Aug. 18, 2010

Lebanon, PA – More than 1,100 students will start their fall semester Monday at the Lebanon Campus of HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College.

Enrollment jumped 10.7 percent ahead of last year’s pace while building renovations continue through mid-December.

Enrollment across HACC’s five campuses and the online Virtual Campus increased 5.6 percent with more than 21,800 students.

 “We are thrilled with the number of students choosing the Lebanon Campus,” said Kathleen Kramer, Ed.D., campus vice president. “Lebanon residents are looking to HACC to provide the skills and education they need for a successful future. They realize we offer quality instruction, convenient classes where you can build a rapport with instructors and affordable tuition. The renovation will add a large number of student-centered improvements, including a café and student activities center.”

In addition to the student activities center, the renovation also includes the construction of a new bookstore, welcome center, and new entrance for the Trades and Technology Center.

Based on the successful model at HACC’s Gettysburg Campus, the welcome center inside the Lebanon Campus lobby will provide students with one-stop service for registration, advisement, veterans services, financial aid and other support services.

“The first completion phase is establishing the welcome center and moving staff back to the first floor,” said Kramer. “Students will then have access to those services in one area.”

For more information about classes throughout the first week of the semester, go to www.hacc.edu or call HACC’s admissions office at the Lebanon Campus, 270-6330.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

HACC also has more students attending its other regional campuses.

More students are taking online classes in HACC’s Virtual Campus, 7.6 percent more that last year. New for fall are online courses in enology, the science of making wine. Also new is HACC’s partnership with the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association where journeyman linesmen can enroll in the technology studies program with 30 credits already applied toward an associate degree. Most of the remaining requirements can be completed online.

At HACC’s Gettysburg Campus, where classes start Aug. 30, enrollment is up 15.2 percent. The Harrisburg Campus has a 4 percent increase. The Lancaster Campus is holding steady and the York Campus continues fast growth with a 10.3 percent increase in enrollment.