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International Guitar Sensations Perform Two Shows in Newtown
Bucks Live! – the series of cultural events at Bucks County Community College that brings world-renowned entertainment to Newtown – proudly presents two March concerts in collaboration with the Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society.
Laura Snowden, a British-French guitarist and composer known for her intense and poised performances, graces the stage of the Zlock Performing Arts Center at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 7. Snowden’s eclectic musical output has ranged from playing guitar solos on Lorne Balfe's soundtrack for the Marvel film “Black Widow,” to performing Lisa Streich’s guitar concerto with the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
Next, The Volterra Project Trio comes to campus at 3 pm. Saturday, March 21. The multinational group reimagines classical guitar trio music, drawing inspiration from European impressionism, Mediterranean folk melodies, and cinematic scores. The trio is comprised of Antigoni Goni from Greece, Luca lsolani from Italy, and Maarten Vandenbemden from Belgium, who together breathe fresh life into the guitar, treating it as a miniature orchestra and exploring its unique sounds, dynamics, and colors.
Reserved seating tickets are only $25, and free for Bucks County Community College students with current student ID. Each concert takes place in the intimate Zlock Performing Arts Center, located on the campus at 275 Swamp Rd., Newtown, Pa., where there is ample free parking. The Zlock Lobby Bar serves drinks and snacks starting 90 minutes before curtain and during intermission. To reserve tickets, visit the Zlock Performing Arts Center ticketing website. For directions and a campus map, visit the Newtown campus web page.
The concerts are part of the Bucks Live! series of innovative programs that entertain, inspire, and enrich Bucks County’s cultural landscape. Take in world-class live music, dance, and theatrical performances close to home and at an affordable price. Explore more opportunities at the Zlock Performing Arts Center.
Public Input Sought on Associate Degree Nursing Program
The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing is hosting a public forum for in-person comment March 25 and accepting written feedback by March 9 Bucks County Community College invites public input as it seeks to continue accreditation for its Associate Degree Nursing Program.
The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) will be visiting the Newtown Campus Tuesday – Thursday, March 24 – 26, as part of the accreditation process.
The visit includes a forum from 2 – 2:45 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25 in Founders Hall Room 140, where the public is invited to share comments about the two-year program that prepares students to become registered nurses.
In addition, the ACEN is gathering written comments that must be received by March 9. To submit, email public-comments@acenursing.org, or mail to:
ATTN: Accreditation ServicesAccreditation Commission for Education in Nursing3390 Peachtree Rd. NE, Suite 1400Atlanta, GA 30326
To learn more about the Associate Degree Nursing Program, visit the program web page, email adnursingdirector@bucks.edu, or call 215-968-8353.
Bucks County Community College is located at 275 Swamp Rd., Newtown, PA 18940. For a campus map and directions, visit the Newtown Campus web page.
BCCC Hosts Third Annual Recovery & Mental Health Resource Fair
With 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. – roughly 59 million to 61 million people – living with a mental illness, Bucks County Community College invites the public to learn more at its third annual Recovery & Mental Health Community Resource Fair on Thursday, March 5.
“The fair provides the opportunity to bridge gaps in awareness, support, and treatment for our college community and for the public,” noted Emily Sexton, the College’s Collegiate Recovery Program Coordinator. “This event is intended to foster a community of hope and reduce stigma so that no one is alone in their journey.”
The free event, which takes place from noon to 2 p.m. in the Rollins Center on the Newtown Campus, features representatives from more than 50 organizations from Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties.
They will share information on a myriad of subjects, including mental health, suicide, gambling, collegiate recovery programs, substance use disorder and recovery, eating disorders, sexual health and wellness, domestic violence, and overall wellness.
New this year are mindfulness demonstrations, comfort dogs, door prizes, and giveaways, Sexton added.
Some of the participating organizations include:
Bucks County Drug and Alcohol Commission
Bucks County Department of Mental Health
PRO-ACT/Southern Bucks Recovery Community Center
Planned Parenthood Keystone/The Rainbow Room
Voice and Vision
NOVA Bucks
A Woman's Place
The Renfrew Center for Eating Disorders
St. Luke’s Penn Foundation
Woods Services
The event is sponsored by the Bucks County Community College Collegiate Recovery Program in collaboration with the Student Life department. It takes place in the Solarium and Gallagher Rooms in the Rollins Center, building No. 11 on the Campus Map. Bucks County Community College is located at 275 Swamp Road, Newtown, PA, where there is ample free parking.
