Perkins - North East Campus

Carl D. Perkins and Applied Technology Education Act - North East Campus
All students enrolled in vocational programs will be monitored by a success coach and offered Perkins’ services, which include academic counseling, career counseling, and tracking, resume writing, tutoring, internship supervision and placement. The purpose of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006 is to develop more fully the academic, career, and technical skills of postsecondary education students who elect to enroll in career and technical education programs by:

Building on the efforts of states and localities to develop challenging academic and technical standards and to assist students in meeting such standards, including preparation for high skill, high wage, or high demand occupations in current or emerging professions.
Promoting the development of services and activities that integrate rigorous and challenging academic and career and technical instruction, and that link secondary education and postsecondary education for participating career and technical education students.
Conducting and disseminating national research and disseminating information on best practices that improve career and technical education programs, services, and activities.
Providing technical assistance that promotes leadership, initial preparation, and professional development at the state and local levels; and that improves the quality of career and technical education teachers, faculty, administrators, and counselors.
Supporting partnerships among secondary schools, postsecondary institutions, baccalaureate degree granting institutions, area career and technical education schools, local workforce investment boards, business and industry, and intermediaries.
Providing individuals with opportunities throughout their lifetimes to develop, in conjunction with other education and training programs, the knowledge and skills needed to keep the United States competitive.

To ensure that all Career and Technical Education students are given every opportunity for success, Perkins funding provides technical support in the form of technical equipment for various CTE eligible departments. Students also benefit from Perkins funding in the form of our Academic Success Coaches.

Mercyhurst North East currently employs a Special Populations Coordinator, a Career Services Coordinator, a Learning Styles Coordinator, an Assessment Specialist, a Developmental Guidance Coordinator, and a Vocational Counselor. They all assist students and offer every opportunity for optimal performance and academic success.

SOAR: All institutions that participate in the Carl D. Perkins grant are required to participate in the Program of Study, also known as SOAR.

Mission of SOAR: The mission of SOAR (Students Occupationally and Academically Ready) is to prepare students for college and careers in a diverse, high-performing workforce.

What is SOAR? SOAR is built on programs of study which incorporate secondary education and postsecondary education elements and include coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant career and technical content. These career and technical programs of study include a statewide articulation agreement partnership between secondary schools and postsecondary institutions.

SOAR Supports High Demand Careers: SOAR programs prepare today’s student for High Priority Occupations (HPO) which include career categories that are in high demand by employers, have higher skill needs, and are most likely to provide family sustaining wages.

Benefits of SOAR

Saving money on college tuition
Saving time by shortening college attendance
Getting on the right career pathway
Entering the job market ready
Getting a consistent education

Frameworks of SOAR
All Program of Study students entering MNE from a CTE institution must complete the following:

Secondary Components

Validated competency lists align to PA academic standards
Articulation to postsecondary institutions
PDE/BCTE Career and Technical education program approval
End of program assessment
Industry certification alignment, if appropriate

Postsecondary Components

Articulation to secondary Programs
Validated Core common competency lists
Alignment to college standards
Approved career and technical education program(s)
End of program assessment
Industry certification alignment, if appropriate

One of the reasons a student chooses Mercyhurst North East is to begin or advance his or her career. The Career Center was established to assist students in reaching their professional goals. Whether a student would like to explore career options, secure an internship, or begin the job search process, the Career Center can provide tools and guidance to help.