevin Singer, Dave Zartman, Rick Shoch, Scott Myers, Barb Spaventa, and Rodger Babnew for staffing the SVCEP booth and to Carole Mazzeo for scheduling.

Give to New Community College Campaign

Highlights from The New Community College Campaign Kick-Off

Members of the SVCEP Board of Directors and the public gathered at Zartman Construction in Pointe Township to commence the public campaign to raise funds to advance the mission of the SVCEP – Mission Statement:. “To establish a state-approved community college with a culture of transparency and accountability to the community. Our college will be collaborative and innovative, providing high-quality post-secondary education to students in middle Pennsylvania”. (SVCEP Minutes, June 2015).

Community colleges prepare workers for new jobs

By Justin Strawser

The Daily Item

SUNBURY — Northumberland County could be the place for new jobs and initiatives of the upcoming spike in rural job growth expected in the United States — but only if they’re ready.

Northumberland County Commissioner Kymberley Best, who attended the Rural Community College Association conference at the White House Wednesday to bring back information for the Susquehanna Valley Community Education Project, wants to be prepared for the future.

“We want to be ready for the companies returning to the country,” she said.

The local community college initiative, set to offer three non-credit courses in the spring, could be the catalyst to train these workers who need these jobs.

According to information provided at the conference, Best said it is now more profitable for companies to return to the United States, partly because of cultural differences and instability of certain countries.

Salary.com recently reported that 37 percent of manufacturing executives are planning or giving serious consideration to returning from overseas — often called “reshoring” or “insourcing” — including General Electric and Master Lock.

“Labor costs in China are rising quickly — up to 10 percent in the last year alone, by some accounts,” according to Salary.com.

As many as 3 million jobs could be added to the U.S. job market by the end of the decade, according to Salary. com.

Best also said that studies, according to information from the conference, show that people from rural areas are wired to think differently that those who sit behind computers. They are expected to the backbone of this job reshoring.

Furthermore, Best also described a tax incentive program for private businesses who want to partner with local community colleges to develop specific courses to train students for company specific jobs. She said it’s likely that Weis Markets or Furmano’ s could benefit from this.

Northumberland County Commissioner Sam Schiccatano, a retired educator, supports such an initiative.

“It’s not about extra education, it’s about picking and bringing the right education into the community,” he said.

Best said the conference was beneficial for the local project.

“I learned a great deal about the need, design and fit for rural counties,” Best said.

“It was an eye-opener and renewed my confidence that we need it (community college).”

The Susquehanna Valley Community Education Project Board is will begin offering mini courses at the Shikellamy High School in March, including Navigating the Route to College, Job Hunting & Getting Hired and Statistics for Dummies.

The goal is to have 25 students enrolled; as of now, there are 17.

The next step is to raise $80,000 to hire the first president and to apply to be a licensed school, which will allow the purchase of licensed curriculum.

The road to accreditation is likely to take five years, Best said.

For more information on the community college initiative, the January fundraising launch, or the upcoming courses, call 570.898.4334 or go online to: newcommunitycollege.org.

Associate Professor of Education at Bucknell University, Dr. Joe Murray, a member of the SVCEP board, was among the crowd of about thirty. “I think one of the things that a community college can do is, in addition to creating opportunities for students to get a two year degree, it creates opportunities for them to go on to a four year institution.”

Go to the link below to read the article by Ali Stevens.

http://wkok.com/community-college-launches-fundraising-effort/

SVCEP Board of Directors at New Community College Campaign Kick – Off

Front row left to right: Susan Nunan, David Zartman, Tim Bowers, Kymberley Best, Rodger Babnew, Joseph Murray, Meghan Beck, Barbara Spaventa, Mary Blankenship

Back row left to right: Bill Geise, Robert Garrett, John Kurelja, Richard Shoch, Lenaire Ahlum, Jim Blankenship

Grateful Appreciation to Weis Markets for the generous contribution of delicious food trays provided for the Kick-Off event!

The Daily Item

Fund Raising Launch

COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Public invited to fundraising launch

NORTHUMBERLAND — The Susquehanna Valley Community Education Project will launch its fundraising efforts on Thursday, January 28, at a 5:30 p.m. reception at Zartman Construction, 3000 Point Township Drive.

The public is invited to attend this inaugural event kicking off efforts to raise

$80,000 to cover expenses as the board and volunteers move forward on bringing a community college to the Susquehanna Valley.

Richard Shoch, Community Education Project board chairman and a Northumberland County commissioner, will emcee the event and provide an update on the progress

of establishing the community college. Bob Garrett, president and CEO of the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce, will talk about the positive economic impact when educational opportunities are enhanced.

