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There is an organization in this town that has begun as a convenient educational organization for locals and has grown to provide opportunities that are going to keep Corry wired into future trends. The Corry Higher Education council originated in 1991 as a local education hub and has been developing ever since. Dr. Matthew Platz, the executive director of Corry Higher Education Council, recently discussed the organization’s past, present, and future endeavors. 

One prominent aspect of the Corry Higher Education Council is academic courses. The organization has partnered with IU5 Adult Education & Career Readiness to provide accessible courses for those who want to finish high school credits. Upon high school education requirement completion, the Corry Higher Education Council has offered postsecondary courses via several institutions. It shared a partnership with Mercyhurst College (now Mercyhurst University) and offered a variety of university courses to students who want to save on college expenses. Even though the partnership ended in 2023, other colleges have partnered with the center. Local students can take courses from Erie County Community College and North Pennsylvania Regional College through the center. 

Professional development courses are also highly popular with students. Organizations, such as the Northwest Industrial Research Center, offer a vast variety of classes that gives manufacturing professionals technical and communication skills that they can utilize in their companies. Other organizations, such as the Manufacturer & Business Association, have offered other professional development courses. The Corry Higher Education Council has also brought certain established programs, such as the Dale Carnegie® Leadership Series and the Small Business Jumpstart Program. Business development courses through the NWPA Innovation Beehive Network, which is a team of local universities and organizations offering free services to small business entrepreneurs, are also going to be provided. In addition, there are several other organization- based workforce courses, such as certification preparation and job search enhancement.  

Locals can even go to the Corry Higher Education Council to grow in other ways. There are several health topics covered, ranging from health conditions to Medicaid guidance, for those to help themselves or loved ones. Personal enrichment in music can also be heightened with various music classes. Music fans can enjoy a range of selections, including instrumental lessons, song construction, and musical history. Other creative outlets that can be fostered include macrame and calligraphy. 

The Corry Higher Education Council has highly evolved throughout the years. It has grown to include online classes in various career and noncareer topics through ed2go®, and is even looking to become more innovative in the future. It even has a radio show now, known as Money Radio (WPSE on either 1450 AM or 107.1 FM), that covers a multitude of life topics. The organization is working towards meeting the future career needs of the town. Since Corry is working towards fiber internet connectivity, there will be courses in cybersecurity, installation, coding, and aviation. The objective is to keep individuals living and working in Corry. The Corry Higher Education Council is always looking for new ideas. An email strategy is intended to start in order to reach out to consumers. 

If you are interested in learning locally, be sure to consider the Corry Higher Education Council! You may have a new idea that may become a new class offering to help build the Corry community and those living in it!