HARRISBURG, Pa. – HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College, received a $100,000 grant for the third year as part of the Johnson Controls Community College Partnership Program. The grant is part of Johnson Controls' nationwide initiative that aims to donate up to $15 million to community colleges by the end of 2026 to expand access to high-demand technical fields. The $300,000 in total funding enhances training and educational opportunities for future leaders in the trades. Half of the funds will support scholarships for tuition and fees, while additional investments will address emergency assistance funds like transportation and food insecurity, expand lab equipment in HVAC and welding, and boost recruitment and engagement efforts.
"We are deeply grateful to Johnson Controls for renewing their generous investment for a third year. Their unwavering commitment provides our students with more than financial support - it opens doors to mentorship, hands-on tools and clear pathways to meaningful and rewarding careers in the skilled trades. Partnerships like this exemplify how education and industry can work together to transform lives, destinies and family trees. With Johnson Controls by our side, HACC is not only preparing students for success but also strengthening the workforce of Central Pennsylvania and fueling long-term economic growth in our communities," said HACC President and CEO John J. "Ski" Sygielski, MBA, Ed.D.
Since its inception in 2021, the Johnson Controls Community College Partnership Program has provided funding annually to community colleges in North America to help prepare students for fulfilling career paths in sustainable building practices. Recipients have the opportunity to renew the grant for up to three years, creating long-term opportunities for program development.
With last year's funding, HACC provided scholarships, emergency assistance funds, career assistance, industry connections and engagement opportunities for students who enrolled in the following programs:
The renewed funding will continue to support students enrolled in these programs, while also opening doors for new initiatives and projects.
In addition to financial support, Johnson Controls employees in the surrounding area will continue to engage with HACC through mentoring programs. This collaboration provides students with valuable insights into the industry, helping them understand the promising career paths available to them upon completion of their training.
"The skilled trades represent a future of continuous learning and real-world impact," said Susan Ranft, Vice President of Human Resources, Americas at Johnson Controls. "Our investment in HACC reflects our commitment to equipping students not just with technical skills, but with the mindset to lead, innovate and strengthen their communities in a rapidly evolving industry. By empowering students to build meaningful careers, we're also helping them create lasting opportunity for their families, laying the foundation for a stronger, more resilient future for generations to come."
For more information about the Johnson Controls Community College Partnership Program, visit: https://www.johnsoncontrols.com/corporate-sustainability/social/philanthropy/community-college-partnership
About HACC
HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College, is the first and largest of Pennsylvania's 15 community colleges. HACC offers approximately 100 career and transfer associate degree, certificate and diploma programs to approximately 12,000 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 X (@HACC_info), follow us on Instagram (@HACC_edu), like us on Facebook (Facebook.com/HACC64) and use #HACCNews.
About Johnson Controls
At Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI), we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet.
Building on a proud history of nearly 140 years of innovation, we deliver the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through OpenBlue, our comprehensive digital offering.
Today, with a global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150 countries, Johnson Controls offers the world's largest portfolio of building technology and software as well as service solutions from some of the most trusted names in the industry.
Visit www.johnsoncontrols.com for more and follow @Johnson Controls on social platforms.
Media Contact:
Melissa Talbott
Director, Public Relations and Media
Johnson Controls
melissa.talbott@jci.com