We are #HACCproud of our graduating students, and we look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements at 6 p.m., May 9, 2023, at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Students who have applied to graduate in spring or summer 2023 and are eligible to graduate have been invited to participate in the ceremony via HAWKMail.

Next Steps for Graduating Students:

1. Complete the participation form by April 24, 2023, at 11:59 p.m.

2. Order your student regalia available for purchase at each campus bookstore or can be ordered online at the HACC Bookstore.

3. Decorate your cap, if desired.

4. Invite family and friends to attend commencement! You may invite as many guests as you wish to the ceremony. No tickets are required. The main entrance doors will be open at 4:30 p.m. Guests unable to attend can view via livestream. The link will be available on the HACC website the day of the event.

5. Request accessible accommodations for you or your guests by May 1. 

For more information about the Spring 2023 Commencement, please visit the webpage or email commencement@hacc.edu with any questions.

Do you enjoy helping others? Are you excited to share your story and what you have learned?

Then, apply NOW to become a HAWK Guide with the New Student Orientation Unit!

Develop your leadership skills, find new friends, and be more involved with HACC students as a peer mentor and leader.

For more information, or to apply, visit https://www.collegecentral.com/hacc/ or email us at orientation@hacc.edu 

We understand that college is an important time of transition for many and that life comes with challenges that you may need support with. Substance abuse issues impact the lives of us all, whether directly or indirectly and so this month we want to share information about HACC’s drug and alcohol abuse and prevention program. In accordance with federal laws, the College prohibits the unlawful use of alcohol and the unlawful use, possession, manufacture, distribution or dispensation of drugs or controlled substances on any College property or at any College event. To help you or someone you may know who is struggling with drug and/or alcohol use, see the resources below to find the help you need!

1. Drug & Alcohol Abuse and Prevention Program

2. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Treatment Finder

3. HACC’s Mental Health Resources

Are you struggling to make ends meet? Need resources to help you pay your bills, get food or do you need help getting a bus pass?

The CARE Center is here to assist students with any non-academic barriers that they may be facing. This service is completely free to all HACC students, however you must be enrolled and actively taking classes in the semester you are requesting assistance. 

If you or someone you know has questions or would like more information, please visit our website at www.hacc.edu/carecenter and fill out an intake form, which can be found at the bottom. 

Don’t forget to stop by and grab lunch during Free Meal Thursdays, between 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. on the following campuses: 

• Harrisburg: Whitaker Hall, 123H

• Lancaster: Main Building, 327

• York: George M. Leader Building, 136G

Feeling anxious as you prepare for midterms and finals? Find a puppy to hug! “Petting, scratching and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation, and almost as good for the soul as prayer.,” says renowned author, Dean Koontz in his book False Memory.

According to Mayo Clinic Health Systems, one in three college students experience anxiety and depression. Interacting with pets can ease these symptoms. A 2018 National Institute of Health survey found that 70 percent of people found spending time with a pet was preferable to watching television as a stress-relieving activity.

Given these statistics, perhaps we should be forging more bonds with our canine friends.  Pet ownership can help you to be more active, which in turn raises cortisol and improves mood.  Dogs and cats are great for snuggling and make us laugh as well.  My own dogs are definitely comedians.  At the end of a long day, coming home to find them looking quizzically at me while sunning themselves on the kitchen table, I can’t help but laugh.

Even if you are unable to own a pet, you can spend time with them by volunteering at pet shelters, walking neighborhood dogs, and you can also interact with therapy dogs.  HACC has frequently invited therapy dogs to the campus, usually to help students de-stress as finals approach.

Some dogs go beyond pet status and are trained specifically to help humans. In addition to visiting schools and colleges, therapy dogs are trained to provide comfort to those they visit in hospitals and nursing facilities. Some therapy dogs also have other jobs in pet-assisted therapies and supporting children learning to read. Studies have shown that children who read to therapy dogs acquire a greater level of confidence in their abilities than children who did not have the opportunity to read to a dog.

Therapy dogs are distinct from both emotional support dogs and service dogs. While emotional support dogs are only assured permission to live in housing and provide comfort to their human, therapy dogs must pass a series of tests to show that they are appropriate for therapy work. They are often certified by therapy dog organizations, such as Caring Hearts Pet Therapy in central Pennsylvania. They are permitted access to public venues when invited as part of a scheduled therapy event. 

Service dogs are even more highly trained than therapy dogs. They are trained to do tasks for a person with a disability. Most of us are familiar with guide dogs, who assist people with blindness, but service dogs can be trained for a variety of other purposes as well. They can learn to use scent to check for allergens if their owner has a severe allergy such as a peanut allergy. They can assist with mobility, by learning to retrieve items, open doors, and even provide a steadying stance to those with mobility issues. They also can be trained as psychiatric service dogs, assisting those with anxiety and PTSD, giving direct pressure if the person has a panic attack, or by providing a barrier between the person and others, giving them a greater feeling of security when they are out in public. Service dogs are the only dogs guaranteed access to public spaces without an explicit invitation.

If you find yourself feeling low, give your four-legged friend a hug, and remember how amazing they are.

The spring Esports season is in full swing! Make sure to catch a game and support your HACC Hawks as they compete in the cyber arena. For a complete schedule and updates, please go to the HACC Hawks Athletic webpage. 

HACC Hawks Athletics recognized our female esports athletes in March, in celebration of Women’s History Month, who are making an impact on the Esports program. HACC Hawks Esports program has two Overwatch teams competing this spring, one that consists of four female athletes and one male athlete, the second with four male and one female athlete. HACC’s female student-athletes have all become an essential piece to the Esports program. They have made their way into the Esports realm and are great role models for those who aspire to join Esports and compete in the cyber arena!

Check out the Hawks in action at https://www.twitch.tv/haccathletics and Hawk esports at https://www.twitch.tv/haccesports. 

Weekly wellness class and monthly programs will be provided to all HACC students, staff and faculty. A few exciting programs to look for are PSECU’s Lunch and Learn series, where participants will be entered to win prizes as they build confidence in their financial wellness. The series will go over topics such as Romance Scams, Scholarships, Loans and Financial Future. The Massage Therapy Studio will be offering free 10-minute chair massages this spring, May 4, 2023, in Cooper. Ashia of Ashia Afro Cardio LLC will return to provide a fun and upbeat Afro Cardio class from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Evans PE Center Room 107 on Monday nights! Thursday afternoons Beth Harenza of A Sweet Repose LLC provides a revitalizing virtual Yin/Yang Yoga class. These are just a few of the exciting programs set for this spring 2023 semester. Make sure to check the Wellness Calendar on the Hawks' website. You don’t want to miss these fun opportunities! 

Do you need to prepare for a TEAS test?

Join our TEAS Study Group! For more information about joining the group, check out our TEAS Study Group page.

Do you need a quiet place to study?

Reserve a group study room in the Library! You can reserve online on our Group Study Room page.

Do you need feedback on a writing assignment (journal entries, essays, papers, speeches, etc.)? 

Submit your paper to be reviewed by a professional writing tutor through our HACC Online Writing Lab.

Do you need help with a technical problem?

Submit a ticket to our Technical Support Technicians on our User Support page.