Shoch encouraged people to learn more about the community

college efforts by attending this event.

“This project receives no public funding currently because it’s just getting off the ground. However, there are expenses associated with getting the college going. Our board of directors has already raised over $10,000 by each making a contribution

which was matched by an anonymous donor.” Shoch said. “We believe in this college and what it can do for our region. We hope that others will see the value too.”

The Susquehanna Valley Community Education Project Board is will begin offering mini courses in March, including Navigating the

Route to College, Job Hunting & Getting Hired and Statistics for Dummies.

For more information on the community college initiative, the January fundraising launch, or the upcoming courses, call 570.898.4334 or go to www.newcommunitycollege. org.

Community Colleges are The Key Opening Doors of Opportunity

LISTEN TO THE UPDATE OF THE

SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE INITIATIVE ON

WPGM – WBGM

Interview with SVCEP Board Chairman Richard Shoch and Lenaire Ahlum

Listen ONLINE at this link and choose SVCEP 11-15-2015:

http://www.wpgmfm.org/HTML/WPGM-FORUM.html

5. STEM Education Opportunities

(Ariel Skelley/Getty)

programs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics

6. Transfer Agreements

allow qualified students to transfer

7. Elements of Traditional Colleges

(iStockPhoto)

community colleges now offer dorms

networking activities

8. Personalized Attention

(Hill Street Studios/Getty)

instructors

9. Professional Certificates

(Dave and Les Jacobs/Getty)

professional and short-term certificates

10. Online Class Options

expanded online offerings

used toward a four-year degree

Posted 1/20/2015

Dr. James Blankenship was interviewed by Mark Lawrence on WKOK about efforts to start a new community college in our valley. He talks about the new classes–vocational and credit– beginning next fall in Sunbury. Dr. Blankenship discusses the dynamic, new board that is launching the complex process of becoming a state-approved community college, as well as how people can get involved to help. Dr. Blankenship is Director of Cardiology at Geisinger Medical Center and is one of the driving forces behind this project.

Go to wkok.com to hear the recorded interview .

Posted 1/20/2015

Watch the segment of the STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROPOSAL

Posted 1/27/2011

Obama Supports Community Colleges in State of the Union Address In his State of the Union Address on January 27th, President Obama called for the investment in jobs, skills, and education by urging the Senate to pass a bill that supports Community Colleges, stating Community Colleges are a “career pathway” to many.

President Obama also expressed his wishes to renew the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to focus on college access and affordability through the increase of Pell grants and tax credits.

“… I urge the Senate to follow the House and pass a bill that will revitalize our community colleges, which are a career pathway to the children of so many working families.

View his quotes regarding Community Colleges and to read more click here .

YOU are an important voice in this ambitious and exciting project. YOUR participation in this pioneering endeavor is urgent so please browse this site, contribute your comments, questions, concerns through Video Forum and SVCC Talk and send the Petition Letter to your county commissioners. OUR cumulative efforts as the residents and voters of Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties will build the bridge to our regional emergence and prosperity through the creation of our Susquehanna Valley Community College.

John Shipman and Lenaire Ahlum

http://www.advancepa.net/

Feedback

“I am presently an LPN working in the Emergency Department at Geisinger Medical Center with hopes and dreams of someday becoming an RN, but unfortunately for me, I fall within all the categories mentioned above. My family and I live in Selinsgrove, and the most convenient program available to me is…. In order to attend … I would have to pay almost forty thousand dollars for tuition, and quit my job, which would then cause my family to be without health insurance. My other option requires a minimum of a one hour commute to Harrisburg, Williamsport, or Luzerne Community College. I am certain that an affordable and convenient program geared towards the working healthcare professional would be widely valued by both prospective nursing students and the vast amount of employers within our community.” -Bridget F. Selinsgrove, PA

“First generation college students, adult students returning to school, high school drop outs searching for a better future. It’s not easy, you need assistance from your family, and friends, and sometimes, that help is just not around. A Community College is exactly what we need in the Susquehanna Valley, it is a COLLEGE that involves and includes the COMMUNITY, making brighter futures and helping those who want to help themselves, but are just to afraid to look for help, or just don’t know where to turn. Let’s create these futures, lets make Susquehanna Valley Community College more than just a topic of conversation…Let’s make it happen. Accessible and affordable education, SVCC, doesn’t it sound good?” -Marie L. Selinsgrove, PA

“You’re very welcome. I believe a community college in Sunbury will be the beginning of a positive economic turnaround in our community. Good paying jobs follow good education. Please, keep me informed of the status of the community college. Good luck with your efforts and if there is anything else I can do please let me know.” -Mike

