HARRISBURG, Pa. – Mauricia Newsom believes in being “the change that you wish to see in the world” and decided to become an emergency medical technician (EMT). Newsom, a December 2021 graduate of the EMT Program at HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, is Pennsylvania certified and nationally certified as an EMT.

Newsom encourages other Black citizens to become an EMT or police officer to serve in their communities. “Let’s be real, we don’t have the most positive experiences. Sometimes it just takes one of us just to make a start.”

That start to become an EMT or police officer is made possible by full-ride scholarships for eligible Black citizens in Central Pennsylvania. These scholarships to complete HACC’s Municipal Police Academy or EMT Program cover 100% of a students’ HACC-related costs, including books, fees and tuition. Scholarship recipients also receive a stipend. Because of this financial support, scholarships recipients can earn a HACC credential with zero student debt.

The full-ride scholarships are made possible through a $112,500 grant awarded to the HACC Foundation by the PNC Foundation.
 
Linnie S. Carter, Ph.D., APR, vice president of college advancement at HACC and executive director of the HACC Foundation, said, “We are grateful to the PNC Foundation for this investment in HACC students and the Central Pennsylvania community. Many organizations are being criticized – and rightly so – for their performative and lackluster equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging initiatives. HACC, because of our core values and the support of partners like the PNC Foundation, is walking the talk to make our community more just and inclusive.”

HACC alumnus Chris Bratten was motivated to “put the uniform on and make a difference” by some of the experiences he had with police as a Black man. To find out what Bratten and supporters have to say about the importance of this initiative, please watch their inspirational stories. To find out more, those who are interested should:

• Visit hacc.edu/InvestEMTandPolice
• Email the HACC Foundation at foundation@hacc.edu if they need more information

Applications for the full-ride scholarships are currently being accepted. To apply, please complete this online form.
 
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. 

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.