Date published: April 9, 2025
Mechanicsburg, PA
“One thing that I don't think people know about HACC is that all the professors are genuinely here to help us students out no matter what the color of our skin is.”
Paul, who is earning an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Technology, said he chose HACC because, “tuition was a lot cheaper and the commute was fairly easy for me and affordable.”
Additionally, Paul appreciates HACC’s welcoming and accommodating faculty. “One thing that I don't think people know about HACC is that all the professors are genuinely here to help us students out no matter what the color of our skin is.”
A professor also helped put Paul at ease during his first semester when he was relying on public transportation. “I was showing up to class 15 to 25 minutes late the first semester,” he said. “My professor noticed that I was showing up to class winded, she then asked, ‘Is everything ok?’ I told her, ‘Yes, it's just that I take public transportation, I was running from the bus stop drop off.’ She then told me I don't have to do that, she said to just walk, get here to class when I can.”
Another challenge Paul has faced is juggling school with family and financial responsibilities. “One of life's challenges that I have faced is having to deal with being a full-time student and not being able to take care of the bills like I would like to,” he said. “My wife has to take care of all the bills by herself, trying to feed my mouth, our three sons and our grandbaby. But seeing her do all that has pushed me to keep my head up high, to make sure I come out on top and so I can give back to her by helping take some of that stress off her shoulders.”
Despite these challenges, Paul has found great success at HACC. He was even named a 2025 New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar, which is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Foundation with additional support provided by Phi Theta Kappa honor society.
After graduating from HACC in May 2025, Paul said his plan is to “find a good paying job, work in my trade for a few years and then send my wife to college so she can start her dream of owning her own business.”
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