lead
Our Statement
of Values
Montgomery County Community College and its Board of Trustees will:
Educate to advance equity, opportunity and social justice in the communities we serve.
Provide quality, accessible and sustainable learning opportunities.
Innovate to support student success and the needs of our communities.
Respect our diverse contributions and lived experiences to cultivate inclusion.
Foster a culture of empathy, trust, transparency, integrity and accountability.
Elevating Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity & Belonging
An Equity Statement
Montco is committed to ensuring that all students, employees, and members of its community are successful by intentionally designing college experiences while celebrating the intersection of race, ethnicity, gender identity, language, (dis)ability, sexual orientation, economic status, and/or religion in its community.
Guided by our values, we – collectively – take action through inquiry, dialogue, policies, and practices to promote equity and belonging FOR ALL. We understand that equity is a driving force to achieve the educational, economic, and social benefits of higher education for our students and the communities we serve.
Presidential Level Scholarships
Eleven Presidential Level Scholarships have been established through generous sponsorship commitments, an investment totaling $340,000. These scholarships help students pursue their education despite barriers they may be facing, including being first-generation students, single parents, in need of financial assistance, and more. In the 2021-2022 academic year, nine of these scholarships were awarded.
Presidential Scholarship Recipient
Mercedes Joell
Mercedes, a first-generation college student and 29-year-old mother of two, received the Dr. Victoria L. Bastecki-Perez Presidential Scholarship sponsored by the Kunze family. Mercedes is pursuing an associate degree in Nursing.
Hopefully, one day I can reciprocate to someone else who would need it. It’s helped me so much; it would be great to help someone who could also use that help.
Paving a pathway to success for students
give nowExpanding Inclusive Programming and Events
Community Health and Wellbeing
Leading the Charge for Community Wellness
TimelyCare through TimelyMD is a leading virtual health and well-being solution in higher education, offering students free and equitable 24/7 access to medical and mental health support.
The Partnership on Work Enrichment and Readiness (POWER) program helps individuals in mental health and addiction recovery develop and reach their educational and career goals through a two-credit college course focused on college and career preparation skills. Since the POWER Program started in 2006, it has served nearly 600 students.
The Stock Up For Success food pantry takes aim at food insecurity for Montco students. Donated, non-perishable breakfast, lunch and snack items are available to those in need, in addition to take-away foods, such as peanut butter, canned tuna and produce, that can be used for dinner or a weekend meal.
Leading in Public Health
Pennsylvania Department of Education Executive Deputy Secretary Dr. Deb Carrera joined Montco’s president, students, staff, and community partners at its Pottstown Campus to discuss the importance of getting the COVID-19 vaccine prior to the start of the fall semester.
Montco was a designated Vaccine Champion College and an active participant of the White House and U.S. Department of Education’s COVID-19 College Vaccine Challenge. The College hosted four free, walk-in vaccine clinics to help students, employees and community members get vaccinated.
Leading Disaster Recovery in the Community
Montco’s Blue Bell Campus served as a Hurricane Ida Disaster Recovery Center for Montgomery County and the region. Federal and state agencies were onsite, helping more than 330 people affected by the hurricane.
Leading Inside
and Outside the Classroom
The Curtain Rose Once Again...
A year-and-a-half after working in an entirely virtual theatrical space, the curtain rose once again for in-person shows at Montco with two fall student theater productions: “Orlando” at Blue Bell Campus and “Incorruptible” at Pottstown Campus. "Constellations" and "The Government Inspector" were presented in the spring.
Theater is such a communal experience. It’s not like film or TV. It’s meant to be shared. To live in a shared space. To be able to do that thing: it’s incredible and needed. It’s great to share a space again.
Timothy Gallagher
Theatre Assistant Professor
Technology Enhancing Learning
Montco’s Radiography Procedure Simulation & AI Evaluation project was selected as an exemplar in the AI for Learning Analytics category of the 2022 Educause Teaching and Learning Horizon Report.
This is going to be a great tool for our students to use, especially now with the environment that we’re in. But it will be a great tool to use even to get practice at home and in the classroom as well.
Dana Smith
Radiography Program Director
The Anatomage Table is the most technologically advanced 3D anatomy visualization and virtual dissection tool for anatomy and physiology education. Montco now offers two Anatomage Tables for students and faculty to incorporate in their study of the body.
The Anatomage Table was developed to provide real-life dissection of a human cadaver without having a human cadaver. By using this table, students will be able to understand spatial anatomy, which is crucial in health care and STEM.
Cheryl DiLanzo
Dean of Health Sciences
Suit Up
The athletic program at Montco challenges student-athletes to be the best they can be—physically and mentally. The students in the program inspire those around them with their hard work, dedication and commitment.
Men’s Basketball
Montco’s men’s basketball team made it to regionals, but the season came to an end after the loss of the second game. The team ranked #1 in the National Junior College Athletic Association, Division III.
Mustangs eSports
Montco Athletics co-hosted a Philly ESports high school tournament and fundraiser with Philadelphia Eagles running back Boston Scott, where $1,180 was raised for Live to Serve, a non-profit inspired to impact and care for the needs of low-income individuals, single mothers, children, veterans, and seniors.
Esports has been good for me. It allows me to be myself around the other players. There’s no judgment. It’s a really positive thing. It brings people together.
