New Study Touts College’s Impact on Students, Economy

by Alana J. Mauger

Montgomery County Community College students will attain a 16.3 percent return on the time and money they invest in their MCCC education over the course of their lives, according results from a new economic impact study authorized by the College.

The same study also reveals that every dollar of state and local tax money invested today in the College will yield a cumulative $21.60 in benefits that accrue to all Pennsylvania residents in terms of added taxable income and avoided social costs.

These are some of the results from a study developed by Education Modeling Specialists, Inc. (EMSI), which worked with the College to determine the tangible return on investment that an associate’s degree has for graduates and taxpayers.

“Community colleges can anecdotally point to the many ways education adds value to our communities and to society as a whole. But results of a study like this one are so important because they offer tangible evidence that we are improving the quality of life in the County and Commonwealth, not just through education, but also by being strong, economically focused and socially responsible citizens and business partners,” said College president Dr. Karen A. Stout.

For example, through the earnings of faculty and staff, combined with the College’s operating and capital expenditures, MCCC adds a net $52.6 million to the Montgomery County economy each year, according to the study. In addition, the report finds that, based on historical enrollment and credits completed by students over a 30-year period, MCCC instruction adds an estimated $309.8 million in income to the County.

Altogether, MCCC adds of an average $362.4 million in income – representing approximately 0.6 percent of the total Montgomery County budget – to the local economy each year.

MCCC students also expand Pennsylvania’s economic base through the higher incomes they earn as a result of their education – especially since an estimated 99 percent of the College’s graduates live/work in the Commonwealth. When combined with the increased productivity of businesses that employ MCCC students and graduates, an estimated $80.5 million in taxable income is added to the Pennsylvania economy each year.

Decreased social costs are another economic benefit. As students achieve higher levels of education, they are less likely to smoke, abuse alcohol, draw welfare and unemployment benefits, or commit crimes. This translates into an estimated $3 million in Pennsylvania taxpayer savings annually.

MCCC students, themselves, realize the most obvious benefit from higher education. Someone with an associate’s degree in Montgomery County earns, on average, $15,900 more per year than someone with a only a high school diploma. Also, for every dollar students invest in their MCCC education, they can expect to earn a cumulative $6 in higher future income over their careers.

The EMSI report is based on data sources that include, but are not limited to, the College’s 2011-2012 academic and financial reports; industry and employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; earnings and demographic data from the U.S. Census Bureau; and a variety of studies and surveys relating education to social behavior.

Visit mc3.edu/economic-report to view an executive summary of the report, as well as a data fact sheet.

For information on EMSI, visit economicmodeling.com.

Alvernia University Joins University Center, Offers Nursing, Health Care Science Programs in Pottstown

by Alana J. Mauger

Alvernia University has joined Montgomery County Community College’s University Center initiative, becoming the first partner to offer nursing and health care science degree programs.

At the College’s University Center in Pottstown, Alvernia will offer its RN to BSN Completion Program, as well as its Bachelor of Science in Health Care Science and Master of Science in Nursing programs.

“Through our discussions with community health care leaders, such as Pottstown Memorial Medical Center, we recognized the need for a partnership of this kind,” said Dr. Karen A. Stout, president. “As a sector, medical professions are growing in the tri-county region, and together, Montgomery County Community College and Alvernia University can help health care professionals at all levels to plan and advance their career pathways.”

“Our partnership will allow Montgomery County Community College students and area residents to pursue their interest in these programs with all the convenience that comes from accessing a great education close to home,” said Alvernia President Thomas F. Flynn. “We hope it will also prove to be a valuable resource for local nurses who are seeking to attain their BSN degree.”

First introduced in 2006, the University Center framework offers an entrepreneurial approach to expanding higher education opportunities for residents of Montgomery County and surrounding areas. Through partnerships with select four-year institutions, students can now choose from 10 bachelor’s degrees, five master’s degrees, one graduate certificate, two doctorates and six professional development certificates.

“The University Center framework builds crucial pathways by which our students, faculty, staff and the community at large can conveniently pursue advanced degrees from our outstanding partner colleges and universities,” said Dr. Stout. “Montgomery County Community College and Alvernia University have a long-standing dual admissions transfer agreement, and we’re pleased to build on that partnership to bring high-demand health care programs to our campus.”

