By Linnie S. Carter, Ph.D., APR, vice president of college advancement at HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, and executive director of the HACC Foundation
We have all seen the video clips of Oprah Winfrey exclaiming, “You get a car! You get a car! You get a car!” Life at HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, can be just as exhilarating when we announce to HACC students that they have been selected to receive scholarships from the HACC Foundation. Instead of cars, the students receive a college degree, second chances, satisfying careers and pathways out of poverty.
HACC Foundation scholarships are not loans. Therefore, they do not have to be paid back. Scholarship dollar amounts range from $500 to $1,500. Because HACC’s tuition is economical, a scholarship can cover a significant portion of a student’s HACC expenses. For some students, they receive full-ride scholarships, which cover 100% of their HACC expenses. That deserves a “HACC yeah!”
HACC’s research department found that in 2022-23, 41% of students receiving HACC Foundation financial assistance graduated afterward. In addition, in that same year, 41% of students receiving HACC Foundation scholarships had at least one term on the Dean’s List and 78% re-enrolled at HACC after receiving HACC Foundation financial assistance. If you are familiar with the many challenges that community college students face – including food insecurity and homelessness – then you know these percentages are a big deal. Another “HACC yeah” is necessary!
There is no question. The HACC Foundation is making a big, direct and positive impact on our students.
What about the HACC Foundation’s impact on the Central Pennsylvania community?
Due to the generosity of its donors, the HACC Foundation funded outdoor fitness equipment at the Senator John J. Shumaker Public Safety Center (PSC). This equipment provides future first responders and public safety professionals with opportunities to improve their physical health while enrolled in our training programs. Furthermore, this equipment is available to other students, employees and visitors as part of our training grounds, ensuring the impact of this equipment far exceeds the students of public safety training programs. Cadets in the police academy have been utilizing this equipment as part of the regular physical training components in their programs, allowing them to maintain physical health, an imperative element in the public safety field. Physical strength and endurance are necessary to ensure first responders can capably perform rescue and safety operations for our region’s citizens. HACC’s fire academy students also utilize this equipment.
In addition, thanks to our donors, the HACC Foundation funded a dental simulation laboratory. The laboratory is an innovative project that provides HACC’s dental students with a learning environment that is not only safe but effective in mastering hands-on clinical skills needed for entry into dental professions. The laboratory allows students to learn their clinical skills on a simulator and effectively progress to providing dental hygiene services to real-life patients, like you. The laboratory brings uniqueness to HACC, as it is one of the only simulation laboratories on the East Coast for a dental hygiene program.
HACC is an economic and workforce development engine in Central Pennsylvania. It is near impossible to have a discussion about quality of life, the economy and the strength of our workforce in Central Pennsylvania without mentioning HACC.
Our formula is simple. Our donors make charitable contributions to the HACC Foundation. The HACC Foundation uses 100% of those funds to help students earn a HACC credential. Those students become productive citizens in Central Pennsylvania and fill jobs in our community. Those HACC-educated professionals make life better for us and our families.
Does the HACC Foundation play a key role in educating Central Pennsylvania’s engineers, healthcare professionals, machinists, teachers, welders and others? Let’s go for our third one: “HACC yeah!”
If you are interested in supporting HACC students, please visit hacc.edu/GiveNow.