Newsroom

College coming to Blair; hires Director

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has served well over 35,000 students since its inception in 1994 and is planning to bring that experience and excellence to Blair County with the opening of its Blair Center.

To helm this facility, the College is pleased to announce the hiring of Julie Patosky as the Center Director. Julie’s primary responsibilities include student recruiting, community relations, and the overall management of the new Blair Center.

Julie Patosky earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Community and Economic Development through Penn State University. Her professional experience in higher education includes serving as a program manager for a graduate program at an accredited educational institution in Pennsylvania.

The Blair Center, scheduled to begin offering classes in late summer (July), will give access to interested community members wishing to pursue an education in Accounting, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, General Studies, Psychology, and Teacher Education. As the College continues its preparation in bringing affordable opportunities in education to the area, more information, including facility location details, will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Kevin Slonka appointed to Computer Science Instructor Post

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is pleased to announce the hiring of Kevin Slonka as full-time Computer Science Instructor. A Johnstown resident, Mr. Slonka began his appointment this January, beginning with the College’s spring term. His primary focus is to lead the implementation of the College’s new Associate of Science in Computer Science degree.

Mr. Slonka holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from Mount Aloysius College, and dual Master’s Degrees in Information Security and Assurance and Information Technology Project Management from Robert Morris University. Currently, Kevin is pursuing a Doctor of Science in Information Systems and Communications from Robert Morris.

Mr. Slonka previously served as an adjunct faculty member at both Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and Mount Aloysius College and was employed at Northrop Grumman as a Cyber Software Engineer. Mr. Slonka will remain current with the rapidly changing industry through ongoing professional development and consulting in systems engineering.

PTK announces Fall 2012 Induction Class

The Beta Epsilon Omega Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is proud to announce their Fall 2012 Induction Class. With this class, Beta Epsilon Omega inducted twenty new members into the prestigious international honor society.

Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society of the two-year college. The mission of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students and provide opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service and fellowship programming.

The twenty new inductees are:

Altoona: Jared P. Yahner

Bedford: Isaac A. Stiffler

Berlin: Alyssa A. Weigle

Hesston: Christian N. Kafka

Hollidaysburg: Taylor J. Smilnak

Johnstown: Justin F. Capouellez, Emily A. Jones, Sarah J. Kushnir, Kayli M. Mangus, Amanda M. McGlynn, Douglas M. Rosenberger, Raymond D. Stockley, Susan M. Sunseri, Kayla Williams

Orbisonia: Cassandra Thomas

Patton: Abigail R. Hite

Somerset: John D. Wendel

South Fork: Krislyn N. Boyles, Amanda R. Noon

Windber: Richard A. Johns

Dean’s List for Fall 2012 announced

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is proud to announce that the following students made the Dean’s List for the Fall 2012 semester.

Alexandria: Ashley Z. Miller

Altoona: Rachel R. Johnson, Krista E. Nixon, Jared P. Yahner

Beaverdale: John G. Edwards, Karen S. Hendrickson, Tashia N. Holdsworth, Shawna A. Skrout

Bedford: Christopher L. Hogue, Isaac A. Stiffler

Berlin: Tyler S. Hoffman

Boswell: Angel L. Albright, Cheyenne J. Alwine

Cairnbrook: Jessica L. Fama, Stacy M. Spiker

Carrolltown: Kristin R. Illig, Brooke E. Jones, Jeffrey A. Kline, Jamie K. Murphy

Central City: Stephanie M. Barnes, Hannah B. Frazier, Kelsey N. Glessner, Brittany A. Lusczek, Lanette C. Rayman, Nicole L. Zapotosky

Colver: Amanda L. Ferguson, Amber L. James, Travis A. Sergent, Janette Thompson

Conemaugh: Brandon M. Grove, Edna J. Livingston, Lisa A. Vasas

Cresson: Ally R. Bono, Marsue L. Glenn, Tonya L. Wilt

Davidsville: Jennifer K. Dillon, Belinda R. Ford, Carly A. Frick, Laura J. Gindlesperger, Grant L. Speigle, Joshua R. Stine

Duncansville: Michaela R. Renner

Dunlo: Sherry J. Hribar, Luther T. Varljen

Ebensburg: Kelly M. Caruso, Daniel Q. DeBalli, Beth A. Dishong, Kelsey L. Dolan, Rachel L. Gatto, Annette M. Gerber, Timirr J. Horton, Anthony M. Lamont, Jeremy A. McBreen, Taylor C. Stewart, Crista L. Wasser

