Office of Inclusion, Diversity and Belonging

The Office of Inclusion and Diversity has developed a contact list which can be accessed here.

Rapidly Expanding Student Access Services (SAS) Services

The Student Access Services Department (SAS) is growing in leaps and bounds! This semester SAS coordinators and proctors are serving an amazing 1,323 students, which is over a 70% increase from Fall 2020 (738). We thank all of the faculty and staff who continue to refer students to SAS. Additionally, SAS is working to serve Title IX by supporting students who need care and supportive measures due to sexual misconduct and also students who are pregnant and/or parenting. This enhanced partnership with Tony Beard, Deputy Title IX Coordinator has been a benefit to students.

Proctoring needs for SAS students have increased greatly as well. In spring 2021 we proctored 218 exams, and this fall term we proctored over 345 exams so far. In fall of 2020 SAS only proctored 176 exams, which means this fall 2021 was almost a double increase in testing needs. Our cross-division collaboration with Learning Commons Testing has been tremendous. We are proud to partner with Elisa Cohen and her team. They have taken the responsibility of proctoring SAS students with extended time testing accommodations, allowing SAS proctors to focus solely on high touch 1:1 proctoring needs, such as readers and scribes.

All of the efforts and many hands to care and support HACC students, proves once again, that together we can!

CARE Center - Consultation Advocacy Referral Empowerment

The CARE Center would like to thank you for your constant support and the awareness that you have brought to the center. Thank you for all of the students that you referred to the CARE Center, all of the classes you extended an invitation for us to present in, all of the syllabi we are included on, all of the clubs and organizations that have invited the center to your meetings, and all of the departments that have worked collaboratively with us to serve students. It truly takes a community to serve our students and the CARE Center has a heart filled with gratitude due to the way the HACC community has embraced our mission. The end goal is to empower our students and aid in their journey to degree completion.

This semester the CARE Center has served over 160 students! This number is huge and we hope it is even higher in the spring semester with your help. Please continue to invite the CARE Center team to present in your classes, attend a club meeting, and spread the word about the services we can provide.

Fast Facts about the CARE Center:

One stop department for ALL enrolled HACC students needing non-academic help with the following:
- housing, food, transportation, daily necessities, mental health, childcare, etc..
Provides students with community/government resources for long term success
No cost to the student
Confidential
A student can be referred to the CARE Center at any time. Please complete the CARE Center Intake Form using this link https://forms.gle/UbX2Qc8vMB4SxShF8 or the form is linked on your MyHacc navigation bar for your convenience
Faculty and staff can refer a student by completing a BIT report and the student will be contacted within 48 hours

CARE Center Contact Information

Email: care@hacc.edu
Website: https://www.hacc.edu/Students/CARECenter/index.cfm

KEYS - Keystone Education Yields Success

The KEYS Program would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a holiday season filled with peace and some much-needed relaxation! We approach the end of 2021 with gratitude for the collaborative working relationships we have with Student Access Services and C.A.R.E., and all of our HACC colleagues. Each of you play an important role in assisting KEYS in fulfilling our mission which is to provide individualized case management and supportive services to students who are the recipients of TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families/cash assistance) and/or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program/food stamps). We strive to assist students in attaining their educational goals, which ultimately leads to employment and self-sufficiency.

Referrals are accepted on a year-round basis. With the start of the Spring 2022 semester quickly approaching, we encourage everyone to assess the students with whom you interact and suggest they contact KEYS for additional information regarding their eligibility and participation.

Benefits of KEYS Participation

1:1 individualized support and encouragement.
Special Allowances (i.e., books, transportation, uniforms, supplies, test, fees, etc.)
Childcare (Potentially eligible for free or reduced childcare expenses.)
Referrals and information regarding available community resources.
Guidance and information regarding other available resources within HACC.
Special programs and presentations specifically designed for the student’s needs.
Peer support and encouragement.
Gift cards to various locations such as Sheetz and Walmart. (Eligibility/availability varies.)

