Hawks Corner
Hello, HACC Hawks!
Welcome to the student newsletter. HACC is dedicated to providing news that matters most to you in an easy-to-read format. We will continue to share relevant information and keep you “in the know” as we serve and support you.
This newsletter is shared with all current HACC students.
Thank you!
HACC's Core Values
- We set high goals and achieve them.
- We consistently perform above our own and others’ expectations.
- We provide exceptional service to all.
- We challenge the status quo.
- We continually strive to develop new and creative approaches to the education and training needs of our communities.
- We promote respect, collegiality, diversity and empathy in all we say and do.
- We nurture awareness and cultural sensitivity to create a climate of trust.
- We create a learning environment that appreciates diversity.
- We respect the shared governance decision-making process.
- We behave in a manner consistent with our core values.
- We are honest, open and truthful in our statements and actions.
- We provide the most accurate information available in all communication.
HACC Announces Plans for spring 2022 Semester
We’re happy to announce that HACC’s goal for the spring 2022 semester is to offer more on-campus classes. We will:
Continue to provide a variety of course instruction offerings, including on-campus instruction, remote instruction and virtual learning
Use enrollment patterns from the fall 2021 semester and feedback from the student survey to help guide the scheduling process
Prioritize bringing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses on campus when possible to ensure students are prepared for the hands-on elements of careers and transfer opportunities
Continue to offer online and select on-campus student services
Continue to evaluate student-enrollment trends, COVID-19 metrics in HACC’s service region and ongoing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), governmental and medical guidance. We will adjust course offerings as appropriate for student needs and employee and student safety.
Providing these options is a move toward the future of higher education, not just a response to the pandemic. We know that you desire a variety of choices, and we intend to remain flexible to pivot to address your needs.
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.
Have you signed up for e2Campus, HACC’s free alert system?
e2Campus is HACC’s free alert system that allows you to stay informed quickly when the College has immediate announcements or emergencies. You can sign up to receive a text message on your mobile device and/or an email. For more information and to sign up, please visit hacc.edu/e2Campus.
For more information about HACC’s weather announcement process, please visit hacc.edu/Weather.
Thank you!
Fund Your Bright Ideas with a Diversity Innovation Grant!
Do you have an idea for promoting inclusion and diversity at HACC? Perhaps you’d like to put together an event or develop a tool that promotes inclusion. Maybe you have a great idea, but need the money to make it happen.
Diversity Innovation Grants (free money) are available for projects, initiatives and activities that support inclusion, diversity and belonging at HACC!
We are seeking action-oriented proposals from students and employees to engage members of our community in ways that foster inclusion and belonging. A taskforce will evaluate proposals and award grants to those that are accepted. Funds will vary by project, but could range up to $5,000.
To learn more, please visit hacc.edu/DiversityFund and click the dropdown for Diversity Innovation Grants. Proposals can be submitted via the dropdown under How to Apply. If you have additional questions, please email Dr. Gina Crance, assistant vice president, Student Engagement and Belonging, at gcrance@hacc.edu.
The All-USA Scholarship Application is Open!
Do you meet the below eligibility? If so, you should apply!
Be enrolled through December 2021 in a minimum of six (6) semester credit hours.
Hold a minimum of a 3.50 cumulative grade-point average.
Be on track to earn an associate degree.
Have a minimum of 36 semester college‐level credit hours completed by Dec. 31, 2021.
All eligible students must apply at the below link and submit all materials by Nov. 15, 2021.
Here is the link to the application: https://www.ptk.org/scholarships/ Click on “Apply Now” to get started.
If you are a member of PTK, please use your login information to apply.
If you are not a member of PTK, you can still apply by following directions for “Create a Guest Account.”
Join us for application information sessions to learn more about the scholarship.
ANO PTK Scholarship Workshops, Part 1 - Orientation to PTK Scholarships
ANO PTK alumni will generously offer their scholarship tips and completion information to current students.
Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021 - 6:30 p.m. https://hacc.zoom.us/j/95784479854
ANO PTK Scholarship Workshops, Part II - Individualized Application Support
PTK advisors, HACC staff, students and alumni can meet with individual applicants to review status and assist with completion.
Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021 - 6:30 p.m. https://hacc.zoom.us/j/91839031565
Thank you for a successful
summer/fall 2021 orientation cycle!
Greetings, HACC students!
Do you know HACC’s core values? At HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, we value inclusion and diversity, and model our core values of excellence, innovation, inclusivity and integrity.
It is our job to protect you and provide a safe and equitable work and
school environment where learning is paramount. An essential piece of this work includes providing comprehensive information and resources about Title IX legislation. If you have not yet reviewed the important Title IX information at a new student orientation, please take a few minutes to view our New Student Orientation Fast Track video. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please reach out to us at orientation@hacc.edu.
The fall 2021 New Student Orientation Sessions have come to a close and we are proud to have connected with so many amazing students! At our orientations, we covered topics such as:
How to connect with our brand-new Learning Commons
Access to HACC’s EAP and mental health services
WHY students are choosing HACC for all of their educational needs
...and many more!
Don’t forget that, as a HACC student, you have access to Orientation Homebase, a comprehensive document that will help you confidently access key HACC services and personnel. You can access this document at any time by logging in to your myhacc account and selecting “New Student Orientation Homebase” under the Student Success → New Student Orientation tabs.
We are #HACCproud that you chose HACC to advance your education and wish you the best of luck in your first semester and beyond!
Join us! Seeking Students for “It’s On Us” Peer Education Program
Are you passionate about sexual assault and gender issues? Looking for ways to make a difference in our college community? Consider becoming a Peer Educator with It’s On Us!
It’s On Us is a collegewide student group made up of students serving to educate their peers about sexual assault and gender issues. Peer Educators do presentations and other activities aimed at helping fellow students learn about issues such as sexual assault, harassment, consent, healthy relationships, and more! Training will be offered. This will be a great experience to add on your resume and helps to make HACC a healthier, safer, and stronger learning community.
We believe it’s on ALL of us to play a part in making our college community safe and inclusive. If you are interested in joining, please fill out this link for our signup list or use the QR codes on the poster. We will reach out to you to schedule info sessions to learn more. You can also contact Briana Legerlotz (bjlegerl@hacc.edu) with any questions.
Online Noncredit Course Options Available
HACC is pleased to announce a new partnership with ed2go, a Cengage company. As the industry leader in online learning, partnering with ed2go greatly expands HACC’s noncredit offerings and our ability to reach diverse learners.
“This partnership is a natural fit,” Susan Biggs, executive director, Healthcare Education and Training, said. “We understand the value of career training in today’s ever-changing job market and providing a flexible option to do so. ed2go has a proven background that will help us best meet our student body’s learning needs.”
As a result of the partnership, HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, will offer an increased number of affordable online courses that you can complete on your own schedule anywhere you have internet access. (Some courses are also offered in an online, instructor-led format for those who prefer a little more structure in their schedule.) Whichever format suits your needs, we are excited to bring these new courses to the college.
For more information, please contact Susan Biggs at sebiggs@hacc.edu or visit www.ed2go.com/HACC
Want to Have Lots of Career Services Tools and Resources Available to You with Just One Click?
College Central Network, HACC’s Career Services Platform, otherwise known as CCN, is here to provide you with just that experience. Career services platforms provide a variety of information to you in different formats. CCN allows you to search document libraries, podcasts, videos, a career mentoring network, search boards for internships, jobs and so much more!
Want to do an informational interview? Find a mentor? Register for an experiential learning workshop or an internship or a career fair? All you need to do is activate your student CCN account – it’s free and it’s easy to use. Career Services is here to help you activate your account!
To activate your CCN account email, careerservices@hacc.edu or attend the How to Activate Your CCN account workshop offered every semester.
Check out our events this November in Career Services: Career Services Events board!
Transfer Services:
A Few Reasons Why an Associate Degree Will Help
Transferring doesn't have to be confusing and complicated. However, the earlier you begin to plan, the easier it will be to complete the process. Wherever you are in your planning process, Transfer Services is here to help and encourage you to complete your degree with us to reap the rewards.
