Affording the Future: Caleb Zack’s Journey with Westmoreland

For Caleb Zack, college wasn’t just about choosing a major—it was about choosing a path that wouldn’t lead to overwhelming debt.

Caleb grew up understanding the importance of making smart financial decisions. After graduating from Homer-Center Jr./Sr. High School in 2022, he knew that pursuing higher education would be a challenge without family financial support.

That’s where Westmoreland County Community College made all the difference.

“Affordability was absolutely a major factor when choosing where to continue my education,” Caleb said. “My parents weren’t in a position to help with college costs. WCCC offered me a way forward without putting my future on hold.”

By enrolling at Westmoreland, Caleb reduced his tuition expenses by more than 50% compared to other universities he considered. That savings didn’t just go toward textbooks and tuition—it empowered him to work part-time, contribute to family expenses when needed, and save for the next step in his journey: transferring to a four-year university to earn his bachelor’s degree in history.

And he didn’t just survive—he thrived.

Thanks to scholarships like the Trustees’ Meritorious Scholarship, PA Ready to Succeed Scholarship, and the Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship, Caleb was able to extend his time at Westmoreland by an extra semester to take even more transferable credits—saving him even more in the long run.

“I never expected that kind of support,” Caleb shared. “It’s helped ease so much of the stress around college and allowed me to focus on my goals.”

Those goals include transferring to a Pennsylvania state university and pursuing a minor in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology or Parks and Recreation Management—all part of his dream to work for the National Park Service.

As a Student Ambassador at Westmoreland, Caleb has also built leadership, communication, and teamwork skills that will carry him far beyond the classroom.

“WCCC wasn’t just a smart financial decision—it was the right environment for me to grow,” he said. “The affordability opened doors I didn’t think were possible.”

For students like Caleb, Westmoreland isn’t just where college starts—it’s where possibilities begin.