Newsroom

Annual Community Trick Or Treat Planned For October 27

Fall is here and Halloween is almost upon us. Penn Highlands Community College is celebrating the season by bringing back its annual, family-friendly Community Trick or Treat event. The Community Trick or Treat will be held on Thursday, October 27, at 5 PM, at the college’s Richland Campus (101 Community College Way, Johnstown).

After having been cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Penn Highlands is ready to bring safe and spooky fun back to the area. Averaging over 1,000 happy visitors each year, we are prepared for that number and more as we continue with this community and family tradition.

Intended for families with children who are 12 years old and under, this event is an experience that is not easily forgotten. Faculty, staff, and students will be on-hand to give out free treats (while supplies last) and provide a unique Halloween experience to visitors.

We kindly ask that visitors park and enter through the East Hills Recreation entrance. Lastly, we are asking for you to leave your pets at home as pets are not permitted on our campus (service animals are allowed).

Further details can be obtained by contacting Pennsylvania Highlands Student Activities at 814.262.6463 or studentactivities@pennhighlands.edu.

Foundation Awards Over $29,000 In Academic Scholarships

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation is proud to announce the distribution of more than $29,000 in scholarship money to Penn Highlands’ students for the 2022-2023 academic year. These scholarships are funded by local businesses, area philanthropists, Pennsylvania Highlands staff and faculty, and Foundation fundraisers.

“These scholarships are an essential part of a student’s educational journey,” stated Jeffrey Wood, President, Foundation Board of Directors. “We are proud to maintain a robust offering of scholarship monies from generous donors across our service area.”

Congratulations to the 2022-2023 Foundation Scholarship Award Recipients:

• American Association of University Women (AAUW), Johnstown Branch Scholarship: Emma Martz (Berlin)
• College Employee Supported Scholarship: Emma Martz (Berlin)
• Griffith Family Scholarship: Christina Sparks (Saxton)
• Dr. Edward Haluska Scholarship: Megan Ott (Windber)
• Daniel and Diane Holtzman Scholarship: Preston Novak (Patton)
• Kathy Holtzman Memorial Scholarship: Brenna Packard (Patton)
• Huntingdon Hope Scholarship: Corrine Mowrer (Petersburg)
• Johnstown Regional Indian Subcontinent Association (JRISA) Scholarship: Preston Novak (Patton)
• Joseph and Joan Mangarella Scholarship: Megan Ott (Windber) and Mentalla Barakat (Johnstown)
• Dale W. Miller Scholarship: Corinne Mowrer (Petersburg)
• National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) Scholarship: Megan Ott (Windber) and Brenna Packard (Patton)
• Ursula Pawlowski Memorial Scholarship: Brenna Packard (Patton)
• Roth Family Scholarship: Taylor Rickabaugh (Altoona), Mackenzie Shuke (Altoona), Monia Ahmed (Altoona), and Natalie Boose (Altoona)
• Spruce Street Animal Hospital Scholarship: Abigail Aurand (Shirleysburg), Christina Sparks (Saxton), Corrine Mowrer (Petersburg), Claire Fisher (Spruce Creek), Spencer Hoover (Alexandria)
• Supporting Success Scholarship: Hannah Tallion (Windber), Megan Ott (Windber), Preston Novak (Patton), and Brenna Packard (Patton)
• Valenty Scholarship: Megan Ott (Windber)
• Anna D. Weitz Scholarship: Megan Ott (Windber)
• Stan and Helen Westbrook Scholarship: Abigail Aurand (Shirleysburg)

Foundation To Host Black Bear Casino Night

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation will be hosting its first Casino Night fundraiser on Thursday, October 20, 2022, at Sunnehanna Country Club. This Vegas-style event will begin at 5 PM and is slated to be a unique and exciting experience for the area.

The College Foundation’s Black Bear Casino Night will feature authentic casino games with real card dealers (craps, blackjack, roulette, and poker), raffle prizes, 50/50 winnings, appetizers, drinks, and assorted desserts. Attendees will be entertained with live music by Jazz in your Face.

Raffle prizes range from a 50” flat screen smart TV, gym memberships, YETI prize packs, authentic Coach purse and matching wallet, Apple watch, and more.

“We wanted to do something different this year. Our Black Bear Casino Night is going to transform Sunnehanna into Vegas and will have something for everyone,” stated Jeff Wood, President of the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation. “If someone is looking to have a good time, eat delicious food, laugh, and gather with friends and neighbors, all while making a difference to local students, you cannot miss this event.”

Every dollar raised goes back to the students at Penn Highlands Community College through the Supporting Scholars Fund.

To purchase tickets, CLICK HERE or call the College Foundation at 814.262.6448.

IUP And Penn Highlands Sign Dual Admissions Agreement

Indiana University of Pennsylvania President Dr. Michael Driscoll and Pennsylvania Highlands Community College President Dr. Steve Nunez recently signed a dual admissions program agreement, designed to streamline the process for students who earn an associate degree at Penn Highlands to complete a bachelor’s degree program at IUP.

Under this agreement, students enrolled at Penn Highlands who plan to complete a bachelor’s degree at IUP will be given automatic acceptance to IUP, pending successful completion of all admissions requirements. No additional admissions application to IUP will be required for these students. The program provides a curriculum plan for students that is a seamless transition from associate to bachelor’s degree.