The Collegiate Recovery Program (CRP) at Bucks County Community College supports students in recovery and students affected by someone else's addiction. The Bucks CRP is a member of the Association of Recovery in Higher Education (ARHE) and adheres to the recommendations and standards established by ARHE. For more information, contact collegiaterecovery@bucks.edu.
Award-Winning BCCC Floral Design Program Returns to the Philadelphia Flower Show
After a stunning debut in 2025, students are creating a ‘Rooted in Art’ theme for the 2026 show that runs February 28 – March 8 Bucks County Community College’s floral design program returns to the Philadelphia Flower Show February 28 – March 8 after a stunning debut last year, when students took home a silver medal from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
Stemming from the show’s theme of “Rooted: Origins of American Gardening,” the College’s exhibit is called “Rooted in Art,” reflecting BCCC’s origins of being founded on the Newtown estate of artist and educational philanthropist Stella Elkins Tyler.
“’Rooted in Art’ is a celebration of where creativity begins, and how it grows,” said Renee Tucci, a floral design instructor at the College and national president of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD). “It tells a story deeply rooted in the vision of Stella Elkins Tyler. Her lifelong love of art, and her unwavering dedication to education, helped shape the rich and diverse creative programs that thrive at Bucks today. She is the root from which it all began.”
The exhibit features seven original floral designs, each interpreting the connection between nature, art, and education, alongside six selected student works from the College’s School of Arts and Communication.
“These pieces — representing ceramic, jewelry, woodworking, photography, and drawing — highlight the collaborative spirit and cross-disciplinary creativity that define the Bucks community,” Tucci noted. “A highlight of the exhibit will be a bronze sculpture of Joan of Arc, created by Tyler herself.”
Lead floral design students taking part are: Amparito Arriaga, CFD (Certified Floral Designer); Isabelle Kondel, Karen Kuyper, Jennifer O’Donnell, CFD; Lauren O’Leary; mother-daughter duo Els Poff, CFD and Melanie Poff, CFD; Mary Rigau, Maria Salinas, Melinda Spink, and Linda Weinberger, CFD.
Art students whose works are featured in the exhibit are: Mason Chase, Payton Ferri, Crystal Grey, Layne Griffaton, Scott Menin, and Sofiya Vasyutinskaya.
Additionally, several students and instructors from the program will be featured on the 6ABC show “FYI Philly” on Saturday, February 28, as part of its Philadelphia Flower Show segment. The special feature will give viewers an inside look at the creative process behind the production and installation of the "Rooted in Art” exhibit.
The BCCC Floral Design program, which offers both certificate and degree options, provides students with hands-on experience and a solid foundation in the art of floristry. As an Educational Partner with the AIFD, the program equips students with the skills necessary to pursue careers in event design, floral retail, and more. Students have the opportunity to become a Certified Floral Designer (CFD) by completing the comprehensive curriculum. For more information, visit the Floral Design Certificate Program web page.
BCCC Celebrates Milestone of 600 Graduates from Industrial Skills Pre-Apprentice
Officials at Bucks County Community College proudly celebrate a major milestone as the College’s Center for Workforce Development surpasses 600 graduates from its industrial skills pre-apprenticeship programs. Launched in 2014, the Metalwork Pre-Apprenticeship program served as the foundation for the Center’s continued growth, leading to the addition of Industrial Maintenance Pre-Apprenticeship in 2016 and the Building and Construction Trades Pre-Apprenticeship in 2023. Together, these programs have prepared hundreds of students with the skills needed to succeed in high-demand industries across the region.
Since starting in 2014, students in the industrial skills pre-apprenticeships have sustained a 94% graduation rate, participated in the programs free of charge, and benefitted from a 90% placement rate in lucrative manufacturing careers. Bucks has partnered with various local, state and federal agencies to sustain these pre-apprenticeships and launch new ones. The Metalwork and Industrial Maintenance Pre-Apprenticeships are supported by a $2 million award from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
“The U.S. Department of Energy workforce training grant supports our collective efforts to prepare the next generation of skilled workers,” said Bucks County Community College President & CEO Patrick M. Jones. We’re thrilled to be able to offer the education and training necessary for area residents to launch their manufacturing careers with good-paying jobs in high-demand fields.”
Now in the second year of the three-year award, the U.S. Department of Energy award will afford Bucks’ Center for Workforce Development the opportunity to continue the Metalwork and Industrial Maintenance Pre-Apprenticeships serving an additional 100 students. Students will receive intensive career training with one-on-one job placement services ensuring that they secure a high-paying career or apprenticeship upon graduation. This one-on-one approach is a cornerstone of the Center for Workforce Development and crucial in sustaining a 90% placement rate.
