April 10, 2020
This story is part of our ongoing “HACC Heroes” series. We recognize the severity of the global coronavirus pandemic and its impact on our communities. During this challenging time, we want to thank and recognize HACC employees, students and others who are making a difference. The heroes of this story are Nina M. Kottcamp, coordinator of massage therapy, and the HACC Foundation.
HARRISBURG, Pa. – When Nina Kottcamp, coordinator of the Massage Therapy Program at HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, learned that her students were struggling to pay State Board of Massage Therapy and Federation of State Massage Licensing Board registration fees, she reached out to the HACC Foundation for emergency assistance.
“Unfortunately, many of the students could not complete their registration for the licensing exam and their licensing fees, because they had insufficient funds. Many of our day students work part-time jobs while in school and, of course, those part-time jobs are halted at this time,” Kottcamp said.
To make it possible for these students to take their licensing examinations after completing the Massage Therapy Program in May, Kottcamp wanted to know if they could apply to the HACC Foundation for emergency assistance funds of $321 per student, for a total request of $4,815 for 15 students.
“Although emergency assistance funds normally are not used for tests and fees, under these unusual circumstances, I thought I would ask if an exception could be made. I think given these challenging times, this would be a wonderful gesture and enable students to receive their license in a timely manner,” Kottcamp added.
The answer from the HACC Foundation was a resounding “yes.”
“Our students are our top priority, and we will do everything in our power to help them during this worldwide pandemic,” said Linnie S. Carter, Ph.D., APR, vice president of college advancement at HACC and executive director of the HACC Foundation.
In this video, Kottcamp and the Massage Therapy Program instructors thank clients for their donations to the Massage Therapy Emergency Assistance Fund administered by the HACC Foundation. These donations made it possible to provide the emergency assistance to the students.
Thanks to the compassion of Kottcamp and the HACC Foundation, these HACC students will be able to pay the required fees to take the state exam and the national Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination to become licensed massage therapists.
The HACC Massage Program started from a HACC Foundation grant in 2006. The program has been recognized by major professional organizations such as the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals and the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. The program has supported students in winning research contests and Successful Hands Grants.
According to the AMTA, massage therapy was an $18-billion industry in 2018 for the United States, with revenue expected to climb about 1.9% annually into 2024.
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.
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