NexTier Adult Education Center Toured, Praised

 

By Jonathan Weaver

The new NexTier Adult Education Center at Lenape Tech was toured by County leaders, dignitaries and school board members and praised during an open house last night.

Practical Nursing Program Coordinator Kimberly Doms took school directors on tours before a public open house and was thankful the facility is finally open for nursing students.

“It’s pretty exciting – that dream has now come true,” Doms said. “It’s a phenomenal space. The students and faculty both enjoy it tremendously.

“We’ve (only) been here a couple weeks so we’re still working the bugs out, but it’s a phenomenal space and so grateful to be here.”

More than 80 students and eight instructors currently utilize the new space.

New classroom space allows for a skills lab and simulation lab, with the technology available at West Hills but crowded as opposed to the now-“user-friendly” area.

NexTier Bank donations also allowed for a new computer lab and other technology – which administrators are grateful for.

A group of nearly two dozen will graduate in December and a new class starting in January

“The Practical Nursing program is going strong,” Doms said.

Kayla Miller of Rural Valley will graduate from the nursing program next month, and said she has no regrets.

“If you look at the reviews for Lenape, they’re phenomenal – the passing rate I think was a 98, 99 when I looked last year,” Miller said.

“If you sign up here, you’re almost guaranteed success if you try.”

Fellow Upcoming Graduate Kimm Sanders of Monroeville attended Indiana County Technology Center, but said Lenape Practical Nursing is more of a “learning” school.

“I was here for two weeks, and went on-and-on about things I learned here,” Sanders said.

Miller – who graduated in 2005 from Elderton High – and Kelly Lundstrom of Ford City – who graduated from Ford City High in 2004 – both did not think they would end up in nursing when they graduated. They make up only a handful of students from the Kittanning/Ford City area.

Petra Messina of Cranberry Township attended St. Francis for an RN certificate more than 20 years ago and has worked for more than 30 years in various areas of healthcare – including currently as a part-time nursing assistant for UPMC.

She said the new skills will help her stay in the field and further her career.

A career fair will be held with employers Monday

Carrie Lewis of Apollo graduated September 12 from Lenape Practical Nursing and has received multiple job offers since. A former ACMH CAN, she is looking for a better opportunity.

Her daughter, Bry Shoup, is now a first-year student and was a 2011 Lenape Tech Allied Health/Sports Medicine graduate.

“It’s a good program – a lot of people know about Lenape,” Lewis said.

Former Freeport School District Representative Meredith Christy came up with the idea for the building nearly 10 years ago

“I had a vision of having a nice Adult Ed Center to promote education in Armstrong County,” Christy said. “It took 10 years of struggle, but it’s finally done.

“NexTier Bank and all the sending school directors supported this and was a big player in this. I’m glad t he current Joint Operating Committee saw my dream through to the end.”

HHSDR President and Architect J. Greer Hayden said it was a “challenging project” in permitting processes and a limited budget. His firm has also already begun promoting the new facility.

“When you look at the end-result, I think we did a pretty good job,” Hayden said.

Manor Township supervisor Paul Rearick attended with Supervisor Chair James McGinnis.

“It’s a beautiful building –it’s been a logistical nightmare for (Lenape) to put this all together, but I’m glad we were able to work with them and help them get up-and-running.”

Joint Operating Committee President Joseph Close (representing Armstrong School District) and Administrator Dawn Kocher-Taylor praised Facilties and Property Coordinator Curtis Fahlor during the project.

“We can all say we’re a little smarter and educated about the process,” Close said.

Fahlor said it was a team effort.

The facility across from Lenape Tech in Manor Township will also soon house Adult Education students.