Pennsylvania’s Secretary of the Department of Human Services Teresa Miller; Montgomery County Commissioner Chairwoman Valerie Arkoosh; Regional Representative for U.S. Sen. Robert Casey, Lara Flynn; and State Rep. Joseph Ciresi visited Montgomery County Community College’s West Campus in Pottstown to learn more about MCCC's proposed Wellness Center.
On January 31, Pennsylvania’s Secretary of the Department of Human Services Teresa Miller, along with Montgomery County Commissioner Chairwoman Valerie Arkoosh; Regional Representative for U.S. Sen. Robert Casey, Lara Flynn; and State Rep. Joseph Ciresi, visited Montgomery County Community College’s West Campus in Pottstown to hear about the plans for the College’s proposed Wellness Center.
The Wellness Center will address students’ essential needs - food, housing, transportation, childcare, and physical and mental well-being – to help them succeed academically, explained Dr. David Kowalski, Associate Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Innovation.
Kowalski, Assistant Dean of Student Programs Dr. Keima Sheriff and Executive Director of Marketing and Communications Holly Ann Clayton are leading the initiative, which will create a tiered system of holistic care to provide support and services through MCCC’s programs and community partnerships. The center will be part of MCCC’s $4 million renovation to its South Hall building at West Campus.
During the roundtable discussion, Miller mentioned that the state is undergoing a
plan to start a statewide system that will keep track of referrals and follow-up visits.
Following the presentation, MCCC’s Dean of Student Services Amy Auwaerter gave officials a tour of MCCC’s food pantry, which includes fresh, healthy food options for students, as well as toiletry items and school supplies.