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  • College awarded Grant; plans to add Virtual Reality Training to Health Programs

    Posted May 25, 2016 at 9:28 am

    Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has been awarded a Lee Initiatives Grant in the amount of $1,766. The College plans to use this funding to enhance its Medical Assisting, Medical Coding, and Healthcare Information Specialist programs through the development of virtual reality educational tools and videos.

    Pennsylvania Highlands plans to begin instituting a portion of the virtual reality programming during the upcoming fall semester with assistance from students in the Media Production program. “This is an exciting time for Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. Innovation is always at the forefront of our minds when developing ways to improve the student experience, and this is a great example of that mindset,” stated Dr. Walter Asonevich, President of Pennsylvania Highlands. “This shows the strong collaborative spirit infused throughout our College as students from different programs will be creating a stronger educational experience together.”

    An example of the virtual reality experience being designed is a tour through the human body. This will be where a virtual reality “body-ship” will be “shrunk” to the size of a single blood cell and the student will find him or herself moving through a patient’s veins. The challenge for the student will be to identify body structures and recognize signs of disease.

    This collaboration will begin to take shape over the summer and into the fall at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, with a focus on enhancing the Medical Assisting program first. The College is looking to add virtual reality into clinical sessions as soon as possible through the design of the clinical scenarios mentioned above. 

    Photo includes (left to right): Rick Bukoski, Instructor of Communication and Media Studies; Tammy Calpin, Instructor of Medical Assisting and Practicum Coordinator; and Dr. Robert Barrett, Chairman of Lee Initiatives. The photo was taken during the Lee Initiatives Grant Awards Ceremony.

    Photo includes (left to right): Rick Bukoski, Instructor of Communication and Media Studies; Tammy Calpin, Instructor of Medical Assisting and Practicum Coordinator; and Dr. Robert Barrett, Chairman of Lee Initiatives. The photo was taken during the Lee Initiatives Grant Awards Ceremony.

  • Dean’s List for Spring 2016 announced

    Posted May 24, 2016 at 9:10 am

    Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is proud to announce that the following students have made the Dean’s List for the Spring 2016 semester.

    Alexandria –Donald Lee Betres

    Altoona – Rachel Lynn Blackburn, Terrance Joseph Garner, Nathalia M. Harchak, Alissa Nicole Ingram, Wanda Denise Jefferson, Tara Paige Jurcik, Angelica Marie Knott, Mikayla Marie Merritt, Jenda Marie Sible

    Alum Bank – Joseph R. Gardner, Sarah M. Gardner, Larry E. Sarver

    Ashville – Michael Desales Maurer, Mitchell Robert Maurer

    Bedford – Miranda Lynn Ridgway

    Berlin – Abigail Lynette Fochtman, Bernard James Fochtman, Jenna Marie Snyder

    Boswell – Hunter Matthew Connor, Stephen Allen Mort, Scott Jeffrey Sutton

    Butler – Tyler Curtis Lemmon

    Cairnbrook – Madison Caroline Brewer, Kate Marie Twigg

    Carrolltown – Amanda Kay Stossel, Nicholas Adam Veneskey, Noah J. Lane

    Central City – Kaily Rae Karl

    Chambersburg – Zachary Filer Garnes

    Clarion – Kevin Lee Bowser

    Clearfield – Wyatt D. Porter

    Colver – Lyndon Joseph Saylor

    Conemaugh – Glenn D. Barbis

    Confluence – Adam Joseph Nickelson

    Cresson – Christopher James Soisson

    Duncansville – James Franklin Figart, Janelle N. Meadows, Lauren Brooklyn Nguyen, Karrey Jane Walters

    Dysart – Jennifer Nicole Gosnell

    East Freedom – Catherine Anne Milillo

    Ebensburg – William I. Bogus, Vincent Stephen Byrne, Kimberly L. Chappell, Ashley R. Farabaugh, Steven James Finn, Jonathan R. Schall, Jessica Lynn Shaffer, Victoria Anna Sobecky

    Everett – Justin William Mearkle

    Flinton – Brett Michael Reed

    Fort Littleton – Kathryn Renee Krause

    Friedens – Melissa Marie Hauger

    Gallitzin – Walter E. Gray, Sienna Morgan Myers, Sarah A. Proudfit, Jocella K. Sandlin

    Hastings – Elizabeth Rose Schweiger, Joshua M. Serafin

    Hollsopple – Zachary Nicholas Dull, Miriam Kaye Fink, Hanna L. Todaro, Desiree M. Toth

