Newsroom

Archive: May 2024

• New Culinary Scholarship Supports Students Seeking Culinary Arts Careers

  Posted May 28, 2024 at 1:06 pm

  The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation is delighted to introduce a new scholarship opportunity for our community: the Ignite the Fire Culinary Scholarship. This initiative supports students pursuing studies in the College’s Culinary Arts program.

  This is funded through the support of the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation, the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, the 1889 Foundation, and other generous community donors.

  “Current and future Culinary Arts students have a wonderful opportunity,” stated Carole VanMeter, Director of the Foundation. “This scholarship is designed to help students succeed academically and in their careers. In most cases, culinary students can attend Penn Highlands with minimal or no cost.”

  To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must be high school graduates with a minimum GPA of 2.0. Applicants must enroll as a full-time Culinary Arts student at Penn Highlands and have accepted any aid eligible to help pay for a college education.

  Culinary students not meeting eligibility criteria due to a lower credit load (less than 12 enrolled credits) or high school GPA can directly appeal to the College Foundation for exceptions.

  The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation awards scholarships based on the availability of annual funds, at their discretion. Each student’s financial aid amount is decided after carefully reviewing their application, ensuring assistance is tailored to individual needs.

  The Ignite the Fire Culinary Scholarship accompanies the launch of the College’s Center for Culinary Excellence, which officially opened its doors in March of 2024 in downtown Johnstown.

  More Details

• Dean’s List For Spring 2024

  Posted May 23, 2024 at 11:16 am

  Pennsylvania Highlands Community College announces that the following students have made the Dean’s List for the Spring 2024 semester.

  Altoona – Dillon Wayne Donnelly, Nicole L. Fulcomer, Nikki Gunther-Geesaman, Gage Lynn Haselbarth, Evan Himes, Shaylee Jackson, Nichole Marie Kerstetter, Bruce K. Krestar, Kristal Masic, Victoria Paola Neuprine, Michele Elyse Plummer, Taylor Morgan Rickabaugh, Alexander Christian Wilkins

  Alverda– Natalie Linn Pileski

  Bellefonte – Hunter Knisely

  Belleville – Michaela Susan Yoder

  Berlin – Tobias Morgan Craig, Alexander Dively

  Boswell – Bobbi Ann Dragt

  Calvin – Brooke Anne Shee

  Central City – Haily Nicole Wagoner, Sara Sue Watkins

  Conemaugh – Alexis Ann Kane

  Connellsville – Jessica Dawn Frye

  Cresson – Angela Diane Noel, Ian David Rice, Salvatore Tiracave

  Davidsville – Chase Joseph Dinyar, Logan Robert Pitera

  Duncansville – Rylee Paige Boyer, Raechel Collier, Jonathan David Edmundson, McKenzie Lynn Woods

  East Freedom – Macray James Markovich

  Ebensburg – Kaley Storm Fleck, Joseph Thomas Flick, Mary Danielle Gittings, Lauren Elizabeth Kiepert, John Anthony Edward Wolf

  Elton – Bryce Ian Johnson

  Fairhope – Megan Riley Persuhn

  Fallentimber – James Richard Eakins

  Friedens – Jessica Shockey

  Gallitzin – Christiana Mary Rosella Koytek

  Greensboro – Leah Ann Minick

  Hastings – Anna Michele Charney, Carmella Rae Fredo, Holly Jean Leamer, Krista Rose Watt

  Hollidaysburg – Benjamin Patrick Dombrosky, Holland Sterling Johnson, Alexis Paige Ketner, Zachary Hunter Knee, Emily Doris McNutt, Megyn L. Nolan

  Hollsopple – Kristie Byer, Adelyn Nicole Dull, Courtney M. Grimme, Leonela Nichols, Amy C. Roberts

  Homer City – Autumn Sue Montgomery

  Huntingdon – Rebecca Bickle, Dylan Edward Miller, Thomas Allen Reihart, Deanna Alexandra Sorensen

  Hyde – Sean Lee Miller, Peyton William Reasinger

  Indiana – David Charles Croyle, Devin James Croyle, Carla Jean Frederick, Michael John Mundwiler

