Latest news with #DualCreditInnovationGrant
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
PennWest offering more low-cost courses to high school students. How much do credits cost?
More high school students will be able to enroll in more Pennsylvania Western University courses thanks to a nearly $1 million grant to the university. The $999,931 from the state's Dual Credit Innovation Grant Program will allow PennWest to expand dual enrollment opportunities for Pennsylvania high school students. The dual enrollment program allows students to earn college credits at reduced cost while still in high school. PennWest currently offers nearly 100 dual enrollment courses taught by university faculty. Topics range from business, computer programming and public speaking to drawing, ocean science and professional golf management. The new grant will allow PennWest to offer more dual enrollment courses, especially high demand courses aligned with workforce needs. Courses can be taken online or on PennWest campuses, including PennWest Edinboro, during fall, spring and summer terms. And courses also may count toward high school graduation requirements. High school students with grade-point averages of 3.0 or higher are eligible for dual enrollment. Cost is $75 per credit, compared to $322 per credit for PennWest University students. The Dual Credit Innovation Grant additionally will allow the university to enroll more dual enrollment students; broaden student support services, including advising and streamlining the credit-transfer process; and partner with other organizations to eliminate student credit costs. PennWest reduced the cost for dual enrollment and expanded course offerings last year. Participation has since surged by 66%. Erie County Community College: Grant to provide more free credits for high school students In addition to the Dual Credit Innovation Grant Program grant, the PennWest dual enrollment program is supported by corporate partners through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program, which provides tax credits for contributing businesses. Contact Valerie Myers at vmyers@ This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: PennWest grant to fund more low-cost courses for high school students
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Luzerne County Community College launches Career and Technology Academy
Jun. 4—NANTICOKE — Luzerne County Community College's new Career and Technology Academy dispels the myth that students gifted in skilled trades don't have a path to college, LCCC President John Yudichak said Wednesday. LCCC officially launched the LCCC Career & Technology Academy — an unprecedented educational partnership between the college and the region's three Career and Technical Centers (CTCs) — Hazleton Area Career Center, Wilkes-Barre Area Career & Technical Center and West Side Career & Technical Center. Yudichak said the new academy was made possible through a $1 million Dual Credit Innovation Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education and $150,000 in private scholarship support. "The Academy allows high school students to earn college credits — free of charge — while completing their CTC programs," Yudichak said. "The initiative aims to transform workforce development in Northeastern Pennsylvania by creating accessible, affordable and high-impact educational pathways for students pursuing skilled trades." Yudichak said the Career & Technology Academy will empower more than 2,000 CTC students across Luzerne County to earn post-secondary credentials while still in high school. "It's a bold, necessary innovation that will transform our regional economy and individual lives," Yudichak said. The Academy's first class includes 27 students who attended LCCC this spring at no cost, thanks to the generous $100,000 William Rinaldi Career & Technology Academy Scholarship and the $50,000 Joseph Yudichak Career Pathway Scholarship provided through the Luzerne Foundation. Local entrepreneur William Rinaldi, who Yudichak called "a key donor and visionary partner," was honored for his contributions. "Bill recognized the value of LCCC as a workforce development epicenter," Yudichak said. "His generosity ensures that our students have every opportunity to succeed." Rinaldi said, "The best way to help someone is to assist them in finding the right path to success. And I am always willing to help them." A regional partnership with statewide implications Dr. Thomas Duffy, chief administrator of West Side CTC, praised the collaborative model. "This is a first-of-its-kind partnership," Duffy said. "By centralizing resources and leveraging the strengths of all three CTCs with LCCC, we're creating unprecedented opportunities for our students." Dr. Anthony Guariglia, administrative director at Wilkes-Barre Area CTC, highlighted the real-world confidence this model provides. "Students get to transition to college-level courses with their peers and build on skills they've already mastered," Guariglia said. "It gives them the confidence to succeed in college and beyond." Dr. Brian Uplinger, Hazleton Area superintendent, pointed out how the program relieves capacity issues at overcrowded CTCs. "We have limited seats," Uplinger said. "This program opens up opportunities for more students to participate in CTC training by moving some students to