Referral Information

Students who are currently the recipients of TANF or SNAP benefits and interested in KEYS can visit https://www.hacc.edu/Students/KEYSProgram/index.cfm for additional information and complete the electronic referral form.
Students interested in applying for TANF or SNAP benefits:
a. Visit https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Services/Assistance/Pages/Apply-for-Benefits.aspx for information or to apply online; or
b. Contact your local County Assistance Office (CAO).
c. Upon benefit approval, ask the CAO caseworker for a referral to KEYS and contact KEYS for additional information.

KEYS Program Contact Information

Email: keysprogram@hacc.edu

Phone: (717) 780-1181
Website: https://www.hacc.edu/Students/KEYSProgram/index.cfm

New SAS Initiatives

Student Access Services (SAS) was awarded CARES funding to purchase Accommodate by Simplicity, an on-line case management system that will allow a one college model reporting system and facilitates students requests for accommodations as well as distribution of accommodation letters to faculty in an expedient manner. SAS implemented the software at the start of the fall semester, and we have received lots of compliments on the ease of use from faculty and students.

HACC Testing/Learning Commons and SAS collaborated to begin using a universal test form for the fall 2021 semester. The use of this single form provides faculty a simple, convenient, and consistent means of submitting test requests for all students, including SAS students with accommodation needs, academic makeup testing, and regular testing. We thank Chhatra Subedi, specialist, Test Center for creating this useful form and Elisa Cohen, assistant director, Testing/Learning Commons for collaborating with SAS to use the universal test form to streamline HACC testing for all.

W.A.R.E: Wellness, Athletics, Recreation and Engagement

First and foremost, W.A.R.E would like to wish everyone a peaceful and joyous holiday season! The Fall 2021 season has concluded for the HACC Hawks. The Fall season has been encompassed by many great achievements. The Hawks Women’s Volleyball team repeat as Coach Tom Frye is named Coach of the Year and the team earns EPAC Champions. #17 Kyla Kolivoski and #6 Kendall Wales are selected for First Team All-Conference picks for HACC. Freshman Kayla Kolivoski and Kendall Wales have been two powerhouses for the Hawks this season. Kyla Kolivoski earned First Team All-Region, which was her second award of the season. She has been a solid player for the Hawks program with 23 Kills and 151 Digs. Kendall Wales has been another key piece to the Hawks squad with 135 Kills and 182 Digs recorded on the year. Furthermore, the HACC Women’s Volleyball team upset the Region 19 DIV-II number one seed Harcum with a 3-0 sweep this past October. This improved the team’s overall standing with a 9-4 overall and 9-0 within the EPAC. # 13 Megan DiAngelis has been the team's top offensive threat leading the squad with 136 kills on the season. The Hawks’ Women's Volleyball Team was seeded third going into the Region 19 Division III Championship Tournament. The NJCAA Volleyball Semifinals was a thrilling match between the Hawks and the Middlesex County College Colts on October 25, 2021. This win brought the team to the Final Four match against Rowan College South Jersey this past October. The Hawks put up a tough fight, but were unable to grab the win from the Road Runners, concluding the volleyball season.

In Esports news, the HACC Hawks have endured quite an exciting and thrilling regular season as they prepared for the next phase; playoffs. This Fall the HACC Hawks Esports program was able to round up teams for the following game titles: Overwatch, CoD: Cold War, CoD: Warzone, Smash Ultimate, Rocket League, Valorant and also created a special event League of Legends team preparing for the CLoL Spring season. The Hawks earned their spot in the NJCAAE Playoffs for Valorant, Super Smash Bros Ultimate and Call of Duty: Warzone. Super Smash Bros Ultimate player Aristoltel-Andrew Kline advanced to Round Three of NJCAAE Playoffs but fell to Howard Community College 1-3. The Valorant Team lost to Madison College in Round One of the Playoffs 0-3. Thus, concluding the Fall 2021 season for the Hawks Esports. Spring Esports will begin play in late January.