  James Creek – Lakeesha Gibbons

  Jenners – Joseph B. Hornick, Ben Storoz

  Jerome – Erin Maria Sutton

  Johnstown – Sarah Akoto, Trinity Ashanti Akoto, Evan Joseph Allen, Gabriel Anderson, Nancy Arias, Maria Alejandra Baez, Kaitlyn Marie Baxendale, Noah Christopher Best, Skylar R. Brougher, Ryan Louis Brown, Myra Lianna Bush, Hannah Nichole Cameron, Stephanie Dawn Cassanese, Alyssa Renee Cogley, Linsey E. Dabbs, Hannah Dadura, Molly Margaret Davies, Kyleigh R. Duranko, Kyle Lee Feliciano, Carlyn Gorden, Ryan Arthur Gorden, Christian J. Haberkorn, Connor F. Haberkorn, Nichole Myra Harrity, N’evaeh Maseik Haskins, Alyse Renae Hastie, Gabriel Byron Helsel, Tranise Hill, Kara M. Himes, Riley E. Holsopple, Marcayes E. Hutchins, Matthew James Jasper, Alexa Leasha Kelly, Xenia E. Kobal, Michele Krutch-Paonessa, Sage Nevaeh Lodolinski, Harry Douglas Lonas, Dalton J. Lynch, Emma F. McAfee, Laurell C. McClurkin, Christopher Matthew McKendrick, Elijah James Minahan, Akram Moustafa Moaz, Yolanda Monge, Amanda Nicole Mosorjak, Brice W. Mroczka, Jennafer Lynn Palmer, Brooke Pasquerilla, Justin Pierre-Paul, Seth Macaulay James Plummer, Mackenzie Lynn Quinn, Nicholas Santos Salguero, Dylan Charles Santichen, Julia Nicole Suhayda, Lexington T. Tanaka, Taya L. Thomas, James Vasilko, Jeremie Travis Washington, Emily Elizabeth Weiser, Madelyn S. Wilfong, Kelvin Moises Williams, Charizma Rose Wilson, Evan Joseph Wiseman, Joziah Emanuel Wyatt-Taylor

  Laureldale – Jalimaris Morales

  Lebanon – Taylor Lee Cross

  Lilly – Grant William Bossler

  Loretto – Jaden Conrad, Ryan Joseph Lenz, Kayla Weslager

  Lucerne Mines – Cholena Dunlap

  Manns Choice – Olivia Danielle Miller

  Mapleton Depot – Lilyana F. Hicks

  Martinsburg – Kirsten Elizabeth Ayers, Jarrin Butler, Paikea Croyle

  McVeytown – Kaitlyn Walk

  Meyersdale – Paige Elizabeth Beal, Samuel Robert Hughes, Hailey Paige Secrest, Keira Nikol Younkin

  Mineral Point – Christopher Evans, Elliot Michael Knepper, Allie Anne Polchito, Alyssa Mae Primel

  Nanty Glo – Kylee Lynn McMullen

  New Enterprise – Ashley E. Kichman

  New Florence – Skye Alexis Cramer, Megan Deann Rougeaux

  New Paris – Lauryn Elizabeth Calhoun

  Newry – Travis John Molliver

  Northern Cambria – Ariana Bush, Olivia Ann Cavallo, Carly Despoy, Serenity Lorraine Pala, Alexandra Elizabeth Rummell, Joshua Robert Walters

  Osterburg – Nickie Sue VanPelt

  Patton – Paige Ann-Marie Jones, Skylar Marie Kovac, Charlene Miko

  Petersburg – Hannah Marie Detterline

  Portage – Olivia Ann Burk, Sara Mary Gearhart, Jessica Dawn Karstetter, Anissa Lynn Rosemas

  Revloc – Cynthia Estelle Dotson, Marah June Ketchock

  Roaring Spring – Payden Joseph Imler-Knisely, Paul R. Rhodes

  Rockwood – Alexander Sheldon Benford, Mary Jane Hudson, Joscelin Marie Revello

  Saint Michael – James Barber

  Salix – Shaylan Lee Liebig

  Schellsburg – Mary Bernadette Martell

  Seward – Aidan J. Strong

  Shirleysburg – Abigail Joanne Aurand

  Somerset – Asa M. Belardi, Chloe Rebecca Berman, Kate Riley Berman, Hayley M. Fieg, Anna Louise Emma Hersh, Rebekah Marie Krishak, Will Andrew Latuch, Logan Ling, Emily Grace Miller, Abigail M. Show, Jade Isabelle Williams

  South Fork – Kayla Marie Clifford, Tresa Ann Mackel, Christina Nicole Schrader

  Spruce Creek – Hailey Dawn Weyer

  State College – Farhan Hassan Talukder

  Stoystown – Austin Michael Craycraft, Alicia Marie Fyock, Hunter Luke Martin

  Three Springs – Miley M. Druist, Katelyn M. Harper

  Tyrone – Emma Riley Dibert, Victoria Greene, Stacy Teresa Kustaborder

  Uniontown – Mylaysia Ellis

  Williamsburg – Aliyah Logan Ross

  Windber – Andrew Lawrence Betcher, Abigail Elizabeth Bush, Karli Shay Hanik, Hannah M. Knappenberger, Gianna R. Manippo, Caroline Annabelle McClain, Amy Lynn Mirilovich, Mason Carter Popovich, Jude Robert Tomaselli, Braydon Alexander Wojcik

  York – Nick Roomsburg

  

• Transfer Agreement With Jeff Tech Assists Media Production Students

  Posted May 20, 2024 at 12:55 pm

  Pennsylvania Highlands Community College (Penn Highlands) has signed an articulation agreement with the Jefferson County-Dubois Area Vocational-Technical School (Jeff Tech) in Reynoldsville, PA.