Elmora: Courtney M. Dibble, Adam D. Hinton, Corey J. Lane, Brenda A. Shaffer

Friedens: Lisa D. Groman

Gallitzin: Rhonda E. Capouellez, Joslyn L. McAllister

Gray: Michelle L. Gilbert

Hastings: Samantha J. Lechene, Rumilda Sabo

Hesston: Christian N. Kafka

Hollidaysburg: Thomas A. Campbell, Sean T. Riggleman

Hollsopple: Erika M. Sleek, Codi L. Spengler, Karen L. Steel, Jonluke D. Varner

Hooversville: Hope N. Oaks

Jennerstown: Amy R. Schmidt

Johnstown: Samia S. Amin, Dawn L. Asure, James J. Augustine, Shawn D. Beam, Jane Bennese, Lori E. Bills, Colleen M. Blue, Charles H. Boring, Amanda B. Bowes, Krista F. Brathwaite, Racquelle L. Coleman, Andrew R. Colvin, Dana M. Crosley, Caitlin J. Crowley, Jessica L. Daum, Sarah T. Davis, Steve B. Domonkos, Lynn A. Eash, Wesley R. Ed, Kristen M. Emigh, Emily G. Fabick, Lynette F. Faight, Shana S. Fochtman, Vicki L. Foor, AnnMarie Furman, Hunter E. Furman, Nichole L. Garland, Marcus L. Gaunt, Jason L. Giebfried, Charles E. Goggin, Allison G. Griffith, Carolyn M. Gritzer, Kayleigh A. Grove, Clifford S. Groves, Lora J. Hagens, Christie J. Hall, Faylynn R. Hall, Kayla M. Hardison, Cory M. Hartland, Matthew J. Haslett, William B. Hearn, Mitchell H. Hill, Marissa K. Hoover, Tiffany D. Hritz, Susan G. Hunt, Stephanie C. Innis, Emily A. Jones, Elizabeth A. Karcher, Brian K. Kauffman, Sara N. Khalil, Kelsey E. Knepper, Kristen N. Kusch, Mark C. Kush, Dina M. Lalumiere, Eric P. Lesosky, Jodi N. Lindemuth, Alethea N. Locher, Kathryn N. Lynch, Kristin G. MacEwan, Kathleen M. Mandrgoc, Kayli M. Mangus, Angela M. Margucci, Desarae B. Margucci, Abby L. Massimo, Richard E. McCaulley, Amanda M. McGlynn, Kimberly R. Mihalaki, Daniel J. Miller, Michael R. Miller, Jill L. Mock, Edgar R. Montero, Robert J. Morneau, Kelli M. Moses, Daryl L. Mucker, Jessica E. Nagle, Loren N. Opdenhoff, Samantha L. Orlando, Nicole R. Paratore, Bruce P. Pitt, Alyse C. Pollard, Amy J. Poplinski, Gretchen R. Rauch, Jennifer N. Reed, Sean T. Rigby, Carly N. Riggleman, Donna M. Ritchey, Kathryn K. Rivetti, John P. Rizzo, Joshua A. Robertson, Edward M. Rosbaugh, Douglas M. Rosenberger, Brian A. Sarosi, Mark A. Sauro, Marcie E. Saylor, Matthew T. Scholl, Bryan M. Scott, Shannon L. Shaffer, Danielle M. Shovlin, Korbi L. Slocum, Dennis J. Smolko, Amanda R. Solomon, Katie A. Sprankle, Allison Stancombe, Raymond D. Stockley, Sandra m. Stopko, Charles A. Stringer, Jamie L. Sukenik, Gina M. Tanaka, Dennis P. Unger, Amy L. Valinsky, Gregory Varner, Hannah L. Walter, John A. Waynik, William D. Weible, Alesa L. Weslager, Kurstin N. Whorl, Abigail G. Williams, Kayla Williams, Megan E. Wilson, Alexander D. Wise, Ashley D. Wonders, Kim S. Wright, Dorothy E. Wyatt, Thomas B. Young, Stacey M. Zometsky

Ligonier: Adam L. Pifer, Elizabeth D. Wissinger

Loretto: Viola E. Eckenrode

Mill Creek: Miranda K. Weaver

Mineral Point: Melissa L. Brubaker, Maria C. Comisac, Richard L. Coval, Rene N. Getz, Morgan R. Hagerich, Shawnda K. Major, Nastya N. Pennington, Easton T. Tomak, Patricia L. Valenti, Stephanie M. Young, Tiffany M. Young

