SUNBURY – The number of opportunities to receive a college education are growing around here…that fact was evident Friday at the first ever, local, Community College Summit held at the Albright Center in Sunbury, “I think it’s wonderful to have this summit because there’s such a diversity of professional individuals here that represent the community. I think it’s going to create a lot more discussion in the community about how can we get this done.”
Luzerne County Community College President Tom Leary was at the summit and he was surprised to see an LCC graduate, 56-year-old No Ringer. After earning a degree from LCC’s Shamokin campus in the year 2000, Ringer is now the Vice President of Susquehanna Community Bank. She has been with the bank for 18 years, but it only took her eight years to become Vice President.
Ringer says a community college education helped her get on her feet after moving to the U.S. from Korea 35-years-ago, “It is very flexible and affordable, and you can pick your expert area. So there’s great opportunity.”
There could be another LCC branch coming to the Valley. The old Watsontown Elementary School remains under serious consideration to become a new branch of the college.
Leary says there’s still work to do to finalize a deal, “We need to find…really…the financial resource support to allow a community college to be able to deliver the way we deliver….which means reasonable tuition…which means a facility that is provided so we don’t have that high cost. And then also, we’re conducting surveys in the school districts and among others in professional groups so we can find out what the community wants.”
