2023 Year in Review | Students

Building Blocks
for Successful
Students

Providing students with a holistic experience that includes support systems and enriching learning opportunities

Creating a Strong
Framework

鈥淲e want to ensure learning and success for all students by developing programs, creating pathways, and implementing practices that improve outcomes and completion. Through this ongoing work, we empower students to achieve their goals here at Montco and in their future endeavors.鈥�

Dr. Chae Sweet

Vice President for Academic Affairs

READ CHAE鈥橲 BIO

Dr. Chae Sweet has championed the community college mission for more than 20 years. In her former role as Dean of Liberal Studies at Community College of Philadelphia, Dr. Sweet was responsible for maintaining and developing high-quality academic programs, the core of general education, and managing accreditation for the Paralegal Studies and Education programs, as well as institutional academic program reviews. Dr. Sweet received a B.A. in English from Rutgers University, a M.F.A. in Creative Writing from New School University, and an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from Grambling State University.

New To The Montco Family

Offering New Programs and Opportunities

Hospitality Institute

Welcoming all to what will become the 20,400-square-foot Hospitality Institute that features expanded, new programming to prepare students for high-demand occupations in growing industries

a woman sitting in a chair in front of a microphone

a group of people standing in front of a race car

Preparing Students for In-Demand STEM Careers

Statewide STEM & Cybersecurity Consortium

Enhancing cybersecurity and STEM education opportunities through joining the PA STEM consortium that is funded by a $4.98 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense

Supporting Success Through Tutoring

Tutoring that makes the difference, through a program that received the College Reading & Learning Association certification for its achievements

Offering Opportunities to Grow

INNOVA

Powering a more sustainable future through engineering students鈥� participation in project INNOVA 鈥� a hydrogen fuel cell-powered urban concept vehicle

Preparing Students for In-Demand STEM Careers

Statewide STEM & Cybersecurity Consortium

Enhancing cybersecurity and STEM education opportunities through joining the PA STEM consortium that is funded by a $4.98 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense

Supporting Success Through Tutoring

Tutoring that makes the difference, through a program that received the College Reading & Learning Association certification for its achievements

Offering Opportunities to Grow

INNOVA

Powering a more sustainable future through engineering students鈥� participation in project INNOVA 鈥� a hydrogen fuel cell-powered urban concept vehicle

Launching Women Leaders Event

Helping female students learn the professional soft skills needed to succeed

Power Your Potential Leadership Conference聽聽

Helping students develop leadership skills at the Power Your Potential conference where President Bastecki-Perez served as Honorary Chair and was joined by 215 community leaders and seven Montco students. 6ABC reporter, Nydia Han, shared her inspirational journey, and Dr. Ala Stanford received the Woman of Excellence Award.

Women in Science and Technology Mentoring

Providing resources to female-identifying students, encouraging retention and completion in STEM fields through on-the-job training and career opportunities

SRT Master Classes

Connecting students with industry professionals with unique insight and invaluable experiences through our Sound Recording and Music Technology Master Classes and new advisory board

Board Scholarly Series

Sharing valuable lessons and advice with students through career conversations with our Board members

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Paving the Way

鈥淭his past year was a transformational time for our Pottstown Campus and the community, as we opened the first Challenger Learning Center in Pennsylvania, welcoming students from all area schools to experience immersive space missions. We also opened our new Wellness Center to provide a full array of wellness services for our students and our newly renovated South Hall that was intentionally designed to improve our students鈥� learning experience. We have more exciting projects ahead, as we continue to invest in the future of our students and Pottstown and build upon our strong community partnerships.鈥�

Therol Dix, J.D.

Vice President of Pottstown Campus and Educational Partnerships

Intentionally Designing the Student Learning Experience

South Hall Renovations

Bringing new life to South Hall and the Pottstown Campus with flexible spaces intentionally designed to enhance the learning experience for students and provide engagement opportunities with the community

Educational Partnerships

Dual Enrollment

Providing high school students with a head start on their college education and careers through our Early College Academy pilot program thanks to $100,000 in federal funding received through the support of Congresswoman Madeleine Dean

Gateway to College Award

Achieving the Dream Program Excellence Award for the Gateway to College Program (4th year running)

Pillars of Support

鈥淎t Montco, we provide an inclusive and holistic learning experience that connects students to vital resources and support systems. In this supportive environment, students gain the confidence and skills to explore opportunities and excel academically and personally.鈥�

Philip Needles, MBA

Vice President of Engagement and Student Experience

Wellness Center

Helping students succeed academically and personally, with dedicated spaces for collaboration, counseling, and decompression, and access to a food pantry

Notable Scholarships

Dr. Victoria L. Bastecki-Perez Presidential Scholarship

Being named a recipient of the Dr. Victoria L. Bastecki-Perez Presidential Scholarship, first-generation college student Kelsey Chau is pursuing a Management-marketing degree.

