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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.

College honors long-time Supporter and renames Library

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has announced that the College’s library, located on the Richland Campus, will now be known as the Mangarella Library in honor of contributions made by long time College supporters, Mr. and Mrs. Joe and Joan Mangarella.

Mr. Mangarella has been a Pennsylvania Highlands’ Trustee since its inception in 1994, and has served as a member of its Foundation Board during that time. He and his wife are the only members of the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation’s Founders Level for donors and have endowed a scholarship for students attending the institution.

“As the College celebrates its 20^th year I think it is fitting that we recognize the support of the people who helped us get to where we are today,” said Dr. Walter Asonevich, College President. “Joe and Joan Mangarella were with us from the very beginning. They have shown their support in so many ways. It is our privilege and honor to host the Mangarella Library on our Richland Campus.”

A retired Cambria County businessman, Mr. Mangarella was recently named the recipient of the 2014 Northeast Regional Trustee Leadership Award. This award, given by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), recognizes the tremendous contributions made by trustees, equity programs, chief executive officers, faculty members, and professional board staff serving community colleges across the country.

“It has been very gratifying for Joan and I to be involved with Pennsylvania Highlands over the past twenty years,” said Joe Mangarella. “Witnessing the success of the students and the College has been amazing. We are honored to have our name on the library and look forward to the continued growth and success of Pennsylvania Highlands.”

FNB Corporation donates to College’s ACE Program

Dr. Walter Asonevich, President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College accepts a donation from Greg Winger. Senior Vice President and Regional Manager for F.N.B. Corporation. The $4,500 Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program donation was given to help support the College’s Accelerated College Education (ACE) Program.

The College’s ACE Program provides high school students in grades 9-12 with an opportunity to earn college credits while taking courses at their high school. The program served over 1,000 students during the 2012-2013 academic year.

Career Closet established for Students

From Left to Right: Cara Moyer, Academic and Career Counselor; Jennifer Hale, YPA Board of Directors; Larry Brugh, Director of Career Planning and Employer Services; Michelle Maksymik, Executive Assistant to the President’s Office; and Tina Gibbons, YPA Board of Directors.

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is happy to announce the College’s Career Closet is officially up and running. The Career Closet is located on the Richland Campus, in the Career Planning and Employer Services Office. The Career Closet is a great opportunity for students, allowing those in need of an interview or workplace outfit to have a year-round option to choose professional attire free of charge.

Sandy Schrum, Professor, Business Management, laid the foundation for this concept several years ago when organizing an annual college community drive to collect professional clothing for distribution to students in need. “Professor Schrum has been an avid supporter of our recent outreach and partnership efforts to expand and improve this concept. We are pleased to be able to provide this valuable service to our students with such great community enthusiasm and effort,” stated Larry Brugh, Director of Career Planning and Employer Services.

Recently, the Young Professionals of the Alleghenies (YPA) came on board to offer their organization as a pipeline in collecting professional clothing.

As sizes and the overall clothing supply will be available on a limited basis, Career Planning and Employer Services will be collaborating with the local PA WORKWEAR Program, operated by Goodwill Industries. PA WORKWEAR provides eligible individuals with interview outfits and work clothing at no charge. Eligibility is determined by the County Assistance Office or Department of Public Welfare. For more information, students may contact the County Assistance Office at 814.533.2491 or visit the office at 625 Main Street, Johnstown, PA 15901.

For more information on the Career Closet, please contact Career Planning and Employer Services at 814.262.3845 or careerservices@pennhighlands.edu. You can also visit the Career Closet on the Richland Campus, located at 101 Community College Way in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

Transfer Programs offer Savings to Students

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College President, Dr. Walter Asonevich, recently discussed the College’s active participation in a statewide transfer agreement initiative that can ease transfer and result in substantial savings for students seeking a four-year degree in Pennsylvania.

Those included in this agreement are Pennsylvania’s 14 Community Colleges, the 14 Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) institutions, and several other colleges and universities across the state. Coordination for this initiative is provided by the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Center (PA TRAC), to learn more about PA TRAC just visit http://www.pacollegetransfer.com/.

Students can enter into one of six approved Pennsylvania Highlands programs, complete the associate degree and then transfer to one of the participating colleges/universities with guaranteed placement as a junior. The goal of this initiative is to make the cost of a four-year degree more affordable for students and their families.

Associate degree programs at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College meeting PA TRAC (Program-to-Program) transfer requirements include:

• Business Administration (To Accounting, Economics, Finance, Management, Marketing)
• Communication Studies
• Computer Science
• Criminal Justice
• Early Childhood Education
• Psychology

“Collaboration between and among the colleges and universities is the key to being able to provide such a program.” said Pennsylvania Highlands President Dr. Walter Asonevich. “We all recognize that our students have limited resources and we want to help them make good decisions about how they utilize these resources and prepare for their future.”

It is estimated that a student taking advantage of this program will save thousands of dollars over the first two years of his or her education. For more information, please contact the Admissions Office at 814.262.6446 or admissions@pennhighlands.edu.