Welcome to our newsletter, HACC Yeah!® News
Greetings, HACC supporters!
We will continue to share relevant information and keep you “in the know” as we serve and support students at HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College.
We’re grateful for your continued engagement and partnership as we work together to expand opportunity and strengthen our community.
Please contact foundation@hacc.edu if you have any questions or need additional information.
Thank you!
On April 7, 2026, the HACC Board of Trustees named Daniel W. Lufkin, Ed.D., as the College’s eighth president.
Lufkin will begin his role as president of Pennsylvania’s first and largest community college on June 3, 2026.
To read more, please visit our online newsroom.
Dear HACC Foundation donors:
I hope you are well.
You may have seen recent communications about HACC’s 2026-27 budget and the financial pressures facing higher education. I want to take a moment to update you on what this means.
First, the HACC Foundation remains extraordinarily and fiscally strong. Our Foundation continues to be a stable, well-managed and mission-driven source of support for HACC students and the College. That strength matters. It allows us to remain focused on what has always mattered most: helping students access education, navigate challenges and complete the credentials that can change their lives.
Like many colleges and universities across the country, HACC is responding to a more demanding financial environment. The College is making difficult, yet necessary and thoughtful, decisions to align resources with today’s realities while keeping students at the center. Throughout this process, the HACC Foundation remains a steady partner in supporting student success.
Every day, we see the impact of philanthropy in meaningful and deeply human ways. Donor support - like yours - helps fund scholarships and provides assistance for students facing urgent needs related to food, housing, transportation and other barriers that can stand in the way of their education. Your generosity does more than ease financial burdens. It sends a powerful message to students that they are seen, valued and worth investing in. Our students continue to be amazed that generous “strangers” are willing to invest in their education and lives. Some of these students do not receive such support elsewhere.
I also want to assure you that your gifts are being managed with great care. The financial strength of the HACC Foundation reflects years of thoughtful leadership, sound oversight and a deep commitment to fiduciary responsibility. Because of that strength, we are well-positioned to continue supporting students and the College’s mission for many years to come.
During challenging times like these, philanthropy becomes even more meaningful. Your support helps create stability for students during uncertain times. It helps HACC remain accessible, affordable and transformative for the communities we serve. Most of all, your support helps ensure that students can keep moving forward.
Thank you for your trust, generosity and belief in HACC students! We are deeply grateful for your partnership and proud that you are standing with us.
Sincerely,
Linnie S. Carter, Ph.D., APR
Vice President of College Advancement, HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College
Executive Director, HACC Foundation
HACC’s spring 2026 Commencement ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 6, at 6 p.m. at the GIANT Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
To celebrate our graduating students, you can:
Tune in and watch the livestream of HACC’s Commencement ceremony on YouTube.
Share YOUR excitement on social media and tag HACC in your posts.
Please note that more information will be added to our website closer to the celebratory event.
The path to our Commencement ceremony has been long for many students. Thank you for your ongoing support in their journey! We look forward to celebrating our graduating students with you as they reach this momentous milestone!
HACC has been designated a 2026 Leader College by Achieving the Dream (ATD), a national organization committed to advancing community colleges as accessible hubs of learning, credentialing and economic mobility.
HACC has been part of the ATD Network since 2022, and this is the College’s first time receiving Leader College status.
To read more, please visit our online newsroom.
As part of our efforts to improve the student admissions application experience, HACC transitioned from multiple admissions applications for various student types to one unified admissions application on March 30, 2026.
Please note:
This update supports HACC’s continued commitment to providing open-access, high-quality education opportunities to our students in Central Pennsylvania and beyond.
As a result of the update, all future HACC students will complete the same admissions application.
The transition makes the process simpler for future students, reduces confusion about which admissions application they should use and reduces barriers to the admissions process.
The transition also enables HACC employees to add greater efficiency to their workflow and reduces the potential for duplicate data.
HACC Foundation donors provided funding for an initiative that supports students from underrepresented and underserved communities in the Harrisburg and Dauphin County areas as they pursue careers as medical assistants.
