Brief History

Warren/Forest Higher Education Council
Celebrating Over 26 Years of Growth and Accomplishments

Over 23,000 have attended credit and non-credit
classes at Hi-Ed 1984-2011.

The Warren/Forest Higher Education Council has its roots in a 1983 meeting of the business and community leadership of Warren County.  The consensus of that meeting was the two most urgent community needs were economic development and access to post secondary education.

As a result of the 1983 meeting, the Warren/Forest Higher Education Council was established in January 1984.  The Council was designed to coordinate the post-secondary education and training needs of Warren and Forest Counties.  This non-campus alternative was initially co-located in the offices of the Warren County Chamber of Commerce, in the PennBank Building in Warren.

The Council was formally incorporated on August 13, 1984 and the first courses were offered in September of that year at the Warren Area High School with 75 students enrolled in four classes. The Council received their 501C3 non-profit status in November of 1985. 

The mission statement of the Warren/Forest Higher Education Council is to identify, implement, and coordinate educational and employment training opportunities for the citizens of Warren and Forest Counties.

1983

• The Warren/Forest Higher Education Council has its roots in a 1983 meeting of the business and community leadership of Warren County. 
• With 250-300 people participating and an outside facilitator, the meeting discussed and determined Warren County’s priorities in order to survive and thrive into the 21st century. The consensus of this meeting was that the two most urgent needs were economic development and access to post secondary education.

1984

• As a result of the 1983 meeting, the Warren/Forest Higher Education Council was established in January, 1984, and was initially co-located in the offices of the Warren County Chamber of Commerce, in the PennBank Building, Warren.
• The council was formally incorporated on August 13, 1984.
• The first courses were offered in September, at the Warren Area High School, and enrolled 75 students in four classes.

1985

• The Council received their 501 C3 non-profit status in November of 1985.
• The first formal Plan was completed in 1985 indicating the Mission, Vision, goals and objectives, and the accomplishments of the council. The main purpose and mission of the council was, “To facilitate access to post secondary education and employment opportunities for Warren/Forest county area residents.”
• At the time, the courses offered at the Higher Education Council were called the Cooperative College Program. The Board of Directors and staff conducted needs assessments, held open houses, and advertised the programs in order to become established in the community.

1986

• The major obstacle and continuing frustration during the first years of operation was the unpredictability of funding from the State of Pennsylvania.

1987

• In August, the Warren/Forest Higher Education Council moved its offices to 426 PA Ave. West. Classes continued at the Warren Area High School.
• A major achievement for the Council occurred in 1987 when it entered into an agreement with Jamestown Community College for JCC to be the lead college in offering courses at the Higher Education Council. The selection of JCC followed a formal process during which all the region’s colleges and universities were given the opportunity to submit lead college proposals.
• The selection of JCC marked the point in time when the Council programming became organized, formalized, and firmly established. For the first time the Council was offering degree programs in their entirety in Warren.

1988

• In the fall of 1988 the Council entered into an agreement with the Warren County School District for the use of the former Seneca St. School for classroom space. The Council paid the maintenance and utilities on the building. The Seneca Center was an important milestone because the Council now had its own adult education facility, could offer daytime programs, and was able to minimize use of the high school where it was difficult to give sufficient support to both faculty and students.
• Judy Schadt hired as Managing Director.

1989

• The administrative offices were moved to the Tybout House/YWCA at 117 Market Street in Warren.
• Gannon University offered a Bachelor’s degree program in Administrative Studies, which started in the fall with a cohort of 20-plus students.

1990

• Gannon University started an MBA program and a M.Ed program.
• Pitt-Bradford initiated a Bachelor’s degree program in Business Management.
• Beginning in 1990 other communities in the Northwest region began to form Councils. Later the concept would extend to other areas of the state until there are now nine such organizations.

1991

• The Board of Directors undertook a long-range planning process in 1991 and reaffirmed its Mission Statement.

1992

• Personnel policies establishing guidelines for holidays, vacations, short-term medical leave, bereavement, and tuition reimbursement were adopted in December.
• The first cohort of Gannon’s Bachelor’s degree program graduated in May.

1993

• Other personnel policies followed in May of 1993.
• The Council had extreme financial difficulty because of not receiving the state funds.

1994

• By January the financial situation was significantly improved by the receipt of funding from the state and appropriation of money from the County Commissioners.
• The Council moved to the second floor of the Curwen Building at Warren State Hospital in July, consolidating its offices, classrooms, and staff into one facility and increasing efficiency and economy.  At the time it was estimated that the minimum annual savings in operations was $10,000.
• An Open House for the new facility was held in October, coinciding with the tenth anniversary of the Council.  Also in that month a Tenth Anniversary Dinner was held to honor then State Senator John Peterson and Magda Fanaritis.  Mrs. Fanaritis was one of the incorporators of the Council. (She would continue as a Board member until 2000.)  Sen. Peterson had from the very beginning been the primary legislative sponsor for development, growth, and state funding for the Council.

1995

• The Council became involved in distance learning technology when Mansfield University set-up and delivered courses via PictureTel equipment.
• Edinboro University started a Bachelor’s degree completion program
• The board of directors established a position of Assistant Director in April.

