Westmoreland County Community College is a public community college in Youngwood, Pennsylvania, United States. It was founded in 1970 during an era of community college proliferation within the state. Its location on the suburban fringe was designed to attract students from both the Westmoreland County suburbs of Pittsburgh and the Monongahela Valley, then a still booming industrial center. The college has also extended its outreach to provide services to students from Fayette and Indiana Counties.

History

After being first proposed by school directors in the county in 1967, Westmoreland County Community College was officially founded in 1970. The institution first offered evening classes at Jeannette High School in 1971 with 243 students enrolled. By the fall of 1972, the college took up a permanent residence in a former Westinghouse plant in Youngwood and expanded its schedule to include day classes.

Westmoreland currently offers 64 associate degree programs, 13 diploma options and 49 certificate programs to prepare students for careers or transfer to baccalaureate degree programs at a four-year institution. The college also offers Continuing Education courses for adults, displaced workers, non-traditional students and summer camps for kids.

The college hosts several athletics teams, nicknamed the Wolfpack, including baseball, basketball, bowling, softball, and volleyball. In fall 2020, the women's cross country team was ranked number two in the nation by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. In fall 2023, the athletics program transitioned to Division II in the NCJAA and began to offer scholarships to student athletes. Teams compete in the Western Pennsylvania Athletic Conference.

Dr. Kristin L. Mallory was named the college's president beginning in July 2025.

Campus

thumb|Student Achievement Center at the Youngwood campus

In the four decades since, Westmoreland's original campus in Youngwood has expanded from a single building to four buildings.

;Student Achievement Center

Westmoreland's original building, formerly known as Founders Hall, houses academic and administrative offices, classrooms, the library, a 300-seat amphitheater and a tutoring and learning center. It also contains the college store, student center, cafeteria and a licensed day care center. A gymnasium, indoor running track and a combination aerobic/fitness center provide fitness options for students and faculty. A major renovation of the building was completed in 2020.

;Advanced Technology Center

The college opened its 73,500 square foot Advanced Technology Center in 2014 in a former Sony plant. Located in Mount Pleasant, the ATC offers training for students and incumbent workers in applied industrial technology, mechatronics, energy technologies, design technologies, machining and fabrication, additive manufacturing, welding, and STEM. In 2023, the ATC received a grant to create a makerspace on campus.

Notable alumni

  • Herman Mihalich, former Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
  • Richard Rosendale, chef
  • John Dorsey, poet and screenwriter

References

  • Official website