Newsroom

College Recognizes Faculty Excellence With Promotion And Tenure

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has promoted three faculty members and awarded tenure to another, recognizing their dedication to teaching excellence, advising, professional development, and service to both the college and the wider community.

Their work with students is exemplary and serves as an inspiration to students and colleagues alike. The new status of each faculty member became effective on July 1, 2026.

Eligible faculty members undergo a rigorous application and review process that assesses their effectiveness in full-time teaching/advising and service to Penn Highlands, the community, and professional development.

Faculty earning advancement in rank:

• Dr. Richard Bukoski, from Associate Professor to Professor, Communication & Media Studies. Dr. Bukoski began his career with Pennsylvania Highlands as a full-time faculty member in August 2013. He was previously employed as News Director and Copywriter at Forever Broadcasting in Johnstown. He teaches courses in Communication Studies and Media Production. Dr. Bukoski holds a B.A. in Communications from Edinboro University, an M.A. in Adult Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a Ph.D. in Communications Media and Instructional Technology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
• Laura Gaunt, from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor, Healthcare Professions. Ms. Gaunt began her full-time career with Pennsylvania Highlands in August of 2019. Prior to that, she worked as a staff nurse for 18 years and in nursing administration for 2 years. She teaches courses in Health Sciences. Ms. Gaunt is a graduate of the Conemaugh School of Nursing program, has a B.S. in Nursing from the University of Pittsburgh and holds a M.S. in Nursing Education from Grand Canyon University.
• Robin Hughes, from Associate Professor to Professor, Mathematics. Ms. Hughes began her career with Pennsylvania Highlands as a full-time faculty member in January of 2014. She has 14 years of experience teaching as an adjunct at Kent State University and University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. She teaches courses in Mathematics and serves as an ACE Faculty Liaison. Ms. Hughes has a B.S. in Actuarial and Applied Mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh, a M.B.A. from St. Francis University, and a M.Ed. from Kent State College.

Faculty earning tenure:

• Gregory Paonessa, Assistant Professor, Computer Technology. Mr. Paonessa began his career with Pennsylvania Highlands in August of 2019. Prior to that, he worked as a software engineer. He teaches courses in Computer Programming, Software Development, and Project Management. Mr. Paonessa has a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has been serving the region since 1994 and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Not pictured: Robin Hughes.

Police Academy Celebrates Cadet Class No. 92 With Graduation Ceremony

The fourth class of the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Police Academy (Cadet Class No. 92) was honored during a graduation ceremony held at the Richland Campus Auditorium on Friday, June 26.

Each of the 14 cadets received a certificate acknowledging their completion of the Penn Highlands Police Academy, with eight receiving a conditional offer of employment contingent upon successful completion of the state certification test.

The list of cadets, including those with a conditional offer of employment, includes:

• Micah Beish
• Jacob Custer (Somerset Borough Police Department)
• Charles Cypher (Geistown Borough Police Department)
• Steven Degani
• Caymen Hughes
• Nathan Kasterko (Somerset Borough Police Department)
• Edward Migut (Somerset Borough Police Department)
• Christopher Nash (Indian Lake Police Department)
• John Reilly
• Rebecca Ribblett (Pitt-Johnstown Campus Police)
• Bailey Smith
• Brady Smith
• Zachary Wright (Altoona Police Department)
• Logan Zevorich (Somerset Borough Police Department)

Rebecca Ribblett was named class valedictorian after compiling the scores of 26 tests and the completion of eight real-life training scenarios.

Micah Beish received the Physical Fitness Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement as determined from three required P.T. tests and physical training that occur throughout the Academy. Jacob Custer earned the Distinguished Marksman Award for accumulating the most points throughout the firearms training with the pistol, shotgun and patrol rifle.

Christopher Nash was presented with the Defensive Tactics Award for outstanding performance during extensive control tactics training. Bailey Smith received the Emergency Vehicle Operations Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement during multiple driving courses.

Logan Zevorich was chosen as the recipient of the Chief James Mock Memorial Achievement Award. Established by Catherine Rager and the James Mock family, the award honors an exceptional cadet annually during graduation for each cadet class, while celebrating outstanding performance and unwavering commitment demonstrated during their training, recognizing their dedication to excellence in law enforcement.

The curriculum included subjects ranging from constitutional law, ethics, de-escalation strategies, criminal law and procedures, and search and seizure. Additionally, each cadet successfully completed practical training in physical fitness, defensive control tactics, emergency vehicle operation, firearms, first aid, and CPR, along with optional certifications in field sobriety, taser, police baton, and pepper spray.

Cadets underwent a total of 919 hours of instruction five nights per week over a span of nine months, divided between 498 hours within a classroom and 421 hours of practical, hands-on training. The cadets’ firearms training and qualifications took place on Saturday and Sunday, spanning eight consecutive weekends.

