Luzerne County Community College (LCCC) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Luzerne County Community College (LCCC) is a two-year community college in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1966 and has grown steadily ever since. At any given time, there are roughly 16,000 students enrolled at LCCC, with about 7,000 of those pursuing a degree or certificate through credit classes.

The main campus occupies 15 buildings spread over 167 acres in Nanticoke. There are 13 satellite learning centers throughout northeastern Pennsylvania, including in Wilkes-Barre, Berwick, Hazleton, Northumberland, Shamokin, and Kulpmont. The Wilkes-Barre Corporate Learning Center operates in partnership with the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry to provide training needs to businesses in the area. Altogether, LCCC offers more than 100 technical, academic, and career programs of study.

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Information Summary

Ranks 213th in Pennsylvania and 3341st overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	45.6
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$7,430
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	21 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	51% / 40%
Enrollment Total (all students)	4,984

Academics

In their efforts to be on top of technological changes, LCCC has more than 1,400 personal computers for student use. The majority of the classrooms at the school are “smart classrooms”, with network access and technological teaching tools. The student to faculty ration is 18:1, giving a personal touch to contemporary education.

There are 93 occupational programs and 17 liberal arts programs at LCCC geared towards transfer students. There are also 11 credit-free career training programs and a large number of seminars, workshops, conferences, and customized training programs for businesses and industries in the area. LCCC has transfer agreements with 36 colleges and universities in Pennsylvania and surrounding states and dual enrollment programs in 16 different high schools. Some of the best known departments at LCCC include:

The Automotive department offers direct-entry degrees and certificates in automotive technology and motorsports technology. Many students go on to work in the automotive industries in the area.

The Business department offers degrees and certificates in accounting, business, legal assisting, and small business skills. Most students in the Business department go directly into the workforce after graduation.

The Commercial Art department offers degrees and certificates in Advertising Design, Computer Graphics, Graphic Design, Painting Illustration, and Photography. Most students in this department are in the transfer track. The Computer Information Systems department offers certificates and degrees in Computer Information Systems, Court Reporting, Health Information Management, Office Information Technology, and Web Development Technology. There are a blend of direct-entry and transfer track students in this department.

The Dental Health department offers direct-entry degrees in Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene. Students get a chance to practice their trade at the LCCC Dental Clinic while they study.

The English department offers an academic degree in English for students intending to transfer.

The Health Emergency Medical Services department offers degrees and certificates in Emergency Medical Services, Fire Science Technology, Respiratory Therapy, and Surgical Technology. Most graduates from these programs go on to work for area hospitals and firefighting services.

The Health, Physical Education, and Movemental Science department offers a degree in Exercise Science Fitness Leadership. Students earning this degree go on to work as personal trainers, coaches, and fitness entrepreneurs.

The Hotel and Restaurant Management department offers degrees and certificates in Culinary Arts, Hospital Business Management, and Pastry Arts Management. Most students in this department go directly into the workforce after graduation for area hotels, restaurants, and bakeries.

The Mass Media and Communications Technology department offers degrees in Audio/Visual Communications, Journalism and Media Writing, and Music Recording Technology. Most students in this department transfer to four-year institutions, and most are involved with the television and/or radio station that LCCC is known for.

The Mathematics department offers degrees and certificates in Computer Science and Mathematics; most Computer Science and all Mathematics students are on the transfer track.

The Nursing department offers degrees in Nursing. Nursing programs are open by selective admission only (see “Admissions”).

The Science department offers degrees and certificates in Horticulture Technology, Pre-Chiropractic, Pre-Mortuary Science, Pre-Optometry, Pre-Pharmacy, and Science. With the exception of some Horticulture Technology students, most students in this department go on to four-year schools.

The Technology department offers degrees and certificates in Architectural Engineering Technology, Automated Manufacturing Systems Technology, Aviation, Computer Aided Drafting and Design, Computer Systems Technology, Computerized Numerical Control Technology, Cyber Security Management, Electronics Engineering Technology, Interior Design, Nanofabrication Manufacturing Technology, Nuclear Engineering Technology, and Sustainable Energy Technology.

Library Resources

In addition to its collection of over 60,000 print resources for research, the library at LCCC offers several research computers available for student use, over 30 research databases, and personalized research assistance.

