WARREN — Spring 2020 will mark the first term of Northern Pennsylvania Regional College’s independent operation.

NPRC received authorization from the Pennsylvania Department of Education to grant Associate degrees and certificates in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in May 2019. Since receiving authorization, NPRC has begun taking steps to separate from its partner institution, Gannon University, in a way that will provide the best transition for all students.

Working with a higher education partner was a requirement of NPRC’s legislation. Founding President Joseph Nairn shared that this separation was always part of the plan once NPRC received their authorization to grant degrees and certificates. Independent operation is a requirement for eligibility to pursue regional accreditation. Nairn continued, “Gannon has been a great partner to work with and their service to NPRC and our students has been invaluable.”

Through this transition, NPRC’s admissions team is working closely with Gannon to ensure all currently enrolled students with NPRC are knowledgeable about what this transition means, why it is happening, and new information or processes that are a result of it.

Enrollment opened for students in October and a new online application was made available at that time. NPRC sent out the first official acceptance letters as an independent institution for Spring 2020 applicants on Oct. 17. The Spring term begins Jan. 22.

Northern Pennsylvania Regional College is pursuing regional accreditation.