Milton Hershey School, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Partner to Support First-Generation, Low-Income Students

On Monday, May 14, Milton Hershey School and Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at improving the outcome for low-income, first-generation college students.

“We are proud to partner with Thaddeus Stevens to provide our students with a high-quality education and more concentrated support,” MHS Vice President of Graduate Programs for Success Tanya Barton said. “Because Thaddeus Stevens curriculum aligns so well with our school’s Career and Technical Education program, our students who are interested in pursuing technical degrees will be able to build on their skills to reach their goals.”

Currently, Thaddeus Stevens offers associate degrees in 22 innovative technical-based majors that educate and train students for various job opportunities. MHS students who attend Thaddeus Stevens will be able to build upon the career and technical education skills they received while in high school.

Through the agreement, MHS students also will receive academic coaching, student engagement resources, and retention support to ensure student success throughout their college careers.

“This partnership with Milton Hershey School makes perfect sense, because their mission aligns so closely with ours,” said Michael DeGoft, dean of enrollment services at Thaddeus Stevens. “We know the quality of MHS graduates, and we hope to see a growing number here on campus in the coming years.”

MHS career and higher education specialists support graduates through virtual check-ins and on-campus visits. In 2017, MHS staff organized 123 on-campus visits and sent 13,856 text messages to support graduates throughout their college experience.

“Being able to provide this type of individualized, multilayered support could make all the difference to our students in earning a certification or degree,” said Barton.

The partnership is the ninth of its kind that MHS has established with postsecondary institutions across the state to increase graduation outcomes for low-income, first-generation college students.