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New Behavioral Sciences Degree Start This Fall Semester

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has announced the start of a new online program, the Associate of Arts in Behavioral Sciences degree. This exciting opportunity will be available for enrollment starting with the Fall 2024 semester. Students can pursue this degree and their academic goals conveniently and flexibly, with the added advantage of it being in a 100 percent online format.

The Behavioral Sciences degree provides an in-depth understanding of human behavior and the underlying psychological and social mechanisms that drive it. This program integrates concepts from psychology, social work, and criminology, enabling students to develop a comprehensive perspective on individual and societal actions.

“The new behavioral sciences degree at Penn Highlands is designed for students who are interested in the helping professions, like psychology, social work, criminal justice, and education, but may not be sure in which area to focus,” stated Daniella Cope, Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Program Coordinator at Penn Highlands.

“Students have the option to concentrate coursework in one of these areas, take a little bit of everything, and transfer applicable prior credits into the degree. The program’s delivery is online for the student who needs flexibility to balance work, family, and educational advancement. With an associate degree in behavioral sciences, graduates can begin working in the field or transfer into a bachelor’s degree program.”

To earn the degree, students must complete 62 credits under four sections, including General Education Requirements (23 credits), Major Requirements (12), Major Electives (22), and Free Electives (6).

The program is designed for students planning to transfer to a four-year institution with the goal of earning a bachelor’s degree in a social science field. It is also suitable for those seeking entry-level positions in various human service roles after graduation.

Graduates will be prepared for entry-level employment in social and behavioral sciences. Positions include Human Resources intern, pharmacy technician, home health aide, law enforcement officer, office administrator, assistant counselor, teacher’s aide, and social worker assistant.

Children’s Literacy Night Scheduled For March; Free For Children

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Caring for Cubs Education Club will be hosting a Children’s Literacy Night on Thursday, March 7, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. at the College’s Richland Campus.

Literacy Night is free to attend and is open to all children from birth to nine years old. This event is designed to enhance academic literacy development and expose the attendees to literature.

During the event, children will be supervised by current Early Childhood Education and Education students at various literacy stations. Every literacy station will offer a hands-on activity that suits the children’s developmental stage, encouraging active engagement. Each station will last for approximately 10 minutes, ensuring optimal learning and enjoyment.

The tentative schedule for the Literacy Night is as follows:

• 5:15 to 5:30 PM – Registration & Check-in
• 5:30 to 6:00 PM  – Pizza & Drinks
• 6:00 to 7:30 PM  – Literary Rotations

“As an educator with a deep passion for teaching literacy, I am thrilled to host this event for a second year in a row,” stated Morgan Dugan, Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education. “At our gathering, we will explore the transformative power of literacy and how it can be applied to real-life experiences. I am excited to share how my students are not only learning in the classroom but also applying their newfound knowledge to make a tangible impact in their lives and communities.”

All children will be given a book by the KSLA (Keystone State Literacy Association) along with a prize bag for attending the event. All parents or guardians must attend the event with their child.

The Literacy Night is sponsored by the Keystone State Literacy Association (KSLA), Cambria County Library, United Way, The Learning Lamp, Junior Achievement, YMCA, and Beginnings, Inc.

Police Academy Announces Dates For Two Open Houses

The Pennsylvania Highlands Police Academy will be hosting two open houses, one on Monday, February 12, and one on Monday, March 4, from 6 to 7 PM at the College’s Richland Campus.

Participants can choose between either of the two available sessions. February’s event will be held in Room A142, while March’s will be in A143. Both locations are directly across the hall from the College’s Large Group Instruction (LGI) classroom.

“The field of law enforcement is both exciting and growing, with many new career opportunities for our graduates,” stated Dennis Miller, Police Academy Director. “These events are a great opportunity to explore the Police Academy and a career in law enforcement.”

During the event, participants will gain insights into the application process, pre-screening tests, and overall curriculum. Additionally, a guided tour of the Academy’s facilities will be provided.

The Penn Highlands Police Academy is a certified unit of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (Act 120). Successful completion of the program will earn cadets a certificate and permit graduates to test for a Commonwealth Municipal Police Training (MPT) number required of all municipal police officers in Pennsylvania.

The Academy’s second class is slated to graduate in August 2024. The inaugural class, which completed training in August 2023, had a 90 percent placement rate upon graduation, with 10 of 11 cadets receiving immediate employment.

Three New Members Added To Board of Trustees

Jennifer Anderson, Rev. Reginald Floyd, and Brett Smith have been added to the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Board of Trustees. 

These individuals replaced former board members Alan Cashaw, Edwin Bowser, and Marc McCall. Floyd will be on the board for a three-year term that ends in December 2027, while Anderson and Smith each have a six-year term that runs through 2029. 

