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Sheetz Partners With Penn Highlands To Offer Tuition Discounts

A new partnership between Penn Highlands Community College and Sheetz, Inc., a well-established locally owned convenience store chain, will offer education benefits and tuition discounts to its qualified employees. This initiative is designed to help regional Sheetz employees obtain a college credential with significant cost savings.

This new collaboration features a 5% tuition reduction on credit classes from Penn Highlands Community College as well as an annual tuition reimbursement to eligible Sheetz employees.

Credit classes may be taken in-person or online at all Penn Highlands Community College locations including Altoona, Ebensburg, Huntingdon, Richland, and Somerset.

“Every day at Sheetz, we are working to create a place where employees know that they are valued and have a chance to grow,” said Sheetz CEO/President Travis Sheetz. “Creating partnerships with colleges and universities is a big part of that effort and we are so proud to join with Penn Highlands Community College to bring new educational opportunities to our employees.”

“Penn Highlands Community College and Sheetz, Inc. share the belief that education is one of the best ways to change and improve a person’s life,” stated Dr. Steve Nunez, President of Penn Highlands Community College. “Our affordable, flexible, and quality educational options provide an excellent opportunity for regional Sheetz employees to earn a college credential at a reasonable price in the teaching modality that best suits their needs. We hope this is just the beginning of more employer partnerships.”

For more information on this partnership with Sheetz or our Corporate Tuition Discount program, please click here. Sheetz employees may also speak with their Human Resources representative.

College Announces Dean’s List For Fall 2021

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is proud to announce that the following students have made the Dean’s List for the Fall 2021 semester.

Alexandria – David Lee McGuire

Altoona – Denise Marie Barnes, Natalie Shae Boose, Alicia M. Bryant, Mackenzy Elaine Ferguson, Alicia Ann Friedenberger, Andora K. Gardner, Nicole Horton, Scott Anthony Jurcik, Tara Paige Jurcik, Lori Lee Long, Courtney Michelle Luciano, Judy Katherine Munoz, Cameron Michael Nagle, Michele Elyse Plummer, Carmen Marie Robosson, Makayla Grace Ruggery, Kethan James Satterfield, Allys Marie Schmidhamer, Jonathan Brad Slack, Leah Jane Smith, Tanner John Dayne Umbower, Imani Vaughn

Apollo – David Michael Sylvia

Armagh – Ashlyn N. Bowers, Berkley Noel Sutton

Ashville- Danielle Lin Pearce

Beaverdale – Christie M. Bonfanti, Kirstin M. Emerick

Belleville – Gavin Daniel Patterson

Belsano – Ira Lee Sickles

Berlin – Emma Rose Martz, Julie Ann Mitchell, Courtney Marie Seaman, Ava Morgan Walker

Boswell – Emily Michele Bittner, Cory A. Brant, Madison Jade Burkholder, Abby E. Kniss

Brisbin – Daphne Elizabeth Nevling

Cairnbrook – Samantha Jean Fama, Christy Lou Fleegle, Brooke Rhianne Marek

Calvin – Brooke Anne Shee

Carrolltown – Tanner J. Maurer, Samuel R. Sottile

Chicora – Richard B. Goodman

Claysburg – Mackenzie Rose Clemens, Joseph D. Mauk, Justin Michael Mauk, Evan Charles Potter

Coalport – Crystal M. Jasper

Colver – Nicole Cowan

Creekside – Megan L. Uptegraph

Cresson – Taylor Alexis Doughty, Kaitlyn Marie Eger, Alison E. Gailey, Robert Clair Kearney, Meghan Claire Mostick, Julia M. Taylor, Rachel C. Verchereau

Davidsville – Connor J. Baca

Dayton – Eric Dean Eckman, Gavin John Solley

Derry – Victoria M. Long

Duncansville – Jade Kathryn Corbin, Kylie Ann Marie LoSasso, Britan Nathanael Swope

