Aug. 18, 2010

LANCASTER – L. Marshall Washington, Ph.D., the new campus vice president at the Lancaster Campus of HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, can’t wait for the more than 4,800 students who will start fall classes Monday.

Enrollment across HACC’s five campuses and the online Virtual Campus increased 5.6 percent with an more than 21,800 students.

 “What I’ve found here at the Lancaster Campus and what inspires me is that HACC is the place for all types of learners,” Washington said. “In my short time here I am amazed at the diversity of our students, from high school to retirement, and diversity of programs.”

Part of the campus’ enrollment consists of more high school students. A growing number of high schools are joining the Lancaster Campus’ college in the high school program. Those students can take HACC classes right at their school, taught by qualified HACC instructors.

For older students, the new 65+ program offers seniors 65 and older who reside in local counties to audit classes for free – they attend classes and lectures but do not take exams.

Traditional students, just out of high school, look to HACC as a launching point for transferring to a four-year college or university. Older students who are already in the workforce or who are trying to get back into the workforce are coming to the Lancaster Campus for retraining and new job skills.

“HACC is a good opportunity in a lot of ways,” Washington said. “Even if career plans are uncertain, HACC can help.”

Enrollment before classes start does not include students who may register through the first week of classes or those who register for the late fall semester, which begins Sept. 27.

For more information about classes throughout the first week of the semester, go to www.hacc.edu or call HACC’s admissions office at the Lancaster Campus, 358-2966.

HACC also has more students attending its other regional campuses.

More students are taking online classes in HACC’s Virtual Campus, 7.6 percent more than last year. New for fall are online courses in enology, the science of making wine. Also new is HACC’s partnership with the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association where journeyman linesmen can enroll in the technology studies program with 30 credits already applied toward an associate degree. Most of the remaining requirements can be completed online.

At HACC’s Gettysburg Campus, where classes start Aug. 30, enrollment is up 15.2 percent. The Harrisburg Campus has a 4 percent increase. The Lebanon Campus enrollment jumped 10.7percent. The York Campus continues fast growth with a 10.3 percent increase.