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Faculty Members Earn Promotion & Tenure

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has promoted two faculty members and granted tenure to one faculty member who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in teaching, advising, professional development, and service to the college and the 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 August 2023.

“The Penn Highlands’ faculty demonstrates their commitment to student success by working with students in and out of the classroom,” stated Dr. Cynthia Doherty, Vice President of Academic Affairs. “They help students by creating an engaging classroom environment and support materials to help them navigate their classes. They are also actively engaged in their communities. We are proud of the quality of the faculty at Penn Highlands.”

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:

• Wayde Simington from Instructor to Assistant Professor, Mathematics. Simington began his full-time career teaching mathematics courses at Pennsylvania Highlands in January 2019. Prior to that, he served as an adjunct instructor for the College. Simington has a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics and a Bachelor’s in Secondary Education Mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh. He is currently working on completing a Master of Science in Mathematics through Emporia State University.
• Dr. Matthew Sisak from Associate Professor to Professor, Biological Sciences. Dr. Sisak began his career as a full-time instructor in January 2014. He is President of Sisak Chiropractic Clinic, P.C., and has taught as an adjunct at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and Westmoreland County Community College, teaching Anatomy and Physiology courses. Dr. Sisak has a Bachelor of Science in Natural Sciences from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic.

FACULTY EARNING TENURE:

• Morgan Dugan, Assistant Professor, Early Childhood Education. Dugan began her career teaching Early Childhood Education courses at Pennsylvania Highlands in August 2018. Prior to that, she was employed at Greater Johnstown School District as an elementary teacher. Dugan has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and a Master of Education from Saint Francis University.

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

Return of the Chef Auction: Local Foundations Partner To Help Students Financially

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation and the 1889 Foundation are partnering to make a difference for local students by bringing back the Chef Auction fundraising event. The 2023 Chef Auction will be held at 5 PM on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center in downtown Johnstown.

The Chef Auction was originally developed over 10 years ago to help the community through the work of the 1889 Foundation. This year, the two foundations are coming together to re-ignite the popular event for a worthy cause.

“When we were approached for this partnership, we couldn’t say ‘yes’ fast enough,” stated Jeff Wood, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation Board President. “The College is growing, and part of the Foundation’s mission is to help students through scholarship dollars. Every penny is going toward scholarships. This event is going to change lives.”

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation manages funds for several scholarships totaling over $30,000 annually to students. These scholarships are funded by local businesses, area philanthropists, Pennsylvania Highlands staff and faculty, and Foundation fundraisers. In addition, the College sponsors nearly $80,000 in scholarships to high school seniors in the region who demonstrate outstanding excellence in academics and extracurricular activities.

In late 2022, the Greater Johnstown School District signed an agreement with Penn Highlands Community College that allows its Culinary Arts students to leverage their high school studies with the collegiate environment through dual enrollment. This allows these students to further their education more quickly by earning college credits toward an associate or bachelor’s degree.

The Chef Auction hopes to include Greater Johnstown culinary students in the evening to showcase their talents. The students’ training and experience will be partly due to the Penn Highlands Center for Culinary Excellence, which will be opening soon in the heart of downtown Johnstown.

“This partnership is very exciting for the 1889 Foundation. Two of our funding priorities are wellness and education,” stated Susan Mann, President of the 1889 Foundation. “Pennsylvania Highlands Community College offers much needed scholarship money to students and the academic offerings of the College assist the regional workforce. This partnership makes sense and will have great community impact.”

The Chef Auction is already securing restaurants and chefs for the evening. Sunnehanna Country Club, Balance Restaurant, and Nemacolin Woodlands Resort have all made commitments to be involved. Interested restaurants should reach out to the Penn Highlands Foundation to inquire about vendor options for the evening at foundation@pennhighlands.edu or 814.262.6448.

More details about the Chef Auction are to come, including sponsorship packages and individual tickets, by visiting the Chef Auction page on the College Foundation’s webpage at www.pennhighlands.edu/chefauction/.

To help a local student today by providing scholarship funding, visit www.pennhighlands.edu/donate/ or call the Foundation at 814.262.6448.

About the 1889 Foundation
1889 Foundation’s mission is to support innovative programs and initiatives that improve and transform the overall health and wellness of our region. Through collaborations and partnerships, with a focus on population health, the Foundation is dedicated to making meaningful change in the areas that are negatively impacting the health and well-being of our local communities. For more about the 1889 Foundation, visit www.1889foundation.org.

 About the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation (www.pennhighlands.edu/foundation/)
The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation is an innovative non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the efforts of the College with financial resources and scholarships through seeking and securing funds. The College Foundation offers over 10 diverse scholarships to students pursuing an education at Penn Highlands Community College. To donate to the College Foundation, visit www.pennhighlands.edu/donate/.