    Hooversville – Patricia L. Beam, Brittani Jo Kieta

    Huntingdon – Benjamin James Brown, Kayleigh Danielle Dwyer, Frank Ferrara, Wendy Ann Goss, Kodi David Hicks

    Imler – Christian Leonard Corle

    Jerome – Leigh Conrad Deist

    Johnstown – Mary K. Angus, James J. Augustine, Paulina Maria Aviles, Charis Yvonne Biancuzzo, Amanda R. Bosely, Kayla M. Byers, Sadie Danielle Carney, Francine L. Cashaw, Brian T. Chamberland, Robert Justin Comiskey, Nicholas Rostom Constantino, Chance Gillian Cope, Brianna Lynn Cornell, Alaina Ann Davidson, Eric John Distefano, Kayla Christine Eppley, McKenzie Lynn Fitzpatrick, Steven William Frombach, Angel L. Harkness, Krysta Delane Heming, Ryan David Hirko, Olivia M. Hockenberry, Zachary Michael Hoover, Holly Ann Hostetler, Chastity C. Hudnall, Summer L. Huffman, Melissa A. Hunt, Devon William Jackson, Christian Ovidio Jaramillo, Victoria L. Karsaba, Alexis Emma Valentine Kauffman, Sandra-Jean M. Kennedy, Sarah Marie Kerr, Alyssa Marie Kohler, Jasmine Maria Kyle, Kaitlyn Marie Leech, William Eugene Livingston, Erica Lynne Long, Laura Aileen Malich, Katheryn Marie Marley, Tiffany M. Matchik, Michael R. McDaniel, Thomas J. Metzler, James Joseph Mical, Kaitlynne Elizabeth Miller, Amanda Faith Milne, Anita L. Moore, Arlaya L. Morris, Benjamin G. Mostoller, Sheila Ann Myers, Nathan Robert Niessner, Zachary Ronald Orris, Michael David Pellow, Bethann Marie Penrod, Richard R. Pfeil, William Joseph Pinos, Carrie A. Post, Joseph William Prouse, Krystal Robin Quinones, Brandon P. Restauri, Kortney Elizabeth Richter, Rachel Anne Rose, Ambyr K. Rowe, Noah John Sakmar, John J. Saloka, Ryan John Santichen, Teresa Lynn Schneck, Shannon Ann Schneeberger, Chet Sharp, Lindsey Faith Shepler, Daniel E. Skovensky, Melissa Sue Smith, Erika Valentina Strand, Ashley Michele Stufft, Geoffrey David Stumpo, Elizabeth Marie Swanberg, Gabrielle Alicia Turco, Emilio Armando Venegas, Courtney Colleen Williams, Ethan A. Wingard, Whitney Lynn Winters, Courtney Capri Wyant, Dwayne A. Yoder, Brittany D. Younkins

    Knox – Michael Eugene Ritchey

    Lilly – Krista M. Claar, Kylie Ann Garrett, Matthew Lester Poorman

    Loretto – Mark David Eckenrode, Jonathon Patrick Stoy

    Meyersdale – Chase Michael Dirienzo

    Mill Creek – Katie Elizabeth Gipe, Alyssa Mae Handy

    Mount Pleasant – Patrick Robert Heskey

    Mineral Point – Jonathan D. Alexander, Daren Von Ashurst

    Mount Union – John Edward Mitchell

    Nanty Glo – Richard David Christner, Kate Lynn Goldian, Jamie Lynn Hockenberry, Ethan John Marines, Jordan R. Mason

    New Florence – Alexander Wayne Kells, Autumn Miranda Kells

    New Paris – Cynthia D. Frazier

    Newry – Suzy Lynette Kelly

    Newton Hamilton – Jason Lee Hocker

    Nicktown – Audra Marie Britton

    Northern Cambria – Mary Catherine Angelo, Tanner Lee Carl, Tasha Lynn Deyarmin, Tina Marie King, Alexander Leroy Laney, Joseph Daniel Olish, Casandra L. Yarnal

    Orbisonia – Galen Lawrence Scott, Hannah Louise Varner

    Patton – Jessie Karla Hoover

    Petersburg – Victoria Ann Metz

    Pittsburgh – Willie James Smith

    Portage – Tara Lynn Chappell, Catherine Elizabeth George, Sandra J. Pentland, Austin Michael Rodgers, Bradley Martin Rosemas

