AN INFORMATIVE RESOURCE ON K-12, COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES, FOUR-YEAR, TWO-YEAR, GRADUATE AND TRADE SCHOOLS FORSTUDENTS AND PARENTS IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY.
You deserve afuture you’re excited about, and Northampton Community College can help you get there. For over 50 years, NCC has been providing top quality, affordable education accessible to students of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you’re seeking atwo-year degree to land your dream job, specialized training to advance your career, core coursework to transfer to afour-year institution or you’re ahigh school student trying to get ahead start on college credits —we provide the foundation, guidance and support to help you achieve your goals.
With more than 120 programs to choose from, 100+ transfer agreements with dozens of four-year institutions, and countless certifications to upskill and advance your career —weoffer an extensive range of options when it comes to pursuing your education or enhancing your skillset. We also have partnerships with some of the largest companies in the area, so our students gain real-world, hands-on experience as part of their required coursework. 96% of our recent graduates are either employed or continuing their education.
NCC is one of the most affordable colleges in the region. Our students can save up to $40,000 while still receiving the highquality education we are known for. Currently, more than half of our students benefitfrom $46 million in financial aid and scholarships, and we’re proud to say that 90% of NCC aid applicants qualify for some form of aid! We also have one of the largest scholarship programs in Pennsylvania and award over 600 annually.
79% of ourstudents workwhile attending classes,which is whyweprovide the flexibilityneeded to maintain balance as you work towards your goals.Whether you prefer to learn online, in-person or through acombination of both,wehave avariety of class formats designed to fityour scheduleand suit your learningstyle.Wealsooffer accelerated, part-time and full-time options acrossall of ourformats, and 34 of our degrees and over 250courses can be completedentirely online.
At NCC, our students are our top priority. A 16:1 studentto-faculty ratio ensures students receive personalized attention every step of the way, and our academic advisors are committed to guiding students to success. We offer a wealth of in-person and virtual resources to support our students academically, personally and professionally like tutoring, academic coaching, career counseling, tech support, childcare and so much more.
High School students can jump-start their college career through our Dual Enrollment program. Dual Enrollment allows current Juniors and Seniors to take college courses taught by NCC faculty and staff while earning transferable credits toward afuture degree. In addition to being acost-effective way to get ahead on college coursework, it prepares students for what to expect at the next level and sets them up for success in their future academic endeavors. Each semester we have over 600 dual enrollment students, and 50+ high schools are represented.
So what are you waiting for? Get to know us at one of our upcoming events. Visit northampton.edu to learn more!
Belong, andit’swhere David Akinwandebelonged for his college years– whichhelped him landaposition at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia after graduatingwith his degree in nursinglast spring.
ESU,where we have resources to help provide affordable and accessibleacademicopportunities.
ESU’sfinancial aid offerings include the Pocono Promise,new forthe 2022-23 academic year. Newstudents maybeeligible for this scholarship,whichisavailable forPAresidents andcovers the entirecost of tuition after thePell grant and PA stategrants have been applied. Institutional grants will coverthe remainingtuition balance
Thereisalso aseries of Platinum/ Gold/Silver Transfer Scholarships forstudents from selectregional communitycollege partners, with awards from $6,000 to $2,000 annually.
Students applyingfor anyof these scholarships must meet specific requirements, available by visiting ESU.edu/merit or contactingadmission@esu.edu or 570-422-3542.
“ESU gave me theopportunity to develop skills, knowledge and theconfidence to work at oneof themostprestigious children’s hospitals in thecountry,”said Akinwande, whocredits his relationship with ESU’sfaculty andhis classmates whichhelped him on his journey. Amember of ESU’sfootball program, president of theStudent-AthleteAdvisory Committeeand arecipient of severalscholarships, he helped administer vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic,was atutor andpresented at an honors societyevent.He’ssuretobea Warrior forlife. Andyou can join himatwherewarriorsbelong.com.
Thereare manystories likeDavid’s that showcase theexperienceat
All ESU students enjoytuition that is significantly lowerthan tuition at large research universities and privatecolleges in PA,NYand NJ In 2021-22, ESU awarded more than $2 million in scholarships alone, whichispaired with our affordable tuition.
Andfor ambitious high school students who maywant to start college early, ESU offersdual enrollment courses at $50 per credit.
ESU Today. Success Tomorrow.
ESU prides itself on placing students first and its commitment to student success, with aslate of 58 majors, 21 master’s and two doctoraldegree programs.