Alvernia University joins six existing University Center partners — Albright College, which offers programs at MCCC’s campuses in Blue Bell and Pottstown; Immaculata University, which offers an Doctor of Education program at the College’s Central Campus in Blue Bell; and Chestnut Hill College, Drexel University, Temple University and Villanova University, which offer programs at the College’s West Campus in Pottstown.

“The University Center is part of our overall effort to expand the way our students think about transferring and what they are capable of achieving,” said Dr. Stout. “Partnerships, like the one with Alvernia, are so important in higher education, and they show a great deal of entrepreneurship.”

To learn more about the College’s University Center initiative, visit mc3.edu/academics/university-center.aspx.

To learn more about Alvernia University, visit alvernia.edu.

Pictured at the signing are (seated, from left) Dr. Karen A. Stout, president, MCCC; Dr. Shirley Williams, provost, Alvernia; Dr. Steady Moono, vice president of West Campus; and John McCloskey, vice president for Enrollment Management, Alvernia. Photo by Sandi Yanisko

 

College Ranks 2nd in PA for Waste Minimization

by Alana J. Mauger

Montgomery County Community College  finished the national 2013 RecycleMania competition with some promising numbers!

The College placed 2nd among all higher education institutions in Pennsylvania in the competition’s Waste Minimization category, collecting 15.292 lbs. of combined trash and recycling per capita. Nationally, this ranked MCCC 17th in Waste Minimization among public two-year colleges and 25th overall.

In the Per Capita Classic category, the College finished 12th among public two-year institutions nationally, with 4.252 lbs. of recycling per capita, positioning it as 20th in PA and 303rd overall.

In the Grand Champion category, MCCC scored a 27.803% cumulative recycling rate, positioning it 9th in PA, 17th among public two-year institutions, and 143rd overall.

Overall, the College collected a cumulative 34,132 lbs. of recycling over the eight-week competition, ranking it 14th among public two-year institutions nationally, 18th in PA, and 271st overall in the Gorilla Prize category

RecycleMania is an eight-week nationwide competition, held Feb. 3 through March 30, during which colleges and universities competed to see who could reduce, reuse and recycle the most campus waste. Montgomery County Community College has participated for six consecutive years.

According to the U.S. EPA’s Waste Reduction Model (WARM), MCCC’s recycling efforts during the competition resulted in a greenhouse gas reduction of 48 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2E), which is translates to the energy consumption of four households or the emissions of nine cars.

To learn more about RecycleMania or to view the full list of results, visit recyclemaniacs.org.

** Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on Montgomery County Community College’s sustainability blog, Think Green.

College Signs Dual Admissions Transfer Agreement with Lehigh University

by Alana J. Mauger

Montgomery County Community College entered in to its 26th dual admissions transfer agreement on April 30, when college officials gathered for a signing ceremony at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa. The agreement encourages and facilitates the transfer of MCCC graduates to Lehigh to complete their baccalaureate degrees.

Under the agreement, MCCC students who graduate with Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Science (A.S.), Associate in Fine Arts (A.F.A.), Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) or Associate in General Studies (A.G.S.) degrees and have a 3.5 grade point average (GPA) are eligible to transfer to Lehigh, given they meet specific program criteria and admissions requirements.

“We’ve been on a journey at Montgomery County Community College to provide as many transfer opportunities for our students as we possibly can,” said Dr. Karen A. Stout, president. “That includes targeting selective universities so that we stretch our students’ thinking when they enter a community college and look beyond what they ever thought was possible.”

Higher education policy makers, institutions and private businesses are increasingly working together to provide more education options, streamlined systems, and better career preparation.

“We’re very proud and happy to be here today to celebrate this agreement and look forward to the future,” said Dr. Alice P. Gast, president, Lehigh.  “With over 8 million students in community colleges around the country, there is certainly a tremendous pool of talent that we need to make sure have the right opportunities and the right path forward.”

MCCC’s agreement with Lehigh also connects with the College’s ongoing efforts to revitalize its STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) programs.

“Together we can build a pipeline for this region for the future scientists and mathematicians of Pennsylvania. It’s really important work we’re doing. I hope this agreement ends up as a roadmap for other community college dual admissions agreements,” said Dr. Stout.

The agreement is the fourth between Montgomery County Community College and a highly selective institution; other partners include Bucknell University, Bryn Mawr College, and Dickinson College. Lehigh has a similar transfer agreement with Northampton Community College, making MCCC its second community college partner.

