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Faculty Members Earn Promotion And Tenure

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College recently promoted and granted tenure to select faculty members who have, over time, 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.

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:

• Dr. Robert Clark from Associate Professor to Professor, Criminal Justice and Social Sciences. Dr. Clark began his full-time teaching career with Pennsylvania Highlands in January of 2011. He is a tenured professor for Pennsylvania Highlands and holds a Ph.D. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He also serves as an ACT 120 Certified Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officer, Certified Municipal Police Academy Instructor (MPOETC); ACT 235 Certified Lethal Weapons Instructor; Certified Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Officer for the Laurel Highlands Region; ILO (Intelligence Liaison Officer) through PaCIC, Certified Cybercrime Investigator (IFCI), and is a former Certified Diplomate Child Forensic Interviewer through the National Association of Child Forensic Interviewers.
• Ms. Laura Gaunt from Instructor to Assistant Professor, Health Care Professions. Ms. Gaunt began her full-time career with Pennsylvania Highlands in August of 2019. Prior to that, she worked as a staff nurse for 18 years and in nursing administration for two years. She teaches courses in Health Sciences. Ms. Gaunt is a graduate of the Conemaugh School of Nursing program and has a B.S. in Nursing from the University of Pittsburgh.
• Ms. Jill Mitchell from Associate Professor to Professor, Biological Sciences. Ms. Mitchell began her career with Pennsylvania Highlands as a full-time faculty member in January of 2010. She has served as the advisor of the College’s Biology Club, an ACE Faculty liaison, and lab manager. Ms. Mitchell has a M.A. in Science Education, Biology from Western Governors University, a B.S. in Biology Education, and a B.A. in Biology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
• Ms. Michelle Myers from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor, Biological Sciences. Ms. Myers began her career with Pennsylvania Highlands as a full-time faculty member in August of 2014. Ms. Myers is the Sustainable Hydroponic Agriculture and Rural Entrepreneurship Program Coordinator and also teaches courses in Biology. She has a B.S. in Biology from Juniata College, and has a M.S. in Biology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Faculty Earning Tenure:

• Ms. Melissa Boback, Associate Professor, Accounting. Ms. Boback began her career with Pennsylvania Highlands in January of 2017. She holds a M.S. in Accounting from the University of Phoenix, a B.S. in Accounting from Mount Aloysius College, and an A.S.B. in Accounting and Microcomputer Applications from Cambria-Rowe Business College.

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

Women’s Softball Earns 2021-2022 Academic Team of the Year Honors

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College congratulates its Women’s Softball program on being named one of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) 2021-22 Academic Teams of the Year. In its inaugural season, the Lady Black Bears competed in Region 20 of the NJCAA while earning a GPA of 3.43.

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College congratulates these student-athletes who have been recognized for their achievements in the classroom:

• Lauryn Calhoun (New Paris, PA)
• Jamie Detwiler (Martinsburg, PA)
• Kirstin Emerick (Beaverdale, PA)
• Sarah Favreau (Johnstown, PA)
• Karli Hanik (Windber, PA)
• Maciah Holsopple (Hollsopple, PA)
• Amber Mangus (Johnstown, PA)
• Tessa O’Keefe (Altoona, PA)
• Katie Peters (Robinson, PA)
• Julia Podrasky (Lilly, PA)
• Brailee Price (Dilltown, PA)
• Sydney Sheredy (Northern Cambria, PA)
• Madison Wirfel (Munster, PA)

“These student-athletes thrived on and off the field,” stated Sue Brugh, Director of Student Activities and Athletics. “Our players are strong, both mentally and physically. I couldn’t be prouder of our inaugural women’s softball season and Coach Cory Shay for what they accomplished together during a difficult Spring.”

Pennsylvania Highlands is a chartered National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) member college, competing in Region 20. It is the mission of the NJCAA to foster a national program of athletic participation in an environment that supports equitable opportunities consistent with the educational objectives of member colleges. Their goal is to promote and foster two-year college athletics.

The Black Bears are a part of the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference (WPCC). The WPCC was founded in 1972 and currently consists of 10 member institutions.

2022 Women’s Softball Team. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College.

I Love My Career

The original column appeared in the Tribune-Democrat, written by Dr. Steve Nunez. Click here to see original sourced column.

I have been in higher education for more than 27 years, and while I don’t get to work with students every day like I did when I was an instructor, I still treasure those few opportunities that I get to meet with students.

For example, just before the start of each semester, the college conducts an orientation for new students.

I use my time with these new students to tell my own story of growing up in rural America and being an average high school student who had no idea what I wanted to do with my life.

I eventually found my local community college, where the faculty and staff helped me grow into a solid student and find direction.

At the new student orientation, I ask these students if they know what they want to major in or do as a career – and most say they do. I think most of them probably don’t feel like they can answer in the negative. (They may be waiting for a sarcastic comment from me like, “You are coming to college, and you don’t even know your major yet?”)

