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NCMA Exam Results announced with 100% Pass Rate; College recognized as Testing Site

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is pleased to announce that 100% of the eligible individuals connected to the College’s Medical Assisting Technology program, past and present, that took the National Certified Medical Assistant exam in 2016 (NCMA) passed.

College President, Dr. Walter Asonevich, offered his congratulations on this outstanding achievement to the 13 medical assistant professionals that passed and the College’s faculty leaders in our Medical Assisting Technology program: Gaynelle Schmieder, Associate Professor of Health Care Professions, and Tammy Calpin, Instructor of Medical Assisting Technology.

Many of the individuals that took the exam in 2016 will be the first to graduate under the program’s new national accreditation by the Commission on the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Currently, graduates of the College’s Medical Assisting Technology program are eligible to sit for a number of National Certification exams. Eligibility is based on a number of quality factors that include national program accreditation, faculty credentials, curriculum quality, and student success in academics and employment.

Eligible National Certifications for graduates moving forward include:

• National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA)
• Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
• National Certified Medical Office Assistant (NCMOA)
• National Certified ECG Technician (NCET)
• National Certified Phlebotomy Assistant (NCPT)

In addition to graduates earning certification testing eligibility, the College is now an official National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) test site. As a result, most of the listed exams are administered on-site at the College’s Richland Campus.

As a testing site, the College may better serve allied health students and employers in the Southern Alleghenies. These national certifications help further validate student professional preparation and commitment to the medical profession. Increasingly, healthcare employers are seeking employees who hold certifications as a means of documenting professional preparation and proficiency in specialized fields.

Basketball Star Tony Acrie signs with Carlow University

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is proud to congratulate graduating sophomore Tony Acrie on his recent signing with Carlow University to play basketball for their institution.

“Ever since high school, my dream was to keep playing basketball,” stated Tony Acrie. “Penn Highlands made that dream possible. I am excited to continue my schooling and basketball career at Carlow University. They have given me the opportunity to continue my journey, and I plan on proving my worth to them.”

In his two seasons with the Black Bears of Penn Highlands, Tony earned many accolades. During his freshman season, he was first, nationally, in the NJCAA in rebounds per game (15.1) and 27th in the nation in points per game (19.8). His sophomore campaign had him finishing second in the nation in rebounds per game (15.8) and 15th in points per game (22.0).

Tony made 2nd Team All-Region XX and WPCC All-Conference in his first season, and was 1^st Team All-Region XX and WPCC All-Conference this past year.

“Tony is the hardest working player I have ever coached. He set the tone every day in practice with his energy and attitude,” commented Penn Highlands’ Head Basketball Coach Landon Loya. “He is a great example to young players in our area of how to get it done in the classroom, on the court, and in the community. Everybody will miss him, but we are all so proud of him.”

In his two seasons with the Black Bears, Tony amassed 713 career rebounds and 963 points. Both are all-time records for Penn Highlands Community College. He also broke the school record for rebounds in a single game with 32.

Tony credits his successful two-year stint at Penn Highlands to many people within the Black Bears family including Loya, volunteer assistant Justin Harris, and Director of Student Activities and Athletics Sue Brugh. He would also like to thank Quan Brit, Xavier Thomas, and Greg Nash for their time, effort, and energy in pushing him to become the player he is today.

“I couldn’t have done this without everyone who has helped me along the way,” Acrie said. “It’s been a great journey, and I cannot wait to return and give back to this community in the future. I’ll always be a Black Bear.”

Graduating Sophomore Tony Acrie is accompanied by Sue Brugh (Athletic Director) and Landon Loya (Head Coach, Men’s Basketball) on Monday, May 1st as he signs his letter of intent to play basketball at Carlow University.

Computer Science Professor has Textbook published by Prospect Press

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is happy to congratulate Dr. Kevin J. Slonka, Assistant Professor of Computer Science, for having recently published a new textbook through Prospect Press entitled Assembly Programming and Computer Architecture for Software Engineers. Dr. Slonka recently published this book with his colleague, Dr. Brian R. Hall of Champlain College in Vermont.