To conclude their training at the Police Academy, cadets underwent 40 hours of practical scenario training. This comprehensive program involved three role players, each with a background in criminal justice and drawn from the local community, providing the cadets with a realistic and immersive learning experience.

A total of 11 instructors assisted in the training and certification process.

The Penn Highlands Police Academy’s fifth class is currently accepting cadets and begins training on August 31.

New Dental Hygiene Diploma Program Set To Start This Fall

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has announced the addition of a Pre-Health Professions: Dental Hygiene Diploma, a 32-credit program scheduled to begin with the Fall 2026 semester.

The program was developed in direct response to regional workforce needs, offering students an affordable pathway into a high-demand healthcare field close to home.

“The launch of this diploma reflects our commitment to creating clear, affordable pathways for students who want to enter high-demand healthcare fields,” stated Kay-Leigh Davis, Dean of Academic Affairs. “Students can begin their education close to home, while preparing for the next step toward a rewarding career in dental hygiene.”

The diploma was created to serve as a dedicated pipeline into Pitt’s new Regional Training Center-Hybrid Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene Degree Track, scheduled to launch in Fall 2027. Students who complete the diploma will satisfy the prerequisites required to apply to the Pitt program, as well as similar dental hygiene and related health profession programs.

In building this program, College faculty worked closely with Pitt program leadership to design the curriculum and course sequence, ensuring alignment with prerequisites, program expectations, and industry standards. This collaboration gives students confidence that their coursework will transfer and prepare them for the next step in their education.

The program addresses a growing need for trained dental hygiene professionals across the region. By providing an accessible and affordable starting point, the College helps remove financial and geographic barriers that often keep students out of healthcare careers. Graduates gain a clear route from the classroom to a profession with strong job demand and earning potential.

The new diploma supports several of the College’s strategic priorities. It expands workforce-responsive programming, strengthens transfer and career pathways, and supports regional economic development. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is proud to partner with regional organizations to cultivate a robust pipeline of skilled healthcare professionals, strengthening communities across the area.

Click here for more information on the new Pre-Health Professions: Dental Hygiene program.

Fall classes at Penn Highlands Community College begin August 24.

Four Sophomore Athletes Sign With Four-Year Schools

Penn Highlands Community College proudly announces that four of its sophomore athletes will be advancing their athletic and academic careers at four-year institutions. This achievement is a testament to both their personal dedication and the strength of the College’s sports programs.

Leading the way is the men’s basketball team, fresh off back-to-back WPCC/Region 20 Championships. Two of the team’s sophomores are moving on to compete at the next level, as well as standout student-athletes from the men’s golf and softball programs.

The athletes advancing to four-year programs include:

• Jayvien Brumbaugh, Men’s Golf, Mount Aloysius College (NCAA Division III) 
  Brumbaugh (Mount Union, PA) became one of the most accomplished golfers in program history after earning the team’s first All-Conference honor and placing seventh in both the WPCC and Region 20 Tournaments in 2025-26. He is the first Black Bears golfer to continue their career past Penn Highlands.
• Tori Harrison, Softball, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford (NCAA Division III) 
  Harrison (Portage, PA) is the second Penn Highlands softball player to advance their career to the four-year level. She posted an average just shy of .300 with a .343 on base percentage and 15 runs scored in 22 games during her lone season with the program. Harrison also tallied two outfield assists and did not record an error while serving as a catcher and centerfielder for the Black Bears.
• Byron “BJ” Lavender, Jr., Men’s Basketball, Kentucky Christian University (NAIA) 
  Lavender (Tampa, FL) led the team with 490 total points and topped Region 20 with 88 3-point field goals in 2025-26. He is a two-time WPCC All-Conference selection, a two-time First Team All-Region 20 selection, and was named Most Valuable Player of the 2025 Region 20 Tournament.
• Victor Raymond, Men’s Basketball, Brewton-Parker Christian University (NAIA) 
  In his lone season at Penn Highlands after transferring from Big Bend Community College, Raymond (Seattle, WA) earned WPCC All-Conference honors after averaging 12.1 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. He tallied 13 double-doubles, highlighted by totaling 27 points and 16 rebounds in a win over Butler County Community College on February 12. Raymond was named Region 20 Player of the Month for February.

Since Athletics was reinstated at Penn Highlands in 2010, over 30 student-athletes have moved on to compete at four-year colleges and universities.

Click here for more information on Black Bear Athletics.

Dean’s List For Spring 2026 Has Been Released

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is proud to announce that the following students have made the Dean’s List for the Spring 2026 semester.