Over a two-year period, 12 students received support to enroll in the 496-hour Medical Assistant program, with resources in place to help address personal barriers and promote success. Of those students, 11 have completed the program, with one planning to return after taking a brief leave. Many graduates have already secured employment in local health care systems, while others are actively pursuing opportunities in the field.
This support has created pathways to stable, meaningful careers that offer family-sustaining wages, benefits and opportunities for continued growth. HACC and its students remain grateful for the ongoing partnership that helps break the cycle of poverty and build a stronger future for individuals and their families.
HACC Foundation donors provided funding for an initiative that strengthens data, information and technology literacy at HACC through the cloud-based Social Explorer platform. The project gives students and employees access to hundreds of interactive demographic maps and data sets covering topics from U.S. census information to health, crime and global development indicators.
The initiative includes demonstrations and workshops for faculty interested in using Social Explorer in their teaching. Faculty can create interactive maps, generate data reports and embed visuals into lectures or online courses. Tools like “Lecture Launchers” and “Data Snacks” allow students to engage directly with data, making learning more interactive and hands-on.
By integrating these tools into the classroom, faculty have enhanced instruction. At the same time, students gain practical experience exploring and analyzing real-world data and building critical thinking and data literacy skills that will serve them across disciplines.
Including the HACC Foundation in your estate plans is a meaningful way to support students for generations to come. Planned gifts - such as bequests - allow donors to make a lasting impact without affecting their current financial situation.
Estate gifts to the HACC Foundation help fund scholarships, emergency assistance and innovative academic programs.
By naming the HACC Foundation in your will or estate plans, you create a legacy that reflects your values and supports the future of Central Pennsylvania’s workforce. Donors may direct their gift to a specific program or allow the HACC Foundation to use the funds where they are needed most.
To learn more about planned giving options, please visit this webpage:
https://www.hacc.edu/HACCFoundation/Donate/MethodstoGive/planned-giving.cfm
The HACC community is coming together to honor the legacy of Patricia “Pat” Saia, a cherished administrative support colleague who served HACC from 2004 to 2019. Following her passing in December 2025, colleagues are working to ensure her memory continues.
Pat was more than a colleague - she was a cornerstone of the workplace and a source of comfort, kindness and unwavering support. Known for her generosity and warmth, Pat made a lasting impression on everyone she encountered.
To honor her remarkable impact, the HACC community is raising funds to install a memorial plaque near Whitaker Hall on HACC’s Harrisburg Campus, where Pat spent much of her time supporting others. This tribute will serve as a lasting reminder of her commitment to the countless lives she touched.
We invite you to be part of this meaningful effort by making a charitable donation to help reach the $1,000 goal needed to establish this memorial in Pat’s honor. Pat Saia’s spirit lives on in the hearts of those she uplifted. Together, we can create a tribute that reflects the deep appreciation and love the HACC community holds for her.
Thank you!
Want to go on a dolphin and whale watching tour? HACC yeah!
HACC’s Alumni Association has teamed up with AAA Central Penn to offer this bus trip.
For full details, including how to register, please visit hacc.edu/Alumni/UpcomingTrips. This unforgettable experience benefits HACC students, so please help us spread the word.
P.S. HACC alumni, never miss a beat by updating your information and interests. It is fast and easy.
You are invited to participate in the exciting HACC events we have coming up.
Please visit the HACC Events Calendar for more information. We will see you there!
Are you #HACCproud to be a graduate of HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College? If so, we are proud to have you as a member of the HACC Alumni Association. To join the Alumni Association or update your contact information, please complete this form. Thank you!
Do you love HACC? Do you want everyone to know it? HACC yeah you do!
Please share your story with us and help others see what makes HACC so great!
We want to hear about how HACC has impacted your life and the people who helped you on your path to success.
It only takes a few minutes to share your story, but taking the time to share your experience can have a lasting impact on someone else, including future students who may be considering HACC. Don’t be shy!
Please:
Go to hacc.edu/Stories
Complete our brief online form (if you are a current HACC student)
Scroll down to the bottom of the page (if you are a HACC supporter, including an alumni or donor) and find the category that fits you
Share your HACC story with us
Note that your information may be shared in a variety of ways, including on HACC’s website and social media channels