Current Assembly/architecture textbooks cater to electrical engineers and teach Assembly on uncommon architectures. Dr. Slonka’s text caters to the computer scientist by teaching Assembly on current Intel platforms using the three mainstream assemblers (GAS, MASM, and NASM). Every computer science program has an Assembly/architecture course as a major requirement. Now, professors no longer have to choose a text that does not meet their needs simply because nothing better is available.

Dr. Slonka began his career at Pennsylvania Highlands as a full-time faculty member in January of 2013. He teaches Computer Science and Information Technology, and currently serves as Department Chair for Technology and President of Faculty Senate. Dr. Slonka holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from Mount Aloysius College, dual Master’s Degrees in Information Security and Assurance and Information Technology Project Management from Robert Morris University, and a Doctor of Science in Information Systems and Communications from Robert Morris.

Dr. Kevin Slonka holding his recently published textbook in his office.

Student Sadie Carney named a 2017 Coca-Cola Silver Scholar

Sadie Carney

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is proud to announce that student Sadie Carney, of Johnstown, has been named a 2017 Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Silver Scholar. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team program by recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver and 50 Bronze Scholars, and providing nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each Silver Scholar receives a $1,250 scholarship and a special medallion.

Sadie Carney will be graduating this May with an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences. Around campus, she is very active as president of both Student Senate and Phi Theta Kappa. She serves as a tour guide for prospective students and participates in cheerleading, cross country, and women’s basketball. After graduation, Ms. Carney plans to continue her education at East Stroudsburg University.

“Sadie Carney has been an outstanding student and leader at Pennsylvania Highlands,” said Dr. Walter Asonevich, President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. “She has been a strong role model for our students and staff, and is a prime example of what is possible when a person pursues their dreams with purpose and conviction. We are proud to be able to count her as an alumnus of Pennsylvania Highlands.”

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society administers the Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Program. Student scholars receive local, state and national recognition at Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention.

College administrators nominate high-achieving students for this award. An independent panel of judges then considers academic achievement, leadership, and engagement in college and community service in the selection process.

“We thank the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation for recognizing these student leaders and for investing in their futures,” said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, President and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa.

“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” said J. Mark Davis, President of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa and make it possible for deserving students to achieve their educational goals.”

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of community college students to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is comprised of more than 3.2 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in nine nations.

President Dr. Asonevich delivers State of the College Address

Held in the Richland Campus Auditorium, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College President Dr. Walter Asonevich offered his 2017 State of the College Address on Tuesday afternoon to a captivated audience. He highlighted various topics, from accreditation to regionalization to the College’s expansive, and far-reaching, educational offerings that focus on providing an affordable, high quality education to our local communities.

Dr. Asonevich began by addressing the College’s on-going accreditation process and the differences between a regional and national accreditation.

His focus then shifted to Penn Highlands’ regionalization efforts, including expansion of the Blair Center, growth and a new facility in Somerset, and beginning discussions on what could be an already near capacity Huntingdon Center.

The address featured a map designating the numerous counties of Pennsylvania that have been impacted by the College’s presence. These areas include the four counties that currently have a Penn Highlands’ facility, locations that are served through the College’s accredited dual enrollment (Accelerated College Education) program, areas served via online programming, and counties that have inquired about having a Penn Highlands’ presence.

“Our blueprint for providing small rural communities with affordable access to higher education has been met with positive results,” said Asonevich. “We follow a systematic approach when handling regionalization. It is done in a way to ensure that our students and their communities will be rewarded with the benefits that encompass a strong educational institution.”

Asonevich rounded out his address by discussing how funding from the state and county impacts both the College’s budget and tuition fees. And, how the College continues to investigate and expand through more flexible options – including online, evening, and weekend offerings – that can better satisfy and connect with the needs of our region.

“Our mission, as a community college, is to provide learning opportunities that meet the demands of the region,” Asonevich explained. “With online, evening, and weekend options, we are positioned to provide better flexibility in course scheduling for students. As a result, we can deliver more choices that lead to both student and community success.”

To see the State of the College Address in its entirety, please visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pennhighlands/.

President Dr. Asonevich delivers the State of the College Address.

President Dr. Asonevich delivers the State of the College Address.