McMurray, PA – The Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) is moving forward with a more than $1.5 million dollar project to expand educational programming throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania. In development for over a year, this project includes a $781K grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and $800K of in-kind support from Intermediate Unit 1 and Peters Township Schools enabling CCBC to commence operations in Washington County.
The project intentionally co-locates an educational intermediate unit serving 25 districts and five career and technology centers across three states with one of the top 150 community colleges in the nation to provide access to affordable and stackable educational pathways to high-demand career fields.
“The new Washington County College Center is a critical component to growing enrollment funnels for the College, but it also provides residents in Washington, Fayette, and Greene Counties with opportunities to pursue at a value meaningful educational and career pathways that were previously inaccessible,” said CCBC President Dr. Roger W. Davis.
Offerings began in the fall of 2023 with CCBC’s six nationally recognized High School Academies, serving the region’s high school juniors and seniors to start college early earning associate degree credits while still in high school. Eleven future pilots and air traffic controllers are currently enrolled and taking Aviation Academy classes at the Washington County College Center.
Spring 2024 will see the launch of additional dual enrollment and college in high school courses, career- ready degree programs in Education and Criminal Justice, an online micro credential in Medical Billing and Coding, and approximately 20 non-credit personal and professional classes for the community.
ARC’s grant award will support efforts to build infrastructure and expand program offerings at CCBC’s
Washington County College Center through 2026 with the goal of serving at least 500 students. Additional programs and partnerships with local schools, career and technology centers, and businesses will provide ways for residents throughout the region to pursue higher education, upskill, and train for in-demand regional jobs in cyber security, child development, industrial maintenance, welding, and more.