To learn more about transfer opportunities at MCCC, visit mc3.edu/campusLife/student-resources/transfer.

50 Students Graduate from Accelerated GED Program

by Diane VanDyke

Family and friends filled the South Hall Community Room at Montgomery County Community College’s West Campus in Pottstown and cheered as 50 students earned their General Education Diplomas (GED) during the Spring GED Graduation ceremony on May 1.

College President Dr. Karen A. Stout congratulated the students, acknowledging their perseverance and commitment to complete this goal.

“You have a new mindset now, one that is not fixed, but in a growth mode where you want to work as hard as you can to succeed,” she told the graduates.  “You know the value of education and how it will make your life better.”

The program’s keynote speaker Hilda Hynes, Barto, traveled a similar journey as the graduates. After leaving high school at age 16, she later earned her GED. Now, she will be receiving her associate’s degree in Communications later this month at MCCC.

“I felt something when I walked across the stage to get my GED,” she said. “It was self-pride. It’s the same feeling you will have when you walk across the stage tonight. Congratulations on believing in yourself and honoring the commitment you made to you.”

According to GED Program Coordinator /Instructor Raymond Ricketts, 775 students graduated since the program started in May 2006, and the graduation rate is 88 percent. The Montgomery County Workforce Investment Board (WIB) funds the program, which is free to Montgomery County residents, and is held at the College’s West Campus. The fee for out-of-county students is $100, which includes the GED test.

Graduating from the rigorous five-week program gives students a sense of accomplishment and dignity, according to GED Graduate Speaker Malinda Gilyard.

“If you can believe, you can achieve. That’s the bottom line,” Gilyard said, thanking everyone.

Many of the graduates will continue their education, like Lee Scott of Pottstown, who will start computer classes at the College in September, and Malissa Quigley of Douglassville, who wants to enroll in the Nursing program.

In concluding the ceremony, Peggy Schmidt, Executive Director of the Partnership Transportation Association of Montgomery County and Workforce Investment Board Member, told the graduates to listen to the voice from within.

“The voice that comes from inside speaks from your heart and will truly guide you on your way,” she said. “I wish you the best on your next journey.”

Spring 2013 GED class members and their supporters. Photo by Sandi Yanisko

College Earns ‘Bike Friendly University’ Honorable Mention Designation

by Robert Gardner

Montgomery County Community College has been recognized by the League of American Bicyclists with a Bike Friendly University (BFU)  Honorable Mention designation.

In February, the College submitted its first-ever application for recognition by the national organization’s Bicycle Friendly America (BFA) program.  The application was based on a report developed by the Greater Valley Forge Transportation Management Association (GVF), the organization that operates the College’s award-winning Campus Shuttle.

Read the final report

The College earned recognition, in part, for its friendly treatment of bicycles and their riders.  The majority of College’s bike friendly initiatives have taken place at West Campus in Pottstown, where cyclists can find five bike racks that accommodate 24 cycles.  Students, faculty, and staff are offered no-cost use of bicycles through the Bike Pottstown Free Bike Share program, and they can access 12 “cruiser” style, single-speed bikes at the Schuylkill River Academic and Heritage Center.

The application also highlighted the College’s major achievements for bicycling over the prior two years, including the hosting of the LIVESTRONG Challenge Philly (for the past seven years, in fact).  The annual fundraising event attracts thousands of cyclists and runners to the Blue Bell campus each year.  Also, the College will host rideAtaxia in Blue Bell on Sunday, October 13, 2013.

In a email dated April 16, 2013, BFA’s Communication Director Carolyn Szczepanski thanked the College for its inaugural application and delivered the news of an honorable mention.  She also stated that feedback would be offered to assist the College with its next application.

Efforts to encourage bicycling—from lower on-campus speed limits to permitting bikes within its buildings—fall within the parameters of the Climate Council’s Action Plan and, thus, reduce the institution’s carbon footprint.

While improvements will be necessary in order to achieve full Bike Friendly University status, Montgomery County Community College is pleased to earn national recognition for its promotion of the safe use of bicycles as a healthy, alternative mode of transportation.

** Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on Montgomery County Community College’s sustainability blog, Think Green.

Widener University Becomes 25th Dual Admissions Transfer Partner

by Alana J. Mauger

Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) and Widener University (Widener) entered into a Dual Admissions Transfer Agreement on April 29 during an official signing event at the College’s Central Campus in Blue Bell, Pa.

