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Blair Center Provides Free FAFSA Workshops

The Penn Highlands Community College Blair Center will hold Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Workshops in early 2019 to help students and their families prepare for the upcoming academic year. FAFSA Workshop dates include:

• Monday, January 28, 5-7pm
• Tuesday, February 19, 5-7pm
• Wednesday, March 27, 5-7pm
• Thursday, April 25, 5-7pm

FAFSA Workshops are designed to help families complete the FAFSA for the 2019-2020 academic year. Staff will be available to assist in all phases of the application process, even if you have already completed the FAFSA on your own and want to review it to make sure you have completed it properly.

These workshops are open to current students and the general public. Prospective, former, and future students may participate and take advantage of these sessions.

When attending, please bring completed 2017 tax forms (student and parent if applicable), recent bank statements (student and parent if applicable), recent investment records (parent and student if applicable), and records of untaxed income (if applicable). Please have your social security number or alien registration number (if not a U.S. citizen).

Students and parents are encouraged to create a FSA ID prior to attending. The FSA ID is used to access certain U.S. Department of Education websites and to electronically sign your FAFSA and other documents.

For additional information, please contact Penn Highlands Blair at 814.201.2700 or blair@pennhighlands.edu.

Sean McCool Named District 1 Rising Star Of The Year By NCMPR

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College would like to congratulate Sean McCool on being named this year’s District 1 Rising Star of the Year by the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR).

Those who receive this award are honored for being an up-and-coming professional in the marketing and communication arena at two-year, community, and technical colleges. The Rising Star Award recognizes those who have demonstrated special creativity or ability in marketing and PR and show evidence of a promising future in the field.

The NCMPR District 1 Executive Council – made up of marketing and public relations professionals from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island – chose Sean as the 2018 award winner.

Sean McCool is the Creative Services & Marketing Specialist at Penn Highlands. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Emerging Technology and Multimedia from Slippery Rock University.

Since joining Penn Highlands, Sean has made an impact on the college’s brand, its students, and his colleagues. Constantly determined to improve and make change, he has been an initiator at the college and in the community. He has helped rebrand the college’s athletics program to make it a stronger recruiting and marketing tool, and he has systematically refocused and redesigned print publications, instituting a much-improved graphic style.

His passion for the community college is matched only by his passion for the community at large. He is involved with multiple Vision 2025 Capture Teams and has volunteered with many different organizations, both locally and abroad.

“Sean’s creative spirit and passion for the college and his community shine through in all that he does,” said Trish Corle, Vice President of Student Services. “He has been a true asset to the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Marketing and Communications Department, and we congratulate him on this well-deserved and prestigious award.”

NCMPR is the only organization of its kind that exclusively represents marketing and public relations professionals at community and technical colleges. They are one of the fastest-growing affiliates of the American Association of Community Colleges, representing more than 1,550 members from over 650 colleges across the United States, Canada, and other countries.

Penn Highlands Community College is a part of District 1, which includes schools from Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Quebec, and United Kingdom.

Sean McCool holding award outside of the Richland Campus.

Sean McCool with Interim District 1 Director Eve Markman.

Sean McCool with the Pacesetter and the Communicator of the Year (District 1).

Portrait of Sean McCool.

Sean McCool during his acceptance his speech.

About NCMPR
The National Council for Marketing & Public Relations is a professional organization for individuals involved in marketing, communications, public relations and enrollment management at community, junior, and technical colleges. NCMPR provides professional development opportunities, advocates on behalf of the profession and the institutions it serves, and recognizes professional excellence.

Open House At Blair Center For Patient Care Tech Program

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Blair Center will be holding a Patient Care Technician Open House on Tuesday, December 11th at its Logan Valley Mall facility. Those interested in learning more about the college’s new certificate program have two times available to them: 9-11 AM or 3-5 PM.

The Patient Care Technician certificate allows students the ability to provide basic care, which includes emotional, physical, psychological, and spiritual support to patients of all age groups in a variety of healthcare settings. Graduates of the program will learn how to perform procedures in a safe and therapeutic manner while in compliance with federal/state mandates.

Details on the Patient Care Technician certificate will be readily available at this open house, along with the ability to speak with representatives about what the program has to offer.

For additional information on this open house or other opportunities in Blair, please contact Penn Highlands Blair at 814.201.2700 or blair@pennhighlands.edu.

IT Degrees In Cyber Security And Network Administration Coming To Blair

Beginning in Fall 2019, the Penn Highlands Blair Center will be adding to its diverse list of academic offerings with two tracks from within the Information Technology associate degree: Cyber Security and Network Administration.

Information Technology is an Associate of Applied Science degree that focuses on many of today’s technologies critical to business and industry. Blair will offer tracks in Cyber Security and Network Administration, providing students with a core foundation depending on which track they choose.

Cyber Security focuses on the most critical and quickly changing area of the industry, providing students with the ability to not only administer networks but also to secure those networks and conduct penetration tests to ensure they are not vulnerable to attacks. Graduates will have an understanding of computer hardware, operating systems, networking, databases, programming, and defensive and offensive security.

Network Administration provides students with the ability to configure a variety of network devices, such as routers and switches. Graduates will have an understanding of local and wide area network technologies, telecommunications, wireless communications, and network connectivity.

“Our recent expansion paved the way for programs like Cyber Security and Network Administration in the Altoona area,” stated Julie Patosky, Blair Center Director at Penn Highlands Community College. “Many in-demand careers are found within Information Technology, and we are happy to offer these opportunities to the local population.”

Both Information Technology tracks will be offered at the Penn Highlands Blair Center, located in the Logan Valley Mall.

Four Medallion Awards Presented To Marketing & Communications Team

Sean McCool (left) and Raymond Weible, Jr. (right) accepting the medallion awards at the 2018 NCMPR District 1 Conference.

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College would like to congratulate its Marketing & Communications Team on being awarded four (4) NCMPR District 1 Medallion Awards this year from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR).

The team took home medallions in the following categories: Website (silver), Novelty Advertising (bronze), Poster (bronze), and Viewbook (bronze).

“These awards recognize excellence in all aspects of the industry and make a profound statement about the creative capabilities of our staff,” stated Trish Corle, Vice President of Student Services. “The work this team does helps our college advance the region on a daily basis.”

Penn Highlands’ Marketing & Communications Department consists of three members.

Raymond Weible, Jr. is the Director of Marketing & Communications, and he has spearheaded a multitude of web, digital media, and overall brand initiatives. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism/Advertising and a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications, both from West Virginia University.

Sean McCool is the Creative Services & Marketing Specialist and focuses heavily on photography, graphic/web design, video production, and more for the College. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Emerging Technology and Multimedia from Slippery Rock University.

Andrew Podolak is the Marketing & Communications Assistant and has become an integral part of the team, playing a part across all initiatives. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business from the University of Pittsburgh.

Since 2015, Marketing & Communications has won a total of thirteen (13) NCMPR Medallion and Paragon Awards, which recognizes excellence in the marketing, design, and public relations field at two-year schools.

NCMPR is the only organization of its kind that exclusively represents marketing and public relations professionals at community and technical colleges. They are one of the fastest-growing affiliates of the American Association of Community Colleges, representing more than 1,550 members from over 650 colleges across the United States, Canada, and other countries.

Pennsylvania Highlands is a part of District 1, which includes schools from Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Quebec, and United Kingdom.

About NCMPR
The National Council for Marketing & Public Relations is a professional organization for individuals involved in marketing, communications, public relations and enrollment management at community, junior, and technical colleges. NCMPR provides professional development opportunities, advocates on behalf of the profession and the institutions it serves, and recognizes professional excellence.