Welcome

New Community College

Annette Zeigler

Sat, 21 Nov 2015 15:49:00 GMT

Here is a link to the LFCC: http://www.lfcc.edu/

Annette Zeigler

New Community College

Marie Limardo

Sat, 21 Nov 2015 15:42:00 GMT

Marie Limardo

New Community College

SVCEP UPDATE INTERVIEW ON WPGM-WBGM

Fri, 13 Nov 2015 01:33:00 GMT

LISTEN TO THE UPDATE OF THE

SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE INITIATIVE ON

WPGM – WBGM

Interview with SVCEP Board Chairman Richard Shoch and Lenaire Ahlum

Listen ONLINE at this link and choose SVCEP 11-15-2015:

http://www.wpgmfm.org/HTML/WPGM-FORUM.html

SVCEP UPDATE INTERVIEW ON WPGM-WBGM

New Community College

Cost of College

Sun, 23 Aug 2015 21:46:00 GMT

National Average Annual Tuition and Fees:

Community College – $3,347 (public, in district)

4 Year Colleges – $9,139 (public, in state)

To find out all of the FAST FACTS reported by the American Association of Community Colleges click the link:

Find out more about the Benefit and Value of America’s Community Colleges.

Cost of College

New Community College

SV Community College Supporters Attend RCCA Day in Washington

Fri, 13 Feb 2015 17:31:00 GMT

By Lenaire Ahlum

RCCA Day – Tom Vilsak, USDA Secretary

The national organization of the Rural Community College Alliance (RCCA) met with officials from the White House, Department of Education and the United States Department of Agriculture in Washington DC on Wednesday, February 11. Among the 50+ community college leaders from around the country were Lenaire Ahlum and Mary Blankenship of the Susquehanna Valley Community Education Project.
White House Senior Policy Advisor for Rural Affairs, Doug O’Brien, emphasized the unique role community colleges have in elevating children and parents out of poverty in non-metro regions.
James Kvaal, Deputy Director White House Domestic Policy Council, insisted that America’s community colleges are the vehicle for middle class growth and they maintain a “breadth of support across the ideological spectrum”. He compared the free tuition community college for responsible students, to that of the free and public high school movement in the past century. Community college leaders inquired as to how the country would pay for the additional two years of higher education. Kvaal responded through tax reform and the expansion of tax credits and improvements such as closing the trust fund loophole. He urged leaders to start a national dialogue on the economic impact of community colleges. Kvaal indicated that philanthropic giving to community colleges for 2014 was $300 Million which demonstrates their importance for investment and their better value proposition.
Mr. Byron Smith, Deputy Director, White House National Economic Council, stressed the urgency for a competent Information Technology workforce and explained that 40,000 overseas IT jobs being filled in India will be transitioning to the United States.
Leaders of the Rural Community College Alliance met with Department of Education, Under Secretary, Ted Mitchell, to discuss the issues surrounding community colleges granting credit for work experience, prior knowledge, and skills so that students can be job ready or ready for transfer into baccalaureate programs. The Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges proactively announced on February 2, 2015, a statewide adoption by the 14 community colleges of a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), called College Credit FastTrack . This initiative was spearheaded by Montgomery County Community College and has a dedicated website for the launch at ccfasttrack.org .
USDA Secretary, Tom Vilsak, met with community college leaders and imparted a twofold message. First, he remarked that the diversity among community college leaders was refreshing and reflective of the population demographics within America. Second, he urged the community college leaders to generate and build coalition partnerships with business and industry that will guide the direction for economic growth in conservation industries such as bio economy and alternative fuels, and outdoor recreation. He emphasized that workers need training in precision agriculture and that trade export of US agriculture products and services will be in demand by international middle class consumers during the next 15 years. He projected that the current market of Asian middle class consumers now totaling 575 million will grow to 2.2 billion by 2030.

To find out more about the visit to Washington DC visit: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2015/02/12/obama-community-college-proposal-shift-conversation-capitol-hill-college-leaders-say
To find out more about the Rural Community College Alliance visit: http://www.ruralccalliance.org/

SV Community College Supporters Attend RCCA Day in Washington

New Community College

SVCEP Elects Board Members

Mon, 09 Feb 2015 16:28:00 GMT

In a meeting held on January 27, 2015, the Susquehanna Valley Community Education Project elected its Executive Board and Board Members.

SVCEP Elects Board Members

New Community College

Two Years of Community College Education At No Cost

Sat, 10 Jan 2015 06:37:00 GMT

Yesterday, the President announced his “America’s College Promise” proposal. It makes two years of community college free for responsible students.

