CCAC hosting college expo
A college expo this week will highlight choices for higher education in the Monroeville area.
The free event is scheduled for 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Community College of Allegheny County's Boyce Campus on Beatty Road in Monroeville. It's being sponsored by the education committee of the Monroeville Area Chamber of Commerce.
The expo will feature more than 20 colleges and universities offering information on associate's, bachelor's and master's degree programs.
"The purpose of the event is to show that Monroeville is not only a destination for shopping and dining, but that it also has a thriving educational community that offers a diverse curriculum to meet both the needs of adult and traditional-aged students," chamber member Mark Bell said.
Charles Bostaph, co-chairman of the chamber's education committee, said the proximity of the educational opportunities is a plus.
"Many of these institutions have campuses or hold classes in the Monroeville area," Bostaph said. "Several years ago, you had to go to Pitt, Geneva or Waynesburg to earn a bachelor's or master's degree. Now, those schools offer programs right here in the community."
Bostaph said other schools with a presence in the Monroeville area include the University of Phoenix, Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Penn State-McKeesport.
The expo will feature information sessions on job fields that are in demand, Bostaph said. Those include cosmetology, hotel and restaurant management, computer information technology and nursing.
He expects 300 people to attend the expo.
A special feature of the expo will be an emphasis on adult and continuing education programs.
"Adult students have specific needs when they decide to go back to school," said Joseph Graff, dean of Waynesburg College's Graduate and Professional Studies program. "We know that people need to find the right balance between the personal, family, community and professional responsibilities."
Bostaph said many of the schools offer flexible scheduling, online curriculum and accelerated programs for adults.
For expo details, call the chamber at (412) 856-0622 or Boyce campus at (724) 325-6771.
