HACC Makes College Possible in 2017-18
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HACC Makes College Possible by Helping Students Get Started
HACC is committed to offering accessible, affordable educational opportunities for all students, regardless of socioeconomic status or educational background. We recruit high school students, recent graduates, those who have been in the workforce for a few years or a few decades and even some who have retired but aren’t done serving their communities. During academic year 2017-18, HACC offered new ways to engage potential students and to ensure that they continue toward their educational goals.
In March and April 2018, the College offered HACC Experience Days for high school students. The events offered an opportunity for future students to engage with HACC faculty and learn what it would be like to be a HACC student. The event not only allowed HACC to recruit talented, high-performing students but to also strengthen its partnerships with regional high schools.
“My son encouraged me to attend. I found the confidence his classes gave to him was an inspiration for me to go back to school.” - Tammy Schall, HACC student
“The thought of starting over with going back to college was scary and very overwhelming after being away from school for 10 years. The advisors are amazing and have been very helpful with helping me to re-enroll, also with writing out an educational plan with all required classes to help you see and understand the "big picture" of college much easier.” - Antonia Bell, HACC student
In academic year 2017-18, HACC developed and implemented new Workforce Development online courses to help students and community members advance in their education and careers. As our online workforce courses grow, we plan to provide additional skills training in a guided, self-paced environment in classes such as Microsoft Office products and management courses.
HACC Makes College Possible by Fostering Student Engagement with Excellent Programming and Faculty
HACC is committed to offering high-quality, educational opportunities that align with student goals post-HACC, such as enrolling in four-year schools or jumping into a career. The College continually improves its programs, provides employee professional development opportunities and updates its facilities to ensure that they offer state-of-the-art technology and industry-standard learning tools.
“We are delighted with and energized by the Middle States Commission’s reaccreditation of HACC. Through strong leadership, continuous improvement of our high-quality programs and attention to our students’ success, we look forward to changing lives and strengthening our community for years to come.” - President John J. “Ski” Sygielski, Ed.D.
In June 2018, HACC received notification that the Middle States Commission for Higher Education fully reaffirmed the College’s accreditation through 2026. This accreditation affirms HACC’s quality and ability to prepare students with the skills they need for success in the workforce. In addition, it ensures that students can access state and federal financial aid.
Throughout academic year 2017-18, HACC continued to offer faculty professional development. For example, the funds for excellence provided the money needed for professional development opportunities for faculty and staff, including:
- A symposium exploring integrated reading and writing curriculum in developmental education courses
- Mini-grant program whereby adjunct faculty in English can request funding to support research projects focused on improving the quality of instruction in English, improving placement in English and/or improving academic support in English
- Distribution of professional development resources to enhance teaching and assessment skills, such as “Teach Students How to Learn” by Sandra McGuire, Bloom's Taxonomy Slider and the Pocket Guide for Evidence-based Instruction
- An event to promote integration of metacognitive strategies into tutoring to increase student learning and outcomes
In spring 2018, 180 College employees attended the collegewide Third Annual President’s Symposium, whose theme was “Fostering Community in Higher Education.” Participants explored topics like:
- Best practices and practical strategies in higher education for fostering inclusivity and collaboration
- Ways to enhance employee and student engagement and retention
- Strategies for collaborative community partnerships to enhance student experiences
“One thing I don't think people know about HACC is that we have a vibrant student center and student life program. With the newly renovated Cooper Student Center, we now have a hub for students to connect, relax, study and get involved. ” - Ben Byler
In August 2017, HACC completed the renovations to the Bruce E. Cooper Student Center on HACC’s Harrisburg Campus. The 19-month, $12-million renovation has transformed the Cooper Student Center into a one-stop destination for student services and activities, including counseling and advising, disability services, financial aid, global education and veterans affairs.
HACC Makes College Possible by Fostering An Inclusive and Accessible Environment
HACC has made a commitment to ensure that a high-quality education is accessible to all those who want to pursue it. In academic year 2017-18, HACC made huge strides toward making the college experience more inclusive than ever for its students.