Yes, you read that right. Under his plan, any student who earns good grades would get two years of community college education at no cost .

Get the facts on yesterday’s announcement, and pass it on to someone who stands to benefit from the President’s proposal.

Think about this: The President’s new proposal would let students earn the first half of a bachelor’s degree, or get the skills they’ll need when they enter the workforce after school.

When it’s fully implemented, the move could benefit about 9 million students per year. And a full-time community college student could save, on average, $3,800 in tuition each year.

In fact, Tennessee and Chicago have already started similar tuition-free community college programs, and the demand has been amazing: 57,000 students, representing almost 90 percent of Tennessee’s high school graduating class, applied to Tennessee’s program in just its first year.

In order to succeed in the 21st century economy, access to some form of higher education is a must — so it only stands to reason that we should make it more accessible and affordable to more of America’s students.

Let’s help out our next generation of students, and put them on the road to success.

Find out more about the President’s announcement, and make sure to share the news.

Thanks,

Arne

Secretary Arne Duncan
Department of Education
@ArneDuncan

Two Years of Community College Education At No Cost

New Community College

Tuition-Free Community College

Sat, 10 Jan 2015 05:09:00 GMT

FACT SHEET – White House Unveils America’s College Promise Proposal: Tuition-Free Community College for Responsible Students

