PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As
part of its continued efforts to eliminate roadblocks to a college
degree for non-traditional learners, Peirce College, a 152-year-old
Philadelphia non-profit higher
education institution for working adults, has become the first
Philadelphia-area college to
partner with Comcast to offer low-cost Internet service and access
to affordable computers to its students through the Internet
Essentials program.
Launched in 2011 to bridge the digital divide by offering
low-cost Internet access, affordable computers and free digital
literacy training, Philadelphia-based Comcast has expanded the
program to include Peirce as a regional
partner, increasing access and ease of enrollment for Peirce students across all income levels.
As digital access has presented an obstacle to enrollment and
graduation for many, this partnership will ensure the College's
working adult learners have the tools they need to successfully
complete their degree and prepare them to navigate work
environments that are increasingly becoming more technologically
advanced.
"Together, Peirce and Comcast are
equipping our students with the support they need to succeed
academically, professionally and personally," said Peirce College President and CEO James J. Mergiotti. "This partnership will
eliminate many of the barriers to advancement experienced by our
students and their families, allowing them to earn their degree,
build their careers and support their families for generations to
come."
In alignment with the college's two-generation approach to
education and workforce development, the in-home computer and
Internet service provided by the program will also help bridge the
digital divide for students' children and other family members.
"Peirce College is a leader in
providing adult learners with the skills they need to achieve their
goals and pursue rewarding careers," said Tom Karinshak, Executive Vice President of
Customer Service for Comcast Cable and Peirce
College Trustee. "By offering a low-cost Internet connection
and computer, Internet Essentials will empower Peirce students to access educational resources not
just at school but also at home. Students need support at every
level of their education, and this collaboration highlights our
commitment to providing them the resources they need throughout
their journey."
Since its inception, more than 4 million people have benefited
from the Comcast Internet Essentials program. Comcast is also
running a pilot program for community college students in
Colorado and Illinois.
To be eligible, participants must be currently enrolled in
Peirce classes and live within the
Comcast footprint. The program includes 15/2 Mbps Internet for
$9.95 per month + tax, access to
low-cost computers for $149.99 + tax,
free in-home WiFi, and 40 hours of access to Xfinity WiFi hotspots
per month.
Enrollment in Comcast Internet Essentials is available now for
all current Peirce students. More
information about the partnership is available by contacting Uva
Coles, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Strategic
Partnerships, at uccoles@peirce.edu.
About Peirce College
Founded in 1865,
Peirce College has been providing
working adults with affordable education, flexible classes, and
personalized support for more than 150 years. Peirce offers bachelor and associate degree
programs in the areas of Business, Healthcare, Information
Technology, and Legal Studies, and Master of Science degrees in
Healthcare Administration and Organizational Leadership &
Management. Located in the heart of Philadelphia, Peirce is a non-profit institution that specializes
in serving the unique needs of working adults through both online
and on campus education. In 2015, Peirce took life-friendly learning and degree
attainment to the next level with the creation of Peirce FitĀ®, a
revolutionary learning format that allows students to choose each
week whether to attend class in person or online. Through
competency-based education in Peirce's
IT program, students may also choose a faster, more affordable path
to a degree. Peirce College is
accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education,
3624 Market St. Philadelphia, PA
19104 (267-284-5000). Additionally, select programs are accredited
by The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, the
American Bar Association and the Commission on Accreditation for
Health Informatics and Information Management Education.
For more information about Peirce
College, call 888.467.3472, or visit www.Peirce.edu. Visit
Peirce's blog, Peirce Connections, at
http://blog.Peirce.edu. Become a fan of Peirce College on Facebook.
Follow @PeirceCollege on Twitter. View the Peirce College YouTube Channel.
About Internet Essentials
Internet Essentials
from Comcast is the nation's largest and most comprehensive
high-speed Internet adoption program for low-income
Americans. It provides low-cost high-speed Internet service
for $9.95 a month plus tax; the
option to purchase an Internet-ready computer for under
$150; and multiple options to access
free digital literacy training in print, online and in
person. For more information, or to apply for the program,
visit www.InternetEssentials.com or call 1-855-846-8376.
Spanish-only speakers should call 1-855-765-6995.
About Comcast
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq:
CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with two primary
businesses, Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is one of
the nation's largest video, high-speed internet, and phone
providers to residential customers under the XFINITY brand, and
also provides these services to businesses. It also provides
wireless and security and automation services to residential
customers under the XFINITY brand. NBCUniversal operates news,
entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo
broadcast networks, television production operations, television
station groups, Universal Pictures and Universal Parks and Resorts.
Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.
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SOURCE Peirce College