20 Years in the Making: CPI Accredited to Award Degrees

PLEASANT GAP — The Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology has become the second institution of its kind in the state to receive accreditation to award degrees.

On July 14, CPI board members and administrators were joined by public officials to proudly tout their achievement, which was 20 years in the making at the CPI campus in Pleasant Gap.

Starting with the new term on Tuesday, Aug. 22, CPI will begin holding classes for associate in specialized technology degrees in advanced manufacturing technology, health care management, heavy diesel construction and natural gas compression.
Hank Yeagley, a CPI and Penns Valley Area School District board member, said 20 years ago the school seemed on the verge of closure and a buyer for the building was already lined up.

‘We sat down and we said, ‘Are we going to close this school, or are we going to make something worthwhile out of it?’” he said. “Maintaining the status quo wasn’t going to work.’

Yeagley and the two other operating committee members at the time laid out a strategic vision, with one of the goals the exploration of offering degrees.

‘It’s been a huge effort, particularly over the last five years,” he said.

Dr. Richard Makin, president of CPI, said it was a long process to get to this stage.

First, staff and faculty had to develop the curriculum, find industry partners such as Case and Caterpillar/Ariel and select their textbooks and equipment, all prior to going before the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Board of Private Licensed Schools.

They then had to receive approval from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, which is recognized by the federal Department of Education. Makin said federal approval was critical, as students needed to be able to apply for federal financial aid.
CPI students entering the natural gas compression program will get another financial boost, as CAT/Ariel has agreed to pay $7,500 of each student’s tuition. Caterpillar/Ariel is a joint venture between the two corporations to produce pressure pumping products for the natural gas industry.

Todd Taylor, vice president for post-secondary education, said the effort required years of work and the staff had strong public official and industry representative support.

In attendance July 14 at the announcement were Sen. Jake Corman, R-Bellefonte; Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, R-Bellefonte; Centre County Commissioner Steve Dershem; and a representative from Rep. Mike Hanna’s (D-Lock Haven) office.