Nearly a century ago, a movement that made high school widely available helped lead to rapid growth in the education and skills training of Americans, driving decades of economic growth and prosperity. America thrived in the 20 th century in large part because we had the most educated workforce in the world. But other nations have matched or exceeded the secret to our success. Today, more than ever, Americans need more knowledge and skills to meet the demands of a growing global economy without having to take on decades of debt before they even embark on their career. Today the President is unveiling the America’s College Promise proposal to make two years of community college free for responsible students, letting students earn the first half of a bachelor’s degree and earn skills needed in the workforce at no cost. This proposal will require everyone to do their part: community colleges must strengthen their programs and increase the number of students who graduate, states must invest more in higher education and training, and students must take responsibility for their education, earn good grades, and stay on track to graduate. The program would be undertaken in partnership with states and is inspired by new programs in Tennessee and Chicago. If all states participate, an estimated 9 million students could benefit. A full-time community college student could save an average of $3,800 in tuition per year. In addition, today the President will propose a new American Technical Training Fund to expand innovative, high-quality technical training programs similar to Tennessee Tech Centers that meet employer needs and help prepare more Americans for better paying jobs . These proposals build on a number of historic investments the President has made in college affordability and quality since taking office, including a $1,000 increase in the maximum Pell Grant award to help working and middle class families, the creation of the $2,500 American Opportunity Tax Credit, reforming student loans to eliminate subsidies to banks to invest in making college more affordable and keeping student debt manageable, and making available over $2 billion in grants to connect community colleges with employers to develop programs that are designed to get hard-working students good jobs. The President’s Plan: Make Two Years of College as Free and Universal as High School By 2020, an estimated 35 percent of job openings will require at least a bachelor’s degree and 30 percent will require some college or an associate’s degree. Forty percent of college students are enrolled at one of America’s more than 1,100 community colleges, which offer students affordable tuition, open admission policies, and convenient locations. They are particularly important for students who are older, working, need remedial classes, or can only take classes part-time. For many students, they offer academic programs and an affordable route to a four-year college degree . They are also uniquely positioned to partner with employers to create tailored training programs to meet economic needs within their communities such as nursing, health information technology, and advanced manufacturing. The America’s College Promise proposal would create a new partnership with states to help them waive tuition in high-quality programs for responsible students, while promoting key reforms to help more students complete at least two years of college. Restructuring the community college experience, coupled with free tuition, can lead to gains in student enrollment, persistence, and completion transfer, and employment . Specifically, here is what the initiative will mean: Enhancing Student Responsibility and Cutting the Cost of College for All Americans: Students who attend at least half-time, maintain a 2.5 GPA while in college, and make steady progress toward completing their program will have their tuition eliminated. These students will be able to earn half of the academic credit they need for a four-year degree or earn a certificate or two-year degree to prepare them for a good job . Building High-Quality Community Colleges: Community colleges will be expected to offer programs that either (1) are academic programs that fully transfer to local public four-year colleges and universities, giving students a chance to earn half of the credit they need for a four-year degree, or (2) are occupational training programs with high graduation rates and that lead to degrees and certificates that are in demand among employers. Other types of programs will not be eligible for free tuition. Colleges must also adopt promising and evidence-based institutional reforms to improve student outcomes, such as the effective Accelerated Study in Associate Programs ( ASAP ) programs at the City University of New York which waive tuition, help students pay for books and transit costs, and provide academic advising and supportive scheduling programs to better meet the needs of participating students, resulting in greater gains in college persistence and degree completion. Ensuring Shared Responsibility with States: Federal funding will cover three-quarters of the average cost of community college. States that choose to participate will be expected to contribute the remaining funds necessary to eliminate community college tuition for eligible students. States that already invest more and charge students less can make smaller contributions, though all participating states will be required to put up some matching funds. States must also commit to continue existing investments in higher education; coordinate high schools, community colleges, and four-year institutions to reduce the need for remediation and repeated courses; and allocate a significant portion of funding based on performance, not enrollment alone. States will have flexibility to use some resources to expand quality community college offerings, improve affordability at four-year public universities, and improve college readiness, through outreach and early intervention. Expanding Technical Training for Middle Class Jobs. Additionally, in order to spread the availability of high-quality and innovative programs like those in Tennessee and Texas, which achieve better than average completion and employment outcomes, the President is also proposing the American Technical Training Fund. This fund will award programs that have strong employer partnerships and include work-based learning opportunities, provide accelerated training, and are scheduled to accommodate part-time work. Programs could be created within current community colleges or other training institutions. The focus of the discretionary budget proposal would be to help high-potential, low-wage workers gain the skills to work into growing fields with significant numbers of middle-class jobs that local employers are trying to fill such as energy, IT, and advanced manufacturing. This program will fund the start-up of 100 centers and scale those efforts in succeeding years. Smaller grants would help to bring together partners and start a pilot program. Larger grants would be used for expanding programs based on evidence of effectiveness, which could include past performance on graduation rates, job placement rates and placement wages. Building on the President’s community college initiative, known as the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grants and for which 2014 was the final year of funding, these funds will help community colleges become more job-driven. Building on State and Local Programs. In the past year, Tennessee and the City of Chicago initiated free community college programs. In the first year of the Tennessee program, 57,000 students representing almost 90 percent of the state’s high school graduating class applied for the program. The scholarship is coupled with college counseling, mentorship, and community service that early evidence suggests supports greater enrollment, persistence and college completion. This is coupled with efforts to spur innovation and improvement by funding colleges using performance outcomes based on student success and an innovative approach to career and technical education through the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology. These Tennessee Tech Centers have a graduation rate of 80 percent and a job placement rate of 85 percent. Building on a Record of Progress. Since taking office, President Obama has taken steps to expand federal support to help more students afford college, while calling for a shared responsibility in tackling rising college costs. Key achievements include: Doubling the Investment in Pell Grants: The President has raised the maximum Pell Grant award to $5,730 for the 2014-15 award year — a nearly $1,000 increase since 2008. The number of Pell Grant recipients has expanded by 50 percent over that same time. Expanding Education Tax Credits: President Obama established the American Opportunity Tax Credit in 2009 to assist families with the costs of college, providing up to $10,000 for four years of college tuition. Pay-As-You-Earn Loans: All new borrowers can now cap loan payments at 10 percent of their incomes. The Department of Education has begun the process to amend its regulations and will make the new plan available on all direct loans by December 2015. We expect it to benefit up to 5 million borrowers. First in the World Grants: In September, the Department of Education awarded $75 million to 24 colleges and universities under the new First in the World grant program to expand college access and improve student learning while reducing costs. College Ratings Program: The Department of Education continues to develop a college ratings system by the 2015-2015 school year that will recognize institutions that excel at enrolling students from all backgrounds; focus on maintaining affordability; and succeed at helping all students graduate with a degree or certificate of value. Job-Driven Training Grants: Through the Trade Adjustment Community College and Career Training program more than 1,000 institutions have received $2 billion in federal funding to design education and training programs, working closely with employers and industry that prepare workers for jobs in-demand in their regional economies, such as health care, information technology and energy. These programs have shown early success — through the end of FY2013, among the nearly 164,000 individuals who had enrolled in these programs 88 percent either completed a program or continued the program into a second year. White House Summit on Community Colleges: In October 2010, the President convened community college leaders, faculty and students; business leaders; philanthropic organizations; and other workforce development experts for the first White House summit dedicated to the role that community colleges play in our efforts to increase the number of college graduates and prepare those graduates to lead the 21 st century workforce. Center for the Analysis of Postsecondary Readiness: Last August, the Department of Education launched a new $10 million Institute for Education Sciences-funded Center for the Analysis of Postsecondary Readiness (CAPR) that is working to strengthen the research, evaluation, and support of college readiness efforts across the nation. CAPR is documenting current practices in developmental English and math education to identify innovative instructional practices that improve student success. Call to Action on College Opportunity: Last December, the President, Vice President, and First Lady joined college presidents and leaders of non-profits, foundations, and other organizations to announce over 600 new commitments to produce more college graduates. Community colleges made commitments individually, and in partnership with neighboring school districts and four-year institutions, to build seamless transitions among institutions, develop clear educational and career pathways, implement strategies to increase student completion of STEM programs, and establish more accurate measures of student progress and success. Tuition-Free Community College New Community College