Media on Campus

Two of the most prominent features of LCCC are the college’s radio station, WSFX-FM, and the television station, TV-LCCC. A large number of students work at the radio station for credit in the broadcasting major and on a volunteer basis. Alumni and members of the community also participate heavily in public affairs and music programming. The radio station has won several national awards for their programming. The WSFX Radio Club gives students further opportunities to try their hand at broadcasting. Students can get involved in sports broadcasting, being music DJs, reporting news, and producing specials. The television station allows many similar opportunities for video work. The station produces special presentations of many campus events, allowing community members and students at home to experience the benefits of on-campus activities. The staff and volunteers at the television station also produce programs for DVD and web distribution.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

In keeping with their mission to provide higher education to any adult in their catchment area who desires it, admissions to most programs are open. Health Sciences programs have selective admissions. Applicants must complete a criminal background check, a drug screen, a child abuse background check, and have them all come back clean. Nursing students must take a Diagnostic Entrance Test (DET) and receive passing scores in English and Math. Students must also have a physician document that they are in good physical and mental health, free of communicable disease, and physically and mentally capable of fulfilling their professional duties. Students are responsible for the cost of all background checks and doctor’s visits.

Financial Aid

In addition to the usual range of financial aid options open to all college and university students in Pennsylvania, LCCC offers several dozen of their own need- and merit-based scholarships.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 6448th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Pennsylvania.

Students

Demographics

Roughly half the student body attends full time and the other half part-time. About 60% of students are female and 40% are male. Approximately 70% of students live in Luzerne County while most of the rest are from other parts of Pennsylvania. About 55% are enrolled in transfer programs; the rest, in occupational programs. The average age of students is 27.

Clubs and Organizations

The Student Government Association (SGA) represents the student body in transactions with the administration and the larger community. It also disburses funding to other student club and organizations.

There are nearly 50 student clubs and organizations, including professional organizations for more of the careers for which students train in the academic programs. Some of the more popular student clubs and organizations include ACLU, which advocates for civil liberties on the campus and in the wider community; the Adult Learners Association, which provides a support group for students who have returned to school after a significant gap; Circle K Club, which provides leadership training and service projects; Drama Club, which promotes understanding and appreciation of the dramatic arts; GLBT Association, which raises awareness and promotes understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues; National Organization for Women (NOW), which works to eliminate sexism and end all oppression; Paranormal Society, which conducts investigations into paranormal phenomena and activities; Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society; and Psi Beta, the national honor society for psychology in community colleges.

Dining

Although there is no on-campus housing at LCCC, there is a cafeteria in the Campus Center which is open from 7:30 AM to 3 PM during the school year as well as a coffee cart in one of the classroom buildings.

Student Services

Student services include academic advising, personal counselling, career counseling, and transfer counselling for students planning to go on to four-year programs. The Career Services office holds an annual April job fair to connect graduating students with potential employers. There is a separate job fair for students in Health Services every February.

Arts on Campus

Students in the arts exhibit their work at the Schulman Gallery, located on the second floor of the Campus Center. Faculty artists, community artists, and visiting artists also exhibit their work here.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Athletics

The athletic department at LCCC is known as the Trailblazers. Their colors are navy and teal. The Trailblazers compete in nine intervarsity sports through the Eastern Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference (PCC) and the Pennsylvania Collegiate Athletic Association (PCAA). The competitive intervarsity sports include women’s cross country, women’s golf, softball, women’s basketball, volleyball, men’s cross country, men’s golf, men’s basketball, and baseball. Popular intramural include flag football, basketball, softball, volleyball, bowling, badminton, and tennis. All intramural sports are co-ed.

Local Community

The name “Nanicoke” came from the native people of the area, the Nantego. It is a small city, with about 10,000 residents. Students seeking recreational opportunities are likely to drive to Wilkes-Barre, a metropolitan area of more than half a million people. The area is bordered by the Pocono Mountains to the east and the Endless Mountains to the west, offering innumerable hiking, camping, fishing, and other outdoor recreational opportunities. Major employers in the area include GUARD Insurance Group, Lord & Taylor, Benco Dental Supply, Canadian Pacific Rail, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport.

Bibliography

Athletics. Luzerne County Community College. Web. 24 May. 2011.

Fiske, Edward B. Fiske Guide to Colleges 2011. Chicago: Sourcebooks, 2010. Print.

Pope, Loren. Looking Beyond the Ivy League: Finding the College That’s Right for You. New York: Penguin. 2007. Print.

Schulman Gallery. Luzerne County Community College. Web. 22 May. 2011.

Student Handbook. Luzerne County Community College. Web. 24 May. 2011.

Luzerne County Community College