Community’s Dream for a Better F
Turns 30
ACM BCC’s Early College program now high school students in five counties A If you’ve taken a class at Allegany
College of Maryland’s Bedford County
Campus, you’re in good company.
You’re one of more than 13,000
individuals who’ve benefited from the
Everett-based institution.
Your chance to attend class almost
didn’t happen because having a
college in Bedford County almost
didn’t happen.
More than three decades ago,
Bedford County was facing high
unemployment and low levels of
post-secondary educational attainment.
A community group was founded
to locate a college partner to establish
a branch campus.
The group included concerned
residents and individuals from County
and regional government, the Bedford
County School Districts, the business
community, and economic and
workforce development.
But the group’s offer was rejected by
several Pennsylvania colleges.
“Bedford County wanted what
higher education and training provides
community – a long-term way to
improve lives for generations. It was
genuinely community-driven effort,”
explained ACM Director of Pennsylvania
Advancement and Community Relations
Leah Pepple. “Even now, we see
community support for the college in
ways big and small, from its support
for our scholarship program to the way
our students act almost as caretakers
of our facility.”
Annually more than 325 students
enroll in credit courses at the ACM
Bedford County Campus or through
the college’s Early College courses
at local high schools. An additional
500 individuals participate in noncredit
lifelong learning or workforce
development classes through the
college at the Bedford County
Technical Center.
In addition to graduating students
in eight associate degree programs,
ACM Bedford County Campus provides
many students with the opportunity
to take courses towards academic
programs before completing their
studies at ACM’s Cumberland Campus
or successfully transferring to a fouryear
11 ACCESS ACM / Reimagining Dreams
college or university. Bedford
County Campus has articulation and
transfer agreements with multiple
higher education institutions.
“We’re a stepping stone institution
for many students. While we offer
a limited number of courses at our
campus and in the public schools,
what we provide is invaluable: a
high-quality educational experience
in a student-focused environment,”
said Tina Imes, director of ACM BCC
and Student Services. “It’s a campus
with a community feel to it.”
1990 1993 1994 1995 1999 2002 2003
Allegany Community College agrees to offer evening
ACM BCC begins hosting daytime classes in the
courses at the Everett Area High School. A white
state-of-the-art building.
double-wide trailer serves as the first administrative
home of the ACM Bedford County Campus.
Southern Tier Education Council, Inc. forms to receive
potential state and federal funds to ensure access
to postsecondary education. The Council receives
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania funding to provide tuition
subsidy for Pennsylvania residents taking credit classes
through ACM BCC or the Somerset Education Site.
Bedford County Regional Educ
scholarship endowment camp
The need for daytime courses and a new facility is
apparent. The Everett Area School District purchases
farmland adjacent to Everett Area High School
and issues a bond for the construction of a new
$1.5 million facility. Bedford County Commissioners
agree to make the annual bond payment.
ACM BCC pioneers the offering of Early College
courses in local area high schools.
A 4,500-square foot addition expands the campus building
to include a digital library, a computer lab, two additional
classrooms, and administrative offices. A workforce
development training facility is constructed adjacent to
the Bedford County Technical Center.
If you’ve taken a class at Allegany
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