HACC Yeah®! News

Greetings, HACC supporters!

Welcome to our newsletter, HACC Yeah®! News

We will continue to share relevant information and keep you “in the know” as we serve and support HACC students.

In this difficult time, we want to share with you the ways HACC and the HACC Foundation are doing our part during the global coronavirus pandemic. Please visit hacc.edu/Coronavirus for more information.


For the fall 2021 and spring 2022 semesters, HACC will be in phase four of the five-phased approach (pdf) to reopening our campuses.

Please note the following:

  • The College is open.

  • The outdoor spaces at all five campuses are open to the general public.

  • The public can park on our campuses and walk the campus grounds.

  • While on campus, all students, employees and visitors – even if they are fully vaccinated – will be required to wear face coverings. The College’s official guidance on mask expectations can be found here.

  • HACC’s buildings will remain closed to the general public.

  • HACC’s buildings are open only to authorized employees and all students who are (a) taking on-campus classes, (b) attending appointments on campus or (c) seeking on-campus services during scheduled on-campus office hours.

  • HACC does not require students or employees to be vaccinated at this time. Clinical sites are requiring vaccinations. Please visit hacc.edu/HealthCareersUpdate for more information.

Please contact foundation@hacc.edu if you have any questions or need additional information.

Thank you!

Table of Contents

HACC Newsroom

HACC and PNC Foundation Announce New Initiative to Diversify Local Police and Emergency Medical Technicians

On Dec. 6, HACC and the PNC Foundation unveiled a new effort to build a more diverse police and emergency medical technician talent pipeline for the region. The PNC Foundation gave the College a $112,500 grant to be used over three years to recruit and train 36 low- to moderate-income Black students in the Municipal Police Academy and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Program at the Senator John J. Shumaker Public Safety Center.


The HACC Foundation will award scholarships to fully cover all tuition and educational costs associated with these programs.

For more information, please visit hacc.edu/InvestEMTandPolice.

Student Spotlight

Meet Keya: Pursuing Her Dreams

Keya, a student in HACC’s Medical Assisting Program, reflected on what it’s been like to go to college while raising a family, working and navigating the pandemic. She said, “It’s been a long, rough road with a lot of obstacles, but I’m proof that no matter how hard it may be, nothing should get in the way of pursuing your dreams.”


To hear more from Keya, please watch this video.


#HACCproud

HACC Foundation

YOUR Community College Welcomes and Supports All

International Day of Persons with Disabilities, celebrated Dec. 3, is “about promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities at every level of society and development…”


HACC’s Student Access Services Department provides reasonable services and supports to students with disabilities. These accommodations include access to class notes, adaptive furniture and exam accommodations.


The Fund for Inclusive Excellence provides the funds needed to ensure that inclusivity and belonging remain entrenched in every aspect of HACC’s culture. To learn more, please visit hacc.edu/HACCFoundation/Donate/FundsforExcellence/fund-for-inclusive-excellence.cfm.



This Season of Giving, THANK YOU!

This Season of Giving, THANK YOU!


Thank you to our devoted community of supporters who helped HACC students through the Extraordinary Give, #GivingTuesday and Giving Spree.


HACC students, like the graduates below, are able to complete their education, thanks to generous HACC donors.


A special thanks to Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects for supporting HACC students as a proud sponsor for #GivingTuesday. Together, we are making a brighter future for our community. Thank you!


If you missed out on these three giving days, it’s not too late to help a student - like this student who received assistance:


"My 9 year old son and I are considered homeless and stay in a hotel room and finances are super tight right now. This is a HUGE blessing and much appreciated!! Thanks so much" – HACC student


Please make a gift to change a life today.


Thank you!

Community Engagement

How Can HACC Help YOUR Organization?

HACC welcomes community partnerships! We have a tool to help us respond to requests from YOU. Your input enables the College to join hands with our communities to find solutions that support students.

Please:

  • Use our online request

  • Tell us about your mutually beneficial organization

  • Help us help YOU

  • Email communityengagement@hacc.edu with questions


Thank you!

HACC Wins Big at the 2021 Pennsylvania National Guard Associations (PNGAS) Conference

HACC Recognized for Service to Student Veterans and Active Military

HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, received multiple awards at the 2021 Pennsylvania National Guard Associations (PNGAS) Conference. HACC Yeah!


The College, which proudly hosts the second largest active military and veteran population among public colleges and universities in Pennsylvania, was honored with:

  • Employer of the Year, exemplifying excellence in service

  • Guard Friendly School, recognizing colleges, universities and trade schools that meet or exceed 10 baseline criteria to create a supportive learning environment that assists members of the Pennsylvania National Guard pursuing post-secondary degrees

  • Pennsylvania College/University of the Year, exemplifying excellence in service

  • Pennsylvania Trade School of the Year, exemplifying excellence in service


Merrick Green, director of military and veteran affairs at HACC, said, “It was an honor to represent HACC at the 2021 PNGAS awards. The work that HACC’s Military and Veterans Affairs (MVA) does every day to ensure our service members have all the tools they need to be successful at HACC is reflected in these awards.”