East Freedom – Leah Loreine Giebelstein, Macray James Markovich, Victoria Noelle Sauers, Larett Eugene Weaver

Ebensburg – Brandy Lee Eckenrod, Cassidy Goshey, Bryce Alan Hessler, Bridget Ann Llewellyn, Austin Gene McCready, Michael Collin Oyaski

Emeigh – Courtney Breeanna Williams

Export – Eric Jeffrey Hyland

Fenelton – Hunter Alan Miller

Friedens – Kelsey Katherine Emerick, Kaitlyn Leigh Ferko, Jennifer L. Grabill

Gallitzin – Sherry Christine Hines, Julie Ann Madonna

Hastings – Alexander David Blake, Tyler J. Charney, MaKala Lee Stafford

Hillsdale – Jamie Zurenko

Hollidaysburg – Ibrahim Alawad Aljalki, Emily Grace Campbell, Candice Marie Cicero, David Claar, Ro Dellinger, Damon Joseph Hesley, Joseph M. Mattern

Hollsopple – Ethan Jacob Barkley, Ann Nicole Hardison, Maciah Robyn Holsopple

Homer City – Braden Boothby

Hooversville – Hannah Lynn Brehm, Dashanti Lamont Garlitz

Houtzdale – Alex Francis Capitos

Hudson – Phillip Thomas Grainger

Huntingdon – Celeste Lilly Crayosky, Colby Paul Grubb, Amber Joy Newby

Imler – Aleeta Marcelle Diehl

Indiana – Jonathan Clark Gibbons

Irvona – Matthew Alan Gaul

Jenners – Joseph B. Hornick

Johnstown – Taylor N. Ahlborn, Gillian Elizabeth Ambroe, Emma R. Bakos, Evan James Barkhimer, Jacinda Lee Berry, Deanna Lynne Bezek, Justin Dylan Bezek, Alexa Brooke Bilonick, Shayna Alexandra Blackford, Allyson Boring, Elizabeth Irene Breen, Alexus M. Carr, Stephanie Dawn Cassanese, Liam T. Coyne, Michael Steven Cratty, Megan Rose Cunningham, Isabella Marie Dadura, Aaron J. Deffenbaugh, Matthew Edward Dugan, Lori Rose Eamigh, Sierria Lynn Echon, Kayla Christine Eppley, Emily E. Euen, Cathryn Ann Foust, Mary Jeannette Gordon, Olivia Ada Kayin Grant, Corey Lynn Hrivnak, Bryce Michael Huss, Vanessa Marie Johnson, Cassie Elaine Kauffman, Alyssa Nicole Keiper, Brian Scott Kennedy, Katilynn E. Keyser, Joyce A. Kinsey, Susan Marie Kinsey, Nathan James Kniss, Samantha Morgan Kusner, Kaitlyn Anne Lensbouer, Robert S. Lichtenfels, Emily Rose Lowery, Qiana M. Lucas, Shane A. Malinish, Amber L. Mangus, Teresa A. Marion, Jeffrey Raymond Matevish, Keria R. McCulloch, Dustin James McLaughlin, Kathleen Rebecca McNally, Kayleigh Rae Mikolich, Taylor Anne Mock, Casey Nicole Moskal, Priscilla Ortiz, Brady T. Oswalt, Pooja Anil Parekh, Levi Samuel Peruso, Haleigh Marie Polacek, Mackenzie L. Quinn, Muhammad Mustafa Quraishy, Jason Paul Rilogio, Ray Anne Patrice Rosenbaum, Shane J. Ross, William F. Roth, Matthew Joseph Russo, Rylee Morgan Sabo, Jenna J. Sarlouis, Joshua Aaron Schalles, Jennifer L. Schario, Libby Anne Senft, Robert S. Sewak, Emily Paige Sherry, Megan Ann Shoemaker, Adam Dwight Steigert, Joseph J. Stringent, Emma Katherine Stuart, Linus F. Stuart, Alana Faith Taylor, Myah Nichole Teeter, David Michael Truscello, Rocco William Truscello, Jacob David Urban, Tanner Jackson Wagner, Anthony Walters, Alexander Michael Wherthey, Zachary David Whitcomb, Keeauna N. Williams, Renu Williams, Tirzah N. Wilson, Steven Joseph Winfield, Mark M. Zarate, Alexandra E. Zoldos

