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Three New Members Added To Board of Trustees

Jennifer Anderson, Rev. Reginald Floyd, and Brett Smith have been added to the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Board of Trustees. 

These individuals replaced former board members Alan Cashaw, Edwin Bowser, and Marc McCall. Floyd will be on the board for a three-year term that ends in December 2027, while Anderson and Smith each have a six-year term that runs through 2029. 

“We are thrilled to welcome our newest Trustees to the Penn Highlands family,” stated Dr. Steve Nunez, President of Penn Highlands Community College. “Their diverse backgrounds, expertise, and commitment to education make them invaluable additions to the Board of Trustees. I look forward to working collaboratively with them to help the College better serve our communities.” 

Anderson is the Director of Professional Learning and Organizational Development with the Office for Educational Programs and Services with Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8 (IU8). Throughout her 21 years at the intermediate unit, she has served as a special education teacher, educational consultant, special education supervisor, and executive-level administrator. 

Currently, she leads the IU8 Training and Consultation Team and serves as the Region 7 Lead for the Safe Schools, School Climate, and Social and Emotional Wellness initiatives through the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Statewide System of Support.  

Anderson holds a Bachelor of Science dual degree in Elementary and Special Education, a Master’s in Educational Leadership, and a Special Education Supervisory Certificate from Saint Francis University, as well as a Superintendent Letter of Eligibility from Gannon University. She is currently a doctoral student at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. 

“As an administrator in the K-12 public education system, I’ve worked alongside some exceptional individuals at the national, state, and local levels to enhance learning opportunities for our youth and educators,” Anderson stated. “It is an honor to serve in this capacity with Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and its community of learners on its journey to be a premier institution of higher education and an integral part of the growth and development of our region.” 

Floyd has served the local community through various roles, with four years of active duty in the United States Army and 26 years with the Johnstown Police Department under his belt. He has also worked as a School Resource Officer for the Greater Johnstown School District, a Camp Trojan Director, and is the outreach minister for St. James Missionary Baptist Church. 

He has also contributed to eight different volunteer initiatives, including HOPE for Johnstown Board, Crisis Intervention Team Board, NAACP Veterans Board, The Bruce Haselrig Group, Cambria County SERT, Cambria County Mental Health Advisory Board, Cambria County Drug & Alcohol Advisory Board, and Salvation Army Advisory Board. 

“I am honored to be selected to serve on the Pennsylvania Highlands Board of Trustees,” Floyd stated. “I come from a generation that was raised by men and women that worked in Bethlehem Steel. They always told us as children to pay attention to our education and go as far as we can. Education is very important, and I want to help instill that message in as many people as possible.”  

Smith holds both a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Saint Francis University, as well as a Master of Business Administration from Valparaiso University and a Juris Doctorate from Duquesne University. 

He then passed the Bar Exam and was admitted to practice law in 2009, which Smith has been doing since then via a private practice. Smith is also the current solicitor for Cambria County Crimestoppers, Portage Township, the West Carroll Water Authority, and the Adams Township Zoning Hearing Board. 

“I was born and raised in this area, so being able to serve on a college board that is close to home is very rewarding,” Smith stated. “I aim to try to encourage people, that maybe wouldn’t otherwise go to the College, to come to Pennsylvania Highlands and get an opportunity at quality higher education. I am excited to be a part of that outreach.” 

Jennifer Anderson, Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8

Reverend Reginald Floyd, Retired

Brett Smith, Brett Smith Law Offices, LLC

Joziah Wyatt-Taylor Named NJCAA Division III Player Of The Week

The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) has named Pennsylvania Highlands sophomore Joziah Wyatt-Taylor the Division III Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for the week of January 17-23.

Joziah Wyatt-Taylor, Men’s Basketball

A native of Johnstown, Wyatt-Taylor averaged 33 points and 10.5 rebounds while shooting 57.7 percent from the floor in the two contests this past week for the Black Bears, which included a 98-65 victory over the Wolfpack of Westmoreland County Community College, a Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference foe.

He also set a new school record for points in a game after tallying 46 against the Wolfpack, breaking the previous mark of 45 set by Cliff Eddins in December 2016.

“It’s truly an honor to receive this award,” Wyatt-Taylor stated. “I appreciate my coaches, my mom and dad, and everyone at the College. Their support means a lot to me. I just want to keep working to get better and see what I can accomplish. My goal is to strive for greatness.”

Wyatt-Taylor became just the third men’s basketball player in school history to earn a National Player of the Week honor, joining Tim Biakapia and Matt Forbes.