Mount Union: Alexandra L. Querry

Nanty Glo: Kristin M. Cunningham, Victoria R. Dunchuck, Brooke M. Forcellini, Ryan P. Friedman, Amanda J. Hill, David J. Kivisto, Dane A. Noble, Ashley M. Simasek, Christina D. Vaskovich

New Florence: Lucas J. Cramer, Danielle N. Smith

Nicktown: Joshua J. Dumm

Northern Cambria: Beverly D. Charney, Joshua P. Demi, Kayla E. Duriez, Eric D. Livingston, James D. Previte, Marykay B. Stein, Danielle A. Thomas

Orbisonia: Catherine M. Smith

Patton: Jennifer L. Hallerz, Abigail R. Hite, Melissa B. Nagle, Martina M. Ringler, Jennifer M. Welchko

Penn Run: Meagan R. Hilty

Portage: Apryle C. Ernest, Courtnie E. Eshbaugh, Jamie L. Fillhart, Jacob J. Franey, James R. Hale, Kaley C. Lucas, Nicole L. Makoczy, Zachary J. Niper, Benjamin C. Pavlosky, Shane A. Tarachko, Ashley L. Young, Alex B. Zaman

Revloc: Patricia L. Rocker

Rockwood: Echo K. Kincaid, Ray W. Wilhelm

Salix: Robert N. Hritz, Scott R. Lohr, Haley D. Saccol, William J. Steen, Philip A. Trout

Seward: Carrie A. Kime, James M. Varholak

Sidman: Stephanie R. Connor, Carla J. Gressick, Pamela C. Hendrickson, Michele L. Moss

Somerset: Michael A. Benford, Samantha R. Burk, Chris A. Conti, Tiffany N. Gardner, Paige A. Gross, Robert J. Kinsinger, Sonya K. Richards

South Fork: Joy A. Bailey, Morgan L. Brewer, Samantha E. Malfer, Amanda R. Noon, Michelle E. Pavcik, Shawna A. Ressler, Marcy A. Vasbinder, Alicia A. Wolfhope

St. Michael: Sarah M. Appley

Stoystown: Lauren L. Brewer

Strongstown: Audrey A. Mottin

Summerhill: Daniel E. Johnson, Rachel C. Konsavich, Ashley M. Kordish, Christopher J. McCall, Ashley N. Penatzer, Emily J. Smay, William R. Tomb, Jenney I. Williams

Twin Rocks: Ashley L. Bobby, William N. Keppler

Tyrone: Sean E. Morrissey

Windber: Frank A. Adamczyk, George G. Agypt, Randy L. Anderson, Scott M. Beamer, Leah E. Chaderwick, Stephen E. Chappie, Karina Chevere, Theresa L. Chippie, Leanne M. Clark, Justin P. Gearty, Taylor N. Griffin, Nicholas K. Grumbling, Daphne J. Janik, Richard A. Johns, Kevin R. Keefer, Hannah M. Leister, Jennifer E. Lux, Amy K. Marsh, Matthew Z. Papinchak, Emily P. Russell, Robert H. Seese, Jessica A. Sheetz, Christina M. Slifco, Katrina P. Spinelli, Nancy E. Thomas, Daniel R. Valchine, Samantha L. Young

Huntingdon Couple fund Scholarship

A local couple is the first in the area to fund a scholarship for students to attend Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. Stan and Helen Westbrook have pledged scholarship funds over the next five years to support students who attend Penn Highlands and have graduated from Mount Union School District. The Westbrook’s owned and operated Meadowview Manor Personal Care for 30 years before selling the business in the fall of 2012.

“Helen and I feel very strongly that we should give back to the community that has supported our family for so many years.” said Stan Westbrook. “Working with Pennsylvania Highlands to provide this scholarship is a way for us to let these students know anything is possible and people believe in them.”

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has been operating in Huntingdon County since 2009 and moved into its permanent location on Margy Drive in 2011. “We are truly grateful to the Westbrook family for providing this scholarship for our students,” said Dr. Walter Asonevich, President of Pennsylvania Highlands. “I don’t think people fully appreciate the impact that providing a scholarship has on not only the recipient, but an entire school district and community. We have found that one student’s success can be contagious, igniting a desire to succeed in many others.”