IN Millcreek Fall 2016 | Page 76

Graduates of the community’s college find success in the workforce. W endy Zimmer has always had a passion for sales and customer service. Prior to enrolling in the Associate of Science in Business Administration program at Porreco, Zimmer worked as a sales representative for a national sales and marketing company. She loved the work and felt ready to take on a position with more responsibility, but it seemed her experience alone was never enough to get her the jobs she wanted. She had taken classes at Edinboro University’s main campus in the past, but found it too difficult to juggle school when her three children were young. Now that they are grown, Zimmer felt the time was right to finish what she started. “I chose Porreco because it was affordable, close to my home and the curriculum was flexible with my family and work life,” said Zimmer, who completed her degree in May. To serve students like Zimmer—and to fill a major void in educational opportunities in the Erie area—Edinboro University 74 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | Millcreek established Porreco College in 2014 to meet local demands for workforce-focused education. The college now offers associate degree programs in Applied Technology, Aeronautical Science, Electric Utilities Technology, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Human Services, Liberal Studies and Preschool Education. Students graduate ready to land jobs, or they can choose to continue their education in a baccalaureate degree program at Edinboro University at a fraction of the cost of many other colleges and universities. Porreco College’s low cost of $2,847 per semester is made possible by the creation of a grant of up to $3,000 per year called the Porreco Promise. Nancy Baldwin, a single mother of three who also graduated in May with a degree in business, said the grant allowed her to quit her previous job as a cosmetologist and focus on attending school full time.