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
“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.
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
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
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
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, 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.
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 theCollege’s YouTube channel.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College looks forward to honoring the Twenty-Eighth Graduating Class.
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.