The College has convened campus-based diversity committees at each of its campuses to advance diversity and inclusion locally and ensure that diversity and inclusion are at the cornerstone of everything we do. For example, HACC’s Gettysburg Campus hosted poverty simulations, microaggression awareness sessions, book discussions and other opportunities to ensure that diversity is discussed in the classroom and in co- and extra-curricular activities. The College also presented workshops about race and racism that both inform participants about the effects of racism on the personal and systemic levels and provide tools to overcome racism.
The College launched a plan to integrate the Disability Services Department into the Office of Inclusion and Diversity as a result of the HACC Accessibility Plan Review and Training plan. This plan was implemented to ensure that services HACC provides for students with identified disabilities or accommodative needs remain aligned with national best practices. This enhanced approach to offering disability services will ensure sustainability, growth and success for these students.
“Most importantly, [HACC employees] are taking [new inclusion practices] into the classroom – how they can better communicate with students and colleagues who may be different from them, or think differently than they do, or who may be having a hard time connecting with them simply because they are different.”
Approximately one-third of HACC’s students represent minority populations.
In HACC's 11-county service area, an average of 8 percent of residents represent minority populations.
“As an international student, HACC … caters to my demographic and has excellent staff who assisted me every step of the way from my initial application, to I-20 to student visa. The process was smooth, my adviser encouraged me and I felt like I would be okay at HACC, and I am!” - Elizabeth Owuonda, HACC student
“My greatest personal achievement is making the Dean’s List since I was not a good high school student. Having a learning disability and not knowing it made it difficult to do well in high school but HACC's disability adviser has been wonderful in getting me the help I need.” - Sara Yunginger, HACC student
HACC Makes College Possible by Making Attendance Affordable
HACC is committed to ensuring that our students have the tools they need to achieve their educational goals. HACC offers innovative programs to keep college affordable and help students remain fully engaged in their educational experience. For example, in academic year 2017-18, HACC explored ways to reduce the cost of textbooks for its students. HACC worked with RedShelf, a provider of digital learning materials that partners with publishers to streamline digital textbooks and other information, to learn how we can help students access easy-to-use alternatives to traditional textbooks. For students, this adds up to significant savings!
The HACC Foundation is committed to providing financial support to students through scholarship and emergency assistance opportunities to ensure that students succeed. The HACC Foundation continued to raise money for its existing funds and through the Invest. Impact. Inspire. Campaign for HACC.
With all these accomplishments, it is clear that HACC is achieving its mission. Because of YOU, HACC held its largest Commencement ceremony on record, with more than 700 students participating in the spring 2018 Commencement!
“The faculty were using textbooks they had already selected but at significant savings to the students. Students gain by having electronic access to their course materials from day one.”
“I chose HACC, especially Virtual Learning, to give me a good head start. I am able to complete an affordable degree in a field I love while working to advance my career with experience. I have flexible hours, caring and thoughtful professors and a tuition bill that doesn't bankrupt me each semester.” - Kathleen Lochary-Quinn, HACC student
“My greatest personal achievement is graduating debt-free with a 4.0 GPA.” - Cecilia Dean, HACC student
Thank YOU for making college possible for HACC students!
This annual report reflects gifts received between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018. Every attempt has been made to accurately reflect our donors and friends. However, if you note an error, please email the HACC Foundation at foundation@hacc.edu and accept our apologies.
HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, in full accordance with the law does not discriminate in employment, student admissions and student services on the basis of race, color, religion, age, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability, place of birth, General Education Development Certification (GED), marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or any other legally protected classification. HACC recognizes its responsibility to promote the principles of equal opportunity for employment, student admissions and student services taking active steps to recruit minorities and women. Inquiries should be directed to the HACC vice president for inclusion and diversity at cido@hacc.edu.
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Harrisburg, PA 17110
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