Montgomery County Community College recently released its 2019-2020 annual digital report “Creating a Culture of Belonging” that highlights its accomplishments, resiliency and strength amid the unexpected challenges of a global pandemic.

During 2019-2020, Dr. Victoria Bastecki-Perez served as MCCC’s interim president from July 2019 until her appointment in May 2020 as the College’s sixth president following a nationwide search. As a leader in higher education for more than 30 years and as a first-generation college graduate, Dr. Bastecki-Perez makes it a priority to foster a culture of belonging on MCCC’s campuses and ensure that all students receive what they need to be successful through the intentional design of the college experience.

Taking this all-inclusive approach, MCCC looked at students’ overall well-being and essential needs in 2019-2020 and developed a comprehensive Wellness Center Initiative. As part of the plan, MCCC partnered with Talkspace online therapy to offer this 24/7 service to students at no additional cost.

Under Dr. Bastecki-Perez’s leadership, MCCC earned numerous awards and recognitions in 2019-2020 for its work in support of students and their success, including the prestigious Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction. For the fifth consecutive year, MCCC was named one of the Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges for its diverse, inclusive and supportive workplace and learning environment.

During the year, MCCC explored ways to enhance and improve the learning spaces on MCCC’s campuses. In Pottstown, MCCC will be reconfiguring the spaces in its South Hall building at 101 College Drive and transforming North Hall at 16 W. High Street into a welcome center for students and the community. At the Blue Bell Campus, renovations are underway to modernize the learning spaces at the Science Center building that was built in 1972.

In 2019-2020, MCCC found innovative ways to help students reach their goals while also supporting the greater communities.

When the COVID-19 pandemic closed down Montgomery County, the Montco family pulled together to pivot quickly to online learning and remote work. After moving everyone online to the digital world, MCCC reached out to the community, donating food from its Culinary Arts Institute and personal protective equipment from its supplies, and even serving as a COVID-19 drive-thru testing site. Additionally, MCCC hosted American Red Cross blood drives and served as a ballot box drop-off site for voters during the primary election.

To help students during this unprecedented year, MCCC’s Foundation launched a Student Emergency Fund campaign, raising over $100,000 within two months to help struggling with a loss of income, child care needs and health concerns.