HACC, PCA&D sign agreement easing path to BFA for HACC photography graduates

Faculty and administrators from HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, including president John J. “Ski” Sygielski, Ed.D, came to Pennsylvania College of Art and Design (PCA&D) Thursday to tour PCA&D, meet their counterparts here and sign a dual admissions transfer agreement, allowing HACC students who earn an Associate of Fine Arts in Photography to complete their Bachelor of Fine Arts in photography at PCA&D, Lancaster, without loss of credit and without extending the length of time required to complete a bachelor’s degree.

In an earlier announcement, Dr Sygielski said, “HACC’s partnership with the Pennsylvania College of Art and Design provides a great opportunity for our photography students to transfer to a locally respected four-year institution to pursue a bachelor’s degree.”

Mary Colleen Heil, President of PCA&D, echoed Dr. Sygielski’s sentiments, adding, “We are very pleased to be part of this partnership and look forward to welcoming HACC graduates as juniors in PCA&D’s Bachelors of Fine Arts program. Our 2+2 agreement will give these students an ease of transition between the two colleges, without lengthening the time required to earn a BFA degree.”

Students who meet the requirements and take advantage of the agreement are eligible for a $1,000 Partnership from PCA&D. The partnership also gives faculty at both institutions the opportunity to collaborate and network. HACC students are invited to attend PCA&D’s Open House  or contact the admissions office for more information and to arrange a tour.

Below are scenes from Thursday’s event and tour, which was led by PCA&D students Julya Nichols, Justin Carney, Nina Cruz, and Faith Montgomery.

PCA&D President talks with Will Guntrum, Department Chair – Communications, Humanities, and the Arts at HACC, and PCAD alumnus.

PCA&D Academic Dean Marc Torick shares PCA&D’s education philosphy with HACC faculty members and administrators.

Kristi Brancho, Fine Art junior, discusses her print work with Dr. “Ski” Sygielski, HACC President.

Eric Weeks, PCA&D’s Chair of Photography, talks about PCA&D’s photography program with HACC photography faculty members and administrators.

Danielle Shaver, HACC Photography student, interviews Eric Weeks and HACC photo faculty member Garrick Dorsett for HACC’s college newspaper. Danielle wants to attend PCA&D when she graduates.

Attending from HACC were John J. “Ski” Sygielski, Ed.D (Dr. Ski), President, Dr. Cindy Doherty, Provost, Dr. Kathy Doherty, Associate Provost, Ron Talbott, Senior Professor,  Photography, Monica Smith, Senior Professor, Drawing/Painting, Victor Ramos, VP Lancaster Campus, William Guntrum, Department Chair – Communications, Humanities, and the Arts at HACC (and PCA&D alumnus), Garrick Dorsett, Coordinator, Graphic Design/Photography, and Danielle Shaver, HACC Photography student.  Attending from PCA&D were Mary Colleen Heil, President, Marc Torick, Academic Dean, Eric Weeks, Photography Chair, Barbara Elliott, Director of Enrollment and Marketing, Natalie Lascek, Director of Admissions Marketing & Recruitment, Rebecca Adey, Assistant Director of Admissions and Emily Adleblute, Admissions Counselor, and PCA&D students Julya Nichols, Justin Carney, Nina Cruz, and Faith Montgomery.

(Photos by Justin Carney, PCA&D Photography junior)