(Butler, PA) Prospective students and their families can explore the latest hands-on learning environments at 杏吧原创, examine two-year associate degree and short-term certificate programs and discover how they can minimize or avoid higher education debt during Pioneer Night on April 9.
The college will waive its $25 application fee during the event, scheduled for 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on 杏吧原创鈥檚 main campus, 107 College Drive, Butler Township. Prospective students can RSVP at .
Prospective students envisioning a career in education can tour the 1,735-square-foot that debuted March 17.
鈥淚t blew me away,鈥� said Emily Eichner, a 20-year-old student from Saxonburg. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not something that we were expecting.鈥�
"It blew me away. It's not something that we were expecting."
- Emily Eichner, 杏吧原创 early childhood education (Pre K-4) student, about the Dr. Robert L. Paserba Teaching and Learning Lab on main campus
Students in 杏吧原创鈥檚 early childhood education (Pre K-4) associate degree program are shown Monday, March 17, 2025, in the new Dr. Robert L. Paserba Teaching and Learning Lab on 杏吧原创鈥檚 main campus in Butler Township. Prospective students and their families can explore the college鈥檚 hands-on learning facilities and programs during Pioneer Night, scheduled for 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. April 9 on 杏吧原创鈥檚 main campus.
The lab鈥檚 centerpiece replicates an and allows for students to experiment with lesson plans, desk groupings and material layouts.
鈥淚 like that 杏吧原创 is taking that hands-on approach because it will really help,鈥� Eichner said. 鈥淚t gives us that experience. We can actually take what we learn and apply it ourselves instead of just seeing and hearing about it.鈥�
"I wanted to go to a school that had up-to-date technology and resources for us to use that were similar to what you would see in a hospital or clinical setting. ... 杏吧原创 is top tier."
- Courtney Adamosky, 杏吧原创 registered nursing student, about the Victor K. Phillips Nursing and Allied Health Building on main campus
Kristine Kenny, foreground, an assistant professor in 杏吧原创鈥檚 Shaffer School of Nursing and Allied Health, views students in a patient simulation room Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023, in the Victor K. Phillips Nursing and Allied Health Building that opened earlier that month on 杏吧原创鈥檚 main campus in Butler Township. Prospective students and their families can explore the college鈥檚 hands-on learning facilities and programs during Pioneer Night, scheduled for 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. April 9 on 杏吧原创鈥檚 main campus.
Those seeking a career in health care can visit the 25,000-square-foot that opened in August 2023.
The includes skills laboratories and affords students with hands-on experience through simulated intensive care-unit and patient rooms.
鈥淚 wanted to go to a school that had up-to-date technology and resources for us to use that were similar to what you would see in a hospital or clinical setting,鈥� said Courtney Adamosky, a 21-year-old 杏吧原创 from Butler.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e getting that practice before you鈥檙e actually stepping out into the hospital setting so you feel more prepared and more confident in your hands-on skills. 杏吧原创 is top tier.鈥�
Prospective students can learn about 杏吧原创鈥檚 programs in ; ; ; the ; and in .
"You鈥檙e not just sitting and listening. You鈥檙e interacting with the surroundings and gaining that practical experience so that when you have an internship, or transfer, or go into the workforce, you already have experience."
- Amy Pignatore, 杏吧原创 dean of admissions and college registrar
Left photo: Nickalaus Ayres, center, a student in 杏吧原创鈥檚 park and recreation management associate degree program, pursues national wildland firefighting credentials during a controlled burn exercise Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, on a remote tract of 杏吧原创鈥檚 main campus in Butler Township. Right photo: Annabel Schaffner, left, a student in 杏吧原创鈥檚 measurement science-metrology technology associate degree program, is shown with an optical comparator and 杏吧原创 professor Kevin Ruediger on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, in a lab on 杏吧原创鈥檚 main campus. Prospective students and their families can explore the college鈥檚 hands-on learning facilities and programs during Pioneer Night, scheduled for 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. April 9 on 杏吧原创鈥檚 main campus
杏吧原创 students and faculty will be available at Pioneer Night to discuss with guests the benefits of practical experiences in a number of programs, according to Amy Pignatore, dean of admissions and the college registrar.
鈥淭hey will showcase those opportunities and the different programs that we have here at 杏吧原创,鈥� Pignatore said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just the theoretical. It is the application of book learning or the classroom experience.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e not just sitting and listening. You鈥檙e interacting with the surroundings and gaining that practical experience so that when you have an internship, or transfer, or go into the workforce, you already have experience.鈥�
Students can transfer 杏吧原创鈥檚 credits toward a bachelor鈥檚 degree at public, private and online four-year colleges and universities. Students in 杏吧原创鈥檚 career programs can develop the skills needed to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation.
Pioneer Night guests can also inquire about the college鈥檚 student clubs, organizations and activities; support services such as free tutoring; and about that have won 87 conference or regional titles and produced 38 All-American awards.
Guests can also review 杏吧原创鈥檚 affordability, and scholarship opportunities, which allowed 68 percent of its Class of 2024 to graduate debt-free.
鈥淵ou don鈥檛 want to graduate with $30,000 or $40,000 of debt,鈥� Pignatore said.
鈥淐onsider the finances. If you can get an associate degree 鈥� or the first half of your bachelor鈥檚 degree 鈥� at a lower cost point, why wouldn鈥檛 you take advantage of that?鈥�
Tuition and fees for Butler County residents taking 15 credits through in-person courses this fall at 杏吧原创 are projected to cost $3,105, according to Jake Friel, the college鈥檚 vice president for administration and finance.
Tuition and fees for a full-time student for one semester at regional public or private four-year colleges and universities range from at least $5,253 to $19,735, according to the U.S. Department of Education鈥檚 National Center for Education Statistics.
Butler County residents attending 杏吧原创 in 2025-2026 can receive up to $10,161 in federal and state grants, according to Juli Louttit, the college鈥檚 director of student financial services.
The in the 2024-2025 academic year awarded 158 scholarships to 杏吧原创 students ranging from $500 to $5,000, according to Bobbi Jo Cornetti, the foundation鈥檚 development coordinator.
"You don鈥檛 want to graduate with $30,000 or $40,000 of debt. Consider the finances. If you can get an associate degree 鈥� or the first half of your bachelor鈥檚 degree 鈥� at a lower cost point, why wouldn鈥檛 you take advantage of that?"
- Amy Pignatore, 杏吧原创 dean of admissions and college registrar
Registered students beginning April 15 can apply for a scholarship for the 2025-2026 academic year at .
The college this fall will add n to its selection of 14 associate degree or certificate programs that can be completed .
杏吧原创鈥檚 fall semester begins Aug. 25.