Nearly a century ago, a movement that made high school widely available helped lead to rapid growth in the education and skills training of Americans, driving decades of economic growth and prosperity. America thrived in the 20 ^th century in large part because we had the most educated workforce in the world. But other nations have matched or exceeded the secret to our success. Today, more than ever, Americans need more knowledge and skills to meet the demands of a growing global economy without having to take on decades of debt before they even embark on their career.

Today the President is unveiling the America’s College Promise proposal to make two years of community college free for responsible students, letting students earn the first half of a bachelor’s degree and earn skills needed in the workforce at no cost. This proposal will require everyone to do their part: community colleges must strengthen their programs and increase the number of students who graduate, states must invest more in higher education and training, and students must take responsibility for their education, earn good grades, and stay on track to graduate. The program would be undertaken in partnership with states and is inspired by new programs in Tennessee and Chicago. If all states participate, an estimated 9 million students could benefit. A full-time community college student could save an average of $3,800 in tuition per year.

In addition, today the President will propose a new American Technical Training Fund to expand innovative, high-quality technical training programs similar to Tennessee Tech Centers that meet employer needs and help prepare more Americans for better paying jobs . These proposals build on a number of historic investments the President has made in college affordability and quality since taking office, including a $1,000 increase in the maximum Pell Grant award to help working and middle class families, the creation of the $2,500 American Opportunity Tax Credit, reforming student loans to eliminate subsidies to banks to invest in making college more affordable and keeping student debt manageable, and making available over $2 billion in grants to connect community colleges with employers to develop programs that are designed to get hard-working students good jobs.

The President’s Plan: Make Two Years of College as Free and Universal as High School

By 2020, an estimated 35 percent of job openings will require at least a bachelor’s degree and 30 percent will require some college or an associate’s degree. Forty percent of college students are enrolled at one of America’s more than 1,100 community colleges, which offer students affordable tuition, open admission policies, and convenient locations. They are particularly important for students who are older, working, need remedial classes, or can only take classes part-time. For many students, they offer academic programs and an affordable route to a four-year college degree . They are also uniquely positioned to partner with employers to create tailored training programs to meet economic needs within their communities such as nursing, health information technology, and advanced manufacturing.

The America’s College Promise proposal would create a new partnership with states to help them waive tuition in high-quality programs for responsible students, while promoting key reforms to help more students complete at least two years of college. Restructuring the community college experience, coupled with free tuition, can lead to gains in student enrollment, persistence, and completion transfer, and employment . Specifically, here is what the initiative will mean:

Enhancing Student Responsibility and Cutting the Cost of College for All Americans: Students who attend at least half-time, maintain a 2.5 GPA while in college, and make steady progress toward completing their program will have their tuition eliminated. These students will be able to earn half of the academic credit they need for a four-year degree or earn a certificate or two-year degree to prepare them for a good job .

Building High-Quality Community Colleges: Community colleges will be expected to offer programs that either (1) are academic programs that fully transfer to local public four-year colleges and universities, giving students a chance to earn half of the credit they need for a four-year degree, or (2) are occupational training programs with high graduation rates and that lead to degrees and certificates that are in demand among employers. Other types of programs will not be eligible for free tuition. Colleges must also adopt promising and evidence-based institutional reforms to improve student outcomes, such as the effective Accelerated Study in Associate Programs ( ASAP ) programs at the City University of New York which waive tuition, help students pay for books and transit costs, and provide academic advising and supportive scheduling programs to better meet the needs of participating students, resulting in greater gains in college persistence and degree completion.

Ensuring Shared Responsibility with States: Federal funding will cover three-quarters of the average cost of community college. States that choose to participate will be expected to contribute the remaining funds necessary to eliminate community college tuition for eligible students. States that already invest more and charge students less can make smaller contributions, though all participating states will be required to put up some matching funds. States must also commit to continue existing investments in higher education; coordinate high schools, community colleges, and four-year institutions to reduce the need for remediation and repeated courses; and allocate a significant portion of funding based on performance, not enrollment alone. States will have flexibility to use some resources to expand quality community college offerings, improve affordability at four-year public universities, and improve college readiness, through outreach and early intervention.

