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1ST SUMMIT BANK Donates To Foundation’s EITC Fund

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation recently received a $2,500 donation from 1ST SUMMIT BANK. This contribution will be directed towards the College’s Educational Income Tax Credit (EITC) fund. 

The donation will empower the bank and other institutions to provide valuable support to the educational initiatives offered by the College.  

This contribution plays a pivotal role in facilitating reduced-price class offerings for students enrolled in the Accelerated College Education (ACE) Program or participating in dual enrollment. 

“Our relationship with 1ST SUMMIT BANK shows they care deeply about our mission and our students,” stated Carole VanMeter, Director of the Foundation. “This donation is helping us make a positive impact on so many high school students, and it helps to reinforce our potential future workforce.” 

EITC provides high school students with the opportunity to enroll in college-level courses. By earning credits through this program, students can explore the offerings of Penn Highlands and gain valuable insights into their prospects. 

“Providing quality education to the existing and future workforce here in our community is extremely important for the growth of our overall market,” stated Eric Renner, 1ST SUMMIT BANK President. “Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is an asset to our region and 1ST SUMMIT BANK is proud to support the college, as well as many other fine educational programs and institutions, through our participation in the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program.” 

In 2023, the EITC Program received funding of $17,000, enabling the College to provide over 2,000 participating students with more than 7,000 credits at discounted rates in the previous year alone. 

College receives donation check from 1ST SUMMIT BANK. Pictured left to right: Dr. Steve Nunez, College President; Carole VanMeter, College Foundation Director; Eric Renner, 1ST SUMMIT BANK President; and Sean McCool, 1ST SUMMIT BANK Assistant Vice President & Business Relationship Manager. (Taken December 2023)

Community Education Releases Personal Enrichment Spring Class Schedule

Community Education has released the dates for its 2024 Spring class schedule. These personal enrichment classes are set to run from March 7 to June 11. 

The non-credit slate consists of 28 total classes in five different subjects, which include Arts & Crafts, Computers, Food & Baking, Spirits, and Phlebotomy. There are also six separate package options for attendees, allowing them to attend multiple or all related classes for a discounted price. 

“These classes offer those who attend a chance to gain some new experiences,” stated Matthew Pudliner, Pennsylvania Highlands Continuing Education Manager. “They get to have fun with friends and family, plus on a lot of occasions, attendees come in large groups, which makes it more enjoyable for everyone. A lot of people become friends within classes.” 

Multiple new class options have been added since the fall. Two new calligraphy classes – Spring Calligraphy Card and Introduction to Watercolor/Flower Bouquet – and two non–alcoholic mixology classes, known as mocktails, are now available. Mocktail classes are open to all ages, while standard mixology classes are limited to ages 21 and over. 

Foundation Receives $10,000 Donation From Somerset Trust Company

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation was presented with a check for $10,000 from Somerset Trust Company. This donation is intended to bolster the College’s Educational Income Tax Credit (EITC) fund.

The donation will enable the bank (based in Somerset, PA), as well as other institutions, to support educational causes offered by the College. With Penn Highlands also applying for and maintaining its EITC status, the donation will help allow the College to offer classes at a reduced price for its Accelerated College Education (ACE) Program/dual enrollment students.

“John Kubinsky, who is on our Foundation Board of Directors, has been very generous to the college over the years,” stated Carole VanMeter, Director of the Foundation. “He has made multiple donations, and this year he chose EITC. John believes in our mission and values growth in our community.”

EITC assists high school students in taking college-level courses, while earning credits and seeing what Penn Highlands can offer in their respective futures.

“Somerset Trust Company is pleased to support the community-focused, educational mission of Penn Highlands,” stated John Kubinsky, Somerset Trust Company Vice President and Commercial Credit Officer. “The College is a valued asset to our area. Its degrees and programs support the region’s ongoing economic and workforce needs.”

The EITC Program received $17,000 in funds in 2023, allowing the College to award more than 7,000 credits at discounted rates to over 2,000 participating students in the past year alone.

Instructor Matthew Stumpf Aims To Guide Students & Region Through Poetry, English

Though he is in just his second year as a full-time English Instructor at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, Matthew Stumpf has already made a significant impact on his students while helping them gain expression both inside and outside of the classroom. 

Stumpf, a Punxsutawney native and a resident of Indiana, has used his love of poetry to develop multiple writing-based incentives that started solely in his home area but have now spread to Johnstown and the Penn Highlands population.