Hitting the trails this fall season the Cross-Country team made their debut at the EPAC NJCAA Region 19 Championship Meet. The Hawks had two All-Conference runners selected this season. Hedalis Henriquez Lopez placed second in the Women’s Race with a 23:19 5k and Matthew Getz earned fourth place in the Men’s 8k with a 32:28. The Hawks Cross Country team finished strong this season as they competed at the NJCAA Region 19 Championship in October at White Clay Creek State Park, DE. Both the men’s and women’s field were small, but fast right out of the gate. In the women’s bracket, HACC’s Hedalis Henriquez Lopez placed fourth in Division III and received All-Region. HACC’s Matthew Getz placed 13^th out of 39 in the Division III field for the men’s bracket.

We are transitioning into the winter sport programs of Men and Women’s Basketball. January 13^th, 2022 will be the first home double header game for the Hawks against Northampton Community College.

Check out the Hawks in action at https://www.twitch.tv/haccathletics or https://www.twitch.tv/haccesports and for the latest updates and information regarding all things Wellness, Athletics, Recreation and Engagement please view Hawks Athletics at http://hacchawks.com/landing/index .

Go Hawks!!

W.A.R.E. Contact Information:

HACC Hawks Athletics : http://hacchawks.com/landing/index

Email: athletics@hacc.edu or esports@hacc.edu

Nancy Moya Completes MSW Internship with SAS

Nancy Moya, a coordinator for HACC’s CARE Center, is working on her master’s degree in social work with Capella University. She recently completed an internship with Student Access Services. SAS Coordinator Lori Shoemaker, MSS, LSW, provided field supervision for Nancy from April through September.

What do you feel are your major accomplishments during your internship?

“During a meeting with Vicki Van Hise, executive director, Student Access Services, I had the opportunity to explore and advocate for understanding about collecting demographic information from people of diverse backgrounds. We discussed the importance of collecting demographic data such as race and ethnicity in regards to disability. At the same time, we recognized the need to add a disclaimer to those questions, the goal being to inform students about why we collect this information and how this can help us to improve our services with the minority communities.

Also, I had the opportunity to learn how to use Read and Write Gold, a special program designed to provide literacy support for users, including tools for reading and writing. The software has a text-to-speech function which enables individuals to have accessible documents read aloud to them. After learning how to use it, I trained students and now they have access to an extra tool to help them succeed at HACC.”

What do you feel you learned as a result of interning with SAS?

“I learned about the two major pieces of legislation that have impacted students with disabilities in higher education. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act of 2008 (ADAAA). Thanks to these laws, students have the same opportunities to successfully complete a college degree. Student Access Services is a great example of equity.

Another important lesson that I will take with me is the importance of creating an inclusive environment. Years ago, attending college was a privilege and few had the opportunity to gain a degree. Times have changed and now anybody can attend college regardless of their diagnosis, language, and physical limitations.

In order to fit our new student population, we have to evolve and become inclusive. The social model perspective explains it. This model does not deny the reality of impairment nor its impact on the individual, but the purpose is to create an inclusive environment to change society in order to accommodate people living with impairment. It does not seek to change people with impairment to accommodate society. It supports the view that people with a disability have a right to be fully participating citizens on an equal basis with others.”

SAS is grateful to Nancy Moya for her support of our students and our department during her internship, her willingness to learn about equity issues people with disabilities face every day, as well as her insights that she has shared with us! Good luck in your program, Nancy!

Free Money for Your Bright Ideas!

Do you have a burning idea related to diversity, inclusion or equity you’d love to implement at the College? Consider applying for an Innovation Grant to seed-fund your idea! Innovation Grants are open to both employees and students, and proposals are reviewed on a rolling basis. Priority will be given to proposals that are action-oriented and contribute to long-term cultural change, but all ideas are welcome! For details and to apply, visit the Diversity Innovation Fund webpage.

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