TheUniversityoffersstate-ofthe-arttechnology to study fields from exercise science,
athletic trainingand nursing, to additivemanufacturingand 3Dprinting, art+design and digital mediatechnologies. Youcan also immerse yourself in hospitality, recreation, and tourism management; sport management; social work and criminal justice; andpsychology, just to nameafew.Students in the biological sciencescan get hands-on experience in wildlifeforensic work in theDr. JaneHuffman WildlifeGenetics Institute. Entrepreneurial passions can be explored in ESU’s Business Accelerator program. And, our teachercertification preparation programs are award-winningand nationallyaccredited.
ESU’sproximitytoNew York Cityand Philadelphia provides convenient access to internships, careersand social activities. Just minutes from campus arethe country’slargest water parks, scenic Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area,
Appalachian Trail andother opportunities forrecreational fun.
Thebest waytoexperience all that ESU offersistovisit andcheck out our campus, meet our students andfacultyand see foryourself whyESU is WhereWarriors Belong. Don’t wait! Register foran upcomingeventatESU.edu/visittheupcomingschedule includes Apply in July!
Apply in July (Register Today! ESU.edu/visit)
• Saturday, July8
• Thursday,July 13
• Tuesday, July 25(ESU’s Lehigh Valley Center,Bethlehem)
•Thursday, July 27
• Saturday, July29
ESUCampus
Saturday,July8
Thursday,July27
Thursday,July13Saturday,July29
ESU’sLehighValleyCenter(Bethlehem)
Tuesday,July25
Youhavethe courageofaWarrior. Youknowyourfutureisworth fightingfor When you’re readytotakeonwhat’snext, look no furtherthanthe Poconos—at ESU.
WhereWarriorsBelong™
REGISTER NOW
clothing. Developing aprofessionalwardrobe can becostly,sogift givers cantake newcollege grads out shopping forattire that canhelp them make astrong firstimpression.Ifdistance or timing makes suchanexcursionimpossible, agift card worth enough money to help grads begin buildinganimpressiveprofessional wardrobe canmake for agreat gift
The dayastudentgraduatesfromcollege is a momentous occasion. Datafromthe National Center for EducationStatisticsindicates that more than twomillion students earned bachelor’s degrees at theconclusion of the 2019-20 school year,the most recent year such informationwas available.
As another graduation season rounds into form, millions morehardworkingcollege students are about to receivetheir degrees. Commencement will be abig momentfor those students and it will also provea proud moment for their families, who will wanttorewardgraduates with agiftcommensurate with this significant accomplishment. As graduates preparetotradein campus lifefor theprofessional arena, well-wishers can consider these graduationgift ideas.
•Attire: Thoughmanybusinesses have committed to remote or hybrid workinginrecent years,collegegraduateswillstill needsomething morethanhoodies and sweatpants as they enter the professionalarena. Professionalattire can include anythingfromsuitstobusinesscasual
•Totebag/messenger bag: Traditional briefcases arestill around, but many modern professionals now prefer tote bags and messenger bags. Bags with padded pockets that can accommodate 15-inch laptops can be especially useful and help new graduations set aprofessional tone during interviews and after landing ajob.
•Apartment furnishings: Of course,some newly minted gradswillalready have ajob lined up by thetimethey stroll across agraduation stageand receive their degrees.Insuch instances, they might benefitfromalittle help furnishingtheir firstapartments. Some new kitchenware, agiftcardtoa furniturestore or somegadgets like anew smartTV or home speaker system can help anew place feel like home that muchsooner.
•Cooking lessons: Now that the campus dining hall is in the rearview mirror,new grads will have to preparetheir own meals. Some might be doing so for the first time, so some cooking lessons with alocal chef or instruction offered at alocal restaurant can ensurenew grads aren’tspending the bulk of their earnings on takeout or dining out.
Collegegraduation is an excitingtimeina young person’slife. Loved ones can consider an assortmentofgifts to makethis period even morespecial
KU supports students’academic and personal development by providing high-quality services that will help them makethe most of their time at KU.Whether students need help with apaper or resume, or atutor foraclass, the university has an officetooffer the support theyneed.
The Center forStudent Success and Academic Excellenceholds workshops throughout each semester to teach strategies like time management, test-taking, note-taking and textbook reading. In addition, the center offersthe KU Succeed program, aimed to increase the retention and graduation rate of students who mayneedextraacademic support. The programfocuses
on students’individual needs and offersspecialized advising and other assistancethathas proven beneficial to students.
KU alsounderstands the financial commitment of higher education and is dedicatedtohelping students and families achieve their goals. About 80% of Kutztown students receivefinancial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, loans or student employment.
