County needs its own community college
It often seems to me that some of our elected officials in Washington County are missing a huge opportunity. In your Feb. 11 article, “Daley seeks state money for CCAC project in Donora,” the big question that arises is why state Rep. Pete Daley is not seeking money for the establishment of the Community College of Washington County?
The Community College of Allegheny County is rapidly expanding in Washington County, along with the Community College of Beaver County, which is now located in Southpointe. Waynesburg University, a Greene County school, has a satellite campus in Southpointe as well. While we continue to incorporate these institutions into our county, we are not acting wisely by not forming a community college.
You want to make Washington County attractive to new residents? You want to keep Washington County thriving for generations to come? You want to continue to bring down the unemployment rate? Educate your citizens.
Why are we allowing students to pay higher tuition rates and fees at these community colleges because they are out-of-county residents? According to the CCAC website, out-of-county residents are paying double the amount per credit that a resident of Allegheny County does. We are fortunate enough to have Washington & Jefferson College, one of the highest-ranked liberal arts colleges in the nation, located in the county seat. Unfortunately, some residents of Washington County cannot afford to be educated at W&J. It’s time we provide a place for those who cannot afford a four-year degree the opportunity to further their education after high school, and allow them to do so at an affordable price.
Sandra Day O’Connor, a former Supreme Court justice, once said, “We pay a price when we deprive children of the exposure to the values, principles, and education they need to make them good citizens.” The longer we wait to establish an in-county community college, the more at risk the future of this county will be.
A.J. Williams
Strabane
Williams is a former Canonsburg borough councilman and a former candidate for the Washington County Board of Commissioners.