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  • Sue Brugh Honored By NJCAA For 10 Years Of National Leadership Service

    Posted July 15, 2024 at 1:55 pm

    The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) has recognized Sue Brugh, Director of Student Activities & Athletics at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, with an award for her decade-long contribution to National Leadership.

    Brugh has served as the Region 20 Women’s Assistant Director since 2014. She is also currently a member of the NJCAA Division III Women’s Basketball, Volleyball, Bowling, and Cross Country Committees.

    “It is a great honor to be able to serve and participate in these roles for the NJCAA,” Brugh stated. “Athletics has always been by passion, and I hope to continue to work with so many great people as my career progresses.”

    Previously, Brugh was on the NJCAA Division III Softball Committee and served as the National Women’s Lacrosse Chair for five years.

    At Penn Highlands, formerly known as Cambria County Area Community College, Brugh played a pivotal role in reviving athletics, which were discontinued in 2001. Starting in 2010, she reintroduced basketball and volleyball. Then, in 2014, she helped expand athletics with bowling and cross country. Future expansion continued under her watch with 2021 additions of softball, golf, and eSports.

    During her tenure, Brugh has been named the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference (WPCC) Athletic Director of the Year three times. She is currently the WPCC President, a role she has held since 2019, after serving as secretary for nine years.

    “It has been a privilege to work with so many great student-athletes who have completed their goals and graduation plans,” Brugh stated. “One of the biggest things that makes my job worthwhile is seeing students succeed in their careers.”

    Sue Brugh, Director of Student Activities & Athletics

  • Derek Horner Hired As Head Coach For Black Bears Women’s Volleyball

    Posted July 11, 2024 at 8:00 am

    Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has announced the hiring of Derek Horner as the new head coach of the women’s volleyball program.

    Horner will take over for Penn Highlands alumna Kylee Doyle, who coached the Black Bears for two seasons from 2021-23.

    “I was thrilled when I found out I was being hired for the position,” Horner stated. “I’m willing to put the time in to make this program the best that it can be. I love the idea of recruiting and going out to meet prospective players. I’m very excited to get started.”

    Horner has dedicated over three decades to volleyball, beginning his journey at the age of 8. He played on the Conemaugh Valley High School volleyball team and managed an adult volleyball league for 14 years, a league his father initiated at the former Conemaugh Valley Elementary School.

    Horner also spent the past three years coaching Conemaugh Valley’s girls junior high volleyball team, where the squad finished above. 500 in all three seasons, including a 19-3 mark last fall.

    “My plan is to instill a lot of values I have learned over the years into the players here,” Horner stated. “I want us to have a winning season to start, then try to build on it each year and see how far we can take it. Hopefully, we can bring some championships to Penn Highlands.”

    Born and raised in Johnstown, Horner has worked for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport for the past 22 years. He resides in the area with his wife, Brianna, and their children Molly and Henry.

    Derek Horner, Women’s Volleyball Head Coach

  • Over 20 Alumni Recently Completed Bachelor’s Degrees Through 3+1 Agreements

    Posted July 8, 2024 at 12:37 pm

    A total of 24 Pennsylvania Highlands Community College graduates have obtained their bachelor’s degrees by utilizing one of the College’s 3+1 articulation partnerships over the past year.

    Since the Summer 2023 semester, 21 students have earned a bachelor’s degree from Saint Francis University (Loretto, PA), with an additional three graduates completing bachelor’s degrees at Seton Hill University (Greensburg, PA).

    These 3+1 (or 3 years + 1 year) articulation agreements enable students to transfer their associate degrees, plus an additional 30+ credits, all earned at Pennsylvania Highlands, toward the requirements of a bachelor’s degree. This leaves students with roughly one year of study remaining at a four-year institution, providing significant financial savings.

