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Center For Culinary Excellence Unveiled With Ribbon-Cutting

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College unveiled its Center for Culinary Excellence at a ribbon-cutting event on Wednesday, March 27, in its new downtown Johnstown location.

The initial class using the Center for Culinary Excellence consists of students from the Greater Johnstown School District participating in an early college program through dual enrollment. The Center will be open to the public for those seeking an associate degree or certificate in culinary arts beginning with the Fall 2024 semester, which starts in August.

“What a great moment for Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, Johnstown High School, and most importantly, those interested in making a career in the field of culinary arts,” stated Dr. Steve Nunez, Penn Highlands Community College President. “This initiative would not have been possible without collaboration from the 1889 Foundation, the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, the Greater Johnstown School District, and Intrignia, Inc. Great things can happen in Johnstown when we work together.”

A grant from the 1889 Foundation helped purchase some of the modern equipment needed for the Center for Culinary Excellence while the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies donated $30,000 to provide scholarships for second-year students in the culinary arts program.

The Greater Johnstown School District plans to send a new class of dual enrollment students annually.

“This program provides a new career pathway for Penn Highlands students,” stated Erica Reighard, Penn Highlands Dean of Faculty. “It prepares them for jobs that are in demand within the local community. Students will be prepared for entry-level and management positions within the food service industry. They will receive a general business management foundation, as well as advanced culinary skills, including baking and pastry.”

Students who complete the full two-year program will receive an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts. The curriculum will consist of multiple culinary, business, and general education courses, along with an internship during the final semester.

For the internship, the students will work at multiple restaurants in the Johnstown area, rotating two weeks at each location until the hourly requirement is fulfilled. Around a dozen local restaurants have shown interest in hosting students.

Students who began their program at a career and technical center can transfer up to four classes into Culinary Arts at Penn Highlands Community College.

Pictured left to right: Cambria County Commissioner Scott Hunt, 1889 Foundation President Susan Mann, Community Foundation of the Alleghenies President and Executive Director Mike Kane, Greater Johnstown School District Superintendent Dr. Amy Arcurio, Pennsylvania Highlands President Dr. Steve Nunez, Cambria County Commissioner Keith Rager, City of Johnstown Mayor Frank Janakovic, Cambria County Commissioner Tom Chernisky, and Pennsylvania Highlands Board of Trustees Chairperson Greg Winger.

Pictured left to right: Cambria County Commissioner Scott Hunt, 1889 Foundation President Susan Mann, Community Foundation of the Alleghenies President and Executive Director Mike Kane, Greater Johnstown School District Superintendent Dr. Amy Arcurio, Pennsylvania Highlands President Dr. Steve Nunez, Cambria County Commissioner Keith Rager, City of Johnstown Mayor Frank Janakovic, Cambria County Commissioner Tom Chernisky, and Pennsylvania Highlands Board of Trustees Chairperson Greg Winger.

College Signs Articulation Agreement With Point Park University

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has announced the signing of an articulation agreement with Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA.

The agreement gives Penn Highlands students 15 different options to transfer to Point Park to complete their bachelor’s degree, including Business Administration/Management, Psychology, Social Work, Marketing, and Paralegal Studies, among other majors.

Upon acceptance into Point Park, all full-time, on-campus students will be awarded a Merit Scholarship ranging from $14,000 to $20,000 per year. Students will also receive a one-time Community College Transfer Scholarship for $2,000. Also, if the student is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, they will receive an additional $1,500 per year.

Students are eligible to transfer credits of a C- or higher in final letter grade.

“This agreement provides an excellent opportunity for our graduates to continue their studies at the uniquely urban setting of Point Park University,” stated Michelle Stumpf, Dean of Enrollment Services and Registrar. “The discount offered to on-campus students makes this agreement even more attractive to Penn Highlands graduates.”

Point Park is the 33rd different college or university to sign an articulation agreement with Penn Highlands. The College now holds a total of 166 articulation agreements.

New ACE Bridge Scholarship Creates Pathway For HS Dual Enrollment Students

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has launched the ACE Bridge Scholarship, designed to assist former ACE dual enrollment students in achieving their goal of earning an associate degree or certificate. 

“This scholarship is unique in that it recognizes the efforts of our ACE students by providing a tiered scholarship that essentially covers the cost of dual enrollment courses taken in the high school,” stated Trish Corle, Vice President of Student Services. “We want to provide a pathway that includes those dual enrollment credits and guides our students to the completion of an affordable post-secondary credential.” 

