(Photos Courtesy of CCBC)
Monaca, PA – Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) proudly introduces CCBC Community Classrooms, a new initiative to support our community members who have been most adversely impacted by COVID-19. Beginning in the Fall, CCBC Community Classrooms will provide personalized concierge-style career and education services to prospective students from Aliquippa and Ambridge. CCBC Community Classrooms will be located at local libraries throughout Beaver County, including B.F. Jones Memorial and Laughlin Memorial Library.
“The stated mission of CCBC is to transform lives through personalized education, dynamic partnerships, and high impact practices,” said Dr. Roger W. Davis, president, CCBC. “In pursuit of this mission, we are pleased to offer this unique learning experience to residents. The word community is in our name. CCBC Community Classrooms activates our mission by providing tailored career and education services to our neighbors who need it most.”
CCBC Community Classroom Offerings
Starting in the second seven weeks of the fall semester, CCBC will offer two three-credit courses, College Success and Writing 101. The 90-minute courses will be held back-to-back simultaneously at Aliquippa and Ambridge libraries on an evening or early Saturday. Both courses will highlight employment opportunities, dream jobs and upskilling within the various lectures and assignments.
“We are happy to be part of this new initiative. We have a strong partnership with CCBC in sharing resources and providing programs,” said Jodi L. Oliver, director, Beaver County Library System. “We are looking forward to working with the College to provide Community Classrooms in our libraries which will give students the opportunity to continue their education in spaces that may be more flexible, comfortable, and convenient for students to access.”
CCBC Community Liaison and Assistant Director of Outreach
Demonstrating the College’s commitment to this program, CCBC hired Anitre Bell as Community Liaison and Assistant Director of Outreach to lead this initiative. She will work collaboratively with a wide variety of administrative and academic departments across the college to support adult learners and other community members experiencing barriers to success including finances, childcare, transportation, and academic and career coaching. She will work with a diverse student body, including traditional learners, adult learners, international students, visiting students, and high-performing high school students to navigate the enrollment process, find the career that is right for them, and provide academic support throughout the term.
High Tech and High Touch
Community classrooms students can take advantage of the College’s unique, hybrid format, which is a blend of face-to-face and distance learning. Students have hands-on time with faculty by visiting the Community Classroom once each week, and they also have flexibility by working online.
Access to each library’s computer labs and co-programming such as story hours will also launch throughout the term for students with families.
New Student Orientation
An orientation will be held one week in advance of the first day of class. This will offer students a chance to meet their classmates and instructors, familiarize themselves with the library and the technology it offers, and to practice accessing CCBC email and other CCBC online programs they will need during the term.
Market Research
CCBC completed substantial market research to help identify the barriers facing potential students in the traditionally underserved communities of Ambridge and Aliquippa in Beaver County, Pa. These findings provided insight into strategies and programs for CCBC to mitigate or remove those barriers.
During the first step of the research process, CCBC obtained a thorough understanding of the existing demographic make-up of the communities and the details of similar higher education outreach programs nationwide. The second step involved soliciting feedback regarding CCBC, continuing education and adult education from adults residing within the targeted communities.
Findings indicated that they desire affordability, streamlined application process, specifically designed support services, flexible options that fit their lives, career relevant programs, and a short time to completion. Finances, advances in technology, a sense of belonging, and fear of new teaching and learning formats were cited as barriers.