Under the agreement, MCCC students who graduate with Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Science (A.S.), Associate in Fine Arts (A.F.A.), Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) or Associate in General Studies (A.G.S.) degrees are eligible to transfer to Widener’s day/full-time division, as long as they also meet specific program criteria. Widener will also waive students’ application fees and will award merit-based scholarships ranging from $8,000-$16,000 based on their grade point average (GPA).

The dual admissions transfer agreement builds on nine long-standing program-to-program agreements between the two institutions. Some of these are now included under the new agreement, such as Business Administration, Hotel and Restaurant Management, and Engineering Science. Others, such as Allied Health and Professional Studies, will continue to exist as program-to-program agreements. These agreements demonstrate the long history of partnership between the institutions.

“Widener University has been growing in popularity as a transfer destination for Montgomery County Community College’s students, especially over the past five years among graduates of our Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Radiography and Surgical Technology programs,” said Dr. Karen A. Stout, MCCC president. “In addition Widener’s EAC-accredited Engineering curriculum is very attractive to students enrolled in the College’s recently-redesigned Engineering Science program. We are pleased to continue growing our partnership with such an excellent institution.”

“Montgomery County Community College graduates who transfer to Widener will have access to a wealth of leadership and experiential learning opportunities at one of the nation’s leading metropolitan universities,” said Widener President James T. Harris III. “The commitment of Montgomery County Community College to innovation, academic excellence and the use of technology is second to none, and we are proud to forge this partnership with such a quality institution.”

With the signing of the agreement, MCCC now has 25 dual admissions transfer agreements with four-year institutions. To learn more about transfer opportunities at MCCC, visit mc3.edu/campusLife/student-resources/transfer.

From left, seated are James T. Harris III, president; Widener; and Karen A. Stout, president, MCCC. Standing are Edwin Wright, executive director of admissions, Widener; Stephen C. Wilhite, provost and senior vice president, Widener; Victoria Bastecki-Perez, vice president of academic affairs and provost, MCCC; and Kathrine Swanson, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management, MCCC. Photo by Sandi Yanisko

West End Theatre Group to Present Original Student Play ‘Under the Hood’

by Rebecca Rhodin

Fairy tales are intriguing to Ryland X. Beck — especially the way so many versions exist of each old story.

His own family, of German background, shared some darker versions of the tales with him, while dancing around the truly gruesome plot lines, says the second-year student at Montgomery County Community College.

“I’m fascinated by how many variations there are of one story, with different endings and different details added and taken away, and how much a story changes through word of mouth,” explains Beck, 21, of Green Lane.

It has inspired him to write his own fairy-tale-based play “Under the Hood,” which will be staged on May 11 at noon and again at 1:30 p.m. by the College’s West End Theatre Group in the open-air theater at Riverfront Park, 140 College Drive, Pottstown.

The same way the Grimm Brothers collected and presented stories from ages past, Beck has taken bits and pieces of yarns, ideas and characters and pulled them into one script.

And he is building “the next generation” of fairy tale by combining story lines and adding modern details like cars and phones.

Some of the main characters of “Under the Hood” are a female auto mechanic named Robin, her boyfriend who happens to be a pig, and a wolfish lawyer named Lycan. The story weaves in threads of recent events, with the wolf plotting with a bank to take away people’s houses.

Beck worked with Montgomery County Community College Theatre Arts Coordinator Michael Whistler to tweak the play in the aftermath of its successful first reading during the College’s 12th annual Lasagna Dinner at the West Campus in February.

“It was a great experience because it helped me see what wasn’t quite clear yet, and how someone else might see it,” says Beck of the reading. “I’ve been editing it for four months now – it’s slow and grueling, but I’ve gained a lot of respect for playwrights!”

On the other hand, the auditions were fun. Some prospects brought a lot of energy to the tryouts, and Beck got to see his written words transformed into living, breathing characters.

The roles have been cast and the sets for the play will be limited because of the outdoor staging, he says.

“I hope I have a good turnout,” Beck muses. “At the reading, I was nervous before it started. It turned out better than I expected.”

Even though “Under the Hood” is the second play he has penned, the first being a project for high school English, theater is not his ambition. He plans to major in occupational therapy and hopes to eventually earn a doctorate in that discipline.

