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 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

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.

Oscar Winners Now in the AV Library Collection!

Now that the spring semester is over, please plan some leisure time to come and check out the films that were recognized at the 2013 Academy Awards as being among the best in cinema for the past year.  Nominated and Oscar-winning films are:

Anna Karenina – innovative re-telling of the Tolstoy classic. – (DRA ANN)

Argo – based on the real life rescue of American embassy workers during the Iran Hostage crisis – won the Academy Award for Best Picture. –  (DRA ARG)

Beasts of the Southern Wild – dreamlike film in which 6-year-old, Hushpuppy, attempts to help her father in an isolated bayou community. –  (DRA BEA)

Brave – animated film about brave Scottish Princess Merida. Won the Academy Award for best animated film.  (CHI BRA)

5 Broken Cameras – a deeply personal, first-hand documentary about non-violent resistance in Bil’in, a West Bank village threatened by encroaching Israeli settlements.   (DS119.76 .F58)

Flight   – Denzel Washington plays a masterful airline pilot who lands a damaged plane while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. (DRA FLI)

Frankenweenie  – A Tim Burton animated film in which young Victor conducts a science experiment that will bring his dog, Sparky, back to life. (NC1765 .F73)

Hitchcock – Biopic about Alfred Hitchcock (Anthony Hopkins) and his wife, Alma (Helen Mirren), set during the filming of Psycho.  (DRA HIT)

The Hobbit – The prequel to Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. (DRA HAB)

How to Survive a Plague - The story of the brave young men and women who successfully reversed the tide of an epidemic, demanded the attention of a fearful nation, and stopped AIDS from becoming a death sentence. (RA643.8 .H697)

Life of Pi – Motion picture based on the popular book filmed with extraordinary special effects. (DRA LIF)

Lincoln – Daniel Day-Lewis won the Academy Award for Best Actor in his portrayal of Lincoln.  (DRA LIN)

The Master – In post-World War II America, a naval veteran arrives home unsettled and uncertain of his future, until he is tantalized by a cult known as The Cause and its charismatic leader, played by Philip Seymour Hoffman . (DRA MAS)

Les Miserables – filmed version of the classic musical.  Actress, Anne Hathaway, won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. (MUS MIS)

ParaNorman – An animated feature in which Norman, a misunderstood boy, must use his special powers to save his town from a centuries-old curse.  (CHI PAR)

The Pirates:  Band of Misfits! - After years of humiliation and failed attempts to win the Pirate of the Year Award, Pirate Captain and his oddball crew go on a race to pillage the most booty in this animated feature film.  (CHI PIR)

A Royal Affair – This Danish language film was nominated for Best Foreign Film.  The story centers on the romantic triangle of the insane Danish King Christian VII; the royal physician, Struensee, who is a man of enlightenment and idealism; and the young but strong Queen Caroline Mathilda that leads to a revolution which changes the entire nation of Denmark. (FOR ROY)

Searching for Sugarman – Academy Award winning documentary about Sixto Rodriguez, a Detroit folksinger who had a short-lived recording career in the 1970s. Unknown to him, his musical story continued in South Africa where he became a pop music icon. Long rumored there to be dead, two fans, record store owner, Stephen Segerman, and journalist, Craig Bartholomew-Strydom, decided to seek out the truth of his fate. (ML420 .R637 S43)

The Sessions – Paralyzed and confined to an iron lung since childhood, poet-journalist Mark O’Brien has overcome adversity time and time again. But now, at age 38, he faces his toughest challenge yet: losing his virginity. Helen Hunt was nominated for best actress in her role as the therapist.   (DRA SES)

Skyfall – The latest James Bond film, which was nominated for Best Cinematography and Best Original Song.  (ACT SKY)

War Witch – French language film which is a brutal yet poetic snapshot of life as one of Africa’s child soldiers, following a young girl who is kidnapped from her village by a group of rebel fighters.   (FOR WAR)

Wreck it Ralph – Ralph, who plays the bad guy in his popular video game, wants to prove that he is a true hero in this animated action film.   (CHI WRE)

Zero Dark Thirty – Chronicles the decade-long search for Osama bin Laden following the September 2001 attacks, and his death at the hands of Navy SEAL Team 6.  (DRA ZER)

We will also be adding to the collection when they are available:  Django Unchained, Silver Linings Playbook, The Impossible, Amour (best foreign language film), No (foreign language film from Chile) and the Israeli documentary, The Gatekeepers.

“Pot Heads” by Betz Green, oil on board

Montgomery County Community College is hosting a special art exhibition May 22-June 20 featuring the Philadelphia Sketch Club (PSC): Continuing 150 Years of Artistic Excellence at the College’s Fine Arts Center, Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell.

A “Meet the Artists” reception will be held Wednesday, June 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. Both the exhibit and artists’ reception are free of charge and open to the public.

Approximately 100 pieces of art, representing PSC’s membership of more than 200 professional and non-professional artists, will be displayed through a diversity of mediums, from watercolors, oils and mixed media to photography and sculpture.