Kunkletown – Nicole Schifano

Latrobe – Samuel Alan Marsh

Lewistown – Connor Nicholas Fultz

Lilly – Isabella Jean Borlie, Julia Ann Podrasky

Loretto – Austin Paul Conrad, Jeannie M. Crane, Ryan Joseph Lenz

Manchester – Jocelyn Marie Mattis

Mapleton Depot – Beth Ann McNerlin

Martinsburg – Nicholas Allen Bechtel, Kolten Conrad, Kayla Ann Imler, Chason N. Kratzer

McVeytown – Zayden C. Clark

Meyersdale – Lakyn Elizabeth Roadman

Mineral Point – Melanie Elizabeth Adams, Aileen Ashurst, Aaron J. Dreikorn, Aaron Michael Fenchak, Kenneth Glenn Findley, Lauryn Mae McCullough, David J. Morley

Mount Union – Emma A. Smith, Celia R. Stever

Munster – Madison Marie Wirfel-Latocha

Nanty Glo – Michaella N. Smick, Haley Michael Rhine

New Enterprise – Donna Jean Delbiondo

New Florence – Grace Isabella Blankenbicker

New Paris – Lauryn Elizabeth Calhoun

Northern Cambria – Ariel Martina Dospoy, Adrianna Rose Farrell, Emma LeAnn Hasson, Alyssa Erin Hoffman, Elicia Marie Keith, Abigail Theresa Montanaro, Rebecca Nicole Perrone, Angel Lynn Raehl, Sydney Madison Sheredy, Whitney Nicole Strong

Patton – Paige A. Jones, Samantha Sue Leamer, Nicolas Scott Painter, Kelsey Louise Rematt, Nathaniel M. Smith, Isabella Madalynn Stanko

Penn Run – Seth E. Fyock

Pennsylvania Furnace – Alex Hayden Mikula, Brooke Labrie

Petersburg – Tricia May Farine

Philadelphia – Uniqua Johnson

Portage – Skyler Daniel Baran-Wozniak, Makayla Ashley Chappell, Justin M. Hazlett, Molly Gretchen Hochrein, Joshua A. Krumenacker, Jeremy Zane Piatak, Lindsey Sease, Malea Shaffer, Rhonda Smith, Corey Robert Sossong, Kayley Nichole Sossong, Abby Elizabeth Thrower

Revloc – Danielle A. Hardsock

Roaring Spring – Katelynn Frye Carter, Waverly Elaine Harshbarger, Ariadne Grace Madden, Miranda Antoinette Madden, Stacey L. Zimmerman

Robertsdale – Devin Jeffrey Swope

Robinson – Katie Dianna Peters

Rockwood – Molly R. Hostetler

Saint Marys – Jonathan William Krug, Allison Rae Vollmer

Saint Michael – Christopher Kyle Kurchak, Jennafer Anne Ofsanko

Salix – Levi Grigg, Olivia Mae Guillarmod, Noah Michael Webb

Scottdale – Lee Eric Newcomer

Seward – Cheyanne M. Gregorich, Tessa G. Rudnik

Shade Gap – Taylor L. Hoffman

Shirleysburg – Jennifer Lynn Kreider, Kendra R. Wertz

Sidman – Livia Faith Hamara, Megan M. Luckenbaugh

Six Mile Run – Seth Bussard

Smithmill – Nathaniel Robert Beers

Somerset – Brittney Joann Benford, Hailey J. Dewitt, Megan Elizabeth Gerhardt, Cheyenne Nicole Hull, Charenda Raven McGee, Erin Elizabeth Pyle, Cheyenne Raley, Brittani Sarver, Emilie Shea Walker

