Megan Kopitsky, a HACC student. This story is part of our “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 some of the many HACC employees, students and others who are making a difference. The hero of this story is Megan Kopitsky, student and president of HACC’s Student Government Association.
 
HARRISBURG, Pa. – Prior to the global coronavirus pandemic, Megan Kopitsky, HACC psychology and chemistry student, played an active role in serving the HACC community. Despite unprecedented circumstances, Kopitsky continues to serve in new and different ways.
 
As president of HACC’s Student Government Association (SGA), Kopitsky seeks meaningful ways to support and engage with her fellow HACC students. She has collaborated on initiatives and programming that help students stay connected to one another in the midst of the pandemic.

Initiatives include:

• Weekly online trivia and bingo games with prizes
• Zoom sessions with members of the HACC community that provide entertainment and tips, including cooking five-minute meals and managing stress
• Daily Zoom hangouts for students, including a “Bring Your Own Pet” session 

The created spaces allow HACC students to stay connected to each other and the community.   
 
Kopitsky said, “We all can give back every single day, in every encounter that we have with someone – being kind and thoughtful is an amazing act of service. The long-lasting impacts of these acts of kindness are immeasurable.”
 
Linnie Carter, Ph.D., APR, vice president of college advancement at HACC and executive director of the HACC Foundation, added, “Megan serves as the student member of the HACC Foundation Board, and I am one of her mentors. She is brilliant, thoughtful, courageous and empathetic. She is confident, which inspires others to have confidence in her. Throughout this horrible pandemic, she has shared her and other students’ concerns, struggles and triumphs with me and other HACC leaders. Her experiences and opinions are as important to me as the experiences and opinions of my fellow vice presidents at HACC. Yes, I value her that much.” 
 
After graduating from HACC, Kopitsky plans to transfer to a four-year institution and study neuroscience before applying to graduate school.
 
Photo caption: Megan Kopitsky, a HACC student.
 
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.