By: John J. “Ski” Sygielski, MBA, Ed.D., president and CEO of HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College

Published on March 7, 2024, in PennLive

On Feb. 14, 2024, YOUR favorite community college - HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College - celebrated its 60th birthday. A lot has changed in 60 years, and I envision even more will change in the next 60.

Forecasting the future of Pennsylvania’s first and largest community college 60 years from now is quite speculative, as it depends on various factors, trends and possibilities. However, in 2084, I envision the following for Pennsylvania’s finest community college:

1. The Globalization of Education: While HACC students can already take classes from anywhere, I envision that the College will be organized into a global network of educational providers offering inter-educational exchange programs, joint credentials and collaborative research initiatives. Open access initiatives will make educational materials more widely available, making it easier for students to reach their educational goals.
2. Reduced Number of Physical Campuses: Currently, HACC owns and operates five campuses. In 2084, I predict that the College will have a reduced physical presence in Central Pennsylvania, and our operations will be controlled, sanitized and monitored by an artificial intelligence (AI) building management dashboard. The energy needed to operate facilities will be generated by solar, geothermal and wind energy.
3. Advanced Technological Integration: HACC will incorporate advanced technologies like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), AI and personalized learning platforms into its curriculum to provide immersive learning experiences. These advanced technologies will allow students to attend classes from anywhere in the world and participate in simulations, experiments and interactive lectures in virtual environments. Imagine being in Europe and still being able to participate in the hands-on learning experiences that HACC has to offer.
4. Offer Decentralized Credentials and Micro-credentials: Degrees as we know them will be replaced with credentialing systems. Blockchain technology (or its successor) will enable decentralized credential verification that allows individuals to earn and showcase micro-credentials for specific skills or competencies acquired through various learning experiences.
5. A Diverse Student Body: Demographic shifts and an international footprint will lead to a more diverse student population at HACC. I predict that 60 years from now, most of the College’s students and employees will be Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC).
6. An Interdisciplinary Approach: As interdisciplinary knowledge becomes increasingly important in solving complex real-world problems, HACC, in cooperation with other educational providers and employers, will develop interdisciplinary programs that integrate insights from various fields such as technology, humanities, social sciences and the arts. Collaborative global projects, internships and experiential learning opportunities will be integrated into curricula to bridge the gap between academia and industry and foster innovation and problem-solving skills.

While it is challenging to predict HACC’s precise future, the College is likely to evolve and adapt not only to needs within Central Pennsylvania but those around the globe.

Please share your visions for what the College may look like in 60 years! Tag the College on X (@HACC_info), Instagram (@HACC_edu) and Facebook (@HACC64) and use #HACCDiamondJubilee.

To learn how the College is celebrating 60 years of HACC excellence, please visit hacc.edu/60.