Pennsylvania College of Technology is ranked as one of the nation’s top producers of associate degrees in an annual listing compiled by Community College Week, an independent source of in-depth information for and about two-year college programs.

Penn College ranks as high as second in the nation for specific areas of study, earning a second-place ranking in the category of Engineering Technologies/Technicians, third place in Precision Production, and ninth place in Natural Resources & Conservation. Other categories in which Penn College appears are Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies (18); Agriculture, Agricultural Operations & Related Sciences (46); and All Disciplines Non-Minority (79).

Nearly 54 percent of students at Penn College a special mission affiliate of Penn State, committed to applied technology education are enrolled in associate-degree or certificate programs. Penn College expanded its offerings to include four-year, Bachelor of Science degrees in 1991.

President Davie Jane Gilmour said: “It is rewarding for us to be recognized as among the national leaders in these important programs. Two-year degrees and certificates are a foundation upon which men and women develop strong careers and earn family-sustaining wages. They provide business and industry with a skilled workforce and help maintain a vital economy.”

She also noted that many Penn College students and transfer students who have earned two-year degrees appreciate the opportunity to continue education in order to achieve advancement in their fields.

“Our unique bachelor-degree programs build on a foundation that begins in two-year programs,” the president said. “Years three and four give students the opportunity to develop skills to help them advance into management and supervisory-level positions. They can take their career to another level.”

The complete rankings can be found online . The listing is based upon the number of degrees and certificates awarded by two- and four-year colleges during the 2008-09 academic year.

More information on Penn College programs is available on the Web , by e-mailing or by calling toll-free 800-367-9222.