鈥淸Being awarded the scholarship] is motivation for myself that maybe one day I can give back like that and give to students like me, who will take all the help they can get to pursue the things they want just a little bit further.鈥�

Kelsey Chau

Scholarship Recipient

Civic Engagement

Encouraging voting to support our democracy

Welcoming the Acting Secretary to campus

Being recognized for civic engagement as one of the 2022 Best Colleges for Student Voting Honor Roll

Promoting the value of a community college education with lawmakers during Community College Day at the state Capitol building

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Voter Friendly Campus Award

鈥淰oter Friendly Campus鈥� by Fair Elections Center鈥檚 Campus Vote Project and NASPA

Shaping a Culture
of Belonging

Celebrating Our Diversity

First-Generation Day

Recognizing those looking for even brighter futures

Day of the Dead

Celebrating Day of the Dead, and the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion

Pan African Festival

Celebrating Black culture and sampling delicious dishes from around the globe during the event hosted by the Black Student Union

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Equity, Diversity
and Belonging

President鈥檚 Advisory Council on Equity and Social Justice

Gathering our employees alongside community members to discuss opportunities for enriching our equity, diversity, and belonging initiatives

Welcoming Dr. Stephanie Allen & Yami Reyes

Ensuring everyone feels seen, uplifted, and empowered through continuous improvements and a growing Equity, Diversity and Belonging team

Safe Space training

Sharing and growing our welcoming environment for all by engaging students and employees in Safe Space trainings

PA Hunger-Free Campus Award

Designated a Hunger-Free Campus by the PA Department of Education

Project Phase:
Complete

Commencement

Graduation Anthem

Montco Class of 鈥�23, it鈥檚 time to start a new life

Municipal Police Academy Graduation

Contributing to the safety of our community and celebrating 52 new cadets at our Municipal Police Academy Graduation

Gateway to College Graduation

Forging pathways for students at risk of not finishing high school and celebrating their success at our Gateway to College graduation. Since 2013, 256 students have earned their high school diplomas and college credits.

Educational Partnerships Achievements

Celebrating the achievements of our students in the Keystone Education Yields Success (KEYS), Partnership on Work Enrichment and Readiness (POWER) and ACT 101 Scholars programs

Commencement Student Speaker

Defying the naysayers, Grace McGinnis pursued her passion at Montco and excelled

STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS

See Our Students Shine

Jim Fullan

Keeping dreams alive for all

Jim was able to pursue his passion at Montco, where he found the encouragement and support he needed with the Mustangs athletics program. He introduced himself to the coaches and they 鈥渕ore than anybody鈥� embraced the idea of him becoming a scholar and an athlete.

Taylor Bellegue

named a Transfer Pathway honoree of the 2023 All-Pennsylvania Academic Team, and then hired within our IT Department

鈥淲ork has been one of the greatest mentally stimulating things in my life. I absolutely love my job. I love the people I work for, the College鈥檚 mission and what they stand for. I鈥檝e been doing a lot of on-the-fly learning. It鈥檚 nice to be able to keep up with it and it鈥檚 nice to have a team of people around me who are so encouraging.鈥�

Omar Ali

named to the 2023 All Pennsylvania Academic Team and will move to a four-year institution this fall

鈥淏eing at Montco was something I found was a steppingstone. I was able to come here and establish a foundation, while looking for my next college, and also discover what impact I can have here. And I found opportunities to do so.鈥�

Ryan Oakes

Taking prerequisite courses toward a nursing degree

鈥淔or anyone who might be missing the sense of community that you had in the military, this college is welcoming. You鈥檒l meet people, you鈥檒l develop a sense of community, you鈥檒l work towards a goal.鈥�

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Alumni Network
of 90,000+ Mustangs

鈥淢ontco鈥檚 alumni association is more than 90,000 Mustangs strong, many of whom live and work in the Montgomery County region. The education and values alumni learned at Montco have propelled them through life. We are always looking to reconnect with our fellow Mustangs through the events we host and on social media.鈥�

William Vitiello

Alumni Chair