CLEARFIELD – Clearfield County Career & Technology students in the architectural drafting program will have a chance to earn community college credits as part of a new partnership between the CCCTC and Pennsylvania Highlands Community College.
On hand to announce the partnership were CCCTC Executive Director Lois Richards, Penn Highlands CC President Dr. Anna D. Weitz, Penn Highlands trustee Joseph Mangarella and Dawn Datt, acting Dean of Lock Haven-Clearfield campus.
According to Richards, the program will be available to students in architectural drafting in January. She also noted that students do not have to enroll in the program until after their first semester.
Weitz said that Penn Highlands was delighted to be involved in this partnership. She noted that it would expand educational opportunities for the residents of Clearfield County.
“We think this is a great partnership,” said Weitz.
The program will start out as a pilot program, giving the high school students who wish to pursue the opportunity a chance to earn advanced standing at Penn Highlands for a small fee. Upon graduation from high school, those students involved in the program could have over a year’s worth of college credits awarded through Penn Highlands CC.
Penn Highlands will charge a $25 per credit fee.
The students would have to reach certain benchmarks and milestones before being awarded the community college credits.
Weitz said that Penn Highlands CC and the CCCTC have been discussing such a partnership for over a year now.
Weitz also said that the two educational entities are discussing further duel enrollment opportunities. Currently the two are looking at the electronics program.
Also in the works is an adult education opportunity similar to the new high school program. The architectural drafting adult program may not be ready to go until fall, however.
According to a press release, this new partnership is part of a wider effort that is under development by Penn Highlands CC, CCCTC and Lock Haven University’s Clearfield campus to expand the educational opportunities for residents of the area.
Weitz noted that Clearfield County is not served by a community college.
“We want to be a part of this community,” said Weitz. “Working with Lock Haven University and the CCCTC is the way to do this.”
Penn Highlands CC currently has duel enrollment agreements with a number of other school districts, and has one pending with the Philipsburg-Osceola School District.
