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7 Students Named To 2023 All-PA Academic Team

The Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges recently honored the 29th annual All-Pennsylvania Academic Team, consisting of 64 students representing 14 community colleges from across the Commonwealth. The honor recognizes high achieving college students who demonstrate academic excellence and intellectual rigor combined with leadership and service that extends their education beyond the classroom to benefit society.

The students are selected for the All-Pennsylvania Academic Team based on a nomination and application process. The 2023 scholars include 48 Transfer Pathway students and 16 Workforce Pathway students.

Seven of those honored were from Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. The following students were honored and are members of the All-Pennsylvania Academic Transfer and Workforce Pathway Teams:

• Kylee Fabo (Summerhill, PA) – Transfer Scholar
• Adrianna Farrell (Northern Cambria, PA) – Transfer Scholar
• Emma Martz (Berlin, PA) – Transfer Scholar
• Jeffrey Matevish (Johnstown, PA) – Workforce Pathway Scholar
• Brianna Pavkovich (Rockwood, PA) – Transfer Scholar
• Rebecca Perrone (Northern Cambria, PA) – Workforce Pathway Scholar
• Jessica Shockey (Friedens, PA) – Transfer Scholar

Transfer Pathway honorees plan to transfer to a four-year college after graduation. They must have completed at least 36 credits at a community college with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. Pennsylvania’s community colleges partner with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education to provide scholarships to Transfer Pathway students, providing two years of tuition at any PASSHE school.

Workforce Pathway student honorees plan to enter the workforce after completing a certificate or associate degree at a community college. Workforce Pathway students must have a minimum of 12 college-level credit hours at a community college and a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.

“We are so pleased to honor these scholars,” said Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges President and CEO Elizabeth Bolden. “They are outstanding and accomplished students from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines. They are applying their intellectual skills to make lasting contributions to their colleges and communities. And they showcase that Pennsylvania’s community colleges are educating and training tomorrow’s leaders.”

Adrianna Farrell Named A 2023 Coca-Cola Team Gold Scholar

Adrianna Farrell, of Northern Cambria, PA, has been named a 2023 Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar and will receive a $1,500 scholarship. Not only is Adrianna a Liberal Arts and Sciences student at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, but she also serves as the College’s Student Senate President and Student Trustee.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Academic Team program by recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver, and 50 Bronze Scholars with nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each scholar also receives a commemorative medallion.

“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” said Jane Hale Hopkins, President of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa to make it possible for more deserving students to achieve their educational goals and support tomorrow’s leaders of the global community.”

Students are nominated for the academic team by their college administrators. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership, and engagement in college and community service.

“We thank the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation for recognizing these student leaders and for investing in their futures,” said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, President and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. “Scholarships like these are integral to the success of these students in reaching their educational and career goals.”

Coca-Cola Academic Team members were recognized in both local and statewide ceremonies.

About the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation celebrates and empowers visionary leaders who are refreshing the world. Supporting more than 1,400 exceptional college students each year, it awards $3.55 million in scholarships annually through three nationally recognized programs. Learn more at coca-colascholarsfoundation.org.

About Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.

Commencement For 28th Graduating Class Set For May 12th

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will be holding a Commencement Ceremony for the Twenty-Eighth Graduating Class on Friday, May 12th, in their Richland Campus Auditorium (101 Community College Way, Johnstown, PA). The ceremony will begin at 6 PM.

Student Senate President and Student Trustee Adrianna Farrell, of Northern Cambria, PA, will be giving this year’s Commencement Address. Ms. Farrell will obtain an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences during the ceremony.

Adrianna Farrell will share her message with the nearly 200 graduates who are planning to be in attendance. Also addressing the graduates will be Penn Highlands Community College President Dr. Steve Nunez, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees Greg Winger, Cambria County President Commissioner Thomas Chernisky, and Faculty Senate President Joe Slifko.

In addition to awarding associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates at the ceremony, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will also present the Distinguished Graduate Award. This award honors a student who has contributed his or her time and effort to Pennsylvania Highlands and the community while maintaining a high level of academic performance.

For those unable to attend, you may watch this year’s live stream of Commencement through the College’s YouTube channel.

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College looks forward to honoring the Twenty-Eighth Graduating Class.

> Click for full details on Commencement, such as guest information and the event’s program.

New 3+1 Transfer Agreement with Saint Francis University Provides A Clear Path For Accounting Students

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is proud to announce a new articulation agreement with Saint Francis University, which will allow accounting students to earn their bachelor’s degree through a 3+1 program path.

This agreement replaces the previous 2+2 accounting articulation agreement between Saint Francis University and Penn Highlands. Under the new agreement, students will complete three years of coursework at Penn Highlands Community College before transferring to Saint Francis University for their final year.

“Saint Francis University continues to be a great educational partner with Pennsylvania Highlands Community College,” stated Dr. Steve Nunez, President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. “This articulation agreement, as do many others with Saint Francis, provides a seamless and efficient pathway for Penn Highlands students to transfer to Saint Francis University.”

Students who have already completed two years of coursework in the 2+2 framework will have the option to follow the new 3+1 path. This articulation agreement takes effect for both new and current students starting with the Fall 2023 semester.

“Articulation agreements like these provide more opportunities for the residents of central Pennsylvania to complete their bachelor’s degree without ever leaving the region,” continued Dr. Nunez.

Rev. Malachi Van Tassell, T.O.R., Ph.D, Saint Francis University President added, “We are thrilled to announce the establishment of an articulation agreement that creates a clear academic roadmap for students pursuing an accounting degree. This partnership between our institution and Penn Highlands Community College will provide students with a streamlined transfer process and access to valuable resources and support as they work towards achieving their academic and career goals in accounting. We are excited to see the impact this agreement will have on the success of students and the accounting profession as a whole.”

Not only will students earn a bachelor’s degree from a top-tier institution like Saint Francis University, but they will receive additional savings by having their costs of three years match up with tuition and fees at their local, fully accredited community college.

Click here for more details on transfer agreements. 

Police Academy Accepts Donated Police Cruiser

This is the donated police cruiser by the South Fork Borough Police Department to the Penn Highlands Police Academy. April 2023.

The South Fork Borough Police Department recently donated a fully functional, out of service police cruiser to the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Police Academy (Penn Highlands Police Academy) in an effort to support the training and education of future law enforcement officers.

With this donation, the Penn Highlands Police Academy will be better able to provide additional hands-on training to cadets in a real-world setting. This will help prepare them for the many challenges and situations they will face in their careers.

This donation will not only benefit the Penn Highlands Police Academy, but it will also enhance public safety by helping to produce well-trained and prepared law enforcement officers.

“We are grateful to the South Fork Borough Police Department for this generous donation,” said Dennis Miller, Penn Highlands Police Academy Director. “This police cruiser will provide our cadets with invaluable training and hands-on experience that will prepare the next generation of police officers.”

The Penn Highlands Police Academy is an essential institution that provides comprehensive training to individuals who aspire to become law enforcement officers. It instills future officers with the skills, knowledge, and values necessary to serve and protect their communities.

Click here for more information about the Police Academy at Penn Highlands Community College.