Candi Hand, Director of Testing Services for the Potter County Education Council (PCEC), was recognized today by Pearson VUE, as a Top Testing Administrator for Pearson VUE testing centers as part of the PVTC Virtual Summit 2022. Candi was the only test administrator in the United States to win the award. Two other individuals received this award including one person from Lagos, Nigeria and one from Metro Manila in The Philippines. All of the winners will be receiving a trophy, a certificate of achievement and a two-hundred dollar gift card.

PCEC is part of “…the worldwide network of Pearson VUE test centers… that deliver high-stakes exams empowering professions to certify and license individuals who safeguard and advance their communities across the globe.” (https://home.pearsonvue.com)

Candi is a 15-year employee of PCEC and has been administering exams for Pearson VUE since July of 2011 at both PCEC office locations in Coudersport and Port Allegany. Candi was nominated for the award by PCEC’s Executive Director, Dr. Michele Moore. In her nomination of Candi, Dr. Moore highlighted that Candi consistently goes “above and beyond” in both her interactions with testers and her adherence with Pearson Vue administrative procedures for exams. Candi always greets testers in a friendly way that puts them at ease in what can be a very stressful situation. She is extremely thorough in reviewing the required testing procedures with each examiner and before each individual leaves the site, she provides them with words of encouragement about their testing results. Throughout the recent pandemic, when testing was allowed to occur, Candi followed all the necessary protocols to ensure that the safety of the testers was a top priority.

Dr. Moore provided another example of Candi’s commitment to going “above and beyond” in her test administrator role by changing her work schedule to accommodate a tester. These examples demonstrate Candi’s commitment to assisting individuals with their testing needs and her dedication to her role as a testing administrator.

The Education Council would like to congratulate Candi on this outstanding achievement and thank her for all the ways she contributes to PCEC’s mission of assisting regional residents in their pursuit of lifelong learning opportunities.

Congratulations, Candi!

If you are born and raised in Northern Pennsylvania, you know very well that not all rural areas are the same. While traveling Route 6 from Galeton to Kane, one can discover a variety of communities.

This is evident in many places, and can be most prominent on main street. Main street is the epicenter of a greater community that may extend for miles, and it represents the ambitions and needs of the residents that gather and share resources. The types of businesses, parks, organizations, and events indicate what the community values.

Researchers have discovered three variable traits that are common in rural communities (Ricketts):

1. 1. A Sense of Community: Do you feel like people matter within your community? A rural community’s “sense of community” can range from members feeling somewhat isolated (weak) to feeling like valuable members of the group (strong). A strong sense of community comes from a group of people who feel like they matter to each other, and they trust that their needs will be met through their commitment to that group.
   2. Community Leadership: Where are your local leaders focused? Strong servant leaders are authentic individuals who value and develop people, build community, and provide and share leadership. A community’s leaders can range from self-interested (weak) to committed servant leaders (strong).
   3. Social Capital: How much value do your community members place on relationships? A community’s social capital is seen in its goals and actions. This ranges from being focused on specific interests (low social capital) to being focused on the “greater good” of the community (high social capital).

Since each of these traits exists in a given community at different levels, they contribute to the community’s unique personality.

A community with a strong “sense of community” that puts a lot of value in relationships (social capital) is more likely to produce dedicated community leaders.

A community with a weak “sense of community” that places little value in relationships may produce leaders that are focused on their own agendas.

There are more elements that make up a community’s personality, such as the age of their population or types of major industries, and it comes down to this:

“Communities that are creative, entrepreneurial, and committed to building a shared vision and consensus are found to be better prepared to address community needs.” - Kristina Ricketts

This is how communities thrive long into the future.

Have you recognized an educational need in your community?

The Education Council is dedicated to identifying needs in McKean and Potter County communities, establishing relationships with key partners, and facilitating solutions to meet those needs. These include higher education, workforce development, small business training, personal enrichment, and more.

Contact us today to discover the possibilities.

North Pennsylvania is well-known for its meandering roads, rolling fields, and vibrant forests. The vast landscape is dotted with the occasional small town, offering resources and gathering places for rural residents.

A cursory glance of the region may lead a traveler to think it is all the same. Close-knit communities built on the lumber industry, connected by a network of two-lane roads. A steady scene of forests and farms where one corn field does not seem to distinguish itself from the next.

Long-term residents know otherwise.

Stretched across McKean and Potter counties are many towns with unique personalities and goals. These rural communities are not defined by the boundaries of a single town. Some encompass multiple boroughs and vast areas of countryside and all have similar characteristics, but they are not the same.

In fact, on average, today’s rural communities differ more from each other than urban areas. 

Our communities in north Pennsylvania are also facing a variety of issues. All of these differences between communities means a simple “one size fits all” approach to solving problems will not be effective.

Two major issues are defined by a community’s current phase of growth. Rural communities are either facing:

• • a phase of decline, such as loss of an industry or farming, resulting in dwindling populations that struggle to support a community; or

• • a phase of growth, resulting in a need to protect the surrounding environment and preserve the local culture.

Since each of our communities have unique goals and are facing unique challenges, there is a great need for local leaders to step forward. This need for local community leaders encompasses and surpasses those in elected positions. 

We need individuals in local organizations and industries who will take action and collaborate with elected officials to identify issues and develop creative solutions. That is just the beginning.

“Positioning a community for a viable future does not mean just solving complex problems and planning for successful social change; it also means aspects such as increasing individual well-being, motivating community members towards developing social capital, and sustaining a community’s unique culture.” (Ricketts)

The future of our rural communities in Northern Pennsylvania relies on the action of local leaders who can work together for the greater good. 

Are you interested in becoming a local leader in Potter County?

Contact us today to discover Leadership Potter County and more ways you can get involved.

In the early 1800s, the lumber industry was the main attraction convincing settlers and laborers to venture into the wild frontier of our own North Central Pennsylvania. The Lumber Heritage Region of Pennsylvania shares how the lumber industry is still going strong in our region in 2021.

Today, opportunity has grown in many other areas. Healthcare, Manufacturing, and Retail trade are now reported to be the largest industries in both McKean and Potter counties.

Each year, the PA Department of Labor and Industry provides reports on High Priority Occupations throughout our state. We pulled a few "Top 5" stats in demand, growth and average pay from the North Central PA numbers to capture a glimpse of what is going on in our local industries.

While architecture is not a major occupation in North Central PA, relative to it's small size, it is growing significantly with an average demand of 3 positions each year. 

Overall, it is clear how the healthcare industry is growing rapidly in our region.

Looking forward... Revitalization efforts, a low cost of living, and developing broadband access in North Central Pennsylvania has captured the interest of many. Remote employees and larger companies now see Potter and McKean counties as a viable location to live, work, and thrive.

The Potter County Education Council connects Potter and McKean county residents with opportunities in higher education, workforce training, small business support, high school career development, and more.

For more information on how we can help you achieve your goals, contact us today!