But instead, I smile, and then I tell them that most of them, before they graduate from college, are likely to change their major, and hence their career.

For me, I started as a history major, but ended up as a biology major. For many students, they change their major two, three, four, or more times.

In fact, it is much more common to switch a college major than keep the one you started with.

But I remind these new students that it is OK to be uncertain at this stage of their college career. Choosing a major, much less a career, should be difficult as it is one of the most important decisions in their lives.

Community colleges excel in helping students find their direction (and do it at a reasonable cost). Our staff and faculty help students identify their academic crossroads where passion and ability intersect. But the process takes time – students need to be exposed to diverse subjects and diverse teachers, where they can identify their passions and grow their skill sets.

For me, while I enjoyed history, I found a love for the biological sciences, a subject that seemed to fit my inquisitive nature and my critical thinking abilities. As importantly, I found biology interesting.

I really loved learning about biology – I was hooked.

I probably would have never identified my interest in biology if I wasn’t required to take a biology class as a college freshman that was luckily taught by a passionate, caring, and knowledgeable instructor.

That teacher changed my life and I’m glad I was given that opportunity to learn from him. He helped me identify a passion that fit my personal skill sets.

I can see the upcoming fall semester on the horizon – classes start at Penn Highlands on Aug. 22. I’m excited to see hundreds of new students on our campuses this fall semester and I look forward to talking to them about their futures and how Penn Highlands can help them find their way.

Honestly, my time with them is important to me as it reenergizes and refocuses me for the upcoming year – and reminds me that community colleges are my new passion.

I have a great job. I get to help change and improve people’s lives through education.

I get to give folks second, and sometimes third chances to reach their dreams.

I get to shake the hands of every single graduate at commencement and see the happiness and sense of accomplishment on each of their faces. And then I get to hear about their future successes (at a university and/or in their careers) when they reach back out to me or the college’s foundation and share their stories.

I’m lucky. I love what I do.

See you at Penn Highlands.

Written By Dr. Steve Nunez, College’s Fifth President. This monthly series appears in The Tribune-Democrat, and will allow Dr. Nunez to provide his perspective on the value of education and of a community college.

Ten Athletes Receive National All-Academic Team Honors

The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) recently announced the 2021-2022 All-Academic Teams, recognizing student-athletes across the country for their dedication in the classroom. Congratulations to the 10 Black Bear student-athletes who made these teams and have been recognized for their achievements in the classroom.

The NJCAA All-Academic Teams are broken down into three tiers: First Team is a 4.0 GPA, Second Team is a 3.80-3.99 GPA, and Third Team is a 3.60-3.79 GPA.

First Team All-Academic Team honorees included:

• Emily Bittner, of Boswell (women’s volleyball),
• Karli Hanik, of Windber (women’s softball),
• Amber Mangus, of Johnstown (women’s softball),
• Madison Wirfel, of Munster (women’s softball).

Second Team All-Academic Team honorees included:

• Dylan Napora, of Windber (men’s basketball)
• Sydney Sheredy, of Northern Cambria (women’s softball)

Third Team All-Academic Team honorees included:

• Ethan Barkley, of Berkley Springs, WV (men’s basketball)
• Maciah Holsopple, of Hollsopple (women’s softball and volleyball)
• Bryce Huss, of Richland (men’s basketball)
• Katie Peters, of Robinson (women’s softball)

“I couldn’t be prouder of these individuals and their accomplishments,” stated Sue Brugh, Director of Student Activities and Athletics. “At Penn Highlands, our foundation is built around accomplishing academic goals first and foremost. These student-athletes define what it means to be a Black Bear.”

Pennsylvania Highlands is a chartered National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) member college, competing in Region 20. It is the mission of the NJCAA to foster a national program of athletic participation in an environment that supports equitable opportunities consistent with the educational objectives of member colleges. Their goal is to promote and foster two-year college athletics.

The Black Bears are a part of the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference (WPCC). The WPCC was founded in 1972 and currently consists of 10 member institutions.

PA Dept. of Education Visits College To Highlight Higher Education Funding

Pennsylvania Department of Education Acting Secretary Eric Hagarty visited Pennsylvania Highlands Community College to discuss the impact the Nellie Bly Scholarship Program would have on students across the commonwealth and the importance of continued investments in higher education.

“As a product of community college education myself, I know that Pennsylvania’s community colleges offer students a high-quality education at an affordable price. However, we also know that across the nation, young people are entering the workforce with unmanageable student debt,” Hagarty said. “The Nellie Bly Scholarship Program would make higher education more accessible and affordable to more students, helping them pursue their interests and begin a meaningful career without undue financial burden upon graduation.”

Credit: Commonwealth Media Services. For the full release and photos, click here.

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