Success in the Workforce
Community ’ s college gives graduates a competitive advantage .
Wendy 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 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 .
The Promise , which allocated more than $ 400,000 during the 2015-2016 academic year , is available to all Erie County residents enrolled full- or part-time in a
Porreco College associate degree program . Janet Bowker , director of the college , said that the campus ’ location close to the region ’ s population center in Erie makes it convenient for
students who would find it difficult to travel to Edinboro . She noted that the small class sizes are less daunting as well .
Students at Porreco receive the same education and services a student on the main campus receives , including an individual assessment from the start of the admissions and financial aid process , new student orientation and academic advising throughout the program .
Tutors who specialize in English , writing and mathematics are available on the Porreco campus , and students also have access to all of the tutoring resources provided at the campus in Edinboro . In addition to these services , collaborative learning is encouraged through peer-led study groups .
The facilities include well-equipped computer labs with evening and Saturday hours , and a café that makes hot , fresh foods available on the campus .
Through the Campus Activities Board ( CAB ), students are given the opportunity to become involved and develop leadership skills . During the fall 2015 semester , members organized a blood drive , collected nonperishable foods , raised money for the Erie City Mission through a penny drive and hosted representatives from the Multicultural Resource Center .
Baldwin said instructors were eager to help and very understanding of her needs as a nontraditional student , and her fellow students were helpful as well .
“ The staff at Porreco was absolutely wonderful ,” she said . “ My last semester I had a scheduling conflict , but they worked with the math and business departments to offer me an independent study that allowed me to graduate on time .”
They also offered her assistance with her resume and helped her prep for interviews in her new field .
“ My degree has opened up so many new doors and given me opportunities that I would not have had before ,” said Baldwin , who currently works for Erie Insurance through a staffing agency and hopes to eventually be hired there permanently .
Like Baldwin , Zimmer stated that her degree has made her a more competitive candidate in the workforce . She has been promoted to retail supervisor and is now responsible for training and managing retail merchandising and sales activities within her territory .
“ Through providing individualized attention and other support services , we continue to help students build confidence in their abilities and turn their dreams into realities ,” Bowker said . n
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