South Fork – Allison Denise Gustkey

Stoystown – Hunter Luke Martin, Courtney Josephine Pryal, Casey A. Romus

Summerhill – Kylee Lynn Fabo, Christina Nichole Goral, Carlie Hope McGough, Nicole Marie Wright

Tyrone – Kaleigh Kathryn Andrews, Morgan Elizabeth Crocefoglia, Tyler Haven Riggleman

Warrenton – Drew Avery Tapscott

Williamsburg – Matthew Cole DeHoyos

Windber – Jessica Rose Baeder, Kacey Marie Berdomas, Tyler Nicholas Brown, Christopher Richard Capo, Haley Nicole Crum, Allison Mae Dusack, John Jarrett Evans, Karli Shay Hanik, Adriane Sophia Hautz, Gabriel Byron Helsel, Trinity Paige Krause, Dylan Jack Napora, Cy Jacob Saylor, Kayla Shuster, Jennifer Jo Stiffler, Jamin Anthony Tomaselli, Mason Andrew Toth, Taylor Rae Wahl

Christmas Was Magical

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

When I was a child growing up in southwest Virginia, I had access to very few external sources of entertainment.

Of course, there was no internet. We did watch TV, but the clarity of the two TV channels we did get was unpredictable and was based on the fine-tuning of the large antenna we had bolted to our deck and the direction of the wind on any given day.

Even VCRs were a thing of the future and my brother and I used a cassette player/recorder to capture the audio of our favorite TV shows, such as “Hogan’s Heroes.” What we watched on TV was equally dictated by what we could receive via antenna and whatever my dad wanted to watch – often something sports-related.

Radio was something we listened to regularly – mostly to the latest rock-n-roll hits, but also any college basketball games we could find.

Therefore, by default, my two siblings and I had to find other ways to entertain ourselves. We all became voracious readers.

I found myself reading a lot about U.S. history, most often focused on World War II or the Civil War. Eventually, I discovered J.R.R. Tolkien, and his books opened a universe where I could escape the confines of southwest Virginia and mingle with not only other humans, but elves, dwarves, and orcs.

My family also played a lot of games – most often various card games, but also a litany of board games. Monopoly was a family favorite.

At some point, my interests in science fiction/fantasy books coincided with my adoration for board games.

Friends introduced me to the world of Dungeons and Dragons (D&D to those in “the know”) – a role-playing game that required a hefty amount of imagination and peanut butter sandwiches and cups of Kool-Aid to provide the necessary fuel to persevere through dark dungeons, fight vicious dragons and laugh long and hard with friends (Can’t picture it? Watch “Stranger Things”).

Mom never complained (openly) about the hoard of kids (or wizards, fighters, and clerics) that would descend on the household on many Saturdays; she almost seemed to enjoy it.

When I was a child, Christmas was magical. I still remember opening presents – my mom, dad, sister, brother, and myself all surrounding the tree on Christmas morning.

Dad would hand out one present at a time to each person and we all had to take turns opening them.

It was grueling to watch everyone else open their presents while my eyes were firmly fixed on my next present tucked away in the corner of the room. “Come on, Dad – just give it to me already!”

As an adult, I appreciated Christmas, but the experience was different. I lived through my kids – their anxiousness and anticipation for Christmas Day and the annual visit from Santa. and I learned to appreciate giving gifts to others – how fun and satisfying it was (is) when you pick just the right present for your loved one.

But I will always remember the magic of going to bed as a child on Christmas Eve, barely able to sleep, and waking up the next day to a family room full of presents.

And I still smile broadly with the memories of opening five Christmas presents delivered by Santa – five D&D books – that provided me (and my friends) with years of entertainment exploring dungeons, fighting goblins, finding gold, and building lasting memories – all within the comfort of my home.