Graduates of Bucks’ Metalwork and Industrial Maintenance Pre-Apprenticeship programs receive a Bucks County Community College Certificate of Completion, a State Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate, OSHA10 and Forklift Safety certifications. Graduates of the Metalwork Program complete the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) assessment, with students historically earning a 97% pass rate — underscoring the strength and quality of the program. In addition, graduates of both training programs earn 12 academic credits toward an associate of applied science degree in Business or Engineering Technology which can help them move into higher-level manufacturing roles as they continue their education.
Both pre-apprenticeships are 288 hours, taught by industry experts and held Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. in the College’s Center for Advanced Technologies (CAT) facility on the Epstein Campus at Lower Bucks in Bristol, Pa. The CAT is a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility offering job seekers access to high-quality career training programs.
Information Sessions
The next cohorts of the Metalwork and Industrial Maintenance Pre-Apprenticeship programs will begin on April 13, 2026. Job seekers interested in learning more about these free training programs (valued at $6,500) must attend an information session in either February or March. For information session dates and to register, please visit the Metalwork and Industrial Maintenance Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program web pages.
For more information, contact Associate Vice President for Workforce Development Susan Herring at 267-685-4827 or cwdinquiry@bucks.edu.
Three Poets Laureate Gather for Wordsmiths Reading Series at BCCC
The Wordsmiths Reading Series at Bucks County Community College proudly presents three former Bucks County Poets Laureate who will read from their latest published works at 7:30 p.m. Friday, February 27, on the Newtown Campus.
Joseph Chelius, who was named Bucks County Poet Laureate in 2000, will be joined by 1983 Poet Laureate W.D. Ehrhart and 2020 Poet Laureate Jane Edna Mohler. The reading, which is free and open to the public, takes place in room 142 of historic Tyler Hall.
About Joseph Chelius
Joseph Chelius is the author of “Playing Fields” (2025) and four previous collections of poems: “Taking Pitches” and “Row House Yards” (Pudding House Chapbook Series, 2006 and 2011), and “The Art of Acquiescence” and “Crossing State Lines” (WordTech Communications, 2014 and 2020). In addition to being named Bucks County Poet Laureate in 2000, he was the first-place winner of the inaugural short fiction contest at Bucks County Community College.
His work appears in Cider Press Review, Commonweal, Poet Lore, Poetry East, Rattle, THINK, and other journals. A semi-retired editor and editorial director in the healthcare communications industry, Chelius and his wife have two grown children and have lived in Bucks County for 32 years.
About W.D. Ehrhart
W. D. Ehrhart, the 1983 Bucks County Poet Laureate, is a Vietnam War veteran, a dedicated anti-war activist, and author of the memoir “Vietnam-Perkasie,” among other books. He’s also a regular contributor of nonfiction articles to Current Affairs, and is the first poet to be published in its pages. His new poetry collection, “Smart Fish Don’t Bite,” is available from Moonstone Press.
Ehrhart’s poems present straightforward, candid portrayals of experience. He has written about the Vietnam War, but subjects also include encounters with friends and family, and observations of the world around him — for instance, the death of a friend, memories of his grandmother, and his urban Philadelphia neighborhood. He has cited his wife and daughter as influences on his writing.
About Jane Edna Mohler
Jane Edna Mohler is the 2020 Bucks County Poet Laureate and winner of the 2016 Main Street Voices prize. Recent publications include “Gargoyle” and “One Art.” Her collections, “Broken Umbrellas” (2019) and “Autumn Clears” (2025), were both published by Kelsay Books. Mohler is poetry editor of the Schuylkill Valley Journal. She is also an American traditional rug hooker and a devoted gardener.
Another Wordsmiths Reading in April
A USA TODAY best-selling novelist rounds out the spring Wordsmiths Reading Series when Jamie Brenner reads from her works at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16. Her novels include “The Forever Summer,” “Blush,” and the forthcoming trilogy “Blue Angel.” After raising two daughters in New York City, Brenner now lives in Bucks County — the inspiration for her recent novel “The Weekend Crashers.“
The Wordsmiths Reading Series is another way that Bucks County Community College connects the community with the region’s vibrant literary heritage. The series, which is free and open to the public, is funded by the College’s Cultural Affairs Committee. To learn more, visit the Wordsmiths Reading Series webpage or contact the School of Language & Literature at langandlit@bucks.edu or 215-968-8150.
Bucks County Community College’s Newtown Campus is located at 275 Swamp Rd., Newtown, Pa., 18940, where there is ample free parking. For a campus map and directions, visit the Newtown campus webpage.