Police Academy Cadets Receive Uniform Donation From LCT Energy

Cadets of the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Police Academy were supplied with dress uniforms courtesy of a donation from LCT Energy.

These uniforms consist of a black windbreaker jacket with the Police Academy logo, a white dress shirt with the cadet’s name, and a green tie. LCT Energy, a corporation with multiple mining facilities in the area, was able to provide the uniforms through a local community partnership.

“As a result of the generosity of LCT Energy, our cadets were outfitted with a dress uniform,” stated Dennis Miller, Pennsylvania Highlands Police Academy Director. “The dress uniform is important as it reminds cadets to take pride in their training and chosen profession. The police uniform helps identify law enforcement officers in the communities they serve and represents professionalism, fairness, and a commitment toward public service.”

After completing the one-year program that runs evenings and weekends, 11 cadets will graduate in a September ceremony. To finish the program, cadets will have to complete 919 total hours of training to be able to take the mandatory state test. Upon passing, cadets will be eligible to work at any of the 1,207 police departments across Pennsylvania.

Of the 11 graduating cadets, nine have already earned conditional employment offers or are set to be employed at a department upon graduation.

The Police Academy was transferred to the college in late 2021. Prior, it was housed within the Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center, where it stood for 40 years. The inaugural cadet class began training in September 2022. A second class of cadets is set to begin training in September 2023.

Cadets standing in donated uniforms (front row L to R): Chloe Shaulis, Rodney Hall, Chris Logsdon, Corey Jones, Austin Thomas, Scott Berardinelli, Ian Crouch, Angel Raehl, (back row L to R): Tyler Collins, Gavin Pacewicz, Keith Eger

Nine Graduates Complete 3+1 Degree Programs At Saint Francis University

Nine Pennsylvania Highlands Community College graduates recently completed their bachelor’s degree studies from Saint Francis University by utilizing a 3+1 articulation partnership between the two institutions.

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 approximately only one year to complete a bachelor’s degree at Saint Francis University, saving students financially.

The graduates, who hail from the Laurel Highlands and surrounding areas, include:

• Garrett Burns (Altoona), B.S. Accounting
• Nicholas Bechtel (Martinsburg), B.S. Organizational Leadership
• Megan Cunningham (Johnstown), B.S. Behavioral Science
• Taylor Doughty (Cresson), B.S. Behavioral Science
• Matthew Dugan (Johnstown), B.S. Organizational Leadership
• Donald Hoffman (Newry), B.S. Behavioral Science
• Reagan Lightner (Alexandria), B.S. Behavioral Science
• David Morley (Mineral Point), B.S. Organizational Leadership
• Cody Sral (Ebensburg), B.S. Organizational Leadership

“These successes show how vital these types of educational partnerships are for our students and for our region,” stated Dr. Steve Nunez, President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. “Stories like these support the fact that Pennsylvania Highlands graduates are well-prepared for academically rigorous institutions like Saint Francis University; we are proud of our graduates and look forward to hearing more about their future accomplishments.”

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College partners with other higher educational institutions for the betterment of our students and our region, having over 200 articulation agreements with 20+ institutions.

Dean’s List Announced For Spring 2023

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is proud to announce that the following students have made the Dean’s List for the Spring 2023 semester.

Acme – Samuel Alan Marsh

Alexandria – Elizabeth Gwendollyn Heilman, Spencer Garrett Hoover, Reagan Christine Lightner

Altoona – Mohammed E. Ahmed, Denise Marie Barnes, Jonathan C. Barton, Kendra Lea Blazer, Natalie Sha Boose, Isabelle Alexandra Centeno, Cameron Elyse Detterbeck, Edward Michael Drzewiecki, James Robert Gallace, Leann Gray, Nikki Gunther-Geesaman, Nicole Horton, Elizabeth Danielle Karns-Waters, Kate Elizabeth Mueller, Michele Elyse Plummer, Taylor Morgan Rickabaugh, Mackenzie Renea Shuke, Emily Warner

Alum Bank- Todd Michael Fasnacht

Armagh- Melina Sue Fry

Ashville- Madison Marie Bender, Anevay Glenn Reed

Beaverdale- Kellie Howard, Brianna M. Ramsey

Bedford- Felix Hafer

Belleville- Gavin Daniel Patterson

Belsano- Katie Faith Long

Berlin – Caitlin Hrabley, Haelie Renna Lint, Emma Rose Martz, Hannah Louise Miller, Courtney Marie Seaman

Boswell – Emily Michele Bittner, Sarah Margaret Hostetler, Cenley Justine Miller, Jordan Nicole Willison

