05-03-2025
Local community college branch to end in-person classes in August
HERMITAGE, Pa. (WKBN) — A local community college branch will no longer be offering in-person classes starting in August.
Butler County Community College (BC3) @ LindenPointe in Hermitage made the announcement on Tuesday.
According to a press release, enrollment at the campus has declined significantly from 300 students in the fall of 2014 to 45 in the fall of 2024. The release states the sharpest decline was during the 2020-21 academic year.
'In-person enrollment at BC3 @ LindenPointe has continued to decline in recent years,particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,' said Joshua Novak, vice president forstudent affairs and enrollment management. 'Enrollment continues to be a challenge at many institutions, and our numbers simply have not rebounded to a sustainable level.'
In-person classes will officially end on Aug. 5.
All other BC3 locations will remain fully operational and continue accepting new students forthe fall 2025 semester and beyond. BC3's location in Lawrence County will relocate this summerfrom Union Township to Shenango Township.
'Ensuring that currently enrolled students have a clear path to completing their degrees is the top priority,' said Belinda Richardson, provost and vice president for academic affairs. 'We are in the process of developing completion plans for each student, which may include onlinecourses or courses offered at our other locations.'
BC3 @ LindenPointe offers associate degrees in 11 transfer programs, four career programs andone certificate program. It also offers training in emergency medical services and fire services at Mercer County fire departments.
The release also stated that the campus is looking to reassign LindenPointe faculty and staff to other BC3 facilities.
'We remain committed to serving Mercer County in meaningful ways,' Megan Coval, BC3'sinterim president, said. 'While we are discontinuing in-person credit programs at BC3 @ LindenPointe, we are exploring other opportunities to meet the needs of residents and remain an educational partner in Mercer County.'
In the 2024-25 academic year, nearly 100 Mercer County residents took at least one online classfrom BC3. The college hopes to grow its dual enrollment opportunities.
'While this is a difficult transition, it is our responsibility to make sound financial decisions forthe future of the college,' said Jake Friel, vice president for administration and finance.'Discontinuing in-person programs at BC3 @ LindenPointe is expected to save approximately$450,000 annually, allowing us to better allocate resources to serve our students.'
Mark Longietti, Hermitage director of business and development, said the property around the campus has been rezoned for housing opportunities and hopes to see some business take over the LindenPointe building.
'We have some real interest in housing development now that it's been zoned for multifamily housing,' Longietti said. 'There's some opportunities for some service-type organizations to relocate there.'
Last week, Penn State University announced the possible closure of several satellite campuses including nearby Penn State Shenago in Sharon.
Longietti said the city of Hermitage is putting together a letter to Penn State's president highlighting the positives of the campus.
'Higher education is important to the area,' Longietti said. 'Shenango has grown its enrollment through its athletic program, and the city of Hermitage has been a partner with our athletic complex. The women's softball team is coming online now.'
Longietti said he is grateful Mercer County also has strong partners with area Thiel, Grove City and Westminster Colleges.
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