"The college anticipated there would be a strong demand for community college classes in York County, but our student enrollment has climbed through the roof," said Jean Treuthart, executive director of the York Center, comparing 942 students enrolled in fall 2005 with 1424 students enrolled for fall 2006.
The York Center started modestly in the spring of 2003 with 225 students attending classes at three area high schools.
In August, the third expansion opened with additional classrooms, a computer lab and several offices. The York Center now totals 53,000 square feet, and the college is beginning to formulate plans for further expansion at the current location of 2010 Pennsylvania Avenue, just north of Route 30 behind the Crossroads/Old Navy shopping center.
HACC also is considering the need for additional offsite locations in York County and will be applying for full campus status for the York Center in the coming year.
"Students initially are attracted to the York Center because of convenience and the ease of fitting college classes into busy personal and work lives, as well as the low tuition rate and program offerings. Many are the first in their families to attend college," said Treuthart. "What they really come to appreciate, though, is the personalized attention they receive in a less intimidating environment than a larger school."
HACC student Rebecca Blankenship of Glen Rock agrees. "Being an adult student places demands on my budget for money and time. Since HACC has part-time and evening programs, I'm able to take care of my family as well as go to school and work. I'll be able to get my degree and enter the workforce without having to sacrifice as much," said Blankenship.
Students also choose HACC for their first two years of college before transferring credits to colleges and universities throughout the country. HACC has formal transfer agreements with more than 60 colleges to smooth the transition to a four-year school - including local institutions like Penn State and Millersville University.
"One of our missions is to continue to develop partnerships with local colleges. HACC's York Center has an articulation agreement in business administration with Penn State York, which streamlines the transfer process," said Treuthart.
Most students prefer to stay at a community college for the maximum amount of credits for reasons of cost, proximity, flexibility of class availability or simply preference. Other students may prefer to transfer as soon as another institution can accept them.
All of these options are available at HACC. More information may be obtained by calling the York Center's Office of Admissions at 717-718-0328, ext. 3518, or by visiting HACC online at www.hacc.edu. HACC's York Center will hold an open house on Saturday, Nov. 18, from 1 to 3 p.m.