Expanding Technical Training for Middle Class Jobs. Additionally, in order to spread the availability of high-quality and innovative programs like those in Tennessee and Texas, which achieve better than average completion and employment outcomes, the President is also proposing the American Technical Training Fund. This fund will award programs that have strong employer partnerships and include work-based learning opportunities, provide accelerated training, and are scheduled to accommodate part-time work. Programs could be created within current community colleges or other training institutions. The focus of the discretionary budget proposal would be to help high-potential, low-wage workers gain the skills to work into growing fields with significant numbers of middle-class jobs that local employers are trying to fill such as energy, IT, and advanced manufacturing. This program will fund the start-up of 100 centers and scale those efforts in succeeding years. Smaller grants would help to bring together partners and start a pilot program. Larger grants would be used for expanding programs based on evidence of effectiveness, which could include past performance on graduation rates, job placement rates and placement wages. Building on the President’s community college initiative, known as the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grants and for which 2014 was the final year of funding, these funds will help community colleges become more job-driven.

Building on State and Local Programs. In the past year, Tennessee and the City of Chicago initiated free community college programs. In the first year of the Tennessee program, 57,000 students representing almost 90 percent of the state’s high school graduating class applied for the program. The scholarship is coupled with college counseling, mentorship, and community service that early evidence suggests supports greater enrollment, persistence and college completion. This is coupled with efforts to spur innovation and improvement by funding colleges using performance outcomes based on student success and an innovative approach to career and technical education through the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology. These Tennessee Tech Centers have a graduation rate of 80 percent and a job placement rate of 85 percent.

Building on a Record of Progress. Since taking office, President Obama has taken steps to expand federal support to help more students afford college, while calling for a shared responsibility in tackling rising college costs. Key achievements include:

Tuition-Free Community College

New Community College

Why You Should Consider A Community College

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:26:00 GMT

Most students and parents don’t think of considering a community college as a path to a degree or career. Increasingly, these local institutions are becoming the choice of many high school graduates. The following are 4 reasons why you should consider a community college to begin your higher education.

To Read More: http://education.ezinemark.com/why-you-should-consider-a-community-college-4f42b6b17c8.html

Why You Should Consider A Community College

New Community College

The Many Advantages of A Community College

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:25:00 GMT

Is a varsity degree worth a bit more than the paper it is written on? Many are convinced therefore while others think you can get just as far if you’ve been to a community college. Let’s weigh up some of the facts and see what the difference truly is. While having a school degree doesn’t guarantee work, it actually improves your probabilities.

To Read More: http://newbizine.com/the-many-advantages-of-a-community-college/

The Many Advantages of A Community College

New Community College

Moms: Community College and You

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:22:00 GMT

Community colleges often get picked on. For busy moms community college can be a wonderful idea. There are a number of academic and personal benefits to attending a junior college, and these schools eagerly welcome high-achievers. Add in a financial advantage or two and your education is within reach.

To Read More: http://education.ezinemark.com/moms-community-college-and-you-168c69fb2fc.html

Moms: Community College and You

New Community College

The Smartest Students in America Go to….Community Colleges?

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:40:00 GMT

Ask anyone you know where the smartest people in America go to college.

Chances are you’ll get at the same answers: Harvard, MIT, Yale, etc.

But I don’t think that’s true. If you ask me, the smartest people go to community colleges: What’s smarter than saving $100,000 and managing to get an education that is just as good, and perhaps even better, than you can get at many top universities?

To Read More: http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/smartest-students-community-colleges/19612580/

The Smartest Students in America Go to….Community Colleges?

New Community College

800 sign college petitions

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 18:27:00 GMT

SUNBURY — More than 800 people signed community college petition letters at Sunbury’s River Festival on Friday and Saturday, while community college advocates laid out a plan to pay for the venture by splitting the $1.5 million annual cost between Northumberland, Snyder, Union and Montour counties.

Residents of the four counties signed petitions directed at their particular county commissioners, requesting they vote to sponsor a community college in the Valley, said Susquehanna Valley Community Education Project organizer Lenaire Ahlum.

The letters asked for a college dedicated to serve the people in the middle of the state, where community college access is lacking, she said.

To Read More: http://dailyitem.com/0100_news/x596126452/800-sign-college-petitions

800 sign college petitions

New Community College

Dual enrollment in high school and college helps some low achievers

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 16:06:00 GMT

The solution? Dual enrollment, which allows high school students to enroll in college.

For a year, my daughter went to high school in the morning to take the final classes that would allow her to graduate. In the afternoon, she took classes at Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

The strategy was an unqualified success. She got her high school diploma. She also finished the year with 17 college credits under her belt and with something perhaps even more valuable — a healthy confidence about doing college-level work.

