Volunteers working to establish a community college in the Central Susquehanna Valley announced on Wednesday that a $57,000 state grant could enable them to offer classes as soon as this fall. The initial college-level nursing classes would be held in local high schools and would be the first tangible step toward creating Susquehanna Valley Community College.
The SVCC has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?
It may be too soon to start thinking about mascots (the Fighting Shad?), but the progress made by the Susquehanna Valley Community Education Council has been impressive. Organizers began working to establish a community college about two years ago after hearing a Shikellamy High School graduate complain about having to travel to Luzerne County Community College for class. The group's steady progress is due in large measure to the dilgient efforts of organizers. Their efforts have benefited from the simple fact that the community college plan is striking so many people as an obviously good idea.
The legion of community college fans gained a pair of noteworthy fans last year when Bill and Melinda Gates announced that their foundation will begin devoting a portion of its considerable resources to help the country's 1,200 community colleges. The Gateses noted that U.S. college graduation rates have held steady over the last four decades, while the rates in other countries have climbed. As a result, America has gone from first in the world in terms of college graduations rates to 10th.
The Gateses recognize that community colleges can be an important part of the effort to boost the number of students who continue their education after completing high school.
"Community colleges have untapped potential for getting students the credentials they need to earn a living wage," Melinda Gates said.
Much work remains before the Susquehanna Valley Community College becomes a reality (and the Fighting Shad T-shirts go on sale in the bookstore). Organizers of the effort plan to reach out to the business and political communities to gain their support for the effort.
The timing may make it difficult as executives and elected officials cope with budgets that may make it difficult to stomach an additional expense. Perhaps the Gates Foundation will help, but community members should not idly wait. The community college is an investment worth serious consideration.
