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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.

Watch this video for more insight from this visit:

Building A Strong Foundation For Education

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

I came to Pennsylvania Highlands Community College in 2020 with 24 years of community college experience. I had served as a faculty member for 15 years, and also brought nine years of experience as a senior administrator to the job.

But even though I was a community college veteran, once here, I quickly learned that I had room – a lot of room – to grow as a leader and had a lot to learn about this region and Penn Highlands.

One aspect of my new job was working directly with the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides financial support to Penn Highlands and its students. The foundation is distinct and separate from the college and has its own board of directors, which provides oversight of the operations and the fiscal management of Foundation resources.

In my new role as president, my interaction with the college’s foundation is regular and necessary. The directors have been kind and supportive and allowed me to “get my feet under me” and understand the local landscape a little better. After many discussions, I believe we now have a focused and collective shared vision for the future.

What I have discovered is that the foundation is a critically important component of the success of the college and of our students. Due to the generous donations of college employees (current and former), alumni, board members, community members and local businesses, the foundation gives nearly $30,000 in Penn Highlands scholarships annually and has supported a multitude of initiatives throughout the years.

While the cost of attendance at Penn Highlands has always been reasonable (we have the lowest tuition for higher education in the region), the foundation scholarships provide another resource to help our students attend college at the lowest cost possible.

Many of our students will leave debt-free, or nearly debt-free, and can therefore more easily earn bachelor’s degrees or enter the workforce without carrying the extra burden of paying off significant student loans.

Students who have less college debt will have more money to invest in homes and cars, or save their money for a rainy day after their education is complete. This is good for students (and their families) and this is good for our local economy as many of our graduates stay right here in west-central Pennsylvania.

One of the ways we raise funds to support the foundation – and hence our students – is to hold fundraising events throughout the year. You may have attended our Foundation Gala or our signature “Puttapalooza” – an 18-hole miniature golf course set up right inside our Richland campus.

On June 9, we will be hosting the first-ever Sips for Scholarships event, where you can enjoy a tasting of some local beer and wine, listen to live music, and try to solve and break out of a custom-designed escape room.

Why not have a little fun that supports a worthy cause? Hope to see you there. 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.

Spring 2022 Dean’s List Announced

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is proud to announce that the following students have made the Dean’s List for the Spring 2022 semester.

Alexandria – Reagan Christine Lightner, Lacey J. Thompson

Altoona – Monia E. Ahmed, Emma Leigh Bender, Natalie Shae Boose, Alicia Ann Friedenberger, Nicole Horton, Scott Anthony Jurcik, Courtney Michelle Luciano, Esther J. Matthew, Jaelynn Brooke Namenwirth, Makayla Grace Ruggery, Victoria Noelle Sauers, Jonathan Brad Slack, Rachel Denise Sral-Mountain, Phillip Andrew Stevens, Tam-Mara Madeline Stevens, Tanner John Dayne Umbower, Abigail White

Apollo – David Michael Sylvia

Armaugh – Ashlyn N. Bowers

Ashville – Hannah Grace Krug

Bedford – Felica L. Hafer

Belleville – Gavin Daniel Patterson

Berkeley Springs – Ethan Jacob Barkley

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

Boswell – Emily Michele Bittner, Kellie J. Rosa

Brisbin – Daphne Elizabeth Nevling

Calvin – Sara Kay Oakman

Carrolltown – Shelby Lynn Beaucage, Christine Lee Cantalope, Tanner J. Maurer, Alyssa Walkingshaw

Central City – Nicole Ashley Deneen, Natasha Lee Meck, Briana Lyn Pakstis

Cherry Tree – Makayla Marie Price

Chicora – Richard B. Goodman

Claysburg – Corey Allen Hammel, Jordan Lafferty, Joseph D. Mauk

Cresson – Robert Clair Kearney, Meghan Claire Mostick, Julia M. Taylor, Rachel C. Verchereau

Davidsville – Samuel David Brahney, Mary Elizabeth Stanley

Dayton – Eric Dean Eckman, Gavin John Solley

Duncansville – Kimberly Michele Adams, Morgan Elizabeth Bihary, Kylie Ann Marie LoSasso, Tyler John Peterson, Britan Nathanael Swope

Dunlo – Emily Ann Belinda

East Freedom – Macray James Markovich

Ebensburg – Victoria Diana Grattan, Bryce Alan Hessler, Matthew Paul Kuzilla, Bridget Ann Llewellyn, Florence Nah, Kailee Jo St. Pierre

Emeigh – Courtney Breeanna Williams

Export – Eric Jeffrey Hyland

Fenelton – Hunter Alan Miller

Friedens – Ethan M. Kaufman, Jessica Shockey

Gallitzin – Kaitlyn Marie Eger, Austin G. Link, Julie Ann Madonna

Greensburg – Abbigale Hunter Wentzel

Hastings – Tyler J. Charney, Cindy K. Dillon, MaKala Lee Stafford

Hillsdale – Jamie Zurenko

Hollidaysburg – Ibrahim Alawad Aljalki, Trinity Erin Burk, Emily Grace Campbell, Candice Marie Cicero, David Claar, Damon Joseph Hesley, Joseph M. Mattern, Laura Jean McNutt

