Newsroom

Natalie Toma Hired To Lead The Blair Center

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is proud to announce that Natalie Toma has been hired as the College’s Director of the Blair Center.

Toma, a native of Altoona, has over 20 years of experience in higher education, including working in four different positions over a span of 15 years at Harrisburg Area Community College.

“So far, my time at Pennsylvania Highlands has been nothing short of amazing,” Toma stated. “I have never worked in a place where the people have been so welcoming and offering to help me get settled in. The Blair Center team is full of hard workers that are committed to helping students achieve their academic and career goals, and I am excited to be a part of it.”

Toma holds an associate degree in hospitality management from Harrisburg Area Community College, a bachelor’s degree in occupational studies from Siena Heights University in Adrian, Michigan, and a master’s in health & wellness coaching from Maryland University of Integrated Health. She is a proud first-generation college graduate.

Prior to Penn Highlands, Toma served as an Admissions Counselor, Healthcare Specialist, Enrollment Manager, and Director of Admissions at Harrisburg from 2005 to 2020. She was then a Workforce Coordinator at Shippensburg University from March 2020 to January 2022 before relocating back to the area and becoming a Health & Wellness Adjunct Instructor at Penn State Altoona.

Toma said one of her main goals is to bring more awareness to the local community that Penn Highlands is a place where students can earn a quality education.

“I really want to show people that we’re here,” Toma stated. “We want to have Penn Highlands be Altoona’s college. To do this, we must get involved with initiatives in the area and show people how much we care about everyone and what is happening in our area. I believe we have the dedicated resources and staff to do this.”

Natalie Toma standing outside the College’s Blair Center (September 2023).

New Animatronic Robot To Assist Students In Computer Science & Programming

The animatronic, known as a “RADEON”, is only one of its kind on the East Coast.

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has introduced a new technologically advanced learning tool for its students: an animatronic robot.

The animatronic, known as a “RADEON”, was purchased from Garner Holt Education through Imagination, LLC, using grant funds. Pennsylvania Highlands is now the only school on the East Coast to house this type of animatronic.

“We are very excited to be able to use this advanced technology in our programs,” stated Greg Paonessa, Instructor of Computer Technology at Pennsylvania Highlands. “I have introduced it in all of the classes I teach, and we are incorporating programming the animatronic into our current computer science and information technology programming at the college. We are able to have students learn how to program it and immediately see results, which is very useful.”

The animatronic was built based on a mixture of the frameworks for professional entertainment venues and a military design.

It is operated using a mixer board and a proprietary software package, as well as an air compressor that is attached via a series of hoses. The animatronic has 24 separate controls – 12 electrical and 12 hydraulic – that allow it to make movements such as tilting its body forward and upright, moving its wrists, arms, head, neck, and eyebrows, and having the ability to open and close its eyes and mouth.

The mouth can be programmed to run alongside a speaker located in the chest area of the animatronic, making it seem as if it is talking.

“When we received the animatronic, it came with no information on how to operate it,” Paonessa stated. “There was no documentation and no software. We had to enter a three-day training course to learn the basic operations of it. Now that we know how it runs, we plan to make modifications so it can do more than it is currently capable of.”

Paonessa said there are plans to enhance the existing programmable interface of the animatronic, as well as add sensor technology to expand its capabilities.

The animatronic is also planned to be involved with the College’s annual OneBook event, faculty kickoff, and used as a subject matter for a business writing class. Paonessa also wants to hold a college-wide contest to pick a name for the animatronic, which will be housed at the college’s Richland Campus.

The animatronic is housed within the Richland Campus and is used primarily for Computer Information Sciences classes, which offers four degrees and three certifications.

Greg Paonessa, Instructor of Computer Technology (left) explaining the benefits and capabilities of the new animatronic robot (Richland Campus, September 2023).

College To Host Admissions & Athletics Open House For Prospective Students

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is set to host an Admissions & Athletics Open House on Wednesday, November 8, at 2:30 PM and 5:30 PM at the College’s Richland Campus and Blair, Ebensburg, Huntingdon, and Somerset Centers.

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 future plans. Each location will focus on separate initiatives based on what each one offers.

“This will be a great opportunity for students to see our facilities and learn about opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom,” stated Matthew Bodenschatz, Director of Recruiting & Admissions. “We are a hidden gem for this area. With all the articulation agreements this college holds, whether it’s 2+2 or 3+1, we can get you where you want to go. This is only a fraction of the help someone can receive at one of these events.”

Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet with a faculty member who teaches courses in their respective field of study. The Richland Campus is scheduled to have three-to-four faculty members, while others will likely 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.

Adrianne Kuhar Named Cross Country Coach

Black Bear Athletics at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has named Adrianne Kuhar the Men’s and Women’s Cross Country coach.

Kuhar, who serves as a Student Engagement and Athletics Specialist at Penn Highlands, replaces three-year veteran coach Jeff Dick. She is a 2017 graduate of Penn Highlands and ran for the Black Bears in Fall 2016.

“I am honored to be given this coaching position,” stated Kuhar. “Having experience, I know what it takes to have grit as a runner. We are a family here at Penn Highlands, and I plan to keep that value with the team as well.”

The Black Bears finished runner-up at the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference (WPCC) Meet when Kuhar was a member of the team.

Kuhar plans to input her expertise in CrossFit, weightlifting, and competing in 5K races to her runners.

“We are very excited for Adrianne to take over the cross country program,” stated Sue Brugh, Director of Student Activities and Athletics. “She will work closely with our runners, as she understands the tradition of success we like to keep here. We feel Adrianne will be a great asset to the team and are anxious to see what she will achieve as coach.”

Kuhar has high aspirations right from the start, as she aspires for her runners to be conference or Region 20 champions, along with becoming the best versions of themselves inside and outside of the classroom.

Adrianne Kuhar, Head Cross Country Coach, standing outside the College’s Richland Campus (August 2023).

Carole VanMeter Hired as New Foundation Director

Carole VanMeter has been hired as the new Director of the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation.

VanMeter brings more than 15 years of public relations field experience in the Johnstown area to the table. Already having relationships with local businesses, she aims to continue and utilize them while working with the Pennsylvania Highlands Foundation.

“I am excited to step into this role,” VanMeter stated. “Everyone has been very welcoming. I have always loved marketing and the idea of what makes people and groups do what they do. In my previous job, I was able to train others and show the steps of planning a successful event. I hope to carry that into helping the Foundation reach new heights.”

VanMeter will be able to show off her skills rather quickly with the College Foundation’s upcoming Chef Auction fundraiser event, slated for the evening of October 11.

“The upcoming Chef Auction is a great example of me being able to showcase what I can do,” VanMeter stated. “I have spoken to local business owners that I had already known, and I am doing my best to use those relationships to help build the Foundation’s cause. I am a very positive person, and you need a positive person to believe in the cause you’re working for.”

VanMeter has earned a Bachelor of Science in Communications with a minor in Public Relations from Frostburg State University in Maryland.

As Director of the College Foundation, VanMeter aims to build stronger relationships within our region and looks to continue the growth of business partnerships locally and in the surrounding areas that Penn Highlands Community College serves.

Carole VanMeter, Director of the Penn Highlands Community College Foundation, standing outside the College’s Richland Campus (September 2023).