Westmoreland County Community College

No one understands having a community presence quite like the Westmoreland County Community College. That is why they were an excellent choice to be our June Chamber Champion of the Month.

When it comes to matching the chamber values and mission, the college surpasses expectations with their commitment to workforce development, community involvement, diversity, and economic development.

Founded back in 1970, the college has grown both figuratively and literally in the last 53 years. They now have approximately 3,000 full and part time students enrolled. They offer 54 associate degrees, 17 diplomas, and 54 certificate programs. They employ 81 full time teaching faculty and approximately 279 part time faculty members.

The mission of the college, led by President Tuesday Stanley, Ed.D, is to improve the quality of life in the communities they serve through education, training, an cultural enrichment.

Through the pandemic, the college had to change its ways of operations. But they thought outside the box and were able to continue to serve our community with new technology, new facilities and new ways to teach and work. Dr. Stanley states that this was a “renewed dedication to serving Westmoreland, Fayette and Indiana Counties.”

The Westmoreland County Community College is no stranger to growth and development. In the past few years, they finished phase III of the renovation of their Student Achievement Center and completed the new open concept library. They cut the ribbon at their state-of-the-art event center and outfitted classrooms with new technology.

Under Stanley’s leadership in 2022, the Westmoreland team secured a part in the Build Back Better Grant for Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics. This grant helped create opportunities for workers and employers in the growing area of Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics.

The college has been awards a 2.5 million Title III grant to strengthen online educational services and student services, ensuring a full spectrum of resources is available to Westmoreland, Indiana and Fayette counties in Pennsylvania.

In 2023 WCCC focused on students both in and outside of the classroom by implementing a Career Closet and Advocacy Center. The new Surgical Technology Center in New Kensington education center was revealed and the college cut the ribbon on their Virtual Reality room where students can experience the work they would do in their chosen career through VR.

As many know, workforce development is at the top of the chamber’s priority list. WCCC is also committed to helping area businesses and industry develop and maintain a skilled workforce. The Workforce Development Team works with local organizations to identify training needs and will even aid in evaluating potential job candidates. You don’t have to be a large corporation to take advantage of this benefit, as the college works with small shops to large manufacturers.

In addition, the college shares with us their strong belief that diversity and inclusion are values that encourage healthy, vibrant communities. Their Equity and Inclusion Committee meets regularly to ensure that the college’s diversity statement is being acted upon in all facets of the institution’s activities. In 2023 the college kicked off the opening of the Center for Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.

Lastly, but certainly not least, the chamber celebrates WCCC’s commitment to the community. Their nonstudent initiatives allow all to be “invited to be a part of our family in a number of ways.” These include:

• Retired Senior Volunteer Program – Seniors can help others in the community through volunteerism

• Workforce Development – Businesses can implement a training program with advisors

• Chef’s Bistro – The public can eat at the mini-restaurant operated by the hospitality students

• Continuing Education/Non-Credit Courses – Anyone can learn a new skill or have fun with friends

• Dental Hygiene Clinic – Community members can receive dental services at a reduced rate

• PA MEDI – One can get their Medicare and Medicaid questions answered by trained volunteers

The items mentioned here are just a short list of all that the Westmoreland County Community College has to offer and how they deserve to be the June Chamber Champion. 97% of the students at WCCC stay here in our communities. Retention of young people is essential to grow our local economy and thanks to WCCC students can live, work and play in our own backyard!

The college has coined itself as having a “Proud Past and Ambitious Future”. We look forward to seeing your next 50 years of an Ambitious Journey, conjunction with our member and local business,Wildcats Champion Belts.

Congratulations Westmoreland County Community College and thank you for your FIFTY years of membership with the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce!

Read more about the college and its programs at https://westmoreland.edu/.