Hollsopple – Maciah Robyn Holsopple

Hooversville – Hannah Lynn Brehm

Houtzdale – Alex Francis Capitos

Hudson – Phillip Thomas Grainger

Huntingdon – Rebecca Bickle, Colby Paul Grubb

Hyde – Briana Lee Miller

Imler – Aleeta Marcelle Diehl, Dodi Rena Krise

Indiana – Jonathan Clark Gibbons

James Creek – Amy Elizabeth Buseck

Jerome – Jennifer Sue Everett

Johnstown – Cassidy Faye Bailey, Kendall Alena Barron, Tarynn B. Bencivengo, Savannah Lynn Bevec, Anna M. Bomgardner, Allyson Boring, Lauren B. Botteicher, Dakota S. Bradley, Deranna N. Brandon, Elizabeth Irene Breen, Alexus M. Carr, Michael Steven Cratty, Megan Rose Cunningham, Isabella Marie Dadura, Darius A. Daily, Darius Isaiah Dale, Heather A. Donatelli, Lori Rose Eamigh, Kayla Christine Eppley, Emily E. Euen, Sarah Lynn Favreau, Jacob L. Fetzer, Abigail Lin Fisher, Drewann Marie Gaydos, Mary Jeannette Gordon, Olivia Ada Kayin Grant, Elias C. Gunby, Brianna Hicks, David Eugene Hilderman, Shayann B. Hill, Hayden Charles Holsopple, Bryce Michael Huss, Tracey Faye Jeske, Vanessa Marie Johnson, Jonathan Michael Kane, Cassie Elaine Kauffman, Alyssa Nicole Keiper, Jayden K. Keith, Katilynn E. Keyser, Wade Travis Knipple, Nathan James Kniss, Samantha Morgan Kusner, Autumn Renee Lehman, Emily Rose Lowery, Amber Lee Mangus, Teresa A. Marion, Faith M. Mascuch, Jeffrey Raymond Matevish, Keria R. McCulloch, Dustin James McLaughlin, Brock M. Mroczka, Alyssa Irene Nail, Jaz Ann Nelson, Haily Sue Oswald, Brooke Pasquerilla, Emma Kathryn Richards, Hannah Elizabeth Rietscha, Kayla M. Rosenbaum, Shane J. Ross, Matthew Joseph Russo, Rylee Morgan Sabo, Lucas Robert Sabol, Michelle E. Salem, Jennifer L. Schario, Alexis Kira Shank, Spring J. Shultz, Madyson G. Smith, Brittney Renee Stanton, Elizabeth Ann Stricker, Joseph J. Stringent, Myah Nichole Teeter, Ava S. Tisinger, David M. Truscello, Corrin Renee Vann, Emmalie F. Vitalie, Tanner Jackson Wagner, Emilie Shea Walker, Anthony Walters, Erik Laroi Ward, Tessa Marie Weeks, Hannah M. Wenderoth, Alexis E. Wesner, Zachary David Whitcomb, Renu Williams, Steven Joseph Winfield, Mark M. Zarate

Kunkletown – Nicole Schifano

Lewistown – Connor Nicholas Fultz

Lilly – Isabella Jean Borlie, Julia Ann Podrasky, Lauren Marie Suchta

Loretto – Austin Paul Conrad

Marion Center – Kaitlynn Alexis Kirkland

Martinsburg – Nicholas Allen Bechtel, Jamie Janette Detwiler, Kayla Ann Imler, Chason N. Kratzer

Meyersdale – Eric Steven Beckner, Carissa Nicole Miller

Middletown – Crystal Eileen Melton

Mineral Point – Aaron J. Dreikorn, Aaron Michael Fenchak, Lauryn Mae McCullough

Mount Pleasant – Lee Eric Newcomer

Mount Union – Kady Madilia, Noah T. Morgan

Munster – Madison Marie Wirfel-Latocha

Nanty Glo – Dillon Joseph Gongloff, Darla Kay Brown, Haley Michael Rhine

New Enterprise – Donna Jean Delbiondo

New Florence- Grace Isabella Blankenbicker

Nicktown – Briana Nicole Smith

Northern Cambria – Ariel Martina Dospoy, Adrianna Rose Farrell, Alyssa Erin Hoffman, Brennen James Lee, Sydnee Laurel Miller, Abigail Theresa Montanaro, Johniemarie Olenchick, Rebecca Nicole Perrone, Hannah Elsie Phillips, Angel Lynn Raehl, Whitney Nicole Strong

Osceola Mills – Payton Elizabeth Daly, Wyatt Alexander Kephart

Osterburg – Reva Miller

Patton – Paige A. Jones, Samantha Sue Leamer, Nicolas Scott Painter, Kelsey Louise Rematt, Isabella Madalynn Stanko, Robert Eugene Tinker

