Montgomery County Community College President Victoria Bastecki-Perez addresses members of the Class of 2024 during a commencement ceremony on May 16, 2024 at the college’s Blue Bell campus. Photo by Rachel Ravina | The Reporter.
Bastecki-Perez highlights student resources, education facilities and partnerships during annual report
People continue to attend Montgomery County Community College classes as education officials recognized high enrollment numbers in recent years.
Montgomery County Community College President Victoria Bastecki-Perez addressed members of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners during a meeting earlier this month, noting that 14,919 took classes during the 2023-24 academic year.
“We had enrollment uptick this year. We exceeded our enrollment target for the first time post-COVID,” Bastecki-Perez said during the Nov. 14 county commissioners meeting. “So it was an opportunity to celebrate.”
She noted that 75 percent of students took classes part-time in the college’s 60th anniversary year.
“As you know the trend at Montgomery County Community College, as well as across the commonwealth, and throughout the nation, community college students are taking classes more on a part-time basis,” she said. “They have very complex lives. They have a lot of responsibilities. They’re working, they’re caring for children, they’re doing a lot in their communities to serve.”
College demographics
Additional demographic statistics associated with the five-figure enrollment numbers showed 39 percent Black, Indigenous and people of color; 29 percent first-generation college students; 28 percent 25 years or older, according to Bastecki-Perez. Another 22 percent received financial assistance and 18 percent of students were considered to have dual enrollment status.
The community college’s Class of 2024 had 1,377 graduates, with business administration, liberal studies and nursing listed as top majors, Bastecki-Perez said. Of those, student ages ranged from 17-to-68 years old; 35 percent of students were Black, Indigenous and people of color, as well as 34 percent first-generation graduates.
Bastecki-Perez noted several milestones achieved over the past year concerning student achievements.
“Celebrate not only that we had greater enrollment, but also our students are being retained and completing their credentials, certificates and associate degrees to go into the workforce in Montgomery County, and in the region, or to transfer to a four-year college or university,” she said.
Bastecki-Perez identified Gwynedd Mercy, Temple and West Chester universities as top educational institutions into which community college graduates transferred. She spotlighted “workforce development” partnerships with area businesses and organizations, such as the college’s Challenger Center, Merck, Montgomery County Police Academy, MontcoWorks, PA CareerLink, and the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board.
Financial support
Bastecki-Perez expressed her appreciation for the monetary support given by the county, with $1.75 million in pandemic recovery funds specified.
“We are so grateful for the support of the county for our ARPA funding for advancing Montco’s assistance program,” Bastecki-Perez said.
She noted that $482,000 in tuition assistance was distributed, with $1,328 recorded as an average tuition award. She emphasized the need to allocate funds for residents studying education, health care, hospitality and public safety, subject areas designated as “high priority occupations” that are “in high demand for Montgomery County.”
Another $64,000 was dedicated to wellness support, she said, with an average award listed as $1,069, to assist with housing, transportation and utility costs.
“We have an intentionality and a keen focus on holistic support,” Bastecki-Perez said, ensuring the community college provides crucial resources to “ensure the students are successful in their chosen field.” Those supports include food pantries, emergency grants, mental health, supportive services, and a wellness center.
“We did apply for an expansion grant initiative of almost $800,000 recently, and that would expand the program so we can provide additional wellness support, which is in critical need of all of our students that are Montgomery County residents,” she said.
Dr. Victoria Bastecki-Perez, Montgomery County Community College president.(Credit: Montgomery County Community College)Targeting hospitality careers
Turning to facility improvements, Bastecki-Perez highlighted the community college’s new hospitality institute as “our pinnacle project this year.”
“We reimagined what that would look like, renovated and added new space so we could foster creativity, learning and connections in high-priority occupations for Montgomery County,” Bastecki-Perez said.
A “soft opening” was held back in October, recognizing the former book store at the Blue Bell campus that was transformed into a nearly 20,000-square-foot space, complete with chocolate, fermentation science, innovation, and pasta labs.
“We know that Montgomery County needs more workforce in the area of hospitality. So this institute will provide baking and pastry, culinary hospitality as new programming, as well as fermentation science, nutrition, [and] others,” she said.
Commissioner Tom DiBello reacted with a chuckle, saying ”I look forward to coming over and trying, touring, the chocolate lab and the pastry lab and pasta lab …”
The trio of county commissioners recognized the community college as a vital resource in the community. The county budget included $24.5 million designated for the college in the 2024 budget and $24.2 million in the proposed 2025 budget, according to financial figures.
“We have a gem right here in Montgomery County as our Montgomery County Community College,” DiBello said.
“The work that you all are doing at Montco is beyond impressive,” said Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chairwoman Jamila Winder. She expressed her admiration for education officials’ abilities when “really thinking through innovative ways to fund the work you are doing because I know the work is challenging, but as a result, the college is thriving some 60 years later.”
“[I'll] just express how much we value the college and what a prized asset it is for all of our residents, and the lives that it has the capacity, and has already changed as a result, and look forward to having more conversations about how we can support all of the work that you're doing and also advocate at the state level to do the same,” said Montgomery County Commissioners’ Vice Chairman Neil Makhija.