HACC strongly encourages students to complete an associate degree before transferring. Why? There are many benefits to earning an associate degree:
Save tuition dollars at HACC!
Resume booster! Showcase one degree while pursuing another degree
Possibly free transfer application and scholarships
Obtain skills employers are seeking
Increase job opportunities
Higher earning potential
Another benefit to earning your degree:
Earn your bachelor's degree at Bucknell on a full-tuition scholarship. While completing your associate degree at HACC, take advantage of this unique scholarship opportunity to study at Bucknell University for a six-week summer program. You will get to experience all Bucknell has to offer through its classes and campus life. Students that successfully complete the program can apply as transfer students to Bucknell and receive a full-tuition scholarship. The application will be made available in December through Transfer Services. Stay tuned for additional information next month.
Bucknell is looking for community college students who:
Show potential to succeed in a bachelor's degree program at Bucknell
Have a GPA of about 3.5 or higher
Have completed at least 12 community college credits as of Jan. 15, 2022
Demonstrate leadership abilities, problem-solving skills and engagement on campus
Have a low-to-moderate income financial status
Please connect with transfer@hacc.edu with any questions as you plan your transfer next steps!
PSECU and Truist
Financial literacy is an essential skill to have. However, it is a skill that requires knowledge and proper training, which society may lack. Fortunately, HACC acknowledges the importance of financial education and aims to provide students with resources to help them make informed decisions with their finances and educate them about financial responsibility. HACC has established a partnership with PSECU and Truist Bank (formally known as BB&T) to offer banking services to students interested in opening an account and providing various financial education services. Although PSECU and Truist are both very beneficial services, they both have some distinct differences. Take a moment to discover the many ways PSECU and Truist can support you.
PSECU
PSECU is not a bank; it is a credit union. This means that they are not owned by any financial institutions.
There are no hidden fees. Members can use all credit union ATMs for free. PSECU will reimburse members at the end of the month if a member uses a bank ATM. This reimbursement can be up to $8 without a direct deposit and $20 with a direct deposit.
PSECU is offered throughout 28 schools in Pennsylvania, and they are considered a digital-first credit union. Some of the benefits include free checking and savings accounts with no minimum balances, debit card rewards, easy transfers, 24/7 access, and so much more.
To learn more about money management, please visit this website; https://www.psecu.com/learn
To learn more about student banking, please visit https://www.psecu.com/banking/for-college-students
Truist
Truist Bank is a financial institution that offers many benefits to its members, such as banking, lending, retirement and personal insurance.
Students can open a checking account with Truist and enjoy a stress-free banking experience with no monthly maintenance fee, no minimum balance requirement, no direct deposit requirement, and no-fee online statements.
The online access features allow members to have complete control and easy access to their finances. Members can even deposit a paper check using the mobile check deposit feature, which saves time and makes deposits faster.
In April of this year, Truist gave a generous donation to HACC and six other higher education institutions of nearly $850,000 to support grant funds, which help enhance many opportunities for students by starting new initiatives and learning opportunities.
For more information about Truist and ways to increase your understanding of financial literacy, please visit https://www.bbt.com/banking/checking/student-banking.html?cid=083&CoID=0138218&cmpid=coid0138218
Upcoming financial education workshops at HACC
PSECU – Monday, Nov. 8, 2021. More information to come!
Truist Financial Wellness: Managing Debt, Credit and Identity Theft Awareness – Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021, at noon and 5 p.m.
PSECU – Monday, Dec. 1, 2021. Check back soon for more information.
There are many ways you can get involved and stay informed about the latest events happening here at HACC. You can view important dates here https://www.hacc.edu/Calendar/. You can also register to receive weekly event emails here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-f6vWUyQwAXjp_oYhzkcBVdikYszyfyXtBHrdqE6sZ5VhLA/viewform.
Be sure to like and follow us on social media!
For more information on how to get involved, please contact us at studentinvolvement@hacc.edu.