LCCC." Dr. Graceann Platukus, LCCC vice president of enrollment management, underscored the rising demand. "Parents and students are looking for affordable, fast-tracked routes into trades," Platukus said. "This program answers that call." LCCC's academic affairs vice president, Dr. Russ Bigus, emphasized the broader impact. "This program gives high schoolers the chance to gain experience, confidence, and even meet future employers while still in high school," Bigus said. Jocelyn Sterenchock, CAN DO's Director of Economic Development, added, "To be 18 years old and graduate with a diploma in one hand and a job offer in the other is exactly what we should be striving for." State support for a new model of workforce education The $1 million state grant will fund tuition, upgrade LCCC's Advanced Technology Center, and expand lab space for high-demand programs like welding, HVAC, and electrical technology. "Pennsylvania needs more skilled workers with college credentials," Yudichak said. "Thanks to Gov. Josh Shapiro, the Department of Education, and our legislators, we're ready to deliver. "At LCCC, community is in our name, in our mission, and in our heart. The Career & Technology Academy is a model of what higher education and workforce development should be — accessible, innovative and focused on student success." In his welcoming address on Wednesday, Yudichak said LCCC's Career & Technology Academy will deliver a first-of-its-kind opportunity for students in the region's career and technical high schools to earn a post-secondary credential or college degree while they are still in high school. "Empowering local CTC students to earn a post-secondary credential or a college degree will change the financial trajectory of individual lives, and it will transform our regional economy by meeting the growing workforce demands for skilled workers in the high-demand career fields of technology, energy and the construction trades," Yudichak said. "The Pennsylvania Department of Education has identified a workforce credential gap of more than 12,500 workers in the skilled trades and called on institutions of higher education to partner with CTC high schools to develop a 21st-century skilled, educated workforce." John Naldony, training director for IBEW Local 163, and Bill Feist, president of J&E Sheetmetal, spoke in support of the new program "With the insight of business leaders like Bill Feist and leaders in organized labor, like John Naldony, it is clear to me that the creation of LCCC Career & Technology is a necessary and essential innovation in higher education. Pennsylvania needs more skilled trade workers," Yudichak said. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
IUP, Penn Highlands net $1.8M in dual credit grants
HARRISBURG, Pa. – Two regional post-secondary institutions have earned a combined $1.8 million in dual credit innovation grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Education to allow more high school learners to enter dual enrollment programs. Gov. Josh Shapiro's office announced Monday that Pennsylvania Highlands Community College was awarded $1 million and Indiana University of Pennsylvania was allotted $808,454.13. The schools were two of 15 public insinuations across the commonwealth to split a total of $14 million in funding. 'We are thrilled to receive the 2025 Dual Credit Innovation Grant, which will significantly enhance our ability to provide high-quality, affordable dual enrollment opportunities to deserving high school students in the rural communities we serve,' Penn Highlands President Steve Nunez said. 'This grant underscores our commitment to educational excellence, the support to our communities, and our dedication to supporting the academic success of our students.' According to Pennsylvania Department of Education, dual credit programs improve the outcomes of high school students by providing them college courses that enhance academic achievement, graduation rates and college completion rates. Dual enrollment courses are offered at a discount rate for high school students and are taught by college and university staff. 'IUP is fully committed providing all of our students with high-quality education at an affordable price,' IUP President Michael Driscoll said. 'Dual enrollment allows talented high school students to get a head start on their college degree by enrolling in college courses at a reduced price. This grant, combined with our action to significantly reduce the cost of dual enrollment for students starting in the fall 2024 semester, provides new opportunities to students who want to pursue coursework, including at high schools serving populations of underserved students.' Driscoll congratulated Meigan Robb, from the department of nursing, and Lei Hao, from the department of allied and public health, who wrote the application for these funds. Pennsylvania Department of Education acting Secretary Carrie Rowe said in a release that the state's goal with these grants is to encourage more young people, especially from historically underrepresented communities, to access courses that will lead to careers and credentials the workforce needs. 'It's about expanding opportunity and creating pathways to a future they choose,' she said. Joshua Byers is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at 814-532-5054. Follow him on Twitter @Journo_Josh.
