Nov 17, 2017 3 min read

WAYNESBURG – Shortly after Westmoreland County Community College announced in January it would close its satellite classroom near Waynesburg, school district administrators and Greene County officials began searching for a new partner to offer entry-level college courses.

The May 11 closure of the Greene County Education Center near the airport immediately affected 66 students already enrolled in programs, who either had to travel to Westmoreland’s main campus in Youngwood or transfer to another school. But it also was considered a blow to education in the region.

Over the next few months, the Greene County commissioners and superintendents from the county’s five school district began reaching out to other community colleges in neighboring counties. They appear to have found a partner 70 miles to the north.

The commissioners announced Thursday that the county has entered into a dual-enrollment agreement with Community College of Beaver County to form an education program catering to Greene County’s students.

While the partnership still isn’t finalized, Commissioner Dave Coder called it a “home run” for the county.

“It’s a better fit,” Coder said of the partnership between Beaver County, compared to the previous community college.

No details were released, but Commissioner Blair Zimmerman said it’s a chance to give local students an opportunity at a two-year education or prepare them to attend a larger college or university. In addition to working closely with the five school districts, Zimmerman said Beaver County has expressed interest in partnering with Waynesburg University and Greene County Career and Technology Center.

“There is a need for a community college here,” Zimmerman said.

The county is expected to give the same $50,000 annual donation to Beaver County that it gave to WCCC.

“We’re going to support them like we supported Westmoreland,” Zimmerman said. “There’s a lot of things that still must happen.”

The community college will also be getting help from the county’s five school districts, each of which was involved in the discussions over the past several months.

Carmichaels Superintendent John Menhart said it’s an exciting opportunity for high school students to prepare for a career in different classroom settings. There are several “academies” that could be offered through the partnership, but Menhart said they hope to begin with a criminal justice program.

“If it comes to fruition and we can get these programs in place, it’s an opportunity for our high school kids to have an academy-type setting,” Menhart said. “They can focus on their career path so when they graduate, they’re already employable or well on their way.”

It’s still unknown if the community college will have a similar satellite campus or have various locations around the county for the students to attend classes. Menhart said there are still many moving pieces involved that will be announced later.

“They’re still figuring out what they’re trying to do,” Menhart said. “We’re always looking for different programs. We’re looking for pathways to employability.”

Joyce Cirelli, dean of the CCBC’s high school academies and dual enrollment, said the Criminal Justice High School Academy that is planned for the initial program in Greene County would allow students to pursue a variety of careers in law enforcement and earn up to 28 credits toward a college degree.

She said the academies “use hands-on experiences and other high-impact educational practices to prepare high school students for in-demand occupations.”