In fact, the idea for “Under the Hood” came to Beck while he was supposed to be studying for a history final. His original aim in writing it was to save money for the West Campus drama club by coming up with a play for which they wouldn’t have to pay rights.

“The only connection theater and OT have is they are both great interests of mine,” he says.

College Re-engineers its Engineering Science Program

Engineering majors lead the list of college degrees that pay the highest salaries for college graduates today, according to a recent survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. The starting salary for mechanical engineers, for example, is approximately $64,000.

Engineering is the E in STEM — the hot education acronym buzzword that addresses the perceived lack of qualified candidates for high-tech jobs. Within the context of the 21st century global economy, the United States needs to increase its talent pool in Science Technology Engineering and Math to remain competitive with increasingly tech-savvy developing nations.

Montgomery County Community College has sustained a strong focus on STEM education. In response to the growing demand for engineers, the College recently revised its two-year Engineering Associate of Science (AS) degree program to ensure the seamless transfer of credits to four-year engineering programs accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET).

The College’s newly revised Engineering Science program is now a split two-year program. Students spend their first year taking core courses in engineering, science and calculus, and focus on either mechanical or electrical study second year. The revised program also will include an Introduction to Engineering course to capture students’ interest and encourage their persistence. This course is modeled after the introductory program offered by John Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering, which is part of Engineering Innovations, a program for high school students who are interested in engineering  that will be held at the Central Campus this summer.

With the new program updates, graduates of the College’s Engineering Science program can transfer easily into four-year, EAC-accredited engineering bachelor’s programs, including those offered by Temple, Widener and Philadelphia universities. Graduates from EAC accredited programs have access to enhanced opportunities in employment; licensure, graduate education and global mobility.

“The benefit for students is that they receive a high-quality education at a substantial savings and then can transfer to an EAC-accredited program at a four-year institution,” said Dr. David Brookstein, the College’s new Dean for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, who has more than 19 years of engineering education experience.

The changes to the Engineering Science program were the result of an Academic Program Review by Dr. Brookstein, in collaboration with an outside engineering consultant and the College’s faculty. Dr. Brookstein is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and has substantial knowledge of ABET. Among the faculty who had input into the retooled program are Assistant Professor of Engineering H. Thomas Tucker and Associate Professor of Engineering William Brownlowe.

For more information about the Engineering Science program, visit mc3.edu.

Annual Festival to Showcase Role of Native Americans in Lubin Films

by Alana J. Mauger

Actor Harry Myers portraying Red Eagle in one of Lubin’s films

Montgomery County Community College will host its annual Betzwood Silent Film Festival on Saturday, May 11 at 8 p.m. Science Center Theater, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. Tickets cost $10 general admission and $5 for children under age 10. The films are shown at their original projection speeds with organ accompaniment by Don Kinnier. For information and tickets, visit mc3.edu/livelyarts.

In its 24th year, the Betzwood Silent Film Festival pays homage to films produced at the Betzwood Motion Picture Studio – founded in 1912 by film pioneer Siegmund Lubin – in what is now West Norriton Township, Montgomery County.

This year’s festival will showcase the role of Native Americans in Lubin’s films. Emeritus Professor of History Joseph Eckhardt, who is the country’s premiere expert on Siegmund Lubin and his Betzwood Studio, will begin the screening with a lecture on this, and other, topics.

The festival will then include the screening of  three silent western films, including “Red Eagle’s Love Affair,” “Sweeter Than Revenge,” and the Louis Bennison feature film “Sandy Burke of the U-Bar-U.”

Montgomery County Community College is home to the largest known archive of Betzwood artifacts in the world thanks to Eckhardt, is the author of the first Lubin biography, titled The King of the Movies: Film Pioneer Siegmund Lubin, which details Lubin’s transformation from an immigrant optician into the first successful movie mogul, credited with the first attempt at the “mass marketing” of movies.

Only 30 Lubin films and fragments have survived the ravages of time, and MCCC is fortunate to have copies of 25 of these in its Betzwood Film Archive. The archive has recently been digitized and is now accessible online to the general public at mc3betzwood.wordpress.com.

Eckhardt also donated a variety of Betzwood artifacts – including manuscripts, photo albums, tape recordings and studio props that he acquired through this extensive research – to the archive, which is housed in a climate controlled space in the College’s Brendlinger Library in Blue Bell.

To join the Betzwood mailing list, email jeckhard@mc3.edu.