HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, shares recent news as well as upcoming events available to the community, including:

• What’s New This Fall at HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College
• HACC Holds Fall Open House for Students to Explore Options
• Students Benefit from New Scholarships at HACC’s Gettysburg Campus
• Fifth Annual 5K Run Benefits Students at HACC’s Lancaster Campus
• Quilt Exhibit Features ‘Family and Friends’
• HACC Theatre Presents ‘My First Time’

 
What's New This Fall at HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College
 
HARRISBURG, Pa. – HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, celebrates the fall 2017 term with a number of new initiatives and programs, including the $12-million renovation of the Bruce E. Cooper Student Center on the Harrisburg Campus.
 
Renovation of Cooper Student Center
The newly renovated Cooper Student Center at HACC’s Harrisburg Campus officially opened Aug. 30 with festivities that showcased the $12-million project and featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony and opening of the time capsule from 1967.
 
Hospitality and Tourism
In Adams County, tourism and hospitality is big business, bringing in more than $660 million in visitor spending, generating $130 million in tax revenue and supporting more than 7,500 jobs. To support this critical industry, HACC expanded its Hospitality and Tourism Management Program this fall to HACC’s Gettysburg Campus.
 
Students can enroll in “Introduction to Hospitality and Tourism Industry,” which covers the background and scope of the hospitality and tourism industry, outlining the various types of hotels, restaurants, travel and tourism organizations and their individual organizational structures. In addition, future trends and career opportunities within the hospitality and tourism industry will be discussed. The class will also provide opportunities to hear from local industry guest speakers and participate in field experiences with local hospitality and tourism providers. 
 
New Partnership with Apple
HACC is among 30 community colleges nationwide that are partnering with Apple to offer a new coding curriculum based on Apple’s “App Development with Swift” program that will make it easy for students to learn how to design, code, test and deploy apps.
 
HACC has embraced cutting-edge technology and benefited from a long partnership with Apple. HACC launched a series of iTunesU courses in 2012 that continue to be some of the most-accessed courses on the site.
 
Capital Area Science and Engineering Fair
HACC is hosting the Capital Area Science and Engineering Fair (CASEF) starting this year, which is planned to bring 300 students interested in pursuing STEM education, along with their parents, to HACC’s Harrisburg Campus in spring 2018.
 
Parking Enhancements
Students, employees and visitors were greeted with a new west parking lot at HACC’s Harrisburg Campus when classes started Aug. 28.
 
HACC’s Fundraising Campaign
Invest. Impact. Inspire. Campaign for HACC, the College’s fundraising campaign, exceeded its goal to raise $2 million in scholarship funds three years before the campaign end date.
 
Information Technology Advances

Among the information technology advances this fall 2017 are:

• HACC is offering selected technology courses that leverage cutting-edge cloud-delivered virtualization environments for student laboratory work assignments. This approach will benefit students in those courses by allowing them to complete their assigned lab work from any device, at any time and from any location.
• HACC has adopted Zoom, a state-of-the-art cloud-based desktop video conference solution, providing basic accounts to all HACC employees and HACC students through the internal myHACC portal. This new tool will enhance collaboration between students on assignments and course projects.
• HACC continues to deploy the next version of the Banner student record system (known as Banner XE/Banner 9) with an electronic student transcript rolling out earlier this year that provides HACC students with instant access to send their transcripts through the National Student Clearinghouse.
• HACC’s Information Technology Division is currently developing the next technology plan that will include technologies such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality and information security initiatives.

 
Inclusion and Diversity

• HACC has realigned the Disability Services Departments on each campus to better help students with disabilities or accommodative needs thrive. These services now reside within the Office of Inclusion and Diversity to accomplish goals outlined in the College’s 2015-19 Strategic Plan “Journey to Excellence,” including:
  • Serve as a catalyst to ensure sustainability, growth and success of students with identified disabilities or accommodative needs
  • Provide disability services staff with effective professional development, and institutional visibility
  • Further the goal to embrace, support and actively pursue a policy of inclusiveness
• HACC’s Office of Inclusion and Diversity has developed a comprehensive strategic plan that focuses on ensuring that the College remains at the forefront of inclusive excellence, both on campuses, and within the communities that the College has a footprint.
• HACC’s five campuses have developed and implemented campus-based diversity committees to address local issues related to diversity and inclusion. These committees are made up of students and employees and will soon be expanded to include community members.