To Read More: C:\Documents and Settings\User\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\R2YWJZ2U\fwdgooglealerts[1]\college helps some low achievers.mht

Dual enrollment in high school and college helps some low achievers

New Community College

The Dangers Of Paying For Your Kid’s College

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 16:03:00 GMT

The Dangers Of Paying For Your Kid’s College

New Community College

Community College System Technical Programs on the Rise

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:47:00 GMT

MORGANTOWN — The downturn in the economy has left more than a few West Virginia workers who earn their paychecks at industrial sites headed for the unemployment line.

But the good news is that while manufacturing and other industrial jobs have taken a hit around the state, the economy has helped the institutions that are designed to support these careers remain in good standing.

“Many students enrolling in these programs are dislocated workers looking to better themselves for when the economy improves to prepare themselves for competitive positions,” said Skidmore.

To Read More: C:\Documents and Settings\User\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5\R2YWJZ2U\fwdgooglealerts[1]\CCollege Technical Programs on the Rise.mht

Community College System Technical Programs on the Rise

New Community College

Groups of residents set sights on improvements

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:30:00 GMT

A niche, a theme, a style, a destination centerpiece. City residents putting their heads together say this is what Sunbury needs.

To read more click here: http://dailyitem.com/0100_news/x2016066559/Groups-of-residents-set-sights-on-improvements

Groups of residents set sights on improvements

New Community College

College idea still in works

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:51:00 GMT

Building owners offer space in Sunbury

Dimos Panagoulias, the out-of-towner who bought the former Northumberland County Human Services Building at 347 Market St. two years ago, has moved to Sunbury.

He hopes the 25,000-square-foot building and an adjacent 11,000-square-foot office building on Fourth Street that he bought with it will be tapped to house a community college.
He believes a community college would help the economy and help bring Sunbury back,” Hronis said. “He’s waiting on them.

To read more: http://dailyitem.com/0100_news/x1385498172/College-idea-still-in-works

College idea still in works

New Community College

Erie County can’t afford not to support a community college

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT

Given the numerous benefits of a community college, with or without taxpayer financing, the question I ask is, can Erie County afford not to become the 15th community college in Pennsylvania?

The wisdom of the world teaches that the cost of ignorance far outweighs the cost of knowledge. When one checks all the facts and analyzes the pros and the cons, the pros far outweigh the cons. Beyond the facts outlined by Rethink Erie, there is another issue worth considering: education versus incarceration.

It has been calculated that the minimal annual cost for the incarceration of one person in Erie County Prison is about $25,000 to $30,000. Compare this cost to that of one year of matriculation at a community college, estimated to be $2,500 to $3,000. Which institution would you prefer your tax dollars supporting?

Are we so used to spending millions of dollars to finance jails that we can’t see ourselves spending our tax dollars to educate people at a much lower cost in the long run?

To read more click here: C:\Documents and Settings\User\Desktop\GoErie_com Local Columns – Erie County can’t afford not to sponsor community college.mht

Erie County can’t afford not to support a community college

New Community College

Working Learners Need Innovative Education Models

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:45:00 GMT

A few months back, the president announced America’s Graduation Initiative, or AGI, with a goal to return America to international leadership in college attainment. A centerpiece of the AGI is to add an additional 5 million community college graduates to the nation’s workforce by 2020. The AGI included student lending reform, Pell Grant increases, and investment in community college innovation. In response the House of Representatives passed HR 3221, the Student Access and Fiscal Accountability Act of 2009, which picks up many of the AGI’s initiatives. The Senate is working on its own companion piece of legislation at this writing.

Read full article

Working Learners Need Innovative Education Models

New Community College

Local control helps control costs

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:39:00 GMT

A local community college is just that – a college that reflects the local community culture and economy by drawing on local resources. Many local resources, both human and material, are currently available and, in some cases, underutilized that can be tapped to power a community college. Collaboration with local educational institutions, business and industry and public agencies will reap benefits in cost to students and rewards to these community entities.

Local control helps control costs

New Community College

It’s a national priority

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:33:00 GMT

Now is the time to tap into President Obama’s ten-year, $12 billion dollar plan to help community colleges prepare people for a new generation of jobs. The 1,045 community colleges in the United States reported the highest enrollments in history. Competitive grants will be available to create new programs and expand training and counseling. Let those programs and training come to the Susquehanna Valley.

It’s a national priority

New Community College

Banner 1 – Northumberland

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:08:00 GMT

Here is a caption

Banner 1 – Northumberland

New Community College