HACC is York's Community College

York, PA – Since HACC responded to York County’s call for its own community college in 2003, enrollments have consistently grown in double-digit numbers every semester. HACC’s York Campus is the fastest growing of the six campuses that comprise HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College. Growth prompted the college to move in August 2005 to facilities at 2010 Pennsylvania Ave. behind The Crossroads Shopping Center on Route 30, and in October 2007, the State Department of Education designated HACC’s York site as a full-fledged campus.

More than 2,300 students now attend classes at the York Campus with the numbers expected to continue to rise – putting a strain on the availability of classrooms and other facilities to accommodate the demand. Classes begin at 8 a.m. and run until 9 p.m. weekdays and on Saturday mornings. The addition of blended courses – courses that include both classroom and online instruction – provide even greater flexibility.

“HACC’s mission has always been to provide accessible and affordable education for all,” says Jean Treuthart, campus vice president and dean of the York Campus. “We meet the needs of today’s busy student for a quality college experience.”

While creative scheduling has been able to allow the York Campus to meet the needs of its growing programs, space at the existing campus is tapped out.

With no where to grow at the existing campus, HACC began looking to the future. In February, the sale of property owned by the York County Economic and Development Corp. to HACC was completed. The 11-acre site in the York City Business and Industrial Park near the campus includes the Cyber Center and Cytech complex.

With the purchase, HACC acquires 20,000 square feet of unoccupied space that can be used to expand general classroom space and add a physical education room, music class room, a language lab and a community room.

The first expansion using the 20,000 square feet is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2009.

“This expansion will see us through a few years and the college will do a master plan for the York Campus to determine where we’re headed,” says George Franklin, HACC vice president of finance and college resources. HACC is looking to partner with the YCEDC in the planning of an advanced technology center that would even further expand opportunity to students and area employers.

HACC has a clear plan in place to match the enrollment growth in York County. “We’re now preparing to deliver programs and services to more than 4,000 students in the future, says Jean Treuthart. “The only variable is how long it will take us to get there.”