From the Desk of the President

Greetings, colleagues.

As I reflect upon the last three months, I want to highlight some of the reasons why we remain #HACCProud.

HACC Springs into Action

When the coronavirus pandemic first changed our everyday lives, we quickly moved to remote technology to serve our students without disruption. With funding from the HACC Foundation, the College provided laptops, hotspots, webcams and other crucial technology to our students to support the transition. Thousands of HACC employees and students pulled together to complete the spring semester successfully while coping with a “new normal” that was anything but normal.

As the region’s largest supplier of training for first responders, we quickly adapted to remote instruction for police, fire, emergency management services, paramedic and pre-hospital nursing students so that they could continue with their programs. Then, to meet Pennsylvania’s need for more first responders on the front lines of the pandemic, once the Governor approved our request to do so, we swiftly moved to implement strict policies and procedures to safely return these students to campus for classroom and hands-on training required for their certification.

Within a short turnaround time, HACC developed a comprehensive Contact Tracer Training Program to train a workforce needed to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. With our state having an unemployment rate of 15% in April and rising, this four-week program will provide trained contact tracers needed to meet a growing demand while providing employment opportunities for thousands of jobless Pennsylvanians.

The HACC Community Serves Others

I often say that HACC puts the “community” in its name. Our current examples are showcased in the College’s HACC Heroes series that acknowledges the students, employees and alumni who stepped up during the pandemic. BRAVO!

HACC Fulfills Its Mission

HACC’s responsiveness to the current needs of the Pennsylvania economy reflects our mission to provide educational pathways and training for people from all walks of life to qualify for family-sustaining jobs.

For example, in 2018-19, HACC provided workforce training experiences to approximately 22,235 students, many of whom received customized training to meet the needs of their employers. In addition, HACC has more than 30 short-term programs, many of which are offered remotely and can lead to employment opportunities. HACC is working in partnership with Pennsylvania CareerLinks® to make this information readily available.

The Impact of HACC on the Economy

An investment in Pennsylvania’s community colleges is an investment in a stronger economy and future for its citizens. For example, for every dollar society invests in an education from HACC, an average of $9 in benefits will accrue to Pennsylvania over the course of the students’ careers.

Put another way, taking into account HACC’s operations, construction spending, student spending and alumni impact, HACC added $1 billion in income to our service region during 2017-18, according to a recent economic impact study.

YOU are the Reason

Now, more than ever, HACC and the 13 other community colleges stand ready to provide the backbone of support for Pennsylvania’s return to a thriving, innovative home for industry and businesses, large and small.

However, it has been obvious to me over the past three months that our credit and non-credit students could not achieve their successes without your dedicated service and focus. For that, I sincerely thank you. YOU are the reason! #HACCTogether #HACCProud

Thank you and be well!

What if 2020 isn’t cancelled?

What if 2020 is the year we’ve been waiting for?

A year so uncomfortable, so painful, so scary, so raw that it finally forces us to grow.

A year that screams so loud, finally awakening us from our ignorant slumber.

A year we finally accept the need for change.

Declare change. Work for change. Become the change.

A year we finally band together, instead of pushing each other further apart.

2020 isn’t cancelled, but rather the most important year of them all. ~ Leslie Dwight