PSC, located at 235 S. Camac St., Philadelphia, provides a meeting place for artists where they can share ideas and network with fellow artists. Founded in 1860, PSC is one of America’s oldest clubs for artists. Its membership list includes American masters such as Thomas Eakins and Thomas Pollock Anshutz.

For more information about the exhibition, contact Gallery Director Holly Cairns at 215-619-7349 or hcairns@mc3.edu. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed weekends.

You can help support the arts and art education programs at Montgomery County Community College by becoming a Friend of The Galleries. Donations are tax deductible. For more information, contact the College Foundation at 215-641-6535.

Like the College’s Destination Arts Facebook page to receive the details about upcoming arts events.

poll results, week of 5/13/13

Read — Disconnected: My Year Without the Internet, CNN, 5/10/13

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.

by Neree Aron-Sando

Photo by Sandi Yanisko

High school was too easy for Jessica Stewart.

The 19-year-old Pottstown student jumped at the chance to take college courses at Montgomery County Community College – dual enrollment – for two reasons:

“I hadn’t felt that I was being challenged enough at high school,” Stewart said. “I took honors classes and AP (Advanced Placement) classes at high school, and I still wasn’t enjoying the lack of knowledge I was receiving.” A friend of hers became a full-time College student after tenth grade. “I knew I wanted to give college courses a try when I saw how happy she was.”

The second reason was the reality check her brother provided. “My brother was accepted into the University of Pittsburgh when I finished tenth grade,” she said. “I saw how much college tuition actually cost; he had to take out several loans to be able to pay for college.

“I knew that, even though I had very good grades and was in many honors and AP classes at high school, I would not be receiving enough money from any four-year institution that I applied to after I finished high school. So, when my guidance counselor gave me the option to become dual enrolled at Montgomery County Community College, I grabbed that chance to cut down on my future debt.”

Stewart took a few courses during her junior year of high school and became a full-time student during her senior year. “In my first year as a full time College student, I became involved in the Student Government Association at the West Campus. I actually became the Senate chair only after a few short weeks after becoming a senator. From there, I began to volunteer for many activities that occurred at the West campus, such as the lasagna dinner, creating the Top Ten concern list with the previous West campus’s Student Government president, and I also attended the American Student Association of Community Colleges (ASACC) conference in Washington, D.C., that spring.”

The ASACC was the highpoint of her college career. “I met a lot of student leaders from across the nation and even my own representative of my county,” she said. As Student Government Vice President at Central campus, she will revisit the ASACC conference with seven other student leaders.

“College tuition costs and the College’s affordability were a great deal of why I decided to continue on with my educational career when I graduated from high school,” Stewart said. “Even though I do not receive financial aid from the college, it was the fact that the college offered such affordable tuition; that kept me from transferring [elsewhere] after I finished high school.”

In addition to her brother and friend who inspired her to go college without incurring crippling debt, two others provided her with motivation.

“I knew two other people who had graduated from the College after receiving the All PA Academic team scholarship, so I set my sights at doing my best to be a member of the All PA Academic Team,” Stewart said.

The dean’s list student and Phi Theta Kappa member achieved that goal, and was named to the All PA Academic Team for 2013.

“What does the All PA Academic team mean to me? Well, it gives me the freedom to pursue an educational career without the worry of having debt hanging over my head once I finish. It also gives me the choice to follow my passion in life even though I know that I won’t be the breadwinner in my future family,” Stewart said. “I have always loved writing and reading and now that I do not have to worry about paying off debts, I am able to pursue my passion to my fullest extent.”

Phi Theta Kappa, two-year college presidents, and community college state associations co-sponsor All-State Academic Team recognition programs in 32 states. Each two-year college in Pennsylvania may nominate two students per campus to the All-USA Academic Team. Nominations are based on outstanding academic performance and service to the college and community.

The College’s nominees to the All USA Academic Team are named to the All Pennsylvania Academic Team and may be awarded a scholarship that may be used at any one of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education institutions.

When she graduates from Montgomery County Community College with her Liberal Arts degree in May, she intends to go on to West Chester University in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in English, specializing in writing or education.

“My major is currently liberal studies because I did not know exactly where my passion laid when I began my journey at the College,” Stewart said. “When I began taking more English classes and spending more time helping my friends correct their papers, I saw that I had a real passion for helping others learn to love writing and reading as much as I do. That is why I hope to continue on with my degree and perhaps one day work at a community college helping students of all ages find their inner passion for writing and reading.”

Phi Theta Kappa, two-year college presidents, and community college state associations co-sponsor All-State Academic Team recognition programs in 32 states. Each two-year college in Pennsylvania may nominate two students per campus to the All-USA Academic Team. Nominations are based on outstanding academic performance and service to the college and community.

The College’s nominees to the All USA Academic Team are named to the All Pennsylvania Academic Team and will be awarded a scholarship that may be used at any one of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education institutions.

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

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.