Acosta – Natasha Walker

Altoona – Kelly Adamiak, Yousif Ahmed, Beverly Ilene Amigh Auerbeck, Cayla Bussard, Julius Anthony Colabove, Dawn Marie Cronmiller, Scott Harold Ebersole, David Gray, Morgan D. Hamel, Paula Heffner, Brenda Louise Houck, Kaylee Rose Keith, Sara Krestar, Brooke Elise Lansberry, McKayla Noel, Desiree Roberts, Abigail Elizabeth Rudy, Maria June Stiver, Hana Yagoub

Armagh – Ava Rose Haynal, Kylie Walker

Ashville – Ellie Marie Bender, Kasey Robin Farabaugh, Andrew Joseph Krug, Alainna Lynch, Gina Eve Pettenati

Baltimore – Desmond Handon

Bellefonte – Colleen Kelly

Bellwood – Jennifer Kendall, Emma Price

Berlin – Cathy Marie Kabler, Lilah Eden Topper

Blandburg – Misty L. Feather

Boswell – Lexi Gene Fulmer, Miguel N. Gordon, Chayse Ann Lepley, Syd Alexis Scott, Brooke Renee Stanczyk

Cairnbrook – Belinda Michele Baker

Carrolltown – Erin Behe, Julie Ann Dotts, Leah Joy Frederick

Central City – Tara Leslie Corradini, Gretchen Mae Miller

Champion – Mateo Taggart

Claysburg – Galen Seymour

Clymer – Connor McClain, Natalie Linn Pileski

Coalport – Dallas Joy Dove

Cresson – Angela Diane Noel, Luke Noel, Ian David Rice

Davidsville – Karly G. Brenchak, Dorin Wrangler Cook, Tanner Kate Hunsberger, Jared Lafferty, Isaac William Marsh

DuBois – Brianna Myers

Duncansville – Hunter W. Dawson, Andrew Joseph Higdon, Kamryn Ryen, Isaias Zaragoza Valadez

Duquesne – Darlene Yvonne Dalton

East Freedom – Brandi Jo Thompson

Ebensburg – Shanessa Allean Farren, Wyatt Harshberger, Cody James Sral

Elmora – Gina Marie Lane, Kenzie Grace Mulraney, Gian Anthony Pagano

Everett – Joshua Weidner

Friedens – Zakaria Achouri, Jaydian Scott Deaner, Adam John Dinning

Gallitzin – Noah Michael Clapper, Tagen Jade McConnell

Garrett – Jacob Thomas Keller

Gray – Layla Rachelle Roch

Harrisburg – Patrice Robinson

Hastings – Kaitlyn Marie Drass, Kayla Elizabeth Holtz, Stella Marie Illig, Abby Renee McAnulty, Lakin Nicole Pierce, Krista Rose Watt, Kenadi Elizabeth Weakland

Hollidaysburg – Crystal R. Conner, Brandon Knott, Bilal Yazen Naji, Alyson Elizabeth Thompson, Arlina Whitaker

Hollsopple – Aidan Barnick, Jake Jeffrey Greig, Wesley Mock

Homer City – Brooke Esposito

Hooversville – Laiken E. Grove, Liz Diana Wiley

Huntingdon – Tegan Hanlon, Dylan Edward Miller, Luciana J. Park, Brice H. Pittman, Lauren Nicole Smith

Hyndman – Haylee Nicole Stosick

Imler – Gavin Russell Wicker

Indiana – Bree Lynn Carnahan

Jennerstown – Karley G. Buchanan

Jerome – Kaydence Sophia Forish, Olivia Rose Weyandt

Johnstown – Isabella Anderson, Noah Xavier Anderson, Casey Nathaniel Barrett, Stephanie Beeman, Adalyn Lee Berkey, Noah Christopher Best, Ethan Jacob Box, Eddie Jay Burkett, Emily E. Burkett, Tanasia Mary Burrus, Marissa Camut, Lauryn Carns, Nick Andrew Chonko, Hailee L. Chuklochak, Julia Clement, Ariel Robin Clickner, Parker A. Cornelius, Aniah N. Corson, Dawn Elaine Davis, Nevaeh Day, Nikki Marie DeArmitt, Karlee Nicole DeVico, El Calistro Esparza, Sophie E. Freeman, Owen Andrew Gaunt, Bryanna Janelle Goodman, Ryan Arthur Gorden, Zoe Grant, Savannah Dawn Hawks, Sydney Paige Heinlein, Nolan Harris Hill, Tranise Hill, Cyndi Jean Pierre, Anika Rose Kaminsky, Connor Douglas Kleinosky, Rachel Kohn, Shawn M. Kornprobst, Luis Lorenzo Lache, Joshua K. Law, Charlotte Antionette Lee, Zach Leo Lindemann, Brianna Noel Litzinger, Sage Nevaeh Lodolinski, Ava Grace Manges, Avery Claire Marshall, Jaelyn McClintock, Jalynn McGilvery, Alex Prince Moise, Amanda Nicole Mosorjak, Saige N. Nelson, Travis Niessner, Carlos Peter Nitch, James Joseph O’Connor, Olyvia Opett, Andrew Colin Rand, Carson Michael Reckner, Hayleigh Rietscha, Sandi Joan Rivera, Ian Robison, Brett Christopher Rokita, Cassidy Heleene Rozich, Alissa Michelle Rummel, Essie Lilah Salem, Amara M. Sampson, Makiah Lynn Schartiger, Sabrina Marie Shaffer, Meghan J. Steigert, Tara Grace Taylor, Arissa Raeann Thompson, Samuel Tomljanovic, Allison L. Trigona, Ethan Matthew Usrey, Simone M. Veney, Sohayla Vincent, Emma Jane Weicht, Josh Werner, Gabrielle E. Wilfong, Tavin Josef Willason, Steven Joseph Winfield, Braydon C. Winkelman, Maleigha Jo Younkin

