(Butler, PA) Tricia Pritchard, a faculty member at Butler County Community College, was discussing with BC3 President Dr. Nick Neupauer her interest becoming director of community employment development for the Butler County Growth Collaborative’s empowerment initiative.
“What do you think about this job?” Neupauer asked.
After a search process, Pritchard was selected to lead a Butler County Growth Collaborative initiative intended to address a workforce shortage by providing training to residents who face barriers to employment and by creating a countywide culture of empowerment.
“I already feel like I am doing it,” said Pritchard, of Center Township. “But this will allow me an opportunity to do it in a more formal way and with greater resources.”
Pritchard has served the community by volunteering for organizations such as the Center for Community Resources, the Western Pennsylvania chapter of the Twilight Wish Foundation, the Butler County Area Vocational-Technical School, Butler County Family YMCA and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County.
Pritchard has taught speech, intercultural communication and public relations to students at BC3 since 2008, and courses for the college’s Workforce Development business training department since 2017.
“In my day-to-day life, whether it was in the classroom or my volunteer work in the community, I’m learning about people and what they do, and why they do what they do."
Tricia Pritchard, director of community employment development, Butler County Growth Collaborative empowerment initiative
She has conducted as a consultant noncredit communication workshops and training for Butler County addiction recovery centers, automotive dealerships, financial institutions, health care providers, manufacturers, mental health agencies and rehabilitation centers.
“In my day-to-day life, whether it was in the classroom or my volunteer work in the community, I’m learning about people and what they do, and why they do what they do,” Pritchard said. “And sometimes in that conversation I might hear that they have a need. Whether it was a need to tap into other resources in the community or whether it was a need for an employee. Are they looking for a student or an internship?
“So I would just naturally, as part of my personality, try to connect people.”
Pritchard began her new role Monday on a part-time basis and will report to Lisa Campbell, dean of BC3’s Workforce Development division. Pritchard will transition to full time following the conclusion of BC3’s spring semester in May.
Prichard has also taught communications courses at Grove City College and at her alma mater, Duquesne University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in communication studies and a master’s degree in corporate communication.
“An important part of this position is working with various stakeholders and constituencies,” Neupauer said. “Tricia has an academic background in communications, strategic communications and public relations and those, in my opinion, are very important skills for this position.”
Campbell, Mark Gordon and Leslie Osche agreed.
Gordon is chairman of the Butler County Growth Collaborative board and the county’s chief of economic development and planning, and Osche is chair of Butler County commissioners.
“Tricia brings years of networking, community involvement and a sincere understanding of the importance of building relationships to this position,” Campbell said. “These skills, along with her outstanding teaching and communication abilities, made her the right candidate. … Tricia will be working with many diverse audiences from those in social and human services, businesses owners, nonprofit agencies, and of course job-seekers who may have barriers to employment, all to help create an empowered community through this initiative. We are excited to have her join our workforce development team.”
Added Gordon: “I collaborated with Tricia in some of her class networking events, and have tremendous respect for her. I think she is an outstanding educator. She is a person of the utmost integrity, and this quality comes through when she is in a classroom. She shows tremendous joy in seeing the successes of her students. I can only imagine her excitement as she is working with those who face barriers to employment, watching them grow and flourish and turn the corner on their life in a manner that is a game-changer.”
Pritchard, Osche said, exhibits “dynamic leadership skills. The biggest part of that job is being able to earn the respect of the employers, and I think her reputation and communication skills precede her. A lot of people in our business community are familiar with her. I’ve seen her out and about. Her communication skills and familiarity with those in the business community will help her to build trust.”
“I want to take what I am passionate about and what I do with this program, and meet people where they are,” Pritchard said. “And in the process, give them the resources that they need, the support, be a cheerleader. This is a helping job.
“And that’s just literally right up my alley. It’s just how I live my life.”