Photo provided to the Times Observer Northern Pennsylvania Regional College President Susan Snelick has been appointed to the board of a national rural community college organization.

Northern Pennsylvania Regional College President Susan Snelick has been selected to the board for the national Rural Community College Alliance.

“I’m happy to be that person serving our region and our state on this national board,” she said. “It’s important for our area to have representation in these rooms. It’s a unique opportunity to serve on this board because every institution is like ours because it represents rural areas.

“I’m looking forward to figuring out how my experience can benefit everyone and discovering more ways in how this service on the board can benefit our region and NPRC.”

According to the NPRC, Snelick became involved with the alliance shortly after becoming president of the NPRC.

That has included annual conferences, networking events and meetings, bring best practices and new ideas back to the NPRC.

She sees two areas of particular interest where she will look to focus – how to continue improving and growing dual enrollment and how to locate and successfully secure funding and scholarships for students.

“I’m hoping we can better identify resources for our students in workforce development to help make our courses more affordable,” she said. “The same goes for our academic students who are in the dual enrollment program. There are barriers each of these groups of students face that limit them from seeking training or coming to college.”

According to their website, the RCCA helps individuals and institutions from across the United States serve the nearly 90 million people who live in rural America. The alliance seeks to promote a more economically, culturally, and civically vibrant rural America through advocacy, convening, leveraging resources, and serving as a clearinghouse for innovative practice, policy, and research.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for so many reasons,” Snelick added. “It’s a great way for me to continue learning and continue my journey through education and experiences. From a professional sense, it is a great way to help bring recognition and best practices to NPRC. There are also valuable networking opportunities.

“My hope is ultimately this experience will provide opportunities of continuous improvement to NPRC to always better serve our students.”