Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges

The Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges (PACCC) is a nonprofit membership association that primarily advocates for Pennsylvania's community colleges. It provides leadership on issues affecting community colleges and represents their collective vision and needs to policymakers.

Mission and Role

PACCC aims to promote community colleges as vital institutions in Pennsylvania's education and workforce development system. Community colleges in the state educate nearly a quarter million students from all 67 counties, making them the largest provider of public postsecondary education and workforce training.

Key Activities

• Advocacy and Budget Requests: PACCC regularly presents budget requests to legislative bodies, such as the House Appropriations Committee, to secure funding for community colleges. This includes advocating for operational appropriation increases to support educational and workforce development programs.
• Policy Recommendations: The commission offers recommendations to address the state's skills gap and improve postsecondary education attainment levels. These include expanding programs aligned with local industry needs and supporting career and transfer pathways for students.
• Strategic Communications: PACCC collaborates with partners to raise awareness of community colleges' impact, often organizing events like Community College Day to engage policymakers and media statewide.

Community Colleges in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's community colleges are crucial for providing affordable postsecondary education and workforce training. They serve diverse student populations, including first-generation, low-income, and minority students. The colleges partner with over 2,100 employers to address regional workforce needs and award significant numbers of degrees and certificates in sectors such as healthcare.

Recent Developments

Recent efforts have focused on reinvigorating community colleges through systemic changes. There have been discussions about creating a more unified system to enhance coordination and benefits for students. Additionally, proposals for increased state grants aim to improve access and affordability.