“We are all proud of Joziah and his accomplishment,” stated Sue Brugh, Director of Student Activities & Athletics. “He has put in a tremendous amount of work on the basketball court. He does everything he can to score and grab rebounds, while doing his part to help make our team the best it can be.”

Through 18 games, Wyatt-Taylor leads the Black Bears in points per game (22), rebounds per game (9.6), and minutes per game (28.4).

His points per game average ranks 12th in the nation for Division III, while currently sitting 33rd for rebounding. In Region 20, Wyatt-Taylor ranks first in points per game and third in rebounds per game.

Ten Athletes Earn WPCC All-Academic Team Honors

Ten Pennsylvania Highlands Community College athletes were awarded Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference (WPCC) All-Academic Team honors for the Fall 2023 semester.

Student-athletes given High Honors status finished with a grade point average (GPA) between 3.5 and 4.0. Honors status was a 3.0 to 3.499 GPA.

“I am extremely proud of all of our incredible student-athletes for their outstanding achievements inside the classroom,” stated Sue Brugh, Director of Student Activities & Athletics. “This group of young men and women continue to exemplify the high standard that academics are just as equally important as athletics. It is a testament to their character and the values we strive to instill in our student-athletes.”

The honorees include:

Cross Country

Men’s Basketball

Women’s Volleyball

Golf

The WPCC is entering its 52nd year of operation after being founded in 1972. Pennsylvania Highlands joined the conference in 2010, the same year athletics were introduced at the College.

Omar Strohm Hired As AVP Of Finance

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has appointed Omar Strohm as the College’s new Associate Vice President (AVP) of Finance. 

Omar Strohm, Associate Vice President of Finance

A native of Altoona, Strohm has more than 20 years of experience working in local government, including serving as the Finance and Human Resources Director (2003-18), Deputy City Manager (2018-21), and City Manager (2021-23) in the City of Altoona. 

As the AVP of Finance, Strohm serves as the College’s Chief Financial Officer, providing leadership and guidance to the business office, student financial services, procurement, the bookstore, and dining services. In this capacity, he is responsible for the development, assessment, and improvement of services in each of the supervised areas. 

“Everyone here has been very open and willing to help me,” Strohm stated. “I already feel like I am a part of the family. It has been a positive experience so far getting to know everyone and adjusting to the new position. There is a lot of information and processes to learn, but I am beginning to get settled in.” 

Strohm holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) and multiple master’s degrees. These include a Master of Arts in Industrial & Labor Relations from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Business Administration from Saint Francis University, and a Master of Community and Economic Development, Public Administration, and the Psychology of Leadership from Penn State. 

He is also a Member of the International City/County Management Association and the Association of Pennsylvania Municipal Managers, as well as a former Board Member of the Altoona Blair County Development Corporation, Altoona Parking Authority, Central Blair Recreation Commission, and the Vice-Chair of the Altoona Water Authority. 

“For more than twenty years, I provided leadership to the City of Altoona,” Strohm stated. “I have also spent a lot of my adult life pursuing degrees in higher education and have always wanted to work in higher education. This College has a great reputation, and I am excited to get started.” 

College Awarded $20,000 Hunger-Free Campus Grant

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has received a $20,000 grant for its designation as a 2023-2024 PA Governor’s Hunger-Free Campus.

The College has been honored with the grant for the first time, following its recognition as a Hunger-Free Campus for two consecutive years. Penn Highlands is one of 30 institutions to receive $1 million in funds distributed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).

“We are overjoyed that we have received this grant,” stated Carole VanMeter, Director of the Foundation. “It is a lot of money for the College and the community we serve. Collaborating with multiple food banks is beneficial, but having such a resource specifically for our students aligns perfectly with our College’s mission, enabling their success on campus.”

The grant will be used to fund the establishment of a food pantry at the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Richland Campus, providing students with grab-and-go meals and supplies to prepare meals at their homes. Necessary equipment for the pantry, including refrigerators, freezers, and shelving, as well as site renovation and an inventory system, will also be purchased.

Supporting scholars and other students at the College will earn volunteer hours by working in the pantry. College employees will receive a stipend for managing the pantry and procuring food supplies.

“Students of all ages learn best when they start the day with a full stomach and are better prepared to succeed when they have access to nutritious, healthy food,” stated Governor Josh Shapiro. “That’s why my Administration fought for and delivered universal free breakfast in K-12 classrooms, and it’s why we’re fighting back against hunger on our college campuses. These grants will help colleges and universities across Pennsylvania improve and introduce programs to fight hunger and ensure students from every background have the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed in Pennsylvania.”