Current news from HACC, May 18, 2023 HARRISBURG, Pa. – HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, shares recent news, including:

• Jasmine Jones Awarded a National Community College Transfer Scholarship
• HACC Named 2023 Most Promising Place to Work
• HACC to Host Open Houses for Future Massage Therapists

Jasmine Jones Awarded a National Community College Transfer Scholarship

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Jasmine Jones, a fall 2022 graduate of HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College, is one of 60 high-achieving community college students selected to receive the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. The highly competitive national scholarship aims for Cooke Scholars to complete their undergraduate educations with as little debt as possible. The award, which is last dollar funding after all institutional aid, can provide Jones with as much as $55,000 a year to complete a bachelor’s degree.

Jones graduated from HACC with an Associate in Science in business administration and attended the Bucknell Community College Scholars Program during summer 2021.

“The HACC community is grateful for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s scholarship opportunity provided to Ms. Jones. This scholarship will afford Ms. Jones the opportunity to achieve her bachelor’s degree at Bucknell University - one of our premier post-secondary partner institutions - with little to no debt when she graduates. This type of opportunity changes lives, destinies and family trees,” said John J. “Ski” Sygielski, MBA, Ed.D., HACC president and CEO.

This year, overall undergraduate enrollment has remained comparable to last year’s numbers. However, for the first time in several years since the COVID-19 pandemic began, community college enrollment has increased by 2% nationwide.

“There are so many bright and persistent community college students in our nation who we know will thrive at four-year institutions if they can find a way to transfer without being weighed down by a heavy financial burden,” said Seppy Basili, executive director of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. “We are excited to welcome yet another cohort of Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholars to our community after learning about them through their applications and seeing their unbound potential.”

Along with financial support, new Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholars will receive comprehensive educational advising to guide them through the process of transitioning to a four-year college and preparing for their careers. Scholars will additionally receive opportunities for internships, study abroad, and graduate school funding, as well as connection to a thriving network of more than 3,000 Cooke Scholars and Alumni.

This year, more than 1,700 students from 448 community colleges applied to receive the Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. The Foundation evaluated each submission based on students’ academic ability and achievement, financial need, persistence, and leadership.

A list of the 2023 Cooke Transfer Scholars, including their community colleges, can be found here.

Photo Caption: Jasmine Jones, a fall 2022 graduate of HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College, was selected to receive the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship.
 
 
HACC Named 2023 Most Promising Place to Work

HARRISBURG, Pa. – For the fifth time in six years, HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, earned national recognition as one of the most promising places to work in community colleges.

“The College is #HACCproud to receive this recognition as we continue to embrace, educate and learn about inclusion, diversity, justice and belonging. This award showcases our efforts and commitment to ensuring that our employees, guests and students feel a sense of belonging at HACC,” said HACC President and CEO John J. “Ski” Sygielski, MBA, Ed.D.

The annual award, provided by The National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) and Diverse: Issues In Higher Education (Diverse), recognizes community and technical colleges committed to:

• Diversity through best-in-class student and staff recruitment and retention practices
• Inclusive learning and working environments
• Meaningful community service and engagement opportunities 

The study employs a web-based survey approach to obtain information from NISOD member institutions and a multipart, weighted algorithm is used to classify the responding institutions.

To learn about HACC’s commitment to be fully inclusive, please view the College’s Office of Inclusion, Diversity and Belonging webpage. 

The award-winning institutions, including HACC, will be recognized during NISOD’s International Conference of Teaching and Leadership Excellence, May 27-30, in Austin, Texas.

HACC to Host Open Houses for Future Massage Therapists
 
HARRISBURG, Pa. – HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, will host informational open houses for its Massage Therapy Program on May 24 and June 14, 2023.
 
HACC’s Massage Therapy Program exposes students to a variety of massage methods and teaches them how to balance technique, care for others and self-care.
 
Students receive 115 hours of hands-on experience throughout the 900-hour program, which includes day and evening courses. Individuals who complete the program can work in medical offices, spas or their own private practice. Financial aid is available for students who qualify.
 
Massage therapists are in demand. According to US Bureau of Labor, jobs in the field are expected to grow 20% from 2021-31, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
 
For more information and to register for an open house, please visit hacc.edu/Massage.
 
About the Cooke Foundation
The Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need. Since 2000, the Foundation has awarded $250 million in scholarships to more than 3,200 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive counseling and other support services. The Foundation has also provided $125 million in grants to organizations that serve such students. www.jkcf.org

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 14,023 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.