Schuylkill Riverfront Academic and Heritage Center
About the Partners
Montgomery County Community College
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Montgomery County Community College is one of Pennsylvania’s finest community colleges, with campuses in Blue Bell and Pottstown. In 2004-05, the College served more than 16,000 credit students and more than 13,000 non-credit students. With an approximate 16:1 student-faculty ratio, the College boasts a nationally recognized, award-winning faculty committed to working closely together with students in the learning process. The College’s comprehensive curriculum includes 98 associate degree/certificate programs in 52 areas of study, specialized workforce development and continuing education programs, and over 100 distancelearning courses that leverage the College’s nationally ranked use of innovative technology. The College meets the area’s need for affordable, top-rated higher education that is easily accessed through two conveniently located campuses and other sites. Montgomery County Community College provides excellent preparation for students who embark on a career immediately upon receiving their associate degree, continue their education by transferring to a four-year institution or take courses for continuing education. The College’s success is reflected by a remarkable 98 percent positive rating in satisfaction surveys. Since its opening just nine years ago, the West Campus in Pottstown has grown to almost 2,000 credit and 1,500 non-credit students and continues to demonstrate annual enrollment increases. It is an exceptional place to begin a four-year degree, gain skills to enter the workforce or improve skills for career advancement. |
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By attending the West Campus exclusively, students can achieve degrees, and thus pursue careers inaccounting, chef apprenticeship (food and pastry options), criminal justice, digital design/computer graphics, early childhood, human services, management, paraprofessional in education, radiography, surgical technology and real estate. Transfer programs in accounting, business administration, computerand information systems, elementary education, fine arts, general studies, humanities, liberal studies, secondary education and the social sciences are also available.
The College is expanding its West Campus into the former Vaughan Knitting Mill facility, located at 16 High Street in Pottstown. The project will add 50,000 square feet of space to the West Campus’ existing 90,000 square feet over the next five years, enabling the College to extend its workforce development programming, expand associate degree programs and increase opportunities for transfer via the development of a University Center. In years 1-5 of the lease, the College will occupy the first floor of the building adding seven classrooms, including a workforce development center, two art studios, art galleryspace, and faculty office space. By year five, the College will occupy the second floor of the building with 11 classrooms, an additional art studio and the opportunity for a community theater.
As Pottstown grows and prospers, the College is committed to continuing to serve the community’s growing educational needs. The West Campus enrollment is projected to double by 2014. The expansion at 16 High Street, along with the additional classroom space and parking at the proposed Schuylkill Riverfront Academic and Heritage Center, will accommodate the anticipated growth.
Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Area
| In 1995, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania designated the Schuylkill River and its major tributaries as a Heritage Corridor under the Pennsylvania Heritage Parks Program. In 2000, the United States Congress acknowledged the River’s national significance by designating the Schuylkill River NationalHeritage Area. The Schuylkill River Heritage Area is committed to assisting communities, organizations and citizens of the Schuylkill River region to preserve and sustain their cultural heritageand natural environmentfor future generations. The Schuylkill River Heritage Area, managed by the non-profit Schuylkill River Greenway Association, provides regional coordination, funding and technical assistance to communities and organizations within the Heritage Area through a series of programs designed to foster local appreciation and stewardship of our cultural and natural heritage. |
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The Heritage Area goals include: Resource Conservation and Enhancement; Education and Interpretation; Recreation;Community Revitalization; and Heritage Tourism.
With the 128-mile Schuylkill River as its spine, the Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Area is alive with a remarkable diversity of historic, recreational and cultural attractions. The river flows through five counties (Berks, Chester, Montgomery, Philadelphia, and Schuylkill) and communities such as Pottsville, Reading, Phoenixville, Norristown and Philadelphia. For generations, the people of Southeastern Pennsylvania have viewed the Schuylkill River as integral to their way of life.