Tasia Jones
Montco student
Democracy in Action
Montco, a designated voter-friendly campus, earned recognitions by the All-In Campus Democracy Challenge for its high rate of student voter registration and turnout for the 2020 election.
Montco earned the highest voter registration and highest voter turnout awards for two-year institutions in the State Challenges Awards for nonpartisan student voter participation efforts in the 2020 election. In addition, Montco received the 2020 Silver Seal from the All-In Campus Democracy Challenge for achieving a greater than 60 percent turnout.
Montgomery County Community College encourages all students to be active members of society and engaged in their communities. Voting is a very significant part of civic engagement where students can exercise their opinions and make a difference at all levels of government.
Michael Bettinger
Montco Director of Government and External Relations
The Forefront of Educational Excellence
A special visit from U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona and U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean highlighted the importance and influence of community colleges.
Awards and Recognitions
The 2022 Higher Education Power 100
The Lehigh Valley Business’ Power 30 for Higher Education
2022 NISOD Award
TriCounty Area Chamber Champion Award & Making A Difference Award
Stimulus Stewardship
Total Stimulus Funding Received through the CARES, CRRSSA, and ARP Acts:
Student Emergency Grants
$13,396,183
Total funds available for Student
Emergency Grants
Institutional Grant
$17,869,421
Total funds available for
Institutional Support
$6,605,942 (37%)
Campus Safety and Infrastructure Upgrades
$5,530,605 (31%)
Tuition & Fees Revenue Offset
$2,853,969 (16%)
Support for the Move to Remote Instruction
$2,543,966 (14%)
Daycare Tuition Reimbursements, Vaccine Incentive for Students and other expenses
$334,393 (2%)
Fee Refunds, Student Food Service, and Misc Classroom Equipment
Leading with Purpose
Therol Dix, J.D.
Vice President of Pottstown Campus and Educational Partnerships
It is exciting to see the transformation of the Pottstown Campus with the renovations of North and South Halls, the addition of the Challenger Learning Center and the new opportunities these changes will bring to our students and the community. We greatly value the strong relationships we have with our many partners as we continue to explore new possibilities for Pottstown.
Philip Needles, MBA
Vice President of Engagement and Student Experience
At Montco, we work together to provide the resources and support students need for their well-being, so they can accomplish their personal and academic goals. Our new wellness programs are a collaboration of services to help students with all of their essential needs.
Diane O’Connor, M.S., PHR, SHRM-CP, CBP, CCP
Vice President of Administrative Services
Montco is focused on doing what is best for our students, employees, and the community we serve. The Administrative Services team supports our College’s mission through the creation of safe and supportive work and learning environments.
Dr. Gloria Oikelome
Vice President of Academic Affairs
Montco fosters a culture of belonging while focusing on instructional innovation, programs and practices that will fully prepare students for all academic and workforce pathways now and in the future.
Dr. Celeste Schwartz
Vice President of Information Technology and Institutional Effectiveness
We’re not merely renovating buildings – instead, we are reimagining spaces to enhance the overall educational experience for students that will allow for live learning labs and hands-on experiential learning, as well as new opportunities for community engagement. Furthermore, with the use of technology, Montco has transformed traditional classrooms into flexible learning spaces to accommodate the needs of all learners.
Leadership & Engagement
President
Dr. Victoria L. Bastecki-Perez
President’s Cabinet
Therol Dix, J.D.
Vice President of Pottstown
Campus and Educational
Partnerships
Philip Needles, MBA
Vice President of Engagement and Student Experience
Diane O’Connor, M.S., PHR, SHRM-CP, CBP, CCP,
Vice President of Administrative Services
Dr. Gloria Oikelome
Vice President of Academic Affairs
Dr. Celeste Schwartz
Vice President of Information Technology and Institutional Effectiveness
Board of Trustees
Varsovia Fernandez
Chair
Lisa B. Binder
Vice Chair
Marcel L. Groen
Treasurer
Dr. Theresa Reilly
Secretary
Margot Clark
Assistant Secretary
Frank X. Custer
Eleanor Dezzi
Dr. Raj Guttha
Anisha Robinson Keeys
Sean P. Kilkenny
Kimberly J. Koch
David W. Kraybill
Donald Lyons
Rick Taylor
Douglas Weiss
Foundation Board Members
Joseph W. Gallagher
Chair
Richard D. Cottom, CPP
Vice Chair
Andrew S. James
Secretary/Treasurer
Kenneth D. Baker
Tanya Bamford
Richard Buttacavoli
Jaisri Chety
Dr. Dana Robinson Johnson
John A. Koury Jr., Esquire
Giovan Lane
Linda Lavay
George Marin
Christopher McDermott
Michael Moore
Brian Nelson
Allison Risko
James Sanders
James Sortino
William J. Vitiello
Foundation Ex-Officio Members
Dr. Victoria L. Bastecki-Perez
President
Varsovia Fernandez
Chair, Board of Trustees
Donald Lyons
MCCC Board of Trustees
Jay Browning
Executive Director of the Foundation
Alumni Board Members
William J. Vitiello
Chair
Matthew Riddick
Vice Chair & Interim Secretary/Treasurer
David Aston
Jonathan Basta
John Caperilla
Megan Daly
Alecia Fields
Lisa Filoon
Christopher Hess
Rosalia Hoffman
Helen Webster
Cindy Whitley