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Medical Assisting Technology Awarded Continuing Accreditation Through CAAHEP

Update: As of March 2023, the Medical Assisting Technology degree is no longer accredited by CAAHEP.

The Medical Assisting Technology (A.A.S.) associate degree program at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has been awarded continuing accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The Medical Assisting Technology associate degree program received its initial accreditation in 2016.

“This accomplishment is a testament to the dedication and hard work put in by our Professor of Health Professions, Gaynelle Schmieder, and the rest of our Health Professions team,” stated Robert Farinelli, Vice President of Academic Affairs. “Students enrolled in Medical Assisting at Penn Highlands Community College can feel confident in knowing that their education will set them up for success with this accreditation status.”

Penn Highlands’ students will benefit the most from CAAHEP accreditation. Those that graduate from Penn Highlands with a Medical Assisting Technology degree will automatically be qualified to sit for the AAMA (American Association of Medical Assistants) exam and become certified medical assistants.

Medical assisting, a multi-skilled allied health profession, allows medical assistants to function as members of the health care delivery team by performing both administrative and clinical procedures.

CAAHEP is the largest programmatic accreditor of the health sciences profession. The organization reviews and accredits over 2,100 educational programs in 32 health science occupations. CAAHEP is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Continuing accreditation is awarded after a program has already been initially accredited and then subsequently reviewed by the Committees on Accreditation at specified intervals. Continuing accreditation remains in place until the CAAHEP Board votes otherwise, and it is not time limited.

RMU Partners with Penn Highlands To Create Affordable Transfer Pathways

Robert Morris University signed articulation agreements today with Pennsylvania Highlands Community College (Penn Highlands) and West Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC) to create affordable pathways for community college students to earn a four-year degree.

“RMU shares with all our community college partners an unwavering commitment to ensuring that a four-year degree is affordable and accessible to students no matter where they are on their educational or professional journey,” said RMU President Chris Howard. “We are grateful to the Richard King Mellon Foundation for their support of this vital mission.”

The agreement with Penn Highlands, based in Johnstown, creates 26 combinations of Penn Highlands associate degree programs that will transfer seamlessly to RMU bachelor degree programs. RMU majors included in the agreement are accounting, business administration, management, marketing, sport management, cinema and photography, computer and information systems, cybersecurity, criminal justice, English, writing, organizational leadership, history, economics, health sciences, psychology, and interdisciplinary studies.

”These transfer agreements signify that we are committed to identifying those collaborations that are beneficial to Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and to Robert Morris University, but most importantly, to our shared students and to the communities we both serve,” said Penn Highlands Community College President Steve Nunez. “Ultimately, these agreements ensure that students of Pennsylvania Highlands can easily transfer to Robert Morris University, where they will receive an outstanding education as they earn their bachelor’s degree.”

Today’s announcement is just the latest in a series of agreements that RMU has signed with community colleges throughout western Pennsylvania and beyond.

Embracing The Motto Of Service Above Self

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

About seven years ago, Sauk Valley Community College, where I worked, hired a new president. During one of my first meetings with him, he asked me which community organizations I belonged to; I embarrassingly said none. He then went on to inform me that as I was a senior community college leader, he expected me to join and participate in several community organizations.

It seems so logical to me now – I mean, the word “community” is embedded right in the name of community college. I, therefore, wholeheartedly agreed and quickly joined multiple organizations across several communities.

That same boss suggested that I join a local chapter of Rotary International. Again, embarrassingly, I had to ask what the mission of Rotary was. He patiently explained that it was an organization dedicated to community service at the local, regional, national, and even international levels.

The motto being “Service Above Self.”

I was intrigued and soon joined the Dixon, Illinois, chapter of Rotary – where I was a member for five years.

During those five years, we did great work for the Dixon community and raised more than $50,000 for college scholarships and participated in multiple community renewal projects.

What impressed me most was that the Rotary Club was full of civic-minded, kind, and generous folks. As we say in the south, “they are good people,” and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them. Many are still good friends today.

After being hired as President at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, I had a conversation with my own leadership team about joining community organizations, just as my former boss did with me those seven years ago.

I have talented leaders on my team, and I stressed to them the importance of not only participating in but also providing leadership to community organizations.

I was pleased. They were already engaged with and provided leadership to many community organizations. I’m proud to say that the College remains “plugged in” to our communities as we serve as members of and provide leadership to many civic, service, and economic development organizations.

Last year, I decided to join the Ebensburg Rotary Club, where I quickly realized that members are good people who love their community.

A short year later, I am now the club’s president. We are a small but mighty club that is invested in helping the Ebensburg community. Our list of annual projects is quite impressive and only seems to keep growing.

We are most intently focused on designing and funding a dog park near Lake Rowena – and years of effort and persistence are finally paying off as we may be nearing the construction phase.

I’ll leave you with a call to action – investigate your local community organizations (of any sort) and join one.

Even if you can only infrequently participate, your expertise, your time, and your service is important to that club and to our community’s wellbeing. You won’t regret joining and you may find yourself falling in love with its mission – much as I did with the Rotary.

If you’d like to help the Ebensburg Rotary Club in its efforts to complete a dog park, you can attend our Dawg Pawty fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on August 14th at Lake Rowena.

And, we’ll 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. 

Culinary Arts Information Session Set For Somerset

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will be holding a Culinary Arts Information Session on Tuesday, August 10^th, from 5:30pm – 6:30pm. This session will take place at the Somerset County Technology Center (281 Technology Drive, Somerset, PA 15501).

Attendees will learn about the College’s new Culinary Arts program, tour the Somerset County Technology Center to see where hands-on training takes place, explore financial aid options, and more. Individuals will have the opportunity to complete an admissions application on-site.

The Culinary Arts (A.A.S.) associate degree program prepares students for entry-level and management positions in the food service industry. These courses offer a foundation in general business management with a focus on culinary skills, including baking and pastry.

For more information, contact the Somerset Center at 814.443.2500. Click here for more information on this event.

Discovery Day Scheduled For Blair & Richland

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will be holding Discovery Day on Thursday, August 5^th, from 6:00pm – 7:30pm.

Learn about Penn Highlands and its opportunities, including degree and certificate programs, transfer options, athletics and clubs, financial aid, and more. Campus tours will be provided. Individuals will have the opportunity to complete an admissions application on-site.

Individuals are encouraged to RSVP; however, walk-ins are also welcome. Attendees will have the opportunity to receive college apparel.

Discovery Day locations include:

• Blair Center
  5580 Goods Lane, Altoona, PA 16602 (Logan Valley Mall, next to Macy’s)
  814.201.2700 | blair@pennhighlands.edu
• Richland Campus
  101 Community College Way, Johnstown, PA 15904
  814.262.6446 | admissions@pennhighlands.edu

 Penn Highlands has been proudly serving the region with quality and affordable academic options in an inclusive atmosphere since 1994.

For more information, contact the Blair Center or Richland Campus directly, or call us at 1.888.385.PEAK. Click here to register for this event.