Central PA HBCU College & Workforce Fair
Thursday, October 3, 2024
9a.m. - 2 p.m.
Central Penn Conference Center
Now reserving tables for HBCU and Workforce Reps.
Register your high school, or register as an HBCU/Workforce Rep or volunteer in the Registration Section.
Giving students of color equitable access to higher education, the trades, and post-graduation professional careers.
Our mission is to expose Central PA students to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and career paths for those who wish to work directly after high school graduation. We aim to champion the brilliance of our Black and Brown students.
Access
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Opportunity
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Success
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Access • Opportunity • Success •
“Thank you to our 2024 sponsors for your valuable investment!”
About Us…
Meet Dorene Wilbur, the Fair’s Founder & Organizer.
Dorene is a former educator of 25 years, finishing her tenure teaching high school in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The idea for the Central PA HBCU College & Workforce Fair was birthed out of personal experience.
In 2017, when Dorene’s eldest daughter began to focus on higher education opportunities geared toward students of color, their long search yielded a lack of options. Seeing a way to bridge this gap, Dorene started the first Black Student Union at her school to introduce her daughter, and other high school students of color, to HBCUs as reputable institutions of higher learning.
Dorene and her family toured a number of HBCUs, resulting in her daughter being accepted to Hampton University in Virginia. This accomplishment, coupled with their experiences of visiting HBCUs, led to the development of the Carlisle Area HBCU College Fair. Read more here.
Meet our HBCU Fair Committee!
Without our dedicated staff who graciously volunteer their time and resources, we would not have had such amazing Fairs over the past two years. We are especially grateful for the meaningful relationships that have been created amongst our committee members, coming together to touch and inspire young lives to pursue greater education goals and career success.
Here’s How You Can Help!
Hosting this educational event is costly, but our team is committed to making this a FREE, yearly opportunity for our students. We rely on community grants, business and individual donations, and in-kind contributions. We welcome your participation in this locally-hosted fair founded by a Carlisle community member, and we thank you in advance!
The YWCA of Carlisle and Cumberland County is graciously collecting our donations. To donate, click the DONATE button, then scroll down to middle of the YWCA website’s home page.
Corporate and small business sponsors really make an impact through contributions of donated lunch/breakfast items, signage, and money. Click the blue DONATE button to help.
If you have any contacts within an HBCU who would be willing to represent their school, we would appreciate the referral! With the increased demand on HBCU reps, we welcome HBCU staff and alum to represent their school at the Fair. Click here if you can help.
We are always in need of volunteers. If you or someone you know would like to volunteer on event day, click here.
If you are willing to donate a cash gift, or would like to sponsor the event individually, click the blue DONATE button. The YWCA of Carlisle and Cumberland County is graciously collecting our donations.
Contact Us
For general inquiries or if you want to contact a member of our staff, leave your email and a message - we will respond within 48 hours.
Leave phone messages at the YWCA of Carlisle: 717-243-3818