 
Academic-Related Capital Projects
An investment of $280,000 in academic-related capital projects at HACC’s Lancaster Campus provide collaborative learning classrooms, improved video conferencing room and enhanced iPad resources in the biology labs and technology wing.
 
New Engineering Faculty Member
At HACC’s Lancaster Campus, a new full-time faculty member was hired for the Engineering Program. With this new faculty member, the Engineering Program can now be fully completed at the Lancaster Campus, and Lancaster Campus students will not have to travel to other HACC campuses to complete the program.


Workforce Development

• HACC recently initiated an Industrial Manufacturing Technology (IMT) Apprenticeship program with AMES Reese (a manufacturer of powdered metal component parts). The IMT program, which is the first of its kind in Pennsylvania, was instrumental in the company’s decision to stay in Lancaster County and expand operations. Additionally, the program is growing with cohorts in Adams and Lebanon counties.
• HACC is hosting a daylong symposium on medical marijuana for the legal and medical communities in October 2017.
• Along with HACC’s Certificate in Brewing Science, the College soon will be offering a Certificate in Wine Making and Grape Growing.

 
HACC Academy
At HACC’s York Campus, students in the York City School District are benefiting from a $25,000 grant from the Harley-Davidson Foundation that allows them to explore career pathway options at the HACC Academy in high-demand fields.
 
HACC Holds Fall Open House for Students to Explore Options

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Student-led tours and meeting with faculty are among the many things future students can experience during an open house by HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College. On Oct. 18, 2017, from 6-8 p.m., the public can visit any of HACC’s five campuses in Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon and York.
 
Sometimes students are not sure what’s available or the best options for meeting their goals. For example, Alexandra Nuñez wasn’t sure what she wanted to study when she was considering college. She discovered HACC was a good fit for her because it was inexpensive and close to home. She says she would not have known about the Medical Assistant Program and its career path if it had not been for HACC.
 
During the open house, the public can:

• Learn about the associate degrees, certificates and diplomas in more than 100 programs of study.
• Explore the on-campus and online learning options, including 18 programs offered completely online.
• Learn how to earn college credit while in high school through dual enrollment and College in the High School.
• Discover how HACC credits can transfer to nearly 60 four-year colleges inside and outside of Pennsylvania.
• Find out about free student services like tutoring, academic advising and career counseling.
• Tour a campus and meet faculty.
• Learn about HACC’s study abroad opportunities to countries in Asia, Europe, North America and South America.
• Get answers about financial aid and more than 200 available scholarships.
• Find out how to apply and enroll at HACC.

Please visit hacc.edu/OpenHouse to register for the campus you wish to visit.
 
Students Benefit from New Scholarships at HACC’s Gettysburg Campus
 
GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Students at HACC’s Gettysburg Campus will benefit from two new scholarships established by the HACC Foundation with funds from generous donors WellSpan Health System and Gettysburg American Legion Post 202.

WellSpan Health Partners with HACC to Provide Physician Office Assistant Scholarships

WellSpan Health System has created a new scholarship fund with HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, to benefit physician office assistant students.

This new fund will award 10 scholarships of $1,500 each during the 2017-18 academic year to students who demonstrate financial need. 

HACC developed this in-demand healthcare program in partnership with WellSpan Health System to address a local labor market demand. The WellSpan Careers job listing webpage averages 10 to 20 openings per month for physician office assistants. 

The primary role of a physician office assistant is to work in the front office of a primary care physician office, a specialty care physician office or a medical access center. The physician office assistant keeps the medical office running smoothly by fulfilling administrative duties such as greeting patients, scheduling appointments and verifying and entering healthcare insurance information into a patient management system.
WellSpan Health System is the largest nongovernmental employer in Central Pennsylvania with over 15,000 employees in 155 locations serving 1.1 million people.

New Scholarship Established in Memory of Adams County World War I Veteran

Gettysburg American Legion Post 202 recently presented a $3,000 check to HACC’s Gettysburg Campus to establish the Albert J. Lentz Gettysburg American Legion Veterans Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship provides assistance to student-veterans or students who are a family member of an honorably discharged veteran at HACC’s Gettysburg Campus.  