1996

• The five council directors met in February to map strategies to assure the Council’s long-range stability.
• The Council implemented a business and industry survey to the community to see what kind of programming should be offered in the area.

1997

• Received grant money to upgrade the computers in the lab to start offering Windows based classes.
• Major technology upgrades and Internet access for the computers were in place by May.
• The Council implemented a fee schedule for the use of classrooms and computer lab fees.

1998

• In September, a competitive “Link to Learn” technology grant partnering with Blair Corporation and JCC was received. This enabled the Council to install a state-of-the-art computer lab. Also, funding through the DeFrees Family Foundation provided new furniture for the computer lab. Revenue generated from its use would allow the Council the keep the technology up-to-date.
• A significant milestone occurred at the end of 1998 when the General Assembly passed the “Community Education Councils Act.” Prime sponsor of the bill was State Rep. Jim Lynch, who sought input from the five existing Councils throughout the legislative process. The legislation established the right of educationally underserved areas of the state to form community education councils and access state funding for operations.
• The State System of Higher Education established the Northern Tier Educational Initiative (NTEI) to provide a single point of contact for programming with the State System schools of Mansfield, Edinboro, Slippery Rock, Lock Haven, and Clarion Universities.

1999

• In July, the Board of Directors approved revised personnel policies; short-term disability, prescription plan, Life Insurance, and a Simple IRA plan.
• NTEI successfully initiated a Masters in Education – Curriculum and Instruction degree with 13 students.
• Gannon University successfully initiated a Masters in Education – Curriculum and Instruction with 20 students.

2000

• A second “Link to Learn” grant, partnering with the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford was received, resulting in the second computer lab opening for the fall semester.
• Judy Schadt retired.  Joan Stitzinger hired as Executive Director.
• NTEI successfully launched a Certificate in Accounting through the collaboration of coursework from Mansfield and Slipper Rock Universities.

2001

• CAMtech (formerly NPTI) moved their offices to the Council.  Marie Whipple was hired as the full-time director of the site.  CAMtech provides technical programming in the Computer Service technology, Tool & Die, and Quality areas, using classroom space at the Warren/Forest Higher Education Council and the Warren County Career Center facilities.
• Gannon University successfully commenced a fourth cohort of the MBA program (17 students) and a second cohort of the M.Ed. program (20 students).
• Jamestown Community College began offering Allied Health programming courses, beginning with Phlebotomy. 
• All providers at the Council established joint activities to jointly promote programs.
• Attendance in credit courses reached a record high of 2,049 for the 2000-01.

2002

• The Council’s first strategic plan was developed and implemented.
• Gannon University’s third MBA cohort graduated 9 students, December 2002
• Gannon University successfully commenced a third cohort for the M.Ed. program
• Jamestown Community College successfully commenced a day time program
• Clarion, Slippery Rock, and Edinboro Universities received a federal grant to deliver the Master of Science-Family Nurse Practitioner program in Warren.  Ten nurses began the program.
• University of Pittsburgh – Titusville began offering courses for a Certificate in Medical Insurance Coding Specialist
• Attendance in credit courses set a record high of 2,098 for the 2001-02 academic year.

2003

• For the third straight year, record attendance in credit course set a new high of 2,547 for the 2002-03 academic year.
• Gannon University launched a Principal Certification Program and a fourth cohort of the M.Ed. program.
• Leaders of the H.R. business community were invited to a joint provider presentation to promote programs.
• Erie Chautauqua/Cattaraugus BOCES successfully established an LPN program.  22 students made up the first program which launched in fall 2003

2004

• The Council celebrated the 20th Anniversary with yearlong activities. A celebration dinner was held Saturday, September 25th, honoring alumni from Council programs over the past 20 years.
• The logo was updated to include “Est. 1984” and “The College and University Center in Warren.” 
• The University of Pittsburgh Bradford successfully launched a Medical Insurance Coding Certificate Program.
• Elected officials, board members, WCCBI, and key community leaders were given a joint presentation by providers on program availability locally.
• The Board of Directors approved a program manager’s position to begin providing non-credit programming and personal enrichment courses to the community.
• Erie 2 Chautauqua/Cattaraugus BOCES graduated 12 students of the first class of LPN’s

2005

• Gannon University’s fourth cohort of the MBA program graduated 12 students
• Erie 2 Chautauqua/Cattaraugus BOCES began the second class of the LPN program with 38 students.
• Donna Smith was hired as the Council’s program manager
• The Council entered into an agreement with the Warren County School District for facility usage and to provide adult education courses utilizing the Warren County Vocational Technical School.
• The Council entered into an agreement with the Warren County School District to provide School to Work programs to the district.  Kristine Whitaker was hired to coordinate the program.
• The Council delivered coursework for the first time and established partnerships with many community agencies.