Bradford – Seth Mollander

Brisbin – Daphne Elizabeth Nevling

Brockway – Tanner Joseph Morelli

Calvin – Brooke Anne Shee

Carinbrook – Kate Marie Twigg

Carrolltown – Christine Lee Cantalope, Grace Isabella Krumenacker, Tanner J. Maurer, Carly J. Mezzelo, Samuel R. Sottile

Central City – Nicole Ashley Deneen, Sara Sue Watkins

Chicora – Richard B. Goodman

Claysburg – Jordan Lafferty, Joseph D. Mauk, Evan Charles Potter

Clymer – Whitney Nicole Strong

Coalport – Seth Ethan Dillon

Colver – Calvin McCullough Jacobs, Jesse David James

Conemaugh – Angelica Rose Taylor

Confluence – Sadie Simone Platter

Cresson – Tara Marie Gorba, Robert Clair Kearney, Joseph Rocco Mastri, Meghan Claire Mostick, Salvatore Tiracave

Dayton – Gavin John Solley

Du Bois – Jodi McJunkin

Duncansville – Morgan Elizabeth Bihary, Destany Hammel, Damon Joseph Hesley, Kelly Lynn Mayhle, Mckenzie A. Reilly, McKenzie Lynn Woods, Paige Cameron Woods

Ebensburg – Abigail Olivia Digon, Matthew Paul Kuzilla, Jacob Logan Scanlan, Nathan Paul Schilling

Erie – Jessica Bauer-Cook, Zachary Davis, Mallory Suzanne Jaquith, Matthew Paul Rinderle, Isaiah Zbach, Noah Zbach

Everett – Ashlynn Faith Stoll, Morgan Renee Zimmerman

Fallentimber – James Richard Eakins, Kayla Finnigan

Fenelton – Harlee R. MacDonald

Flinton – Ethan Michael Cavalet

Franklin – Caden Anthony Toscano

Friedens – Hind Achouri, Gavin James Kimmel, Jessica Shockey

Glasgow – Baine Allan Seilhamer

Hastings – Cindy K. Dillon, Carmella Rae Fredo, Quintin Xaiver Mazenko, Jenna Lynn Serafin, Krista Rose Watt, Nathan Lee Wholaver

Heilwood – Anthony Joseph Rizzo

Hollidaysburg – Ibrahim Alawad Aljalki, Noah Christopher Best, Trinity Erin Burk, Benjamin Patrick Dombrosky, Jennifer Nicole Lynch, Hunter Roy Marty, Joseph M. Mattern, Laura Jean McNutt

Homer City – Larry Leon Olliver

Hooversville – Alyssa M. Boyles, Hannah Marie Zorn

Houtzdale – Justin Bowman

Huntingdon- Rebecca Bickle, Florabel Laspinas Eriksen, William David Miller Harkleroad, Cortney Kathryn Zimmerman

Hyde – Sean Lee Miller

Indiana – TayShaun Emir Carter, David Luke Cochran, Ryan Joseph Fabin, Jonathan Clark Gibbons, Michael John Mundwiler

Jenners – Joseph B. Hornick

Johnstown – Cassidy Faye Bailey, Seneca Leslie Benjamin, Deranna N. Brandon, Kayla Marie Brathwaite, Ethan Alexander Cafeo, Hannah Nichole Cameron, Michael Steven Cratty, Emma Csehoski, Hannah Dadura, Isabella Marie Dadura, Darius A. Daily, Kyleigh R. Duranko, Charlee Kristina Eckenrod, Kayla Christine Eppley, Mackenzie Starr Flowers, Olivia Ada Kayin Grant, Conner Graves, Nicholas John Grosik, Gabriel Byron Helsel, Jeffrey Alan Hewitt, Brianna Hicks, Shayann B. Hill, Riley E. Holsopple, Liam Richard Hritz-Crotzer, Ean Jaber, Carlie Makel Jezeskie, Kerry L. Jones, Mellanie Jones, Carissa Anne Kaufman, Jayden K. Keith, Wade Travis Knipple, Nathan James Kniss, Xenia E. Kobal, Kit C. Lang, Qiana M. Lucas, Dalton J. Lynch, Teresa A. Marion, Faith M. Mascuch, Laurell C. McClurkin, Kathleen Rebecca McNally, Tracy Loren McNatt, Aniyah U. Moore, Amanda Nicole Mosorjak, Brice W. Mroczka, Taylor Nagle, Carmyne N. O’Connor, Krish A. Patel, Chloe Rayne Polenik, Austin Ray Reese, Morgan Leigh Rese, Maria Isabel Rolon, Luke Stephen Rozich, Matthew Paul Rozum, Mathew R. Rybolt, Joseph Facciani Sabo, Dylan Charles Santichen, Jaclynne Joyce Schario, Jordan Wesely Shaw, Addison Nathaniel Spisak, Adam Dwight Steigert, Joshua James Stem, Lexington T. Tanaka, Myah Nichole Teeter, Carson Lee Thomas, James Vasilko, Shemilla A-M. White, Logan Wienand, Charizma Rose Wilson, Steven Joseph Winfield, Evan Joseph Wiseman, Joziah Emanuel Wyatt-Taylor, Renu Williams, Mathew S. Zook