Albert J. Lentz, son of Mr. and Mrs. Israel Lentz, served in the U.S. armed forces along the border during the Mexican trouble provoked by the Germans along the Texas border. He was one of the first men to enlist in the Regular Army of the United States and went overseas in fall 1917 with a provisional battalion. Lentz was then assigned to Headquarters Company, 18^th infantry, 1^st Division. He was serving with this unit when he was killed April 20, 1918, during heavy fighting at Cantigny, France. Lentz, who was only 26, became the first man from Adams County killed in World War I. He is buried in the Gettysburg National Cemetery.

In addition to establishing this scholarship, Gettysburg American Legion Post 202 members plan to meet with HACC student-veterans to find out what they want from service clubs and organizations to better support their needs.
 
Fifth Annual 5K Run Benefits Students at HACC’s Lancaster Campus
 
LANCASTER, Pa. – Runners who participate in a 5K Wellness Run at HACC’s Lancaster Campus this fall will raise money to benefit students at the same time.

The fifth annual event is scheduled Sept. 30, 2017, rain or shine, at the campus, 1641 Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster, PA 17602. Check-in and late registration will be held from 7:45-8:30 a.m. with the race starting at 9:15 a.m. Participants will follow a course through the campus.

Registration is $20. Free parking is available. 

Proceeds benefit HACC’s Lancaster Campus Wellness Scholarship program for students with unmet financial need who are enrolled in a physical education, health and/or nutrition class.
 
For more information and to register online, please visit:
hacc.edu/Campuses/LancasterCampus/5K-Run.cfm
 
Quilt Exhibit Features ‘Family and Friends’

LANCASTER, Pa. – Quilting “brings joy to my heart and peace to my soul,” says artist Suzanne T. Bristow, whose work will be on display Oct. 2-Nov. 8, 2017, in the Art Space in the East Building at HACC’s Lancaster Campus.
 
A reception for the artist is scheduled Oct. 16 from 4-6 p.m. in the Art Space.
 
Both Bristow’s “Family and Friends” exhibit and the reception are free and open to the public.
 
Bristow, a retired teacher and community volunteer who lives in Richmond, Virginia, describes why she quilts in her artist’s statement: “Learning to sew, adding another layer to snuggle under on the sleeping porch, making a memory, wrapping up a child while reading a book or watching a movie, taking a nap as the rain falls steadily around you, making sure that an elder has warm knees or shoulders, comforting a friend, celebrating a birth, mourning a loss, donating a security blanket, filling the empty hours, creating joy. These are all the reasons that I quilt.”
 
Bristow received a bachelor’s degree in theatre from Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and previously worked at the Virginia Museum Theatre in Richmond.
 
Art Space hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
 
For more information, please contact Ilene Rosenberg at 717-948-1806 or irrosenb@hacc.edu.
 
HACC Theatre Presents ‘My First Time’

HARRISBURG, Pa. – HACC Theatre will present “My First Time” Oct. 19-22, 2017, in the Studio Theatre of the Rose Lehrman Arts Center on HACC’s Harrisburg Campus.
 
“My First Time” features four actors in hysterical and heartbreaking stories about first sexual experiences written by real people. The play is based on the website www.myfirsttime.com, which launched in 1998 and now shares thousands of true stories.
 
The show was written by Ken Davenport and will be directed by Dave Olmsted, HACC scenic designer and theatre instructor.
 
Public performances will take place Oct. 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 22 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for students, senior citizens and military veterans. Students will pay $5 per ticket on student night Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m.
 
Please note this play contains adult language and situations and is not recommended for anyone under 18.
 
Please visit hacc.edu/RLAC to purchase tickets.   
 
For more information on “My First Time,” visit www.myfirsttime.com. “My First Time” is a BestOfOffBroadway.com production.
 
About HACC
HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, is the first and largest of Pennsylvania’s 14 community colleges. HACC offers over 120 career and transfer associate degree, certificate and diploma programs to approximately 19,000 students. Also, the College serves students at its Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon and York campuses; through virtual learning; and via workforce development and continuing education training. For more information on how HACC is uniquely YOURS, visit hacc.edu. Also, follow us on Twitter (@HACC_info), like us on Facebook (Facebook.com/HACC64) and use #HACCNews.
 
About the HACC Foundation 
The HACC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was established in 1985 to raise private and corporate revenues in support of HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College. The HACC Foundation provides funding for student scholarships, innovative academic programs, state-of-the art training equipment and modernized facilities. To learn more about the HACC Foundation, please visit haccfoundation.org.