As amember of the StateSystem of Higher Education, KU enrolls about 7,700undergraduate and graduate students. It offersmore than 200 student organizations, including Greek,academic, religious, cultural, social, athletic
and performance-relatedgroups. The university alsooffersspecific organizations forstudents transferring from another institution.
At KU,students learn the skills to excelinthe workforce, attend graduate school and achieve success. Theyare making an impact at companies likeAir Products, Lego,Google, Adidas,
the Mayo Clinic and manyothers in the Lehigh Valleyand beyond. The journeyofpersonal growth starts at KU.When students graduate,they’re capable of accomplishing anygoals they setfor themselves. At Kutztown University,it’sgood to be golden There’sstill time to apply forFall 2023 at www.kutztown.edu/apply.
With so many colleges to choose from (nearly 250 in Pa. alone), it’simportant to look for acommunity of active learners—somewhere you can think deeply and act boldly Here are three traits of acollege that can help you do so:
Many of the jobs that will exist in 2030 haven’tbeen invented yet. Lycoming College prepares students to lead the next generation with customizable, cross-disciplinary programs and thousands of major/minor combinations. Additionally,Lycominghas made investments in programs exploring the century’smost important topics: neuroscience, biochemistry, computer science, entrepreneurship, and astrophysics.
Students who participate in internships, research, or global study are more likely to be accepted into graduate programs and findjobs. Lycoming’sCenter for Enhanced Academic Experiences connects students with hands-on learning locally,nationally,and internationally.Through individualized guidance from acareer advisor in their academic area, students have studied the water quality of urban streams with the College’sClean Water Institute; translated poetryorpublished articles with faculty; interned at the Smithsonian; and explored the historyof mathematics in Greece.
3.
Acollege’sendowment, when stacked against its student population, can give you agood idea of the resources available. Lycoming’sendowment ranks among the highest per student in the country, enabling them to award more than $34M in financial aid annually,invite world-renowned scholars to visit/teach, and invest in premier facilities/technology.Over the past several years, Lycoming has added anew music building,
science center,planetarium, biochemistrysuite, biology field station, gateway center,and renovated academic center as partofits commitment to putting advanced learning opportunities at everystudent’sfingertips. Find aplace that makes you confident in your pursuit of knowledge and bold in its application—a college that prepares you not only for your first job, but for alifetime of professional and personal growth. Visit Lycoming College: www.lycoming.edu
Earning afour-year degree is one path toward a rewarding career. However, that path is the only oneavailable to aspiring professionals.Enrolling in avocational program canprovide students with the skills necessarytoengage in high-demandand well-paying jobs.
Vocationalschool, often referred to as “trade school,” can be an advantageousroute for many people who are looking foranalternativetocollege.In2020, the NationalCenterfor Education Statistics said afouryear private college cost around$50,300 forastudent living on campus, while afour-year public college was roughly$24,300 annually.A 2018pollfromThe Learning House, askills training and coursework company, found 35 percent of studentssaid tuition andother fees were their primaryconcerns when choosingcollegeprograms.Trade schools cancost three times less than other schooling, making them morepalatable to young people concernedabout the highcostsofcollege.
Careerand Technical Education programs number around 1,200 in the United Statesalone.Many students beginvocational career tracksinhighschool, according to American Education Services. Hereare some benefitstopursuing an education in the trades.
•Lower cost: According to NCES, trade schools cost significantly less than four-year institutions. Data from the U.S. Department of Education says programs may run between $3,600 to $16,000 per year.Most vocational programs last two years, meaning thatstudents graduate with far less debt than they might accrue when pursuing afour-year college program.
•Individualized attention: Manytrade programs offer instruction in veryintimate settings, with experienced practitioners serving as mentors and trainers. While each program is different, vocational training schools tend to have lower faculty-to-student ratios than traditional colleges.
•Fewer admission requirements: Trade schools maynot have the same stringent application and admissions processesascolleges. Course prerequisites and grade point average requirements alsomay not dictatetrade school admissions policies.
•Direct, hands-on training: Unlike atraditional college thatmarries general education courses with those specifictoamajor,trade school programs focus only on skills and training relevant to each student’schosen career path.
•Less time to complete schooling: More direct lessons means thatstudents can complete their certifications or degrees in shorter times and enter the workforce much more quickly than their counterparts at traditional colleges and universities.
Vocational training in trade schools is aviable option for students who want to spend less money and gain valuable skills they can utilize to earn agood living.
