About NPRC

Bringing high-quality post-secondary education to your community

Our Approach

Northern Pennsylvania Regional College does not operate as a traditional campus-based college, nor are we an online college. Community locations are utilized to deliver class instruction at multiple sites across the region and are brought together via live interactive video technology

We offer dual enrollment, associate degree, and workforce development courses.

Learn more about who we are and how we can help you expand your goals and achieve your dreams!

Our Story

The roots of Northern Pennsylvania Regional College lie in a collaboration between the Education Consortium of the Upper Allegheny (ECUA) and Gannon University. This collaboration served as a pilot program and has been delivering Gannon University courses and degrees through NPRC’s model for more than 3 years. The efforts of the ECUA focused on addressing a need for post-secondary education in rural areas of northern Pennsylvania and finding a solution to deliver open admissions and low cost, high quality community and technical education and training to an area where it has not been accessible before.

Northern Pennsylvania Regional College was established by the Pennsylvania Legislature and approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in May 2017. We are a two-year institution offering associate degrees. We also offer career-focused certificate programs. Like a community college, the programs offered reflect the needs of local business, industry, and service providers. Unlike community colleges, however, NPRC has no county sponsor and does not require a county contribution to its operating budget.

Message from the President

We are glad you are here! As the only public two-year institution serving Northwestern Pennsylvania, we are excited to bring you opportunities to help you realize your potential. NPRC’s live real-time interactive television model focuses on providing you with the academic experiences to move ahead in a career, to a four-year institution, or directly into the workforce. Our affordable model also requires only that you have a high school diploma or equivalent credential such as a GED to begin classes. By being affordable, accessible, and convenient, NPRC eliminates many of the barriers to post-secondary education.

We welcome you as someone who is ready to improve your future and to realize your full potential. We look forward to making the journey with you!

Meet the Staff

Dr. Joseph T. Nairn

Dr. Joseph T. Nairn became the Founding President of Northern Pennsylvania Regional College in July 2017, just two months after the formal establishment of the college by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Dr. Nairn has nearly 40 years of higher education experience in private and public institutions.

Duane Vicini

Mr. Duane Vicini currently serves as the President of the Education Consortium of the Upper Allegheny (ECUA) and as the Chief of Staff for Northern Pennsylvania Regional College. He has been actively involved with and seen NPRC grow from the inception of a higher education pilot program, to Rural Regional College, and now Northern Pennsylvania Regional College. Additionally, he offers more than 30 years’ experience in public education.

Raymond Pring, Jr.

Raymond became the first Vice President of Finance and Administration for Northern Pennsylvania Regional College, after its formal approval on May 25, 2017. He is a Warren native and offers more than 20 years as a practicing attorney in corporate and financial matters.

Jennifer Cummings

Jennifer joined the NPRC team in September of 2017 and was appointed as the Director of Enrollment and Student Success in December 2017. Ms. Cummings has a Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration with 12 years of professional higher education experience.

Lori McNeal

Lori joined the NPRC team in February 2018 as the Executive Assistant. She was born and raised in Warren county and brings 7 years of client service management experience.

Melinda Saunders

Ms. Melinda Saunders joined the faculty and administrative team of NPRC as the College’s first Dean of Curriculum and Instruction in March 2018. Ms. Saunders has more than 20 years of experience providing accessible and affordable quality education to the residents of Appalachia and is excited to share those experiences with NPRC’s service region.

Dr. Debra Teachman

Dr. Teachman became the first Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs for Northern Pennsylvania Regional College on May 30, 2017, just five days after the formal approval to establish the college by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Dr. Teachman has nearly 30 years of professional higher education experience.

Abigail Petrosky

Abigail joined Northern Pennsylvania Regional College in March 2018 from Penn State Fayette. She has two years of professional experience in higher education working in Academic Affairs and Student Success.

Gary Sawtelle

Gary joined the Northern Pennsylvania Regional College in March 2018 as Director of Information Technology. Gary was born and raised in Northwestern PA and has a B.S. in Computer Science from Clarion University. He has over 25 years of educational IT experience in both public and private institutions.

Dr. Aldo Jackson

Dr. Jackson joined Northern Pennsylvania Regional College following more than 20 years as the Director of Erie County Technical School. He has a Ph.D. in Vocational Education, an M.Ed. in Business Education, and a B.S. in Marketing and Distributive Education.

Lisa Pecora

Lisa has been involved with the development team of the Northern Pennsylvania Regional College, formerly the Education Consortium of the Upper Allegheny, for over 10 years. Ms. Pecora has a Master’s of Science in Education, School Counseling. She is a proud native of Bradford, Pennsylvania.

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees of Northern Pennsylvania Regional College are professionals and business people from across Northwestern Pennsylvania dedicated to seeing that education and opportunity are available to all citizens of the region, regardless of location. The Trustees serve to advise and guide the college in meeting its mission of accessibility and affordability. They also provide a critical voice for businesses, industries, government, and community organizations to the college.

Honorable Mary Jo White – Chairman – Oil City, PA
Mr. Ed Pitchford – Vice Chairman – Coudersport, PA
Mrs. Kate Brock – Secretary – St. Marys, PA
Ms. Mary Bula – Erie, PA
Ms. Nancy Decker – Uniontown, PA
Mr. Andy Foyle – Erie, PA
Mrs. Amanda Hetrick – Tionesta, PA
Mr. Robert Kaemmerer – Warren, PA
Mr. Hank LeMeur – Warren, PA
Mr. Greg Mahon – Harrisburg, PA
Dr. Richard McDowell – Bradford, PA
Mr. Douglas Morley – Coudersport, PA
Mrs. Susan Snelick – Ridgway, PA
Mr. Kevin Sprong – Meadville, PA
Mr. Dennis Wilke – Pittsburgh, PA