DOWNINGTOWN – Chester County families gathered at United Sports in Downingtown on Monday, October 14, to attend the annual Chester County College Fair, organized by the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) and sponsored by CCRES Educational and Behavioral Health Services. The event drew over 900 attendees and featured representatives from over 130 postsecondary institutions.
“The annual Chester County College Fair offers local students access to a diverse range of colleges, with many institutions from our region as well as schools from across the United States and even Europe. It features a wide variety of options, including two-year community colleges, military programs, nursing schools, trade schools, and more, providing a one-stop shop for exploring higher education opportunities,” said Jay Della Ragione, special events coordinator for the CCIU. “With college visitation season approaching, this event empowers students to map out their school tours and speak with representatives, many of whom are alumni who can provide first-hand insights into their schools.”
This year’s fair offered a comprehensive range of options for high school students to explore with their families, from educational endeavors to pathways for special education support.
A unique element of this year’s event was the Transitioning Beyond High School early hour program. Open to students with disabilities and their families, this program gave attendees the opportunity to learn about inclusive higher education programs, how to access disability supports, and have individualized conversations with university representatives.
“The Transitioning Beyond High School early hour session provided the opportunity for one-on-one conversations and resource-sharing[JH1] relevant to postsecondary options for individuals with special needs,” said Meaghan Stolnis, training and consultation specialist for the CCIU.
“This session was especially important as the transition to postsecondary education can be overwhelming. We were so pleased with the turnout and found the event to be meaningful for all in attendance,” added Kathleen Eckinger, a CCIU training and consultation specialist who worked alongside Stolnis to coordinate the early hour program.
Attendees to the early hour session and college fair were able to tour their options from coast to coast in one evening and talk to representatives about admissions requirements, academic offerings, financial aid, extracurricular activities, and campus life.
“This event broadened my son’s horizons and mine. There are a lot of schools that we weren’t aware of and I think he talked to some schools that he might be interested in visiting,” said attendee Maria Bednart.
Bednart explored the Chester County College Fair with her son, Ronnie, who stated, “This event singled-handedly doubled my prospective college list… maybe even tripled it!”
Others echoed the sentiment. Attendee Jackie Mavrelos, gifted education teacher and mother of student Kolton, emphasized the number of schools and the enthusiasm of the representatives. When asked if she would recommend the event to high school students, she nodded and explained, “I think this is a great opportunity for them to not only learn about schools but also practice networking skills, interact with new people, and find out what their interests are and what they want to look for in a school.”
The event provided a wealth of information to local families, igniting curiosity and ambition in the high school students who were able to speak with many different school representatives in just a couple of hours. With its diverse representation of institutions and engaging atmosphere, the annual fair once again proved to be an invaluable resource for students navigating the complex landscape of college selection, empowering them to make informed decisions about their educational future.
Local participating colleges and universities included Bryn Mawr College, Delaware County Community College, Immaculata University, Moore College of Art & Design, Montgomery County Community College, Rosemont College, St. Joseph’s University, Valley Forge Military College, and West Chester University.
Participating out-of-state institutions included Alabama A&M University, Binghamton University, Christopher Newport University, Flagler College, Hofstra University, Miami University, Roanoke College, Towson University, and University of New Hampshire.
The Chester County College Fair is organized by the CCIU on behalf of Chester County students and their families. For more information about the Chester County College Fair and other CCIU special events, please contact Jay Della Ragione at [email protected] or call 484-237-5053.
