Montgomery County Community College 2011 graduate Paul Goraczko, Collegeville, took full advantage of the academic and leadership development opportunities afforded to students.
While balancing a full course load in the College’s rigorous Honors Program and working part-time, Goraczko held leadership positions in the Central Campus Student Government Association, Honors Club and Drama Club.
Through his work with the Drama Club, including a lead role in the production of “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” Goraczko got involved in community theater as both an actor and mentor to a group of children during Montgomery Theatre’s production of “Alice in Wonderland.”
“I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. I was in a room full of 15 children. I didn’t even know if I liked children,” Goraczko explained. “I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. In that moment, I made myself a promise; I will make a difference in each one of their lives.”
Goraczko describes his community theater experience as the most significant endeavor of his college career so far.
“It may not seem like it was a huge challenge, but, for me, dealing with children for the first time was hard,” he said. “Over the course of two months, I made an impact on 15 lives. Each one had his or her own individual issue. I helped to sort it out. I know that I didn’t move mountains, but I definitely made an impact.”
Goraczko’s outstanding academic achievements coupled with a strong commitment to service led to his selection as a member of the All-Pennsylvania Academic Team by the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges, USA Today and Phi Theta Kappa.
Goraczko graduated with an associate’s degree in Liberal Studies, and his long-term goal is to earn a doctorate and possibly work in secondary education. He starts classes at Millersville University this fall.
Liberal Studies is just one of more than 30 programs that students can complete at MCCC’s West Campus, located at 101 College Drive in Pottstown, and one of more than 85 program at MCCC’s Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. Registration is going on now for the fall semester, which begins on Aug. 31 and runs through Dec. 20.
New students can learn about the admissions and registration processes by visiting
www.mc3.edu/admissions or by calling 610-718-1800 (West Campus) or 215-641-6300 (Central Campus).
Returning students can register for classes online via WebAdvisor, by mail or in person at the College’s campuses. For more information, visit
www.mc3.edu/admissions/registration.
To learn more about MCCC and to see all the College has to offer, schedule a visit to one of our campuses. Visits can now be scheduled online at
www.mc3.edu/admissions/visiting.
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by Alana J. Mauger
photo by John Welsh