    Graduates from our region that completed at Saint Francis University include:

    Summer 2023

    • Crystal Melton (Middletown), Behavioral Sciences

    Fall 2023

    • Tyler Brown (Windber), Behavioral Sciences
    • Nicole Deneen (Central City), Healthcare Management
    • Renee Eash (Somerset), Organizational Leadership
    • Cheyanne Gregorich (Seward), Organizational Leadership
    • Justin Hazlett (Portage), Computer Systems Management
    • Samantha Leamer (Patton), Organizational Leadership
    • Julie Madonna (Gallitzin), Behavioral Sciences
    • Cheyenne Raley (Somerset), Criminal Justice
    • Rebecca Velasquez (Ebensburg), Behavioral Sciences

    Spring 2024

    • Stephanie Cassanese (Johnstown), Behavioral Sciences
    • Nicole Cowan (Colver), Healthcare Management
    • Noah Drumm (Altoona), Organizational Leadership
    • Corey Hammel (Claysburg), Organizational Leadership
    • Tiffany Kennedy (Hollidaysburg), Behavioral Sciences
    • Makayla Price (Cherry Tree), Behavioral Sciences
    • Mckenzie Reilly (Duncansville), Behavioral Sciences
    • Kayla Shuster (Windber), Behavioral Sciences
    • Victoria Smothers (Monroeville), Organizational Leadership
    • Samuel Sottile (Carrolltown), Organizational Leadership
    • Julia Taylor (Cresson), Organizational Leadership

    Graduates from our region that completed at Seton Hill University include:

    Spring 2024

    • Teresa Marion (Johnstown), Accounting
    • William Roth (Johnstown), Accounting
    • Joseph Mattern (Hollidaysburg), Accounting

    Penn Highlands partners with other higher educational institutions for the betterment of our students and our region, having 175 articulation agreements with 34 colleges and universities.

  • Faculty Members Earn Promotion & Tenure

    Posted June 27, 2024 at 11:06 am

    Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has promoted two faculty members and awarded tenure to another two, recognizing their dedication to teaching excellence, advising, professional development, and service to both the college and the wider community.

    Their work with students is exemplary and serves as an inspiration to students and colleagues alike. The new status of each faculty member will become effective in July 2024.

    Eligible faculty members undergo a rigorous application and review process that assesses their effectiveness in full-time teaching/advising and service to Penn Highlands, the community, and professional development.

    Faculty earning advancement in rank:

    • Gregory Paonessa, from Instructor to Assistant Professor, Computer Technology. 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.
    • Sherri Slavick, from Associate Professor to Professor, Physical Sciences. 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 the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.

    Faculty earning tenure:

    • Laura Gaunt, Assistant Professor, Healthcare Professions. 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.
    • Wayde Simington, Assistant Professor, Mathematics. Mr. Simington began his full-time career with Pennsylvania Highlands in January of 2019. Prior to that, he was an adjunct instructor for the College. He teaches courses in Mathematics. Mr. Simington has a B.S. in Applied Mathematics, a B.S. in Secondary Education Mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh, and an M.S. in Mathematics from Emporia State University.

    Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has been serving the region since 1994 and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

    Gregory Paonessa, Assistant Professor, Computer Technology

    Sherri Slavick, Professor, Physical Sciences

    Laura Gaunt, Assistant Professor, Healthcare Professions

    Wayde Simington, Assistant Professor, Mathematics

  • Summer Open House Planned For July

    Posted June 25, 2024 at 9:30 am

    Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will be hosting a Summer Admissions & Athletics Open House on Monday, July 22, at the College’s Richland Campus and Blair, Ebensburg, and Somerset Centers.  

    The Open House will begin at 2 PM. Those who wish to attend can RSVP by visiting www.pennhighlands.edu/openhouse/. The event is open to the public. 

    “Whether you’re considering starting this August or want to get a head start for next year, this is a great time to see how your local Community College can benefit you,” stated Matthew Bodenschatz, Director of Recruiting & Admissions. 

    Attendees will go through the admissions and financial aid processes, learn about activities, academics, and athletics, take a tour, and have one-on-one conversations with an admissions counselor to discuss their futures. 

    Those who attend will also get the chance to connect with a knowledgeable faculty member who specializes in teaching courses in their specific area of study. The Richland Campus is scheduled to have three-to-four faculty members, while others will have one or two.  

    Directions and addresses for all locations can be found on our website at www.pennhighlands.edu/locations/. Those who fill out a survey upon attending will be entered in a drawing to win a $250 scholarship. 

    Register For Event