INNOVATION: Luzerne County Community College excels in regional partnerships
Apr. 27—NANTICOKE — John Yudichak, president of Luzerne County Community College, said LCCC is at the forefront of educational innovation in Pennsylvania — establishing robust regional partnerships designed to enhance accessibility, affordability and workforce readiness for students.
"These strategic collaborations are transforming the higher education landscape and addressing critical workforce gaps in the regional economy of northeastern Pennsylvania," Yudichak said.
One of the most significant new educational partnerships comes through groundbreaking articulation agreements with the 10 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE).
Yudichak said higher education reforms embodied in Act 69 of 2024 that was championed by Gov. Josh Shapiro and a bipartisan coalition of state legislators, guarantees junior status for LCCC graduates at any PASSHE institution.
"Creating the best pathway to a debt-free college education, the initiative makes transferring seamless for students and empowers them to pursue a four-year degree in a timelier, more cost-efficient way," Yudichak said. "LCCC has long been recognized as the leading institution for students transferring to Commonwealth University, and this new partnership will foster greater collaboration among public institutions, stretching the value of public investments in these institutions and strengthening their abilities to respond to workforce development needs in Pennsylvania. The alliance aims to cultivate new professionals in high-demand careers such as education, nursing, and criminal justice."
In addition to its collaboration with PASSHE, Yudichak said LCCC has forged Regional Articulation Agreements with private universities in Luzerne County, like King's College, Misericordia University, and Wilkes University.
"These agreements simplify the transition for students moving from LCCC to pursue bachelor and graduate programs, ensuring a smoother path to graduating with a degree," Yudichak said.
Recognizing the trade and technology skills gap in the local workforce, Yudichak said LCCC is also partnering with career and technical high schools, including the Hazleton Area Career Center, West Side Career & Technical Center and the Wilkes-Barre Area Career & Technical Center.
With a startling 61,000 credentialed worker shortage revealed in the 2023 Post Secondary Workforce Credential Gap Analysis, this initiative aims to provide more than 2,000 high school students with college credits toward certifications in vital trade and technology fields.
Yudichak said LCCC's commitment to accessibility is evident in its "Go Here, Graduate Here, Work Here" model that will be featured at its seven campus centers across northeastern Pennsylvania.
The LCCC Centers in Hazleton, Wilkes-Barre, Pittston, Scranton, Berwick, Shamokin and Watsontown serve as community hubs where students can access academic resources, financial aid assistance and career advising.
Yudichak said LCCC's localized approach to higher education breaks down transportation barriers and fosters a sense of belonging among students, significantly enhancing their chances of success.
"In a rapidly changing job market, LCCC is mindful of the need for relevant career education," Yudichak said.
LCCC's new Micro-Credential Certification Program is designed to address workforce demands by offering targeted training in high-demand fields like AI in Manufacturing.
Yudichak said recognizing that success is seldom linear and students may need greater support to achieve their academic goals, LCCC established the AllOne Recovery Educational Institute (AREI) to support students in recovery from substance use disorders by emphasizing recovery through earning a post-secondary credential.
With the support of a $250,000 grant from the Luzerne County Council and ongoing support from the AllOne Foundation, Yudichak said the institute has served nearly 250 students since its inception and produced impressive outcomes in recovery and educational attainment.
"In a world where educational accessibility and workforce development are more critical than ever, Luzerne County Community College is setting a standard for higher education innovation and regional partnerships," Yudichak said. "Luzerne County Community College is the largest, most popular, most accessible college in northeastern Pennsylvania.
"At LCCC, community is in our name, community is our mission, and building stronger communities is exactly what we are invested in every day to ensure each succeeding generation of students can achieve their educational and career goals right here at Luzerne County Community College."
For more information on programs and partnerships at LCCC, visit luzerne.edu.
Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
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