Montgomery County Community College

Special Programs

First Year Initiatives Program

If this is your first experience with higher education, if you are a returning student or if you are making a career change, the First-Year Initiatives Program has a wide array of resources and services to assist you in your educational pursuits and in transitioning to college. We firmly believe that all students can succeed, and we are committed to that belief!

To best serve the unique needs of first year students, we will:

• Facilitate new student transition to the college campus.
• Familiarize students with campus resources and how to use them.
• Provide high-quality instruction during the first year.
• Establish positive mentoring and advising relationships with beginning students.
• Foster the development of positive relationships between and among students, faculty, staff, and administrators.
• Support a vibrant college culture where students experience and express diverse world views.
• Offer a comprehensive range of activities and opportunities to enhance learning and personal growth.

We look forward to working with all of our students and will strive to continuously meet your academic, social, and professional needs.

Statement of Philosophy for the First Year of College

Montgomery County Community College strives to address the unique needs and concerns of first year college students in order to facilitate a successful transition from their high school or post secondary experience. This intentional comprehensive curricular and co-curricular initiative will promote an understanding and appreciation of a college education and will assist students with developing strategies and attitudes that will maximize academic success and prepare students to become life-long learners and responsible citizens and leaders.

ACT101

This is a program funded by the State of Pennsylvania to provide individualized academic and counseling support services to students who receive financial aid or who meet certain income guidelines and are educationally underprepared for college level work. The ACT101 program also runs an Academic Bridge summer program to prepare high school students for college-level course work.

KEYS

KEYS is a PA Department of Public Welfare (DPW) program designed to help Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and food stamp recipients succeed in community college. KEYS provides a student facilitator at the community college to help the student achieve career goals by:

• Providing career counseling, tutoring, and academic support including help with financial aid.
• Facilitating supportive services available through the County Assistance Office (CAO) and KEYS including
  • Child care
  • Books and school supplies
  • Eyeglasses
  • Transportation costs
• Connecting the student to other community service agencies.

KEYS has been developed in response to growing research that shows that individuals who earn a credit-bearing certificate or an associate’s degree are better able to get jobs at family-sustaining wages with benefits and opportunities for advancement. In fact, the statistics show that individuals who earn a credit-bearing certificate or associate's degree earn 32%-42% more money through employment after graduation.

Let KEYS open the door to a brighter future for you and your family.

For more information please contact

Perkins Career Program

The Perkins Career Program at Montgomery County Community College assists students in an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) or certificate program of study in acquiring the specific academic, vocational, and personal skills needed to perform effectively on the job today. Each student's career knowledge of his/her chosen field and the opportunities available in that arena will be heightened. Part of this preparation may be an internship position to develop skills and experiences. Personalized services available to each Perkins Career Program student on the College's campuses focus on educational and employment success. For more information on contact:

Title III

The Title III program provides support services, academic advising, supplemental instruction, and other resources to students in developmental classes. Title III also coordinates a peer mentor program and works collaboratively with College faculty in designing learning communities and other unique classes for developmental students.

Support services are also available for students on academic probation and suspension. For more information please call Elinore Leonards at 215-641-6556 or email eleonard@mc3.edu.

New Choices/New Options

New Choices/New Options is a free, state-funded career development, job training, and personal growth program to assist single parents, displaced homemakers, and individuals in transition to achieve economic self-sufficiency. The 12-week program is offered on both campuses with day and evening sessions.

Program Services

• Vocational Assessment
• Skills Identification
• Career Counseling
• Career Planning
• Job Readiness Skills
• Referral Services

Assistance with

• Job Search
• Job Training
• Job Placement
• Transportation
• Tuition
• Child Care

Next Step

Are you a Montgomery County resident, between the ages of 17 and 21, and need guidance in taking the next step toward your future? If so, the Next Step Program may be for you. The program, administered by Montgomery County Workforce Development, offers services to eligible young adults who would like to find and keep well paying jobs in high demand occupations but need:

• GED credential
• Career guidance
• Financial aid for short-term college programs
• Skill training
• Job placement

For more information please contact

Power Program

The Power Program (Partnership on Work Enrichment and Readiness) is a career and educational exploration course for people in mental health recovery. This program is fully subsidized and allows participants the ability to earn two college credits upon completion.

In addition to the twice weekly class, participants are provided with individual advising to help develop a personalized career plan. A transportation stipend is available to eliminate any cost to the student.

Some of the class topics highlighted in this program include:

• Career assessment
• Resume Writing
• Study Skills
• Time Management
• Professionalism
• Success skills for college
• Public Speaking
• Information about college financial aid, disability services, and other college resources

The Class is open to individuals who have a mental health diagnosis, and are interested in participating in college coursework which focuses on career development.

For more information, to schedule a presentation about POWER, or to receive an application, please contact: