Montco started the 2020-2021 academic year with an energizing Welcome Week to launch everyone’s momentum for the upcoming “Year of Learning.”

Building on last year’s theme of the “Year of Belonging,” this year’s theme will focus on learning for students as well as lifelong learning for all employees.

The online events of Welcome Week began Aug. 31 with an informative West Campus Community Update and the uplifting song “Seize the Day,” written and produced by Sound Recording & Music Technology students for the 2019 Commencement. The song’s lyrics, “I’ve been down, but I’m up again” seem to reflect Montco’s resiliency during the COVID-19 pandemic and its ability to adjust quickly.

During his welcoming remarks, Frank X. Custer, Chair of MCCC’s Board of Trustees spoke about Montco’s strength and how swiftly the College was able to pivot to online learning last spring, and he praised President Vicki Bastecki-Perez and the leadership team for making the choice to go online for the fall.

MCCC Board of Trustee member David W. Kraybill, President of the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation, thanked everyone for the rapid response and spoke about the unification of the Pottstown community through ongoing response initiatives during this time.

For the West Campus update, Therol Dix, Vice President of West Campus and Educational Partnerships, shared the overall vision and numerous possibilities under consideration in Pottstown. These options will focus on developing a new academic portfolio, community engagement, interior spaces, exterior spaces and partnerships.

Some of the new academic programs under development for fall 2021 include Sound Recording and Music Technology, Agribusiness, Behavioral Health and Tourism and Hospitality Management, among others.

As part of the development of exterior spaces, Montco is transforming North Hall into a Welcome Center. The needed repairs to the failing retaining wall at Manatawny Creek is allowing Montco to convert the macadam parking lot into a green grassy space with a pergola and rain garden that can be enjoyed by students and the community. Student Services, Workforce Development and Veterans Resources also will be moving to North Hall, as it becomes a welcome center for students and the community.

Meanwhile, planning continues for South Hall to reconfigure the current spaces to include a Learning Commons, Student Commons, Fitness Center and even a greenhouse. For the Sustainability & Innovation Hub at 140 College Drive, plans are being explored for a Challenger Learning Center to connect area middle school students to STEM programs. Still other possibilities include collaborating with the Pottstown Children’s Discovery Center to host children’s programs at Montco’s 95 S. Hanover Street building.

In addition to exploring these initiatives, West Campus will be planning for and celebrating its 25^th anniversary in fall 2021.

Following the West Campus update, the next day, Sept. 1, President Bastecki-Perez welcomed everyone during the Opening Day celebration, which started with a sneak preview of the 2020 Commencement song created by students in the SRT program. The full song will be played during the drive-up Commencement ceremonies on Oct. 2 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

For the Opening Day online gathering via Zoom, Board of Trustees Chair Custer and fellow Board member Terry Reilly welcomed employees. Reilly, who served on the presidential search committee, noted how Montco was positioned for great success with Dr. Bastecki-Perez, who was “clearly the strongest candidate from the national pool of candidates,” and who has a “proactive vision and passion for the college.”

President Bastecki-Perez welcomed everyone and reflected on 2019-2020, the Year of Belonging, during which everyone felt welcomed, knew they had a voice, and most importantly, knew that their voice was heard.  

Challenged by the global pandemic, Montco came together as a team, not only through daily tasks, but also strategically to look at opportunities to position Montco as a relevant, viable economic catalyst coming out of COVID-19.

The Year of Learning goals will focus on equity, new student enrollment, fall to spring persistence, math reform and finance

To improve daily operations, advance strategic initiatives and foster Montco’s legacy work in equity, social justice and leadership, organizational changes were made in the Office of the President  and with Cabinet.  

In the upcoming year, Montco will focus on partnerships, serve as a solution during the economic recovery from the pandemic, and lead in equity and social justice. The College will start to plan for its next Strategic Plan, create a comprehensive Facilities Master Plan for 2022-2032 and prepare for Middle States reaccreditation in 2025.

In conclusion, President Bastecki-Perez noted that the Montco Family is truly stronger together and invited everyone to join the next Coffee & Conversation on Sept. 23, the Presidential Leadership meeting on Oct. 1, and the Presidential Symposium on Oct. 21.

Following the opening presentation, Vice President of Academic Affairs Gloria Oikelome shared the academic update for the Year of Learning. She noted the importance of this year’s focus because the world, society and economy are changing now more than ever. Montco will learn more about how to serve an increasingly diverse student population by ensuring quality instruction and holistic support to empower students to identify and achieve their potential.

To achieve this will require the entire Montco village from the moment students arrive at admissions throughout their journey to commencement or completion. Working together as one community and bringing collective experiences, expertise and perspectives to the table will be key to helping students. Also of importance, especially during this time, is for employees to stay engaged and connected.

Vice President Oikelome also shared the upcoming General Faculty meeting dates are Oct. 12 and Nov. 9, from noon to 1 p.m., and the Faculty Governance Committee meeting dates are Sept. 30 and Nov. 5, noon to 1 p.m. These meetings are open to everyone.

After the presentations, employees were invited to attend professional development sessions, including Implicit Bias Training held by the Washington Consulting Group to discuss implicit bias and microaggressions.

On Sept. 3 and 4, students started their online classes, which are being held in synchronous, asynchronous and hybrid formats. The week concluded with a Student Meet and Greet where students had the opportunity to virtually meet and ask questions of President Bastecki-Perez, Cabinet members, Student Services representatives and Student Government Association leaders.

Following Welcome Week, numerous engagement activities will be held throughout the Weeks of Welcome, including a drive-through welcome back celebration, student resource fair, club fair, academic meet and greet, among other activities.