Students will also receive enhanced counseling, advising and transition support services from both institutions, and Penn Highlands students who have been accepted into this program will be given full access to IUP’s resources, including housing, dining, the Co-op, the IUP Libraries, and IUP activities and events.

“IUP has a renewed focus on initiatives that are student-centered,” stated Dr. Driscoll, Indiana University of Pennsylvania. “This dual admissions agreement is designed to help eliminate potential barriers, and to show students from Penn Highlands that they are full members of the IUP community, even before they begin their classes here. We value our ongoing partnership with Penn Highlands, and this dual admissions agreement is the right next step for our institutions and for the students that we serve.”

To qualify, students must be currently admitted and enrolled at Penn Highlands, maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 or the minimum grade point average required by the IUP program they have chosen, have earned less than 30 credit hours before applying for the dual admissions declaration, and plan to pursue both an associate degree and bachelor’s degree.

“The collaboration amongst regional partners to provide our communities greater access to higher education is paramount to a community college’s mission,” stated Dr. Steve Nunez, President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. “This agreement highlights how the Penn Highlands and IUP communities can come together to create opportunities for success.”

Since 2015, more than 100 students from Penn Highlands have transferred to IUP to complete their academic studies.

(Article originated with Indiana University of Pennsylvania.)

Photo courtesy of IUP. Dr. Steve Nunez, President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, and Dr. Michael Driscoll, President of IUP, stand for a portrait with former Penn Highlands and current IUP students after signing a dual admission agreement on September 16, 2022.

Photo courtesy of IUP. Dr. Steve Nunez, President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, signs a dual admission agreement with IUP on September 16, 2022.

Photo courtesy of IUP. Dr. Michael Driscoll, President of IUP, signs a dual admission agreement with Penn Highlands Community College on September 16, 2022.

Photo courtesy of IUP. Dr. Steve Nunez, President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, and Dr. Michael Driscoll, President of IUP, stand for a portrait after signing a dual admission agreement on September 16, 2022.

About IUP
IUP offers more than 160 academic degree programs, including more than 50 graduate programs. In addition, its nearly 9,000 students can complete more than 65 minors – including a unique teamwork minor — and scores of specialized tracks and certificate programs, including certificates in athletic coaching, gerontology, photography and digital imaging, popular music, and public history. IUP continues to add state-of-the-art programs of study for its students. Its newest undergraduate majors are public health and environmental engineering, both in-demand careers in Pennsylvania and throughout the nation. With the addition of a Ph.D. in business program, IUP offers 14 different doctoral degrees.

IUP has a longstanding commitment to research on all levels and in all disciplines. In 2021, IUP was selected as one of only two public universities in Pennsylvania and one of only 93 public universities in the United States selected for the “High Research Activity” designation by the Carnegie Classification of Higher Institutions of Higher Education. Visit IUP.edu for more information.

About Pennsylvania Highlands Community College 

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has served over 60,000 community members throughout western Pennsylvania and beyond. Offering over 35 academic programs through seven unique academic pathways, Penn Highlands has the highest graduation rate of all community colleges in Pennsylvania. For more information, call 1.888.385.PEAK or visit www.pennhighlands.edu.

Area High School Students Earn 2022 Academic Scholarships

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College would like to congratulate the outstanding work of the area high school students that were awarded a Penn Highlands Community College-Sponsored Academic Scholarship.

The Presidential Scholarship is awarded to high school seniors in the region that demonstrate outstanding excellence in academics and extracurricular activities. Eligible students must achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 in their high school career, participate in various activities, and demonstrate outstanding leadership throughout their community.

Presidential Scholarship recipients receive $3,000 per semester to attend Pennsylvania Highlands Community College to complete an associate degree. Pennsylvania Highlands would like to honor those who have received the 2022 Presidential Scholarship:

• Kelly Hearn of Rockwood, PA (Rockwood Area High School)
• Trinity Stewart of Windber, PA (Windber Area High School)

The Emerging Leader Scholarship is awarded to high school seniors in the region that demonstrate excellence in academics and extracurricular activities. Eligible students must achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 in their high school career, participate in various activities, and demonstrate leadership throughout their community.

Emerging Leader Scholarship recipients receive $1,000 per semester to attend Pennsylvania Highlands Community College to complete an associate degree. Pennsylvania Highlands would like to honor those who have received the 2022 Emerging Leader Scholarship:

• Madison Bender of Ashville, PA (Cambria Heights High School)
• Quinn Charney of Windber, PA (Forest Hills Jr/Sr High School)
• Hannah Dadura of Johnstown, PA (Conemaugh Township Area High School)
• Carmella Fredo of Hastings, PA (Cambria Heights High School)
• Gianina Galli of Nanty Glo, PA (Central Cambria High School)
• Jesse James of Colver, PA (Central Cambria High School)
• Elijah Ketley of Hollsopple, PA (Conemaugh Township Area High School)
• Katie Long of Belsano, PA (Blacklick Valley Jr/Sr High School)
• Hannah Miller of Berlin, PA (Berlin Brothersvalley High School)
• Corinne Mowrer of Petersburg, PA (Juniata Valley High School)
• Matthew Rozum of Johnstown, PA (Forest Hills Jr/Sr High School)
• Hannah Tallion of Windber, PA (Windber Area High School)
• Nathan Wholaver of Hastings, PA (Cambria Heights High School)