Lancaster – Joshua Uko

Lebanon – Mikayla Sky Lambie

Ligonier – Jeana Bianco

Lilly – Greg Asberry

Lock Haven – Iesha Marie Walter

Loretto – Andrew Robert Dillon, Alison Rose Yahner

Manns Choice – Cody John Miller

Mapleton Depot – Jacob Daniel Buckley

Marion Center – Mason Garrett Pearce

Martinsburg – Hannah E. Greenleaf, Lilly Marie Hardman, Kaitlin Marie Smith

Meyersdale – Ashlyn Paige Clayton, Aubrey Joy Green

Mineral Point – Isabelle Grace Bearer, Jesse Johnson

Mingoville – Cecelia Christine McGovern

Monongahela – Shelby Criss

Mount Union – Dane A. Varner, Sarah K. Varner

Nanty-Glo – Theresa Byron, Christopher Rhoades, Teague Spade

New Eagle – Brianna Scassera

New Enterprise – Cayden Lee Garman

New Paris – Alex Crist

Newry – Travis John Molliver

Northern Cambria – Joshua Jeffrey Allen, Kenny Alexander Christoff, Mandy Perrone,
Justin P. Radcliffe, Jonah Stivanelli, Emmy Grace Waugh, Logan John Weymer

Patton – Caitlyn Renae Carnahan, Lyndsay R. Lechene, Emerson Riley Packard

Philipsburg – Hannah Jane Mandell

Pitcairn – Katelynne Ricupero

Pittsburgh – Melissa Olson

Port Matilda – Madison Lynn Baranak

Portage – Meylin Garrido, Tori Lynn Harrison, Hannah Michelle Hurtack, Lauren Marie Lockard, Jake Matthew Nolan, Lucas Cecil Yancey

Revloc – Raven Makayla Lutman, Sharleen Waa

Richland – Josey Lorraine Wilburn

Roaring Spring – Julie Nagy, Paul R. Rhodes, Jada Lyn Rolle, Annabel Grace Shippey

Rockwood – Shania Ruth Ehrhardt

Saint Benedict – Lexie Lee Kutchman, Brittany Megan Shaner

Saint Michael – Anita F. Yuschick

Salix – Jayden Ella Hess

Scranton – Tajada Oneal

Selena – Arielle Bell

Seward – Nikki Dawn Zimmerman

Shelocta – Taya Samone Johnson

Shippensburg – Katherine Hatch

Six Mile Run – Michaela L. Snyder

Smithton – Nicholas Marol

Somerset – Nicole Marie Appel, Sonya Augustine, Reagan Michele Brenneman, Faith Renee Custer, Samantha Elizabeth Katz, Carlie Anne Knott, Margaret Palmer, Aleah Marie Perry, Brittany Michele Plunkett, Austin Lynn Reichhold, Joshwa Slope, Samantha Elaine Whipkey

South Fork – Bella Marie Hunter, Emmie Marie Johns, Angela Matthews, Matthew O. Knepper

Spring Mills – Brandon Richard Corl, Maddie Bin, Christian Shaffer

State College – Rebekah Louise Horner

Stoystown – Courtney Josephine Mattis

Strongstown – Katie R. Bertolino

Summerhill – Gus Christopher Wirfel

Tyrone – Adriana Elizabeth Kessler, Jaylynn McConnell, Leanna Jolene Rhoads, Iceis Adora Snyder, Jillian Nicole Soule

Vintondale – Braleigh Suzanne James

White Haven – Bridgette C. Morillo

Williamsburg – Logan Charles Brantner, Kayla Marie Kephart

Windber – Madison Belle Cominsky, Abby Marie Gordon, Aubrey Augustina Hissem, Laiken Rose Hunter, Trinity Jade Klucik, Sydney Rose Reed, Cayden Taylor Thompson, Kat Lynn Walker