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Power52 visits PTC Categories: Events

August 4, 2021

Power52 visits PTC

We were excited to welcome Power 52 from Baltimore, MD to the PTC campus July 28-July 30, 2021. Power52 was born under the leadership of Cherie Brooks and Ray Lewis who joined forces after the Baltimore Riots in 2015 to develop a 501(c)3, non-profit foundation that works to train and employ at-risk youth focused in the Clean Energy Industry.

Group photo holding a banner that says for the community by the community

Power52 joined us on campus for two days filled with activities, PTC information and some Pittsburgh fun! On their first day, the group from Power52 was greeted by Rebecca Ramirez, Keith Merlino, Rodney Clark, Eileen Steffan, and Crystal Santiful. Their first stop was a little PTC Magic and the chance to unwind from their trip with ice cream from the PTC Cafe and yard games including corn hole and jumbo Jenga! Afterward, the Power52 youth were engaged in team building games hosted by Mercedes Major and Crystal Santiful. They wrapped up the evening with a viewing of Jumanji 2.

Day 2 was dedicated to learning all about PTC and focusing on our 1…2…3…WOW factors. The Career Development Specialist team delivered a dynamite presentation about PTC’s academic programs, scholarship opportunities and more. The Power52 students toured the campus and visited our state-of-the art labs. Then the team from Academic Affairs hosted Academic Focus Groups giving the students the opportunity to experience what it’s like to learn in the PTC classroom. Their last activity on campus was an “Apply to PTC Workshop ” led by PTC’s Admission Coordinators who assisted the students of the Power52 Foundation with the application process for PTC.

This busy day concluded with a visit to Pittsburgh’s PNC Park for some Major League Baseball action watching The Pirates take on the Milwaukee Brewers. Though the overall visit was short and they departed the following morning, PTC was able to create a well-rounded and informative experience for our new partners and potential students with Power52 Foundation.

students visiting the President's office
Students looking at PTC's awards
exploring the CAD program
Power52 students talking with PTC faculty
students learning about electronics
students exploring the new computer aided drafting lab
Power52 students looking at 3D printed models
PTC giving a tour to Power52 students
Exploring the campus grounds
Power52 students visiting the Energy Tech Center
Exploring the welding lab
Group photo of the Power52 students on their PTC visit
Power52 students enjoying the Pirates game

This partnership creates a pathway from Baltimore to Pittsburgh for the students of the Power52, carrying out their mission to “break the cycle of poverty, unemployment, under employment, and incarceration in our urban communities across the nation through economic empowerment and clean energy access.” Their articulation agreement with PTC allows Power52 students to transfer credits and enroll in one of PTC’s technology-based programs in the schools of Trades Technology or Energy and Electronics Technology. 

The Power52 planning committee, consisting of Dr.Harvey-Smith, Rodney Clark, Rebecca Ramirez, Keith Merlino, Vince Gratteri, Gloria Ritchie, Melissa Gnoth, and Crystal Santiful did a wonderful job planning the two days of adventure at PTC. We are excited to share our PTC Magic with as many individuals and organizations as we can!

Pittsburgh Technical College

With more than 30 programs, Pittsburgh Technical College, a nonprofit institution, prepares students for career success. Degree-seeking students experience internships, clinical rotations, or employer partnerships in capstone projects before they graduate.

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