WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Pennsylvania College of Technology and the Milton Hershey School are partnering to provide support to help students from MHS succeed at Penn College.
On June 14, representatives from both institutions signed a memorandum of understanding that formalizes and expands the collaboration, specifying steps to be taken to attract more MHS students to Penn College while improving their retention and graduation rates.
This is the 11th such agreement that Milton Hershey School has established with postsecondary institutions across Pennsylvania to offer its graduates individualized support for furthering their education.
“Penn College and the Milton Hershey School have a long history of collaboration, and we are excited to continue our relationship through this new partnership,” said Carolyn R. Strickland, vice president for enrollment management and associate provost. “Milton Hershey School currently provides a breadth of career pathways that align closely to programs offered at Penn College, such as automotive technology, construction and health sciences. We look forward to welcoming students from Milton Hershey and supporting their academic and career goals.”
“Our goal is to ensure our alumni are able to be academically successful, and a partnership with Penn College creates wonderful opportunities for our graduates pursuing technical degrees,” said Tanya Baynham, MHS vice president of graduate programs for success. “Penn College’s curriculum will provide our students the ability to build on the skills they gain through our Career and Technical Education so they can reach their life goals.”
As part of the agreement, Milton Hershey School will support recruitment of its students to Penn College, collaborate with college transitions and academic support staff at Penn College regarding support programs, assist with data collection and analysis, invite representatives of the college to the school’s annual college fair events, and include Penn College information in MHS student and sponsor guidebooks and catalogs.
Penn College will extend the in-state tuition rate to all Milton Hershey School graduates, invite MHS students to spring and fall open house events and to program-specific academic campus tours, schedule admissions counselors to visit MHS career fairs and classes, and invite MHS students to visit Penn College representatives annually at the Pennsylvania Farm Show.
In addition, the college will make available a variety of services to MHS students through its Financial Aid Office, College Transitions, the Academic Success Center and Student Activities. MHS graduates will be assisted in applying for work study and campus employment when appropriate.
The college will also offer MHS the opportunity to participate in the Penn College NOW dual enrollment program, which allows students in high school or career and technology centers to earn college credit during the school day at no cost to themselves or their families
Established in 1909 by Milton and Catherine Hershey, Milton Hershey School is a private, cost-free, co-educational school providing a year-round, structured home life to help children gain the skills to be successful. Approximately 2,000 students from across the country are enrolled at the school.
Penn College is a national leader in applied technology education and workforce development. For more, visit www.pct.edu, email admissions@pct.edu or call 800-367-9222.