Pennsylvania Furnace – Jessica Crawley, Brooke Labrie

Portage – Samantha Corina Adams, Jamie L. Benning, Molly Gretchen Hochrein, Emily Honrath, Darron J. Koss, Annalise Marie Murphy, Samantha Ruby Oklamchak, Jeremy Zane Piatak, Kayley Nichole Sossong, Abby Elizabeth Thrower

Revloc – Danielle A. Hardsock, Cienna Marie Lauer

Roaring Spring – Ariadne Grace Madden, Miranda Antoinette Madden

Robertsdale – Devin Jeffrey Swope

Robinson – Katie Dianna Peters

Rockwood – Bri Lee Goodlin, Hattie Jean Luster

Saint Mary’s – Jonathan William Krug, Allison Rae Vollmer

Saint Petersburg –Jacob Isaiah Kriebel

Salix – Adam J. Cann, Levi Grigg, Noah Michael Webb

Schellsburg – Jenna M. Emerick

Seward – Justin Robert Higgins, Tessa G. Rudnik

Shanksville – Tiffany Lea Weigle

Shirleysburg – Vincent Marcus Lear

Sidman – Ashlyn Hope Hamara, Livia Faith Hamara, Megan M. Luckenbaugh

Smithmill – Nathaniel Robert Beers

Somerset – Melanie Cathryn Downing, Beth Ann Hersh, Zoe Elizabeth McGee

South Fork – Jacob D. Weaver

Stoystown – Hunter Luke Martin, Casey A. Romus

Summerhill – Kylee Lynn Fabo, Brennen Micah Kirchner, Carlie Hope McGough

Three Springs – Marissa J. Shawley

Twin Rocks – Stephen A. Karal

Tyrone – Morgan Elizabeth Crocefoglia

Wake Forest – Ethan Allen Lindley

Warrenton – Devin Amir Lewis

Winchester – Taralle Tajun Hayden

Windber – Jessica Rose Baeder, Michelle Rose Bartkovich, Kevin Dennis Bukovich, Rachel Criscione, Haley Nicole Crum, Allison Mae Dusack, Katelyn Elizabeth Graham, Karli Shay Hanik, Ashley Linda Harris, Gabriel Byron Helsel, Dylan Jack Napora, Megan B. Ott, Heather Josephine Smith, Jennifer Jo Stiffler, Joseph Scott Stopko, Jamin Anthony Tomaselli, Matthew James Walker, Dylan Young

York – Patricia Danner

Dual Enrollment Program Earns Re-Accreditation With NACEP

The National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) Accreditation Commission recently granted accreditation and re-accreditation to 25 concurrent enrollment programs at colleges and universities nationwide. This brings the total number of NACEP accredited programs across the country to 134, spanning 26 states.

One of the programs granted re-accreditation was the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Accelerated College Education (ACE) program. ACE focuses on high school students and their ability to earn college credits while in high school through dual enrollment coursework.

The Pennsylvania Highlands ACE Program has a far-reaching impact, serving students throughout Central and Western Pennsylvania. ACE currently partners with 49 school districts throughout Pennsylvania and, over the past 10 years, has helped 10,000+ high school students earn college credits.

As the nation’s only accrediting body for these unique and impactful educational partnerships, NACEP’s standards serve as the model criteria for ensuring parity in faculty, course content, student outcomes, and support. Receiving NACEP accreditation means an institution has met the nation’s most rigorous standard in concurrent enrollment program development, management, and evaluation across multiple, multifaceted program areas.

To earn NACEP accreditation, concurrent enrollment programs conduct a self-study, document how their programs adhere to NACEP’s sixteen standards, and undergo a rigorous peer-review process conducted by a team of representatives from NACEP accredited programs as well as the NACEP Accreditation Commission. NACEP’s accreditation is valid for five years for initial accreditation and then seven years for reaccreditation, during which time programs commit to uphold NACEP’s standards and report annually on program practices.

“On behalf of the Accreditation Commission, I want to congratulate all of the newly accredited and re-accredited programs,” stated NACEP Accreditation Commission Chair, Michael Beam. “These programs have successfully demonstrated that they meet the NACEP standards for high-quality programming for concurrent enrollment, and college-provided faculty models. Many thanks to the hundreds of volunteers who make this process possible, specifically the Accreditation Commissioners and the Peer Reviewers. None of this work and support is achievable without their amazing contributions.”

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is also accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

About National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships

The National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) is the leading membership organization supporting programs that successfully transition students from high school to college through college credit-bearing courses. NACEP promotes quality programming through national standards, accreditation, and professional development. Members offer college courses to high school students through a variety of delivery methods and use a range of terms such as concurrent enrollment, dual enrollment, dual credit, and early college. NACEP’s national member network of close to 500 institutions includes colleges and universities, high schools/school districts, and state agencies actively share the latest knowledge about best practices, research and advocacy.