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Hiawatha Clemons, III to speak about Student Activism

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and the College’s Diversity Committee will be hosting two free presentations by Hiawatha Clemons, III on Tuesday, January 20^th. The presentations will take place in the College’s Richland Campus Auditorium. The first presentation will begin at 12:30pm. The second presentation will begin at 6pm.

Hiawatha Clemons, III will speak about student activism, which includes service and involvement. Each presentation will be followed by a question and answer session.

For additional information regarding the presentations, please contact Diversity Committee Chair Kathy Edmiston at 814.262.3810 or kedmis@pennhighlands.edu.

ABOUT HIAWATHA CLEMONS, III:

Hiawatha Clemons, III is a native of Raleigh, North Carolina but moved with his parents, to tidewater Virginia at a young age. Despite a strict and loving upbringing, Hiawatha was perceived as a problem child by the public school system in Virginia. By the end of his sixth grade year, he was labeled “emotionally disturbed.” Administrators believed special education services were necessary for the young man, and he was transitioned into special education classes. The transition was not without difficulties and brought Hiawatha ridicule from his peers. But Hiawatha refused to allow the institutional labels to define him.

Upon graduating from high school, Hiawatha enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served his country proudly for four years, including a tour of duty in Iraq. Following his military service he decided to go back to school. In 2007, under the GI Bill, Mr. Clemons initially started taking classes part-time at Tidewater Community College (TCC). With more and more classes under his belt, Hiawatha developed a confidence that he never had during his early years as an “emotionally disturbed” special education student. Mr. Clemons graduated from TCC with two associate degrees and was immediately accepted into Old Dominion University (ODU) in Norfolk, Virginia.

Nearing the end of his tenure at TCC, he was accepted into the Mission Continues Fellowship Program, a nonprofit organization which helps veterans readjust back into civilian life. It was this program that provided a turning point in his life. Through the fellowship, Hiawatha was able to go back to the school where he had been labeled “emotionally disturbed,” years earlier and reached out to students who were likewise labeled and placed in special education; to encourage them and not allow labels to define them.

While still a student at Old Dominion University, Hiawatha was asked to share his inspirational story with John Schlimm, II. Schlimm, an award-winning author and Harvard educated activist was compiling material for his next book. The book, Stand Up! 75 Student Activists Who Rock the World and How You Can Too!, was released in late 2013 and prominently featured Hiawatha’s story. Stand Up! debuted at #1 on the Amazon Bestseller list in the Children’s Department.

At Old Dominion University, Hiawatha became the “face” of the student body, both for his academic excellence and service to the community. In his senior year at ODU, he was rewarded for his academic excellence and was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. As a Human Services major, Hiawatha interned for NICRO, a nonprofit organization of social workers in Cape Town, South Africa. Earlier this year, he graduated magna cum laude from ODU and was accepted in the graduate program in counseling at Regent University.

Assistant Professor receives Approval to become a Diplomate Child Forensic Interviewer

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College would like to congratulate Dr. Robert Clark, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice & Social Sciences, for being qualified and approved as a Diplomate (Expert) Child Forensic Interviewer through the National Association of Certified Child Forensic Interviewers (NACCFI).

This is the only professional credentialing program for child forensic interviewers in the United States. The “DCFI” is the highest of four practicing certification levels. Dr. Clark is one of only three professionals to be certified at this level in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Partnership between Colleges lead Students to Nanotechnology

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College recently hosted a series of nanofabrication presentations on the College’s Richland Campus, with over 150 interested college and high school students participating. The presentations informed students about educational and career opportunities available through an agreement between Pennsylvania Highlands and the Penn State Nanofabrication Manufacturing Technology (NMT) Partnership.

Nanotechnology is a growing field in the United States and, according to an estimate by the National Science Foundation, there will be a need for one million skilled nanotechnology workers by 2015. This partnership between Penn State University and Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will provide an opportunity for students in the region to develop valuable technical and scientific skills in this thriving field.

Students at Pennsylvania Highlands enrolled in Environmental Science, Pre-Engineering, General Studies, and Technology Management can qualify for the Nanofabrication Manufacturing Technology Capstone Semester at Penn State University Park.

Interested students will work with College faculty to select specific courses and develop the skills required admission into the program. These include college level algebra, chemistry, physics, writing, computer skills, and interpersonal skills.

Partnership allows Students to pursue a Career in Criminal Justice; Students will save Time and Money

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and the Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center have entered into an agreement that takes up to 12 credits from Johnstown Regional Police Academy graduates and applies them toward a Criminal Justice degree at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. This partnership allows Police Academy graduates to earn an associate degree in Criminal Justice in as little as three semesters, resulting in substantial savings and expanded career opportunities.

Upon acceptance into the Criminal Justice associate degree program at Pennsylvania Highlands, the agreement provides for up to 12 transfer credits toward the completion of the 63-credit Criminal Justice degree program. This partnership is the result of good, cooperative efforts by individuals from both organizations. Both institutions believe this partnership will benefit the community by:

• increasing access and opportunity for students;
• providing the ability for students to coordinate scheduling that allows for classes to be taken concurrently at Pennsylvania Highlands and the Police Academy;
• reducing the time and cost for students to complete a degree; and,
• minimizing student debt for many community members.

This partnership will result in an approximate savings of $2,200.00 for in-county students and $3,000 for out-of-county students entering into Criminal Justice at Pennsylvania Highlands. Both institutions reviewed learning outcomes, agreed upon general education and program competencies, and facilitated program changes where necessary to ensure that graduates are prepared to meet the academic and professional rigors of a career in law enforcement.

The Johnstown Regional Police Academy is accredited by the Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers Training Commission. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

For more additional information on this opportunity or many others, contact the Pennsylvania Highlands Admissions Office at 814.262.6446 or admissions@pennhighlands.edu.

20 Acts of Kindness to celebrate 20 Years of Service

In celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, our students, staff, faculty, and administration are volunteering to take part in at least 20 Acts of Kindness this academic year. These acts of kindness will range from small – a random act of kindness for a stranger – to large – a student/staff community service trip.

Penn Highlands has become a leader in education through our locations in the Southern Alleghenies. We look forward to many years of serving our community through both our high quality educational opportunities and our community involvement.

Our projects reach out to a wide range of individuals and organizations. Each year our employees participate in activities including the United Way Day of Caring and our own One Book One Community Middle School Reading Program, where more than 1,200 local students and teachers visit the College to engage in reading and learning. Our employees also give more than $25,000 each year to our College Foundation and the United Way of the Laurel Highlands. Our student groups regularly perform more than 1,000 hours of community service each year, and collect goods and funds for local organizations.

Our goal for the 20 Acts of Kindness campaign is to build upon the good work we’ve already done the past 20 years and to create a sustaining culture of giving that begins with our students, graduates and employees and extends to each community we serve.

Pennsylvania Highlands would like you to join us in spreading the kindness. Share how you are volunteering or giving back to the community by using the hashtag #20ActsofKindness. Share your photos, thoughts, and kindness with us to begin spreading the good will across the region.