A professional learning initiative for adults to learn, grow, and advance
by Catherine Stroh
Cedar Crest College (100 College Dr, Allentown, PA 18104) proudly announces the launch of Advance at Cedar Crest, a new professional learning initiative built for working professionals, career starters, career changers, and employer partners across the Lehigh Valley and beyond to respond to today’s evolving workforce demands. Advance delivers unique, short-term, skills-focused training aligned directly with high priority occupations.
Advance at Cedar Crest builds on the College’s long history of expertly serving working professionals, reimagined for a labor market shaped by rapid technological change, healthcare transformation, and evolving business needs. Designed specifically for working professionals, Advance is on-demand learning: short-term, flexible, online, and modular training to accommodate any schedule. Whether individuals are looking to reskill, upskill, or prepare for a new career path, Advance’s courses in high-demand fields including Business, Healthcare, and Technology provide immediate workplace value while creating pathways for continued advancement.
“At Cedar Crest, we believe leadership is cultivated over a lifetime. Advance at Cedar Crest reflects our deep commitment to meeting learners where they are-whether they are just beginning their journey, seeking new skills, or pivoting toward new opportunities. By responding thoughtfully to the workforce priorities of the Lehigh Valley, we are creating pathways that honor our historic mission while equipping today’s professionals for tomorrow’s challenges,” says President Elizabeth M. Meade.
Amid rapid economic growth across the Lehigh Valley, employers face rising competition for talent, with 89% reporting difficulty recruiting and retaining skilled workers (2022 Lehigh Valley Talent Study). Advance at Cedar Crest was launched to strengthen the region’s talent pipeline and provide professionals with flexible pathways to advance their careers in a thriving economy.
Courses Intentionally Aligned with Regional Workforce Demands
Advance at Cedar Crest offers courses organized around three focused pathways, building employer-valued skills that translate directly into workplace impact across regionally in-demand fields:
Business
The Business pathway builds practical skills in operations, accounting, project coordination, marketing, and entrepreneurship-preparing learners for workforce entry or advancement into supervisory and analytical roles. Courses include Business Foundations, Business Process Improvement, Financial Analysis, and more.
Healthcare
Responding to one of the region’s largest and fastest-growing employment sectors, the Healthcare pathway prepares learners for roles in hospitals, clinics, and community care with emphasis in administrative, clinical-support, and health services management skills. Courses include Mental Health Support, Medical Front Office Administration, Medical Billing & Coding, and more.
Technology
The Technology pathway develops essential digital and IT skills-from technical support to cybersecurity and data-informed decision-making-equipping professionals for today’s technology-driven workplaces. Courses include Cybersecurity, Data Analytics & Business Intelligence, Cloud Computing, and more.
The initiative also provides customized, flexible employer training and select Spanish-language programming to expand access and reduce barriers, reflecting Cedar Crest College’s commitment to inclusive, high-quality, personalized learning.
Whether individuals are looking to acquire skills quickly or over a longer period, Cedar Crest is here every step of the way.
Advance at Cedar Crest is enrolling now.
For more information, visit cedarcrest.edu/advance.