  The agreement allows Jeff Tech’s Digital Communications students to apply their completed program credits into the Media Production associate degree program at Penn Highlands.

  “We are excited to be working with our partners at Jeff Tech in providing meaningful pathways for students to further their education after graduation,” stated Michelle Stumpf, Dean of Enrollment Services and Registrar at Penn Highlands.

  A maximum of three classes or nine credits can be transferred through the articulation process and into the Media Production program, including:

  • MPR 100 Introduction to Production
  • MPR 130 Radio Production
  • MPR 250 Video Production

  All courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher to be eligible to transfer.

  Jeff Tech is a comprehensive career and technical high school offering training in 14 specific areas. Jeff Tech provides high school academics alongside Career & Technical Education (CTE) and Cooperative Education programs.

  Pennsylvania Highlands Community College holds over 150 articulation agreements with various educational institutions.

  

• Black Bear Student-Athlete Chase Brenneman Signs With Saint Francis University

  Posted May 16, 2024 at 8:15 am

  Pennsylvania Highlands Community College sophomore Chase Brenneman has signed a letter of intent to join the Cross Country team at Saint Francis University in Loretto, PA.

  

  Chase Brenneman, Black Bear Cross Country Runner

  Brenneman (Somerset, PA) became the first athlete in Penn Highlands history to sign with a Division I program.

  “I have enjoyed my time at Penn Highlands,” Brenneman stated. “It has made me a more well-rounded student-athlete, which I feel has prepared me to transfer to Saint Francis. I am very excited to see how I can improve at the next level.”

  This past fall, Brenneman placed within the Top 10 in five of the six meets he competed in. This includes a fourth-place mark in the season opener and three consecutive runner-up finishes before winning the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference (WPCC) Individual Championship on October 28, 2023.

  Brenneman then placed 23rd out of 126 total runners at the NJCAA Division III Cross Country Championships in Huntsville, Alabama on November 11, 2023. He posted a time of 28:24.50, breaking the school record previously held by Andrew Straka (28:41.01) for the lowest time at the NJCAA meet. Brenneman also recorded the highest individual finish for a Penn Highlands student-athlete at a national event.

  “I am very proud of Chase. He is a very dedicated, hard-working, and determined runner,” stated Adrianne Kuhar, Penn Highlands Black Bears Cross Country Coach. “I think he will excel at Saint Francis University. He has been a great asset to the team and a great runner to coach.”

  

• College Foundation Donates $78,000 To Scholarship Fund

  Posted May 14, 2024 at 8:14 am

  The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation presented Penn Highlands President Dr. Steve Nunez with a check for $78,000 prior to a recent Foundation board meeting.

  The contribution is designated for the Supporting Scholars Fund, which annually awards more than $35,000 in scholarships to deserving students.

  “We are deeply appreciative of the Foundation’s unwavering support to the College,” Dr. Nunez stated. “This donation to the Supporting Scholars program will provide nearly 30 students with a very generous scholarship that will help them on their journey to attain a college degree. We can’t thank the Foundation Board enough for their generous donations of their time, energy, and treasure.”

  This donation will be spread amongst three scholarships to be awarded to at least 16 high school seniors. The awards include the Destination Graduation Scholarship ($1,000 per semester to a minimum of one student annually), the Emerging Leader Scholarship ($1,000 per semester to 13 students annually), and the Presidential Scholarship ($3,000 per semester to two students annually).

  “The College Foundation’s Board of Directors are proud to present this check to the College,” stated Carole VanMeter, Director of the Foundation. “Amidst the rising challenges of affordability, this donation becomes even more meaningful. The Supporting Scholars Fund provides these students with the opportunity to receive an affordable education, which can propel them to be successful.”

  This marks the second occasion that the College Foundation will have fundraised money to be used in the College’s Supporting Scholars Fund, joining a $54,400 donation in July 2023. Before these donations, Pennsylvania Highlands had provided students with these scholarships out of its annual operating expense budget.

  “On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are delighted to continue our support,” stated Jeff Wood, Penn Highlands Foundation Board of Directors President. “These scholarships will assist deserving students in advancing their educational pursuits, enabling them to achieve their ambitions for both personal growth and the broader benefit of our community.”

  Additionally, the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation manages over 20 scholarship programs, annually awarding more than $30,000 to deserving students. These scholarships are generously supported by local businesses, regional philanthropists, the College’s own staff and faculty, and funds raised through events organized by the Foundation itself.

  

  Check being given to the College at the Richland Campus. Left to right: Nancy D’Aniello, Director of Education and Training Solutions at Concurrent Technologies Corporation; Traci Naugle, Attorney at Forr, Stokan, Huff, Kormanski & Naugle; Carole VanMeter, Director of the Foundation; Steve Nunez, Pennsylvania Highlands President; Jeffrey Wood, President of the Pennsylvania Highlands Foundation Board of Directors; Ed Porada, Foundation Board Secretary; John Kubinsky, Somerset Trust Company Vice President/Commercial Credit Officer; David Mordan, Foundation Board Vice President (May 2023).