Our Faculty

Ms. Boback began her career with Pennsylvania Highlands in January of 2017. Prior to that, she was employed as an Accounting Instructor at Cambria-Rowe Business College and a bookkeeper/accountant. She teaches Accounting courses. Ms. Boback has an M.S. in Accounting from University of Phoenix, a B.S. in Accounting from Mount Aloysius College, and an A.S.B. in Accounting and Microcomputer Applications from Cambria-Rowe Business College.

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.

Dr. Clark began his full-time teaching career with Pennsylvania Highlands in January of 2011, although his overall collegiate teaching (undergraduate and graduate level) experiences began in 1996. He is a tenured Professor of Criminal Justice & Social Sciences and is the Program Coordinator for the Criminal Justice A.A.S. program. Dr. Clark holds several positions and titles, which include ACT 120 Certified Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officer, Municipal Police Chief, Certified Municipal Police Academy Instructor (MPOETC); ACT 235 Certified Lethal Weapons Instructor; Certified Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Officer for the Laurel Highlands Region; and ILO (Intelligence Liaison Officer) through PaCIC. He also holds membership in the following organizations: the Cambria County and Somerset County Child Death Review Teams; ACJS (Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences); and the SSSP (Society for the Study of Social Problems).

Dr. Clark actively conducts research in the area of Victimology and has presented numerous times nationally and internationally during his professional career. He has contributed as an editor for two published textbooks (intro to criminal justice and law & procedure), which are used in his classes. His professional career has spanned several years with numerous responsibilities and titles within the child welfare system, victim services, the adult criminal justice system, and the juvenile justice system in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Virginia.

Dr. Clark earned his Ph.D. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Office Hours

Richland, C205A
Tuesdays: 7:30 – 8am, 2 – 4:30pm
Thursdays: 7:30 – 8am

Virtual
Wednesdays: 2 – 2:30pm

Ms. Cope began her career with Pennsylvania Highlands in August of 2007. Prior to that, she was employed by the Alternative Community Resource Program. She teaches courses in Psychology. Ms. Cope has a M.A. in Community Counseling from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a B.A. in Psychology from St. Vincent College.

Ms. Custer began her career with Pennsylvania Highlands in August of 2002. She teaches courses in Networking. Ms. Custer has a B.S. in IT – Security Emphasis from Western Governors University.

Ms. Dugan began her career with Pennsylvania Highlands in August of 2018. Prior to that, she was employed at Greater Johnstown School District as an elementary teacher. She teaches courses in Early Childhood Education. She has a B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and M.Ed. from Saint Francis University.

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 and has a B.S. in Nursing from the University of Pittsburgh.

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. Although she loves all math, her favorite class to teach is College Algebra. Ms. Hughes believes that everyone can enjoy math at some level and strives to reach that goal in her classroom by using technology, handouts, and plenty of examples.

Ms. Madison began her career with Pennsylvania Highlands in August of 2004. Prior to that, she was employed as a clinical social worker and program coordinator. She teaches courses in Human Services. Ms. Madison has a M.S.W. in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh and a B.A. in Psychology from Seton Hill University.

Ms. McCurdy began her career with Pennsylvania Highlands in 1998. She teaches courses in Mathematics. Ms. McCurdy has a M.Ed. in Secondary Mathematics and a B.A. Secondary Mathematics Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Ms. Mitchell began her career with Pennsylvania Highlands as a full-time faculty member in January of 2010. She teaches courses in Biology and is Lead Faculty of Biology. She has also been the advisor of the College’s Biology Club since its inception, and serves as an ACE Faculty liaison and lab manager. Prior to becoming a full time instructor, Ms. Mitchell served as a biology adjunct and Professional Academic Advisor at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. Jill Mitchell’s favorite area of study is genetics and was fortunate enough to intern in the genetic counseling department at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA under the direction of Dr. Alana Majors, where she conducted research on the correlation between homocysteine levels and heart disease. Ms. Mitchell has a M.A. in Science Education, Biology from Western Governors University, a B.S. in Biology Education and a B.A. in Biology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Office Hours

Richland, C201
Mondays & Wednesdays: 8:15 – 9:30am

Virtual
Mondays & Wednesdays: 11am – 12:15pm

Ms. Myers began her career with Pennsylvania Highlands as a full-time faculty member in August of 2014. Prior to that, she was a Veterinary Technician Instructor at Indiana County Technology Center. Ms. Myers teaches courses in Biology. She has a B.S. in Biology, with an emphasis in pre-veterinary medicine, from Juniata College, and has a M.S. in Biology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

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.

Ms. Polka began her full-time career with Pennsylvania Highlands in August of 2015. Prior to that, she was an adjunct at Pennsylvania Highlands and Penn State Altoona. She has also taught at IUP. Mrs. Polka teaches courses in Mathematics. She has a B.S. in Education with a Mathematics Concentration from The Pennsylvania State University, and has an M.S. in Applied Mathematics from IUP.

Ms. Schrum began her career with Pennsylvania Highlands in August of 1995. Prior to that, she was employed as a Human Resource Specialist and Account Executive. She teaches courses in Business. Ms. Schrum has an M.A. in Adult and Community Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, an M.A. in Industrial Relations/Human Resource Management, B.S. in Management/Business Administration, and A.S. in Management/Business Administration from St. Francis University.

Mr. Simington began his full-time career with Pennsylvania Highlands in January of 2019. Prior to that, he served as an adjunct instructor for the College. He teaches courses in Mathematics. Mr. Simington has a B.S. in Applied Mathematics and a B.S. in Secondary Education Mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh, as well as a M.S. in Mathematics from Emporia State University.

Ms. Slavick began her career with Pennsylvania Highlands in January of 2012. Prior to that, she was employed as a teacher and instructional designer. She teaches courses in Physics, Astronomy, and Education. Ms. Slavick has a M.S. in Science Education from Lebanon Valley College, and a B.S. in Secondary Education from University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.

Mr. Slifko began his career with Pennsylvania Highlands in January of 1998. Prior to that, he was employed by the Cambria-Rowe Business College, McCartney’s Inc., and the Kmart Corporation. He teaches courses in Business. He has an M.A. in Industrial Relations/Human Resource Management from Saint Francis University, and a B.A. in Business Economics/Accounting from the University of Pittsburgh.

Mr. Wojcik is a Professor of History and Cultural Studies at Pennsylvania Highlands, teaching courses in Civilization, History, and Cinema. He began his career with the College in August of 2000. Mr. Wojcik has a B.A. in History and a M.A. in Arts and Teaching – Social Studies Education from the University of Pittsburgh, and a M.A. in History from Duquesne University. His specialties include American cultural history and social history. He is a book reviewer for the Film and History Journal; judge for the Johnstown Film Festival; and a member of the Popular Culture/American Culture Association, the Pennsylvania Historical Association, and the International Association for Media and History. Before joining the College, he was a former independent filmmaker whose work has been shown on local television; a teacher at a child development center; and an intern social studies teacher at a Blue Ribbon high school.