Self-Screening – Important for All:
To protect HACC students, employees and community members, you are required to self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms before you visit our campus regardless if you are vaccinated or unvaccinated.
If you have experienced any of the following symptoms within the past 48 hours, please DO NOT visit the campus until symptoms have subsided for more than 48 hours; (https://www.cdc.gov/screening/index.html):
Congestion or runny nose
Cough
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Fever or chills
Headache
Muscle or body aches
Nausea or vomiting
New loss of taste or smell
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Sore throat
If you have experienced any of the above symptoms, had contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 or tested positive for COVID-19 yourself, please email corona@hacc.edu for guidance.
The third week of October happens to be Cybersecurity Career Awareness Week led by National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE).
Whether students, veterans, or anyone seeking a career change, the cybersecurity field is rapidly growing and has something for everyone.
Why Promote Cybersecurity Careers?
There are new threats and attacks by cybercriminals emerging every day, making cybersecurity professionals far more in demand than ever before. There has been a huge push to attract individuals toward a career in cybersecurity.
Here are a few reasons why we should promote careers in cybersecurity:
It is a Hot Job Market
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job market for information security analysts will grow by 32 percent by 2028, making it one of the fastest-growing professional fileds in the country. Cybersecurity Ventures has found that there will be 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs in 2021. Consequently, cybersecurity professionals are among the highest in demand worldwide and will be for years to come.
Earlier this year, the Harvard Business Review shared a report that summed up the plight in this way: “The majority of chief information security officers (CISOs) around the world are worried about the cybersecurity skills gap, with 58 percent of CISOs believing the problem of not having an expert cyber staff will worsen.”
There is Room for Personal and Professional Growth
Thanks to an ever-growing set of career tracks, cybersecurity offers various options for people to find a position that aligns with their interests. Cybersecurity professionals work in everything from compliance to testing cyber defenses and software, so there are virtually limitless opportunities that professionals can continue to grow their skills and apply them.
Want to know the best-kept secret in cybersecurity? There is no need to be a tech wizard to thrive in information security. Having a technical background may be less necessary than one might think. According to Enterprise Strategy Group’s report, a full 23 percent of surveyed cybersecurity employees originally began their careers in a non-IT field.
Investing in Cybersecurity Pays for Itself
Due to the shortage of cybersecurity talent in the workforce, businesses and educational institutions are constantly rolling out new ways to make cybersecurity careers more affordable. For example, new grants and scholarships are now becoming available for individuals interested in cybersecurity careers. Many businesses are beginning to offer tuition reimbursement and other financial perks, as well.
For anyone wanting a degree in Cybersecurity, it may be much more affordable than previously anticipated.
There is Growth in Graduate Programs
In addition to the fascinating work that cybersecurity professionals get to take on every day, there is also a growing selection of highly tailored graduate programs that can further academic knowledge in cybersecurity.
For example, graduate degrees ranging from Applied Cryptography to Network Vulnerability and Detection are now offered by colleges and universities nationwide. Additionally, cybersecurity professionals get the opportunity to network with other students from various backgrounds; this allows them to explore additional opportunities for future positions or businesses.
Facts and Figures
80% of companies say they have a hard time finding and hiring security talent. (Gartner)
Cybersecurity job postings have grown a whopping 94% since 2013. (Burning Glass)
By 2029, the cybersecurity job market is on track to grow by 31%. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
The shortage of cybersecurity professionals is nearly 3 million globally. In North America alone that shortfall encompasses around 498,000 unfilled positions. ((ISC)2)
23% of surveyed cybersecurity employees originally began their careers in a non-IT field. (Enterprise Strategy Group)
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and HACC is proud to be a Champion Organization that supports this online safety and education initiative.
Show HACC’s support during
Cybersecurity Awareness Month
by using this Zoom background.
Click the picture for the link to the full-size wallpaper.
Securely YOURS,
Data Security Team
Office of Information Technology & Learning Experience
HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College
One HACC Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17110
Telephone: 717-780-2300
Website: https://hacc.edu/
Our Purpose: Learning for all; Learning for life.