The complexchallengesfacing society require anew kind of knowledge, groundedinadeep understanding of humanity pairedwith hands-onproblem solving experience. At Muhlenberg College,students have found three key ingredients that arepreparingthem to meettoday’s challenges head on.
Muhlenbergstudents forgetheir own educational paththatfeatures unique cross-discipline learningto sharpen critical reasoning andexpand perspectives.
“Muhlenberghas taught me to look at all thedifferent options, allthe different possibilities, andall thedifferent collaborators that can helpwork toward abetter future together,”senior Lacey Pasco said.
TheCollegeoffers 39 majorsand 25 minors across fields including business, accounting, media &communication, public health, neuroscience, premed and prelaw. Studentsoften double major,
pursue multipleminors or createtheir own majors.
At Muhlenberg, takingriskscreates opportunitiestogrowand learningis about experience andexperimentation. Every Muhlenberg studenthas theirown coachingteam of world-class faculty, highly-skilledstaffand fellow students
“I’m not anumberinmyclass–they know me,” first-yearstudent Vishmitha Dsouza said. “From the healthcenter to the writing center, everyperson Ihave met hasbeen so resourceful formein my journey.”
Highly competitive financial aid packages open doors for many students. Students deepentheir knowledge through opportunities like facultymentored research, study abroadand hands-on professionalexploration through internships,externshipsand networking.
Students spend four years on acampus with boundlessopportunitiestoconnect,
grow andlead. The College offers competitiveDivisionIII athletics, more than120 clubsand organizationsand events and performances nearly every night of the week
“I woulddescribe it as asmall, tight-knit community thatisreallyopen-minded and generates creativity and opportunity foralot of differentpeople,”seniorJoe Romanosaid. “Having that community
aroundme, pushing me andaskingifI can do better,inspires me.”
And thebest part? This robust experience is close to home. Muhlenberg’s location right in theLehigh Valley offers the opportunity for studentstoexploretheir home region in new ways and expand their personal andprofessional network nationally and globally while remaining connected to their community.
The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School (PACyber) offers students in grades K-12 an alternative to traditional education. Families look beyond their local school district for arange of reasons, and sometimes it’snecessary to tryanew school experience. After 23 years of perfecting online education and with alegacyof21,000 graduates, PA Cyber has demonstrated that learning online is an effective long-term answer for manystudents.
As apublic school, PA Cyber is open for enrollment to anyschool-age child
residing in Pennsylvania and does not charge tuition to students or families. PA Cyber provides everystudent with alaptop, printer,and all the necessary textbooks and support materials to enrich the educational process. Across the state, ten regional offices serve as hubs for enrollment, orientation, and enrichment activities. With Family Link field trips, two proms, and two graduation ceremonies, your child can enjoyatraditional school experience in anew way.
PA Cyber students receive individual attention and support from educators and staff who create customized learning paths for students. This flexible-but-focused learning model allows teachers to use avariety of teaching strategies and curriculum choices to create an education program thatisdeeply personal. Students discover their strengths and interests by exploring diverse curriculum options and extracurriculars, all while enjoying the flexibility thatcomes with being
acyber student. PA Cyber meets the curriculum requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Education and is accredited by the Middle States Association.
Enrollment is open for the 2023–2024 school year.Learn more about customizing your child’seducation at pacyber.org or call 724-643-1180.
Accounts to payfor college or even privatehigh schools can be asmart wayfor parents to preparefor their children’s futures. Not everyaccount is thesame, andcertain savings accounts could affectfinancial aid eligibilityand taxes. It is in parents’ andstudents’ best interests to educatethemselves on thevarious education savings plans available to them —and whichones makethe most sense fortheir families.
Familiesshoulddotheirresearchand workwithprofessionalswhounderstand thesubtletiesofschoolsavingsplans. Forexample,accordingtoCappex.com, acollegeinformationsite,students’ incomeandsavingshavealarger,more negativeimpactontheavailability offinancialaidthantheportionof theirparents’assetsfactoredintothe equation.Studentswithsizeablesavings accountsintheirnamemayendup adverselyaffectingtheirfinancialaid eligibility.Afinancialadvisorandloan expertcanadvisefamiliesonthese confusingfinancialfacts.
•529 College Savings Plan: 529accounts areapopular education savings plan. They operateinasimilar fashion to IRA and401(k) plans in that savings foreducation areearnedtaxfree through investment opportunities. SallieMaesays529 plans areoffered by states or educational institutions under Section 529ofthe Internal Revenue Code. These tax-advantaged plans generally have no income limitations andhigh contribution limits. Theusage of funds in 529accounts aresubject to regulations.
