PORT ALLEGANY — Leadership McKean hosted its Session 5: Education event at Seneca Highlands Career & Technical Center in Port Allegany.

Leadership McKean is an exclusive professional opportunity designed for those who want to help facilitate a path to a brighter future for McKean County residents. Sessions are held monthly from October through June. Locations of sessions vary and are held throughout McKean County.

During the Leadership McKean session at the SHCTC, the group had the opportunity to take a tour throughout the training center and the 10 different shops available.

There were several panels which provided discussion throughout the day. These panels included an Early Learning Panel, K-12 Panel with Administration and School Board Officials, a panel of students from each of the shops who answered questions relating to their individual shops, future goals and more, and finally there was a Post-Secondary Education Panel.

The Culinary Department provided refreshments to the group throughout the day. A decadent lunch was provided and served by the culinary students and Chef Paul Farmelo.

Aimed at training and nurturing emerging leaders from throughout the county, the non-profit Leadership McKean program is developed through collaboration among professionals engaged in leadership in business and industry, education and human services.

The mission of Leadership McKean is to develop informed and involved leaders through a comprehensive county-wide development program. The learning objectives of this session include identifying resources that support early childhood education, summarize the K-12 education system’s programs and administrative structure, and to describe the region’s post-secondary education system.