“We are thrilled to welcome our newest Trustees to the Penn Highlands family,” stated Dr. Steve Nunez, President of Penn Highlands Community College. “Their diverse backgrounds, expertise, and commitment to education make them invaluable additions to the Board of Trustees. I look forward to working collaboratively with them to help the College better serve our communities.” 

Anderson is the Director of Professional Learning and Organizational Development with the Office for Educational Programs and Services with Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8 (IU8). Throughout her 21 years at the intermediate unit, she has served as a special education teacher, educational consultant, special education supervisor, and executive-level administrator. 

Currently, she leads the IU8 Training and Consultation Team and serves as the Region 7 Lead for the Safe Schools, School Climate, and Social and Emotional Wellness initiatives through the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Statewide System of Support.  

Anderson holds a Bachelor of Science dual degree in Elementary and Special Education, a Master’s in Educational Leadership, and a Special Education Supervisory Certificate from Saint Francis University, as well as a Superintendent Letter of Eligibility from Gannon University. She is currently a doctoral student at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. 

“As an administrator in the K-12 public education system, I’ve worked alongside some exceptional individuals at the national, state, and local levels to enhance learning opportunities for our youth and educators,” Anderson stated. “It is an honor to serve in this capacity with Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and its community of learners on its journey to be a premier institution of higher education and an integral part of the growth and development of our region.” 

Floyd has served the local community through various roles, with four years of active duty in the United States Army and 26 years with the Johnstown Police Department under his belt. He has also worked as a School Resource Officer for the Greater Johnstown School District, a Camp Trojan Director, and is the outreach minister for St. James Missionary Baptist Church. 

He has also contributed to eight different volunteer initiatives, including HOPE for Johnstown Board, Crisis Intervention Team Board, NAACP Veterans Board, The Bruce Haselrig Group, Cambria County SERT, Cambria County Mental Health Advisory Board, Cambria County Drug & Alcohol Advisory Board, and Salvation Army Advisory Board. 

“I am honored to be selected to serve on the Pennsylvania Highlands Board of Trustees,” Floyd stated. “I come from a generation that was raised by men and women that worked in Bethlehem Steel. They always told us as children to pay attention to our education and go as far as we can. Education is very important, and I want to help instill that message in as many people as possible.”  

Smith holds both a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Saint Francis University, as well as a Master of Business Administration from Valparaiso University and a Juris Doctorate from Duquesne University. 

He then passed the Bar Exam and was admitted to practice law in 2009, which Smith has been doing since then via a private practice. Smith is also the current solicitor for Cambria County Crimestoppers, Portage Township, the West Carroll Water Authority, and the Adams Township Zoning Hearing Board. 

“I was born and raised in this area, so being able to serve on a college board that is close to home is very rewarding,” Smith stated. “I aim to try to encourage people, that maybe wouldn’t otherwise go to the College, to come to Pennsylvania Highlands and get an opportunity at quality higher education. I am excited to be a part of that outreach.” 

Jennifer Anderson, Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8

Reverend Reginald Floyd, Retired

Brett Smith, Brett Smith Law Offices, LLC

Joziah Wyatt-Taylor Named NJCAA Division III Player Of The Week

The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) has named Pennsylvania Highlands sophomore Joziah Wyatt-Taylor the Division III Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for the week of January 17-23.

Joziah Wyatt-Taylor, Men’s Basketball

A native of Johnstown, Wyatt-Taylor averaged 33 points and 10.5 rebounds while shooting 57.7 percent from the floor in the two contests this past week for the Black Bears, which included a 98-65 victory over the Wolfpack of Westmoreland County Community College, a Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference foe.

He also set a new school record for points in a game after tallying 46 against the Wolfpack, breaking the previous mark of 45 set by Cliff Eddins in December 2016.

“It’s truly an honor to receive this award,” Wyatt-Taylor stated. “I appreciate my coaches, my mom and dad, and everyone at the College. Their support means a lot to me. I just want to keep working to get better and see what I can accomplish. My goal is to strive for greatness.”

Wyatt-Taylor became just the third men’s basketball player in school history to earn a National Player of the Week honor, joining Tim Biakapia and Matt Forbes.

“We are all proud of Joziah and his accomplishment,” stated Sue Brugh, Director of Student Activities & Athletics. “He has put in a tremendous amount of work on the basketball court. He does everything he can to score and grab rebounds, while doing his part to help make our team the best it can be.”

Through 18 games, Wyatt-Taylor leads the Black Bears in points per game (22), rebounds per game (9.6), and minutes per game (28.4).

His points per game average ranks 12th in the nation for Division III, while currently sitting 33rd for rebounding. In Region 20, Wyatt-Taylor ranks first in points per game and third in rebounds per game.