•Coverdell Education Savings Account: Coverdell accounts are versatile in that they enable themoney to be spent forelementarythrough college education, whichisalarger rangethan other plans. This is another tax-freeplan when used forschool purposes. Coverdell contributions arecapped at $2,000 per year, and they’reonly available to families below aspecified income level, says the resource SavingforCollege.com.
•UniformGifts to MinorsAct Account: These accounts arenot traditionally designed foreducation but can be established to offer gift assets tominors. Thecustodian of theaccount can sell theassets forthe child’sbenefit at any time, andoncethe child reaches18or21,
recipients can use thefunds in whatever manner they choose.However, UGMA mayaffectfinancial aid eligibility.
•Roth IRA: Parents can open up a Roth IRA in their child’snameonce thechild begins earningincome. Even though thereare penalties to takingearningsout beforethe ageof 59.5, exceptions include purchasing afirst home or qualified education expenses. ARoth IRA isn’t subjected to legal andadministrativefees that can come with trusts, whichare another savings avenue.
Parents can help finance their children’s educations through various savings plans. Afinancial advisor may shed more light on whichproducts are best forfamilies.
It’s no secret thatthe world of the near future willbeavery different place. Howdoweprepare ourstudentstoleadin such aworld?Mostimportant—how will they know the right choicestomake? At Moravian Academy we teachour students the skills for thriving in an uncertain world: Creativity, Curiosity, Perseverance, Empathy, Integrity, and Excellence. We may not know what the future holds, but we do know that MoravianAcademy graduates willgoforward with confidence, amoral compass, and, most of all, the curiosity they’ll need to maketheir mark in achanging world.
Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) is the region’slargest employer and health care provider of choice. Because excellent carealways matters, each of our nearly 20,000 health careprofessionals is driven by our mission to heal, comfort and carefor the people of our community.
LVHN hospitals in the Lehigh Valley arethe only hospitals in the region to have received Magnet® recognition five consecutive times since 2002. This prestigious recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) demonstrates LVHN’scommitment to nursing excellence and quality patient outcomes. Only 9.6% of hospitals in the nation hold this honor,and we arethe only Magnet hospital in the Lehigh Valley.
LVHN supports professional nurses to be their best. LVHN nurses areempowered to grow in their nursing career and help shape the future of patient care, while providing compassionate, evidence-based caretoday.LVHN has state-ofthe-art facilities and avariety of specialty areas for nurses to pursue.
LVHN is among the top health networks for preparing futuregenerations of nurses and physicians. Graduate nurses can choose their specialty at LVHN, learnfromknowledgeable, experienced educators and preceptors and apply skills in aspecialized clinical setting. LVHN’sNurse Residency Program for newly licensed nurses is the first nurse residency program in Pennsylvania to receive “Accreditation with Distinction” from the ANCC. Accreditation means LVHN’sprogram is among
the best in the nation at preparing new nurses for asuccessful and rewarding career
The SELECT (ScholarlyExcellence,Leadership Experiences and Collaborative Training) medical schoolprogram from LVHN and University of SouthFlorida(USF) Health Morsani College of Medicine has beentraining the next generation of greatphysicianssince 2011. It’sthe highest-rankedmedical school
in the area, accordingtoU.S.News &World Report. Students spendtheir firsttwo years learningina highly progressive, studentcentered medical school,the USFHealth Morsani College of Medicine in Tampa,Fla. They will then spend their final two years learninginsideLVHN, anationallyrecognized, technologically advancedhealth network.
LVHN’sgenerous Total Rewards package makes LVHN agreat place to work and grow your career.Inaddition to highly competitive compensation, LVHN offers generous paid time off, exceptional health benefits, comprehensive wellness programs, flexible schedules and remote and hybrid opportunities. LVHN offers career paths for those with no previous experience in health care. Start acareer and grow with support from LVHN every step of the way.Whatever your goal may be, LVHN has an opportunity to get you there. From professional development offerings and internal advancement to educational discounts and tuition reimbursement, the possibilities for growth with LVHN arelimitless.
If you aresomeone who aligns with LVHN’score values –Compassion, Integrity,Collaboration and Excellence –you will have arewarding and successful career here.
LehighValleyHealthNetwork(LVHN)offerscareer pathsforpeoplewithnopreviousexperienceinhealth care.StartacareerandgrowwithsupportfromLVHN everystepoftheway.Whateveryourgoalmaybe, LVHNhasanopportunitytogetyouthere.
Starthere.LVHN.org/Grow