“Black history isn’t a separate history. This is all of our history, this is American history, and we need to understand that. It has such an impact on kids and their values and how they view black people.” —Karyn Parsons
“Black history isn’t a separate history. This is all of our history, this is American history, and we need to understand that. It has such an impact on kids and their values and how they view black people.” —Karyn Parsons
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.
Please contact foundation@hacc.edu if you have any questions or need additional information.
Thank you!
Please click to watch this video.
February is Black History Month, an annual celebration and recognition of achievements by African Americans and their central role in our United States history. It is also a time to reflect on the continued struggle for racial justice in our country and world.
It is important to honor and celebrate Black excellence this month, and here are eight ways to do so. In addition to celebrating, let us not forget to have the difficult conversations about systemic racism and racial justice as well.
Learning more about and celebrating Black history shouldn’t stop in February. Let’s continue working together to build a more equitable world where Black excellence is seen, valued and celebrated all year long.
For the current spring 2022 semester, HACC is in phase four of the six-phased approach (pdf) to reopening our campuses.
Please note the following for the spring 2022 semester:
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.
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.
Effective May 23, 2022, HACC’s campuses and buildings will be open for all during the summer 2022 semester.
Although we are fully opening our campuses:
We realize that not all of our students will want to come back on campus. Therefore, we will continue to offer a variety of course instruction offerings. Providing these options is a move toward the future of higher education, not just a response to the pandemic. Our students desire a variety of choices, and we must remain flexible to pivot to address their needs.
We know that the virus has not gone away. There are new variants, which means that we must continue taking necessary precautions. Please visit hacc.edu/COVIDannouncements for specific details regarding our face covering requirements and cleaning procedures.
As always, YOUR safety is our top priority. Although we cannot control COVID-19 and how it spreads or guarantee safety from it, we will continue to do our part to help maintain student, employee and building safety by following protocols, as per the governor’s orders and CDC recommendations.
Please visit hacc.edu/COVIDannouncements for more details and note that this information is tentative and subject to change.
Margaret has first-hand experience in the value of an online education. She has a full-time job and has to be able to schedule classes around her life – not the other way around.
“The virtual learning options available are invaluable,” she said. “You are able to have flexible hours and work at your own pace. It is a great option for students who still need to work or who might be parents.”
To read more from Margaret, please visit our website.
Did you know? February is Career and Technical Education Month®, which celebrates “the value of CTE and the achievements and accomplishments of CTE programs across the country.” CTE includes, “health care, information technology, advanced manufacturing, hospitality and management and many more…”
We’re #HACCproud of our thousands of students, including Emily, who have thrived in their CTE programs.
To learn how you can support HACC students on their journey to success through HACC’s funds for excellence, please visit hacc.edu/Excellence.
Rodney Ross was a professor of history and geography at HACC for 47 years. Now, as a professor emeritus, he looks back fondly at his HACC journey while continuing to pursue his passions.
Ross began his HACC career in 1970. His passion to share subjects (mainly history) with students was his inspiration each day. He has authored academic articles, book reviews and encyclopedia entries, and created new course offerings on African American studies, Asia, movies, World War II and the Vietnam conflict. Experiencing students' awakenings and responses to these topics are among his favorite memories.
He believes that HACC has an important impact on the community by providing accessible, affordable and quality education. HACC alumni serve and benefit our region as nurses, police, firefighters, retailers, teachers, civil servants and elected officials.
Ross continues to pursue his passions through works like the recent publication of a book, Harrisburg In World War II, about the capital city's wartime home front. He thinks fondly of the collegiality and civility of the HACC community and gives back by supporting HACC students as a proud donor. We are honored to have Dr. Ross as a special member of the HACC family and thank him for his ongoing support of HACC students.
The HACC Alumni Association has proudly welcomed generations of alumni despite the unprecedented challenges we’ve recently faced. Here’s a few highlights from YOUR HACC Alumni Association from the past few years.
In April 2019, members of the HACC community and public enjoyed an unforgettable trip that included sampling specially-made dishes in Old Town Alexandria and a cruise to enjoy the famous cherry blossoms of Washington, D.C. This was one of several trips offered in a partnership between the HACC Alumni Association and AAA Travel.
Since spring 2020, in-person alumni events have been on hold in light of the global health pandemic. We can’t wait to continue this wonderful partnership in the future and offer more unforgettable experiences for HACC students, alumni, colleagues and the community!
In 2020, the College (and the world) faced the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and racial pandemic. The HACC Foundation offered tuition-assistance opportunities for unemployed HACC graduates. Many HACC alumni risked their own wellbeing by serving as frontline workers. In addition, alumni and other generous supporters made charitable contributions to important funds like HACC’s Fund for Excellence for CARE (Consultation, Advocacy, Referrals and Empowerment) and Fund for Inclusive Excellence to make a difference in our community and help students and their families.
While in-person events were halted, the HACC Alumni Association promoted assistance to help alumni during this difficult time (such as Career Services resources). In addition, alumni were invited to support new HACC graduates virtually. In fact, HACC’s 2020 graduates rang in a new milestone by crossing the 100,000 alumni mark! The HACC Alumni Association is one of the largest networks in Central Pennsylvania and proud alumni span the globe.
In 2021, the HACC Alumni Association continued to offer remote ways to stay connected to HACC. Alumni were invited to participate in a campaign to encourage current students; attend remote events; and hear from inspiring fellow alumni like Officer Chris Batten, who is committed to changing law enforcement for people of color.
Many alumni continued to give back to help students by giving to the HACC Foundation, sharing their inspiring stories and serving as speakers for virtual College events. For example, a HACC alumna and HACC Board of Trustees member, Hagir Elsheikh, became a published author and generously donated the proceeds of her book to support HACC students. In addition, she served as the alumni speaker for the fall 2021 Commencement ceremony to congratulate new graduates and welcome them to the alumni family.
As we embark on the College’s 58th year of changing lives and our community, the HACC Alumni Association continues to proudly serve alumni. If you are a HACC alum, please consider sharing your knowledge and expertise for an upcoming event, joining us for a HACC event, accessing the resources available to you or even just using a free HACC Zoom background to show you are #HACCproud. Thank you for being a special member of the HACC family!
For more information, please visit hacc.edu/Alumni or email us at AlumniAssociation@hacc.edu. Thank you!
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 are #HACCproud of our students, 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 with us. You can record a short video or complete a short questionnaire. When you are ready, please go to hacc.edu/Stories.
Please note that your story may be featured on:
Ads (including Facebook and TV)
Billboards
Emails
HACC’s Facebook, Instagram or Twitter pages
Websites (hacc.edu and haccfoundation.org)
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact us at releaseform@hacc.edu. Thank you!
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.