2006

• In partnership with the WCCBI, Warren County Commissioners, and the Warren County School District, the Council contracted with Penn State University and completed an Educational Needs Assessment.
• The Council was approved as the official GED testing center for Warren County.
• Gannon University commenced a fifth cohort of the MBA program with 12 students.
• Erie 2 Chautauqua/Cattaraugus BOCES graduated 23 students from the second LPN cohort and commenced a third cohort with 35 students.
• Erie 2 Chautauqua/Cattaraugus BOCES commenced a Phlebotomy program with 20 students.
• University of Pittsburgh Bradford commenced a second cohort of the Medical Coding Certificate and the first cohort of a Medical Transcription Certificate with 18 students.
• The Council partnered with the Northwest Center for Workforce Excellence, NW Industrial Resource Center, WCCBI, and Clarion University to deliver a welding training program at the Warren County Career Center.  This was the first time the facility had been used for business/training instruction full time during the summer months.
• A major shift of demographics occurred.  The majority of credit students profiled as single, female, and in the 17 – 29 year old age range.  Non-credit demographics showed a significant increase in male students.
• The School to Work program commenced “Fast Track to Success”, replacing Warren County School Districts College and Career night and 11th grade career day.

2007

• Education 2 Go was chosen as a partner to deliver online courses to the community.
• A third LPN cohort began with Erie 2 Chautauqua/Cattaraugus BOCES
• School to Work partnered with Gannon University Small Business Development Corporation to deliver an Entrepreneurship Summer Camp to high school students
• Partnered with the Warren County School District and Penn State Behrend to provide an on-campus experience for all 7th graders in the Warren County School District
• Gannon University commenced a fifth cohort of the Master of Education program and a second cohort of the Principal Certification Program
• To enhance marketing efforts, Beverly Whited was hired as the Council’s first Communications Specialist
• A new, updated logo was approved for use in all marketing and a billboard was erected at State Street-Market Street

2008

• Polycom distance education equipment was installed to accommodate a RN to BSN program with Daemen College
• Jamestown Community College commenced a pre-health care cohort
• JCC operations were restructured to a four day per week schedule Monday through Thursday and a part time presence for the director of the program. 
• JCC conducted its first Phlebotomy program.
• Gannon University successfully commenced a sixth cohort of the Master of Education program and a third cohort of the Principal Certification program
• Through an agreement with the Warren County School District and funding from Blair Corporation, WCCBI, Venango Training & Development Corporation, and the WCSD, the Council successfully developed and commenced a Diploma Program.  Sixteen students enrolled in the program to earn a high school diploma.  Ten adult students graduated with a Warren County School District High School Diploma
• Server was upgraded on the network
• Erie 2 Chautauqua Cattaraugus BOCES graduated 18 LPN students in their final program
• Israel building programs and equipment were consolidated to the Curwen building
• Attendance in credit and non-credit courses increase by 11% from the previous year

2009

• Venango Technology Center commenced a Practical Nursing Program with 36 students.
• Gannon University commenced a seventh cohort of the Master of Education program and a fourth cohort of the Principal Certification program.
• The first class of the Diploma Program graduated 10 adult students with a Warren County School District High School Diploma.
• The Council celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a breakfast held on Thursday, November 12 at the Conewango Club in Warren.
• JCC introduces the PrimeTime series, a collaborative partnership with Experience, Inc. providing daytime community programs of educational and recreational value to active adults.
• JCC conducted a Phlebotomy course graduating 21 students.
• JCC conducted tours in STEM related activities for the first time for Industry Club students of the Warren County School District in partnership with the STW program.

2010

• Venango Technology Center held its 57th Commencement of the Practical Nursing Program, graduating 26 from the first Warren Campus class.
• Gannon University commenced a sixth cohort of the Master of Business Administration program.
• The second class of the Diploma Program graduated eight adult students with a Warren County School District High School. The third class of the Diploma Program commenced with 22 students.
• Butler County Community College began partnering with the Council to offer two online degrees. 
• John Lasher was hired as School to Work Coordinator.
• Career Web school partners with the Council to offer online Pennsylvania Real Estate Courses.
• JCC conducted a very successful workshop in Social Networking with PA state attorney and recognized expert, Dorothy Bollinger.  Local business and industry helped sponsor the program.
• JCC conducted a three credit human service course using ITV delivery with Jamestown campus.
• JCC expanded its PrimeTime Series with Experience, Inc. into their new consolidated facility called the Allegheny Community Center allowing them to enhance program offerings.

2011

• The second cohort of the Venango Technology Center Practical Nursing Program commenced with 36 students.
• Technology upgrade increases the Council's computer capacity to 32 work stations running Microsoft Office 2010 on Windows 7 Professional operating system.
• JCC pre nursing students completed their cohort in Warren.
• JCC continues to integrate ITV courses into its credit schedule with 3 education courses offered this term. 
• JCC director and STW coordinator visited the Challenger Space Center in Olean, NY to investigate opportunities for programming for WCSD students in grades 5-8.

As this brief history outlines, the Warren/Forest Higher Education Council has evolved from a concept to a comprehensive program of educational offerings including credit program by colleges and universities, non-credit programs provided by the Council, and connections with kindergarten through twelfth grade students through the School to Work program.  Council offering generate attendance of approximately 5,000 students annually.