HACC Learners Benefit from New Programs, Services

Fall 2019 brings changes, innovations HARRISBURG, Pa. – Learners at the campuses of HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, are finding expanded offerings to meet their goals, new dining options, video-connected classrooms and other additions to make their fall 2019 experience memorable.

As the calendar heads toward midterm exams in early October, learners are making use of free tutoring, hanging out in student lounges between classes and juggling daily commutes, families and jobs.
Highlights of what’s new at HACC this fall include the following.

Learner Engagement
 
HACC Radio launched this fall with podcasts at HACC’s York Campus, thanks to funding support from the HACC Foundation.
 
The HACC Bookstore has taken over the recently vacated Subway space at the Gettysburg and York campuses. Learners will find a variety of food and beverage options. 
Dinner with the Dean sessions are scheduled at HACC’s Harrisburg Campus to help learners get the most out of their campus experience and give them resources for success.
 
A new three-part series in the Bruce E. Cooper Center at HACC’s Harrisburg Campus will support learners in their growth and development outside of the classroom.
The new Apple® repair room at the Overholt Bookstore on the Harrisburg Campus is open. The site also houses HawkTech, an Apple® Authorized Campus Store.
 
Virtual Learning is part of a nationwide community college research study using PackBack’s artificial intelligence (AI) technology in our online classes.
 
HACC’s Office of Information Systems and Technology (OIST) has expanded the IT Call Center support hours of operation to 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 
 
Classes, Program Opportunities
 
Health Careers 
HACC’s new licensed practical nurse (LPN) to registered nurse (RN) adds another pathway for learners who what to earn an associate degree in nursing.
 
At HACC’s Gettysburg Campus, 26 learners are enrolled in a new eight-term evening option for the associate degree in nursing. The campus now has 175 students engaged in nursing clinical education each term. Since opening the program in 2003, over 650 nurses have graduated from the associate degree in nursing program at the Gettysburg Campus.

Trades and Technology
HACC’s associate in applied science degree in mechatronics has expanded to include the Gettysburg and Harrisburg campuses, as well as certificate programs in mechatronics.

Virtual Learning 
Online learners have 27 new online and blended workforce development classes from which to choose. An additional 32 new classes are in development 2019-20 academic year.
 
Examity, HACC’s new online-proctored testing tool, provides enhanced test integrity, student authentication and cost-effective options. Examity is the only Accuplacer-approved provider for online placement exams.
 
Virtual Learning and Workforce Development and Continuing Education are collaborating on a science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) initiative with Commonwealth Charter Academy and TechLink: South Central PA Consortium for Career and Technical Education. The project is using Double 2, virtual reality and augmented reality.
 
Thanks to support from the HACC Foundation, Virtual Learning is providing adult education learners with a new English Language Learner with Digital Literacy Fast Track to provide English as a Second Language (ESL), general education diploma (GED) and technology skills training for 60 advanced level unemployed or underemployed individuals in the Harrisburg and Lebanon area.
 
Workforce Development and Continuing Education
HACC’s Senator John J. Shumaker Public Safety Center is offering an Adams County-wide emergency medical technician (EMT) class for juniors and seniors from the Bermudian Springs, Biglerville, Delone Catholic, Fairfield Area, Gettysburg Area, Littlestown Senior and New Oxford high schools. The class meets at Fairfield Area High School.
 
Through a partnership with area businesses in Lancaster County, HACC is offering workforce training in industrial maintenance technology.
 
At HACC’s Lebanon Campus, two new career options – Medical Assisting and the Computer Support Specialist Certificate programs – meet area employer needs.
 
HACC Foundation 

The Foundation is offering four types of exciting naming opportunities for our donors: www.hacc.edu/namingopportunities.
 
There is a new HACC Foundation website: www.haccfoundation.org.
 
Technology Upgrades

The Gettysburg and Harrisburg campuses joined forces to support a student who was unable to take a final class at the scheduled location. They ran an education class via Zoom which video-connected the classrooms. This allowed the student to complete the necessary coursework to graduate on time.

Expanded classroom collaboration between HACC campuses is possible with ongoing continuing upgrades to Zoom, video conferencing software, and other technology upgrades by the Office of Information Systems and Technology (OIST). For example, education classes and Foundational Studies for Men of Color are being offered at HACC’s Lebanon Campus via Zoom video connection with the College’s other campuses to provide additional experiences, offerings and local program completion.

OIST collaborated with Amazon to establish a direct connection between HACC and Amazon to support the use of Amazon Web Services (AWS).
 
Facelifts, Renovations 

Recently accomplished projects to improve campus life and classroom experience for HACC learners this fall are below.
 
Electrical upgrades in the welding lab at Midtown 1 Trade and Technology Center accommodates new commercial grade welding machines.

The newly renovated Select Medical Dental Lab on the Harrisburg Campus reflects modern dental offices with new cabinetry and equipment. HACC Foundation funds and Perkins grant money made the project possible.

The Student Commons at HACC’s York Campus under renovation to house the offices of Student Development and Multicultural Programs, Student Government Association (SGA) and Student Programming Board in January 2020. The SGA is funding renovations underway to the deck of the Governor George M. Leader Building.

About HACC
HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, is the first and largest of Pennsylvania’s 14 community colleges. HACC offers approximately 100 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), follow us on Instagram (@HACC_edu), 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. To contribute to the HACC Foundation, please visit hacc.edu/GiveNow.