I hope you can play a game or two over the holidays with your family.

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.

First National Bank Donates $2,000+ Through EITC Program

Dr. Steve Nunez, College President, and Kathy Morrell, Executive Director of Institutional Advancement, recently accepted a donation from First National Bank. The donation was presented by Greg Winger, Senior Vice President/Regional Commercial Banking Manager at First National Bank. The $2,250 Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program donation was given to the College Foundation to help support the College’s Accelerated College Education (ACE) Program.

In 2014, the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) granted Pennsylvania Highlands Community College national accreditation for its Accelerated College Education (ACE) concurrent enrollment program. Penn Highlands is one of only two colleges in the state that has earned this accreditation, which ensures that the courses offered in high schools are equivalent to courses offered on the sponsoring college’s campus or facilities.

Because of donations through the EITC Program, ACE students are charged a reduced tuition rate. During the 2020-21 academic year, the cost per credit for this program was $63, allowing over 1,300 students to enroll in ACE courses at 47 different school districts across 11 Pennsylvania counties.

(Left To Right) Kathy Morrell, Executive Director of Institutional Advancement at Penn Highlands Community College; Dr. Steve Nunez, President at Penn Highlands Community College; Gregory Winger, Senior Vice President/Regional Commercial Banking Manager at First National Bank. Check was delivered to the College’s Foundation for the EITC program and was presented at the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Richland Campus.

Marketing & Communications Recognized Regionally With Medallion Awards

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College would like to congratulate its Marketing & Communications Team on being awarded four (4) NCMPR Medallion Awards this year from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR). These awards were presented recently at NCMPR District 1’s annual conference in Long Branch, New Jersey.

The team took home awards in the following categories: Electronic Viewbook (silver), Video – Long Form (silver), Website (bronze), and Novelty (bronze).

“Winning 26 awards in a six year period is a testament to how hard our Marketing & Communications team works,” stated Kathleen Morrell, Executive Director of Institutional Advancement. “Taking big picture ideas and implementing them into award-winning designs takes collaboration, creativity, and hard work. I’m extremely proud of this team; I look forward to them earning more awards in the future!”

The members of Marketing & Communications that participated in these initiatives consist of the following:

Raymond Weible, Jr., Director of Marketing & Communications, has spearheaded a multitude of web, digital media, and overall brand initiatives. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism/Advertising and a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications, both from West Virginia University.

Andrew Podolak, Strategic Communications Coordinator, serves as an integral member of the team, playing a role across all initiatives. His focus includes writing, social media, campaign planning, analytics, and more. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business from the University of Pittsburgh.

Troy Bugosh, Visual Communication & Marketing Manager, focuses heavily on photography, graphic design, video production, brand integration, and more for the College. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.

Penn Highlands collaborated with Wade James of Adliv Collective during the production of the video piece that garnered an award. The long form video was a testimonial piece from a former graduate. Adliv Collective provides professional photography and videography services in Johnstown, PA.

Since 2015, the Marketing & Communications team at Penn Highlands Community College has won a total of twenty-six (26) NCMPR Medallion and Paragon Awards, which recognizes excellence in the marketing, design, and public relations field at two-year schools.

Marketing & Communications Team. Left to right: Andrew Podolak, Raymond Weible, Jr., and Troy Bugosh.

About NCMPR

The National Council for Marketing & Public Relations is a professional organization for individuals involved in marketing, communications, public relations and enrollment management at community, junior, and technical colleges. NCMPR provides professional development opportunities, advocates on behalf of the profession and the institutions it serves, and recognizes professional excellence.

NCMPR is the only organization of its kind that exclusively represents marketing and public relations professionals at community and technical colleges. They are one of the fastest-growing affiliates of the American Association of Community Colleges, representing more than 1,550 members from over 650 colleges across the United States, Canada, and other countries.

Pennsylvania Highlands is a part of District 1, which includes schools from Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Quebec, and United Kingdom.