PRINTER'S NO. 747
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
76
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY COSTA, APRIL 14, 2015
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, APRIL 14, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Designating April 2015 as "Pennsylvania Community College Month"
in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, For 52 years, this Commonwealth's community colleges
have provided accessible and affordable higher education, work
force training and transfer opportunities for millions of
Pennsylvania residents; and
WHEREAS, In the current year, the community colleges serve
more than 365,000 students across 37 of this State's counties,
and 93% of credit students are residents, representing all
counties of this Commonwealth.
WHEREAS, One out of every four undergraduates of this
Commonwealth attends a community college; and
WHEREAS, Community colleges offer and support dual enrollment
of more than 11,000 high school students, representing half of
this Commonwealth's school districts; and
WHEREAS, Community colleges serve nontraditional students,
part-time students, dislocated workers and veterans in this
Commonwealth and offer increased access through online education
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courses and programs, allowing students to build their academic
credentials and certifications while maintaining their work
schedules and family responsibilities; and
WHEREAS, Community colleges offer the most affordable pathway
to the baccalaureate through more than 2,700 transfer and
articulation agreements to ensure students seamlessly transition
from the community college to a four-year degree, with more than
32,800 students transferring each year; and
WHEREAS, Ninety-one percent of community college graduates
stay in Pennsylvania to live and work; and
WHEREAS, Community colleges continue to graduate students in
many of the high-demand and high-growth industries vital to the
State's economy, particularly in health care, public safety,
manufacturing and energy; and
WHEREAS, Sixty-one percent of those credit programs are in
the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields; and
WHEREAS, Community colleges offer individualized credit and
noncredit courses and programs that enhance the work force
pipeline and stimulate this Commonwealth's economy; and
WHEREAS, Community colleges have developed 74 new or
redesigned programs in response to regional needs of employers
and work force trends; and
WHEREAS, More than 1,100 employers throughout this
Commonwealth have contracted with community colleges to provide
training for more employees, and 30,200 employees have been
trained by community colleges throughout Pennsylvania; therefore
be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the month of April 2015
as "Pennsylvania Community College Month" in Pennsylvania and
encourage all residents to recognize, appreciate and support the
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contributions these institutions make to their communities and
our Commonwealth.
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