The scholarship is available in three tiers. It is awarded to students based on the quantity of ACE credits they have accumulated. These tiers comprise: 

• Tier I – Student earns up to 5 credits with a “C” grade or higher, $250 per semester for two consecutive full-time semesters will be given, resulting in a $500 total award. 
• Tier II – Student earns 6 to 10 credits with a “C” grade or higher, $350 per semester for two consecutive full-time semesters will be given, resulting in a $700 total award. 
• Tier III – Student earns 11 or more credits with a “C” grade or higher, $500 per semester for two consecutive full-time semesters will be given, resulting in a $1,000 total award. 

To be eligible, students must have completed ACE dual enrollment credits while in high school with Penn Highlands, earned a “C” or higher in all ACE dual enrollment classes, and have achieved a 2.0 or higher cumulative GPA. 

The student is required to enroll full-time at Penn Highlands in the fall semester immediately after graduating from high school and must select a major field of study. 

ACE Bridge Scholarship awards will be available starting with the 2024-2025 academic year.

Beyond the ACE Bridge Scholarship, the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation provides access to over 20 unique scholarships, distributing more than $29,000 last year alone. Additionally, the Supporting Scholars Fund annually allocates over $80,000 to assist students, further exemplifying the Foundation’s commitment to academic support and excellence. 

New Institute For Cyber Security Includes Modernized Computer Technology Programs

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College proudly announces the launch of the Institute of Cyber Security (ICS), offering a comprehensive educational suite of pathway programs that includes three associate degree programs and two certificate options.

The College’s Institute for Cyber Security promotes and encourages cybersecurity awareness and practice through teaching, research, and service activities.

“We are excited about the opportunity to address the specific cybersecurity needs and local demands of our community,” stated Dr. Cynthia Doherty, Vice President of Academic Affairs. “Our students will not only meet the standards set by the College, but also align with industry standards, ensuring preparation for the field of cybersecurity.”

Starting in the Fall 2024 semester, the Institute for Cyber Security’s Computer Technology program will unveil updated curriculums for both of its tracks – Cyber Security and Information Technology Administration.

The certificate program in Cybersecurity also has a revamped curriculum, which teaches the skills to effectively safeguard computers and networks against a wide range of threats, including malware, viruses, protocol attacks, and more.

The Cyber Security and Information Technology Administration associate degrees will contain a full-time, two-year curriculum with the possibility of completing as many as 69 credits. The Cybersecurity certificate is a part-time, two-year program consisting of seven courses for 22 total credits.

Each technical course of the certificate program will provide students with a different certification that is preferred by employers within the cybersecurity field.

Pennsylvania Highlands is also collaborating with local high schools to introduce a two-year program that allows students to earn the certificate while still in high school. Students will begin the program as juniors and complete it by the time they earn their high school diploma. Two high schools have already committed to the project, with several others considering participation.

Scholarship money for the courses may be available to the students from the PC4A grant.

“This opportunity through PC4A is a chance to get interested students started in the field earlier,” stated Greg Paonessa, Instructor of Computer Technology. “A lot of high school students are at the point where they don’t know exactly where they want to go. With this option, if they like it, they can get involved sooner and be more prepared for further education or future employment upon completion of the certificate.”

All Computer Technology programs require an internship or a final project to graduate, so students will already have field experience in their respective area upon employment.

“The Institute for Cyber Security attracts not only students, but also individuals employed full-time, offering broad appeal across diverse demographics,” stated Erica Reighard, Dean of Faculty.

About PC4A (www.pc4a.org)
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a part of the PC4A Consortium. PC4A is comprised of Indiana University of Pennsylvania and six community colleges in Pennsylvania. The goal of PC4A is to support and strengthen the cyber security workforce in the United States of America. The PC4A Project is proudly funded by the US Department of Defense. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Office of Naval Research. 

College To Host Free Cybersecurity Community Event

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will be hosting a Cybersecurity Community Event on Friday, March 22, from 1 PM to 3 PM at the College’s Richland Campus.  

The event is free and open to anyone interested in learning how to protect their online information, with a special emphasis for senior citizens who are most vulnerable to cyber-attacks. 

“We are focused on trying to meet the general needs of the community,” stated Greg Paonessa, Instructor of Computer Technology. “Those who are very young and very old are the most vulnerable in society. We hope those who attend will become more knowledgeable while receiving valuable information on cybersecurity.”  

Attendees will receive a presentation from the Secret Service on internet security basics, learn how to detect and avoid scams, make purchases online safely, and protect bank records. There will be special hands-on activities for seniors to test their knowledge about cyber threats. 

Additionally, local corporations such as Ameriserv, All Lines Technology, and CTC will be on hand to meet with participants and discuss their services. 

For questions, contact Greg Paonessa at gpaonessa@pennhighlands.edu. 

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a part of the PC4A Consortium. PC4A is comprised of Indiana University of Pennsylvania and six community colleges in Pennsylvania. The goal of PC4A is to support and strengthen the cyber security workforce in the United States of America.