He is the co-organizer and host of “Poeming through the Dark”, an open-mic poetry night held once a month at local outlets. The idea started at a single coffee shop in Indiana before expanding to be held in different venues across the region, including The Indiana Theater and the Write Cup Coffee Shop near Johnstown’s Central Park.

“Our first-ever event at Write Cup had about 20 attendees,” Stumpf said. “We were excited when we saw the number of people that wanted to read theirs or others’ works of poetry. It felt like there was a latent need for it in Johnstown. At the two events we’ve held in Johnstown, the coffee shop was filled. We’ve had upwards of 75 people show up at events in the past, but usually average around 25, which is still a substantial number.”

Stumpf also serves as an editor for Red Flag Poetry, a publication that delivers a postcard once a month to subscribers’ mailboxes containing poetry with a related artwork.  

The publication also has a bi-monthly digital arm called the Poetry Express, aimed at promoting longer samples of work, as well as a press releasing full-length books of poetry two-to-three times per year which Stumpf helps edit, layout, and distribute through orders on the Red Flag Poetry website.

“It definitely is a lot to do alongside teaching, but it doesn’t feel like extra work being it’s something that I am very passionate about,” Stumpf said. “I discovered this love during my undergraduate days just by going to the same type of events that we host now. It really shows how much something can impact you after just stumbling across it.”

At Penn Highlands, Stumpf has taught six different English-based courses, with two more in American Literature coming in 2024, while also working with the ACE Program, which he supervises high school instructors, and serving on the Middle States Steering Committee to help the College with accreditation.

He is also collaborating with Penn Highlands students to develop the Tea Club, where members will read literature from the diverse cultures of tea they drink and converse with friends.

Also, Stumpf said he feels he can relate well to his students due to him being a first-generation college student like many of the Penn Highlands community.

“I’ve really been able to connect with my students and get a lot of positive responses,” Stumpf said. “My goal as an instructor is to better the future of this generation. That’s why I’m in this profession. I see teaching as the most direct way I can change and inspire students to create a better world tomorrow than we have today.” 

Penn Highlands & CPI Establish Landmark Partnership Through Articulation Agreement

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has announced the signing of three articulation agreements with the Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science & Technology (CPI) located in Pleasant Gap, PA. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in fostering academic partnerships and expanding educational opportunities for students in the region.

In mid-November, the College made official agreements that align with their future expansion plans. These agreements are aimed at opening a new location in Bellefonte, PA, and enhancing the educational experience for students in Centre County.

“Penn Highlands is a mission-focused institution where we connect and partner with like-minded and community-focused organizations like CPI,” stated Dr. Steve Nunez, Penn Highlands President. “This partnership is not just good for Penn Highlands and CPI, but most importantly for the communities and students we both serve. I hope this is just the first of many fruitful agreements between our great institutions.”

The associate degrees covered by the articulation agreement include Early Childhood Education (A.A.), IT Network Administration (A.A.S.), and Entrepreneurship (A.A.S.).

CPI Students will be able to transfer up to six courses for a total of 16 credits in Early Childhood Education, three courses for nine credits in Network Administration, and up to 15 credits of technical electives for Entrepreneurship. Moreover, by successfully completing the CISCO Academy Certification exam, they can obtain additional credit in Network Administration.

All courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or above to transfer and be applied towards finishing an associate degree.

“We are very excited to work with the leadership of CPI to create these articulation agreements,” stated Dr. Cynthia Doherty, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Penn Highlands. “CPI does an excellent job of training high school students and adults to go into the workforce. These articulation agreements will allow their students to continue to Penn Highlands to earn college credit toward a certificate or degree program and continue to build their path to a new career.”

CPI is a vocational technical training school offering over 18 secondary programs, over 60 in-house adult and continuing education programs, and over 350 online courses to its students.

This represents Penn Highlands’ first-ever collaboration with a vocational school in Centre County, expanding their current affiliations with institutions in Blair and Cambria counties.

“Partnering with Penn Highlands is a wonderful opportunity for CPI, our students, and the community,” stated MaryAnn Volders, CPI President. “We strive to provide as many post-secondary options as we can for our career and technical high school students. I appreciate what Penn Highlands has to offer our community and our students. We look forward to working with Penn Highlands in any way that we can to provide new experiences for our students.”