    Reedsville – Adam Mario Cattoi

    Revloc – Nicholas Donald Braniff, Brandy Lee Eckenrod

    Roaring Spring – Carl R. Basore, Zachary Lance Croft

    Rockwood – Johnna Mae Nicholas

    Saint Benedict – Brittany E. McLucas

    Saint Michael – Lindsey A. McKenry, Nichole Justice Ribblett

    Salix – Troy Howard Jordan, Brett M. Sanderson, Kiara Rose Younkin

    Somerset – Andrew Jude Koharchik, Madison Marie Marker, Tanner James Stull

    South Fork – Noah Joseph Kolar, Tammy D. Zalar-Krestar, Stacey A. Zunner,

    South Williamsport – Skye Blake Armstrong

    Stoystown – Justin Jay Ferko

    Summerhill – Maria L. Conzo, Kevin Michael Margic, Brady Ryan Smith, Christine L. Yakicic

    Three Springs – Catherine Grace Anderson

    Tyrone – Mary Anne Cowfer, Rebecca Isabel Gaylord, Lindsay Brooke Taylor

    Vintondale – Joshua Paul Falisec

    Williamsburg – Alyssa Kelsie Gurskis

    Windber – Jeffrey John Dagostino, Danielle Denise Dillon, Kallie Marie Erickson, Brandon Lee Funk, Alexis Lyn Graham, Holly Marie Harlin, Kristopher G. Hogue, Bonnie J. Keefer, Cathy Jean Lawery, Tyler Patrick McCall, Courtney Marie Mihalko, Matthew W. Moore, Denise M. Papcunik, Catherine A. Strapple, Alyssa Chatherine Thomas, Harvey Weyandt, Robyn Marie Weyandt, Erica M. Zabrucky

  • Acting Deputy Secretary visits Penn Highlands; discusses nationally recognized ACE program

    Posted April 21, 2016 at 11:36 am

    Pennsylvania Highlands Community College’s national reputation for its Accelerated College Education (ACE) Program has led the Pennsylvania Department of Education to take notice. Wil Del Pilar, Acting Deputy Secretary of Postsecondary and Higher Education for Pennsylvania Department of Education visited the Pennsylvania Highlands Richland Campus earlier this week to speak with College officials and representatives from local school districts currently being served by the nationally recognized ACE program.

    Administrators from Berlin, Clearfield, Forest Hills, and Greater Johnstown school districts discussed the value of the program, directly identifying the improved overall academic rigor within their schools, the low cost, and the improved access to higher education. All agreed that these opportunities provide students with experiences that enhance their confidence and greatly improve the likelihood that they will pursue further post-secondary options.

    The Penn Highlands’ ACE Program is one of only two dual enrollment programs in Pennsylvania to be accredited by the National Association of Concurrent Enrollment Programs (NACEP). NACEP Executive Director Adam Lowe joined the meeting to discuss the standards required for accreditation and the steps taken by Penn Highlands to meet and exceed those standards.

    The College’s Accelerated College Education program currently operates in over 50 high schools across 12 counties, teaching over 1,200 students through more than 250 instructors. For more information on the program, contact the Office of School Partnerships at (814) 262-3847.

    Individuals (from left to right) include: Brian Thompson, Principal at Berlin Brothersvalley; Tim Janocko, Principal at Clearfield; Dr. Susan Spaid, School Counselor at Clearfield; Terry Struble, Superintendent at Clearfield; Mike Vuckovich, Director of Education at Greater Johnstown; Amy Arcurio, Assistant Superintendent at Greater Johnstown; Wil Del Pilar, Deputy Secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Education; Rob Heinrich Principal at Greater Johnstown; Dr. Walter Asonevich, President of Pennsylvania Highlands; Dr. Melissa Murray, Dean of School Partnerships at Pennsylvania Highlands; Joe Slifko, Accelerated College Education Faculty Coordinator at Pennsylvania Highlands.

    Individuals (from left to right) include: Brian Thompson, Principal at Berlin Brothersvalley; Tim Janocko, Principal at Clearfield; Dr. Susan Spaid, School Counselor at Clearfield; Terry Struble, Superintendent at Clearfield; Mike Vuckovich, Director of Education at Greater Johnstown; Amy Arcurio, Assistant Superintendent at Greater Johnstown; Wil Del Pilar, Deputy Secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Education; Rob Heinrich Principal at Greater Johnstown; Dr. Walter Asonevich, President of Pennsylvania Highlands; Dr. Melissa Murray, Dean of School Partnerships at Pennsylvania Highlands; Joe Slifko, Accelerated College Education Faculty Coordinator at Pennsylvania Highlands.