In November, HACC’s MVA honored the College’s 517 student veterans by:

  • Hosting “Finding Encouragement to Move Forward,” a live Facebook discussion with HACC alumna La-Verna Fountain on how to overcome adversity despite having obstacles in your way

  • Collaborating with student involvement to dedicate parking spaces for veterans at each of the campuses

  • Sending postcards to thank them for their service as a token of appreciation.

Green said, “HACC’s MVA personnel have worked extra hard this year to recognize our veteran students. The dedication of the parking spaces was just a small token of our gratitude that we can show to the men and women who sacrifice so much for each and every one of us.”

HACC is proud to continue offering benefits, like priority registration each semester, to its military and veteran students. The College earned the designation as a 2021-22 Military Friendly® School for the third consecutive year in March 2021. In addition, HACC is the only college in Pennsylvania chosen to participate in VetSuccess on Campus, a federal program aimed at easing the transition to academic life for military veterans and their families.


For more information about YOUR Military and Veterans Affairs, please email vaoffice@hacc.edu.


HACC Alumni Matter to Us

Meet Police Officer Chris Batten

Officer Chris Batten, an alumnus, is committed to changing law enforcement for people of color - from the inside. To learn more, please watch this video testimonial.

Request for Alumni Presenters on Multicultural Topics

Your knowledge and expertise are invaluable to the College and our students! We invite you to consider speaking at HACC events about diverse cultural and national observances to celebrate the individuals, groups and cultures that are the fabric of the communities we serve.


Over the years, HACC has partnered with professionals and experts from all over the country to speak at HACC events. We would love to amplify the voices and stories of our own HACC alumni.


If you have expertise in any of the topics listed below or have an idea for additional topics you would like to present, please let us know! For more information, please contact Monica Dixon-Howard, assistant director of student involvement, at mrdixon@hacc.edu.


In 2022, we are seeking speakers to celebrate the following:


Jan. 17: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday. The civil rights activist’s birthday is celebrated on the third Monday in January.


February:

  • Black History Month, which celebrates Black history and African American culture.

  • Feb. 1: Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, marks the beginning of the calendar year whose months are moon cycles.


March:

  • Women’s History Month highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary life.

  • Irish-American Heritage Month recognizes the achievements and contributions of Irish immigrants and their descendants living in the United States.

  • March 31: Cesar Chavez Day honors the Mexican American farmworker and celebrates the contributions of labor leader and activist Cesar Chavez.


April:

  • April 15-23: Passover is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

  • April 17: Easter is a Christian festival and cultural holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus following his death.


May:


June:

  • LGBTQ Pride Month occurs in the United States to commemorate the Stonewall riots, which occurred at the end of June 1969. As a result, many pride events are held during the month to recognize the impact LGBTQ people have had in the world.

  • June 19: Juneteenth is a federal holiday, in the United States commemorating the emancipation of African-American slaves. It is also often observed for celebrating African-American culture.

  • June 20: World Refugee Day raises awareness about the plight of refugees.


Aug. 9: International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples celebrates the richness of indigenous cultures and recognizes the challenges indigenous peoples face today.


September:



October:

  • Italian Heritage Month is celebrated to honor and recognize the centuries of achievements, successes and valuable contributions of Italian immigrants and Italian Americans.

  • German Heritage Month is the largest of the ancestry groups reported by the United States Census Bureau. They established the first German settlement in 1683, and subsequent generations would help shape America’s prosperous identity.

  • National Domestic Violence Awareness Month raises community awareness of the social and personal impact of domestic and family violence.

  • Breast Cancer Awareness is an annual campaign to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer.

  • Oct. 10: Columbus Day, a federal holiday, is observed the second Monday of the month. It marks the anniversary of Christopher Columbus' arrival to America on Oct. 12, 1492.

  • Oct. 10: Indigenous People’s Day celebrates and honors Native American history and culture.

  • Oct. 11: National Coming Out Day is an annual LGBTQ+ awareness day to support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

  • Oct. 12: Día de la Raza, “Day of the Race,” occurs in Spanish-speaking countries and communities.


November:

  • National American Indian Heritage Month, also commonly recognized as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, honors the history and culture of Native Americans and indigenous people in the United States.

  • Nov. 11: Veterans Day is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring all men and women who have served as military veterans in the United States Armed Forces.

  • Nov. 25: Thanksgiving is a time for Americans to give thanks for the harvest and spend time with family and friends.


December:

  • Dec. 18-26: Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish festival commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem from Syrian Greeks.

  • Dec. 25: Christmas is a holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

  • Dec. 26-Jan. 1: Kwanzaa is a celebration honoring African-American and Pan-American heritage.



Upcoming Events

Join Us For Events at HACC!

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!

We Want to Hear from YOU!

Are you loud and #HACCproud?

YOUR story matters. Please share your story with us and help others see how HACC can be the right choice for them!

We are #HACCproud of our alumni, Board members, donors and employees! We want to hear about how HACC changed your life and the people who helped you on your path to success.

It only takes a few minutes to share your story. If you are ready, please go to hacc.edu/Stories.

Your story may be featured on:

If you have any questions or need additional information, please email releaseform@hacc.edu.

Thank you!

Employment Opportunities at HACC

HACC is Hiring, So Come Join Us!

HACC is looking for high-performing professionals ready to serve and transform the lives of students.


If you are interested in being a part of the HACC employee community, please visit our career site to view available positions.