New Community College

How Community Colleges Can Reach Obama’s Goals

lenaire — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:23:17 +0000

Americans have long prided ourselves on our higher education system, but lately a much more negative image has emerged. The U.S. has fallen behind other developed countries in postsecondary attainment, and large gaps in college access and completion remain for low-income and minority students.

In July, President Obama announced a plan to close these gaps and to reverse the slide in overall postsecondary achievement. His plan recognizes the central role community colleges can and must play in getting more students to attend and complete college. This is particularly important for the growing number of non-traditional students – those who balance work and family obligations with their studies and who represent the majority on 2- and 4-year college campuses today.

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Obama: US will have the most college grads

lenaire — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 10:02:43 +0000

TROY, N.Y. — President Barack Obama says that by 2020 America will again have the world’s highest proportion of college graduates.

The president said Monday that a recent increase in Pell Grants will help the nation reach that goal.

He made the remarks as he spoke at a community college in Troy, N.Y., which has been hit hard by the economic recession. Obama said the government has simplified student aid applications to make it easier for students to afford a higher education.

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Headlines: Obama calls for more aid for students

lenaire — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:03:32 +0000

COLLEGE EDUCATION: Obama calls for more aid

President Barack Obama called Monday for more student loans and investments in basic research, particularly at two-year colleges, to bolster the economy.

Speaking at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, N.Y., Obama said he hoped to increase the ranks of two-year college grads by 5 million during the next decade.

He also vowed that by 2020, America will again have the world’s highest proportion of college graduates. He said recent increases in Pell Grants and a simplification of financial-aid processes will help reach that goal.

Obama said he wants to divert $80 billion in subsidies to banks that give out student loans to provide more Pell Grants.

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Welcome

summitwp-admin1234 — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:32:30 +0000

You have arrived at the website dedicated to forward the effort to establish a new Susquehanna Valley Community College that would serve Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union Counties.

Posted 1/27/2011

Obama Supports Community Colleges in State of the Union Address In his State of the Union Address on January 27th, President Obama called for the investment in jobs, skills, and education by urging the Senate to pass a bill that supports Community Colleges, stating Community Colleges are a “career pathway” to many.

President Obama also expressed his wishes to renew the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to focus on college access and affordability through the increase of Pell grants and tax credits.

“… I urge the Senate to follow the House and pass a bill that will revitalize our community colleges, which are a career pathway to the children of so many working families.

View his quotes regarding Community Colleges and to read more click here.

YOU are an important voice in this ambitious and exciting project. YOUR participation in this pioneering endeavor is urgent so please browse this site, contribute your comments, questions, concerns through Video Forum and SVCC Talk and send the Petition Letter to your county commissioners. OUR cumulative efforts as the residents and voters of Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties will build the bridge to our regional emergence and prosperity through the creation of our Susquehanna Valley Community College.

Listen to WKOK Leaders and Lawmakers with

John Shipman and Lenaire Ahlum

AdvancePA: Community Colleges Leading the Way! This statewide campaign is calling on policymakers and candidates to make expanding opportunities at community colleges an economic priority in Pennsylvania. Community college leaders, students, and community members are voicing their concerns about the role these accessible and affordable education options can, and should play in strengthening the economy and quality of life throughout the state. We thank you for taking the time to learn more about how you can help AdvancePA! Don’t forget to sign the petition!

http://www.advancepa.net/

Feedback

“I am presently an LPN working in the Emergency Department at Geisinger Medical Center with hopes and dreams of someday becoming an RN, but unfortunately for me, I fall within all the categories mentioned above. My family and I live in Selinsgrove, and the most convenient program available to me is…. In order to attend … I would have to pay almost forty thousand dollars for tuition, and quit my job, which would then cause my family to be without health insurance. My other option requires a minimum of a one hour commute to Harrisburg, Williamsport, or Luzerne Community College. I am certain that an affordable and convenient program geared towards the working healthcare professional would be widely valued by both prospective nursing students and the vast amount of employers within our community.” -Bridget F. Selinsgrove, PA

“First generation college students, adult students returning to school, high school drop outs searching for a better future. It’s not easy, you need assistance from your family, and friends, and sometimes, that help is just not around. A Community College is exactly what we need in the Susquehanna Valley, it is a COLLEGE that involves and includes the COMMUNITY, making brighter futures and helping those who want to help themselves, but are just to afraid to look for help, or just don’t know where to turn. Let’s create these futures, lets make Susquehanna Valley Community College more than just a topic of conversation…Let’s make it happen. Accessible and affordable education, SVCC, doesn’t it sound good?” -Marie L. Selinsgrove, PA

“You’re very welcome. I believe a community college in Sunbury will be the beginning of a positive economic turnaround in our community. Good paying jobs follow good education. Please, keep me informed of the status of the community college. Good luck with your efforts and if there is anything else I can do please let me know.” -Mike

Testimonial by Heather Gearin

summitwp-admin1234 — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:53:31 +0000

The Susquehanna Valley Community Education Project, to me, will revitalize our community. I feel that it would grant numerous opportunities to students, employers, employees and, in all, our community. This community has been in need of something like this for years and I feel that has been long past due.

It’s a national priority

summitwp-admin1234 — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:33:04 +0000

Now is the time to tap into President Obama’s ten-year, $12 billion dollar plan to help community colleges prepare people for a new generation of jobs. The 1,045 community colleges in the United States reported the highest enrollments in history. Competitive grants will be available to create new programs and expand training and counseling. Let those programs and training come to the Susquehanna Valley.

The need exists in the Commonwealth

summitwp-admin1234 — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:34:27 +0000

Pennsylvania has had no new community college established since 1993. Much has happened in over a decade and a half. Existing community colleges are feeling the burden of increased enrollments due to the need for additional training and retraining in the economic downturn. The 2009 enrollment figures for Harrisburg Area Community College and Luzerne County Community College are 19,000 and 16,000 respectively. A Susquehanna Valley Community College will provide a new, more convenient option.

The need exists in our area

summitwp-admin1234 — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:35:12 +0000

The SVCC target area population of Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union Counties exceeds 270,000. Only 4 percent of those residents have an associate degree.

Location, location, location

summitwp-admin1234 — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:35:54 +0000

An SVCC will provide a local, convenient option for traditional and non-traditional students. Currently, those considering enrollment at a community college face an average commuting time of an hour to an hour and a half one way. Faced with the other challenges of continuing education, many potential students are discouraged from enrolling at a distant site while others may drop out to due the inconvenience and cost of long commutes.

Parents want SVCC

summitwp-admin1234 — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:36:28 +0000

Parents of high school students surveyed responded that a new community college was most important.