  • College partners with Community Foundation for the Alleghenies on the Bosler Academy

    Posted April 15, 2016 at 2:48 pm

    The Community Foundation for the Alleghenies and Pennsylvania Highlands Community College announce the creation of the Bosler Academy, a series of capacity-building workshops available at a reduced cost to local non-profit and governmental agencies to aid them in becoming more effective, sustainable, and strategic organizations.

    “We think this is a really important tool for our community. The work non-profits do is critical to the well-being of a community and to the kind of community development being focused on in the Vision 2025 framework,” said Foundation president Mike Kane. “Creating these courses with Penn Highlands is a great collaboration.”

    The workshops will cover leadership development, grant writing, board development and governance, fundraising, strategic planning, marketing, and ethics and social responsibility. Courses are just $50 each; organizations can register for all seven workshops for $300, a $50 savings.

    “These partnerships call to mind the collaborative spirit that is such an integral part of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College,” stated Dr. Walter Asonevich, President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. “Working with the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies on this project provides the College with an opportunity to reach additional learners and impact the overall capacity of local non-profit organizations.”

    The Bosler Academy is funded, in part, by the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies’ Benjamin Bosler Fund. Mr. Bosler started his career with Cambria Iron Works in 1898 and later became a founder and president of Moxham National Bank, where he served until his death in 1956. He strongly believed in supporting the Greater Johnstown community and served a number of local nonprofits. Mr. Bosler and his wife Anna had one daughter, Charlotte Ellis, who was generous throughout her lifetime, but preferred to give quietly. She created the Benjamin Bosler Fund with a gift of about $1.5 million to honor her father’s memory and provide ongoing support to local charitable organizations.

    For more details on the Bosler Academy and to register, contact Pennsylvania Highlands at 814.262.3813. And, to learn more about the Community Foundation’s efforts to support the region, visit cfalleghenies.org.

  • Three Students named to All-PA Academic Team

    Posted April 8, 2016 at 8:32 am

    The Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges honored the 22nd Annual All-Pennsylvania (All-PA) Academic Team at an awards banquet held on Monday, April 4th, in Harrisburg. The awards recognize an exceptional group of community college students who have achieved excellence and demonstrated a commitment to their colleges and communities.

    The 2016 All-PA Team consists of 45 outstanding community college scholars from across the Commonwealth. The All-PA Team is administered by Phi Theta Kappa, the national two-year college honors society. Those honored from Pennsylvania Highlands Community College included Miriam Kaye Fink, Kylie Garrett, and Kate Goldian.

    Miriam Kaye Fink, of Hollsopple, is attending Pennsylvania Highlands Community College to earn a degree in Business Management. Miriam is very active within Penn Highlands as a Student Trustee, Student Senate President, Treasurer/Historian for Phi Theta Kappa, and Networking Team Coordinator for the National Society of Leadership and Success. When Miriam isn’t participating at the College is she wearing many hats as a wife, mother, volunteer, and more. She participates as a College Choice Helper assisting parents and students research and organize their college choices; she is a genealogist helping families discover and research their ancestry; and she helps out at the Cambria County Humane Society. After graduating from Pennsylvania Highlands, Miriam plans to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she will look to earn a master’s degree and eventually hopes to work at a college or university.

    Kylie Garrett, of Lilly, is a Pennsylvania Highlands’ Board Scholar pursing a degree in Business Administration. She is very active within Penn Highlands as a Phi Theta Kappa Officer and President of the Ebensburg Center Student Activities Club. As Club President, she has volunteered over 60 hours of service through being a College tour guide and representative during college fairs and high school visits. Kylie is also active in the community as she helps out with social media for the Cambria County Conservation and Recreation Authority, and volunteers for various activities at her church, the Cresson Volunteer Fire Company, and at Penn State Health Fairs. After graduating from Pennsylvania Highlands, Kylie plans to attend Lock Haven University to earn her bachelor’s degree.

    Kate Goldian, of Nanty Glo, is a Pennsylvania Highlands’ Board Scholar working her way to earning two degrees: Histotechnology and General Studies. She often volunteers at the College’s Ebensburg Center during open houses as she likes to encourage others to attend Penn Highlands and realize its benefits. Kate is very excited about starting her new life after college, where she plans to become a certified Histotechnologist. In addition to attending Penn Highlands, Kate also works as a grocery store cashier, pizza shop employee, and a babysitter. “I’m the first of my family to attend college and I’m extremely proud of it. I couldn’t be happier,” stated Ms. Goldian.