Kittanning – Drake Henry Atherton

Latrobe – Anthony Lamosek, Autumn Haley Mardis

Lewistown – Tyler Lee Hunter

Lilly – Grant William Bossler, Meagan Barbara Leahey, Ethan Everett Reese

Loretto – Austin Paul Conrad, Ryan Joseph Lenz, Kayla Weslager

Martinsburg – Yessenia Diaz Guzman, Sarah Michelle Holland

Meyersdale – Madison Marie Porter, Jordan Lynn Werner

Mifflin – Stephanie Elaine Slusser

Mineral Point – Aaron J. Dreikorn, Christopher Evans, Elliot Michael Knepper

Mount Union – Alexes Swanger

Munster – Madison Marie Wirfel-Latocha

Nanty Glo – Rachel Lynn Christner, Kaley Storm Fleck, Gianina Marie Galli, Dillon Joseph Gongloff

New Enterprise – Ashley E. Kichman

New Florence – Grace Isabella Blankenbicker, Autumn Lynne Hardy, Ava Lynn Kovalcik

New Paris – Lauryn Elizabeth Calhoun, William Byron Mitchell

Northern Cambria – Jamie Janette Detwiler, Adrianna Rose Farrell, Alyssa Erin Hoffman, Laci N. Lanzendorfer, Serenity Lorraine Pala, Rebecca Nicole Perrone, Jensen Wiewiora

Osceola Mills – Payton Elizabeth Daly, Wyatt Alexander Kephart

Parkhill – Peyton Allen Urban

Patton – Paige Ann-Marie Jones, Charlene Miko, Abbigail Marie Warfield

Philipsburg – Ryan Douglas Kephart

Port Matilda – Ethan Allen Lindley

Portage – Scott Matthew Berardinelli, Jon Patrick Brickley, Darron J. Koss, Samantha Lynn Moyer, Jeremy Zane Piatak, Abby Elizabeth Thrower, Jonathan Robert Wolford

Roaring Spring – Jordyn Mackenzie Heuston, Allee Shae Keagy, Madison Musselman

Robertsdale – Karly Denae Schiffel

Rockwood – Alexander Sheldon Benford, Kelly Ann Hearn, Brianna Lee Pavkovich, Joscelin Marie Revello

Ruffs Dale – Jacob Manetta

Saint Marys – Jonathan William Krug

Salisbury – Brooke Elise Gnagey

Salix – George Mitchell Moschgat, Robert Stephen Sivi

Saxton – Christina Nichole Sparks

Schellsburg – Jenna M. Emerick, Mary Bernadette Martell

Seward – Tessa G. Rudnik

Shanksville – Rayna Sue Diyn

Shirleysburg – Abigail Joanne Aurand, Wyatt James Snair

Smithmill – Nathaniel Robert Beers

Somerset – Emma Grace Engleka, Emily Taylor Evans, Beth Ann Hersh, Rebekah Marie Krishak, Zoe Elizabeth McGee, Morgan Alayna Walker, Amanda Janiene Watkins, Jade Isabelle Williams

South Fork – Kayla Marie Clifford, Ian M. Coggin

Stoystown- Austin Michael Craycraft, Hunter Luke Martin

Summerhill – Kylee Lynn Fabo, Jacqueline Smith

Templeton – Joshua Paul Dunn

Three Springs – Katelyn M. Harper

Tyrone – Kaleigh Kathryn Andrews, Meghan E. McMullen, Alex Robert Miller, Makayla Marie Sprankle

Vintondale – Tatumn Deleaney Coyle

Williamsburg – Shane Matthew Dixon, Gabriel Ashton Mingle

Windber – Kyra Noel Allison, Julia Grace Burkhard, Quinn Maddison Charney, Allison Mae Dusack, Giovani Joseph Flori, Katelyn Elizabeth Graham, Karli Shay Hanik, Kaden Michael Klonicke, Megan B. Ott, Cheyenne Louise Papinchak, Trinity A. Stewart, Jamin Anthony Tomaselli, Jude Robert Tomaselli

York- Patricia Danner, Nick Roomsburg