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Police Academy Finds New Home At Penn Highlands

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

There are some things you take for granted in life. You just assume that your water will flow when you turn on the shower.

You just assume that January will bring snow to the Johnstown area, and that Fox News and CNN are going to have diametrically opposed coverage of every political issue.

And, you just assume that in the case of an emergency, first responders will be there quickly to deal with the chaos of the moment and in some cases to save the lives of your friends and family.

Unfortunately, there is a labor shortage for most first responders in Pennsylvania including paramedics, firefighters, EMTs, and police officers. The underlying reasons for that are complex. In some cases, people are less interested in entering those professional fields.

Ten years ago, when I was at another community college in Illinois, criminal justice was one of the top three majors at the college – behind nursing and radiology. Today, that same program is struggling, with only a small number of students enrolled.

County commissioners, borough council members, and local state legislators within the College’s service area regularly mention the shortage of qualified first responders – and yet, many training programs have more capacity.

While I don’t have all the answers, Penn Highlands will continue to do its part. It was with great pride that we announced that the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) approved the transfer of the Johnstown Regional Police Academy to the management of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College.

We believe that there will be great synergy between our existing two-year criminal justice degree program, our state-of-the-art police training simulator, and the management and operation of a regional police academy.

The College’s service region is quite broad and extends across Cambria, Blair, Somerset, Huntingdon, and other counties. We already offer a multitude of services and programs across this region.

We believe our regional approach will help attract interested cadets who want to be police officers or attract current police officers who need annual requisite training.

Also, many police departments prefer or even require, that their officers have a minimum of a two-year college degree – which Penn Highlands already offers in criminal justice.

Penn Highlands has become a one-stop shop for training police officers. What an exciting time to be working at the College.

Personnel are working diligently to offer the first police academy class sometime in the fall. If you have any questions about the police academy, please search our website at pennhighlands.edu for the latest updates.

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.

College Appoints New Board of Trustee Member

Image of Leah Spangler.

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Leah Spangler to its Board of Trustees.

“I’m very pleased with the appointment of Dr. Spangler to the Pennsylvania Highlands Board of Trustees,” stated Dr. Steve Nunez, President of Penn Highlands Community College. “She has a proven track record of supporting and recognizing the positive impact of education on our community. I look forward to working with her to advance the mission of the College.”

Dr. Leah Spangler is the founding President and CEO of The Learning Lamp and Ignite Education Solutions, a Johnstown-based nonprofit that works with schools and community organizations to provide all children with the support they need to succeed. She is also an adjunct professor at Saint Francis University and Mount Aloysius College, where she teaches entrepreneurship, nonprofit management, and strategic management. A graduate of Temple and Northwestern Universities, she completed her doctorate in Leadership and Administration at Point Park University.

The new trustee position fills the vacancy of Dr. Kathy O’Rourke, who retired her position in December of 2021. Dr. O’Rourke was on the Penn Highlands Community College Trustee Board for 12 years as a valued advisor on the Academic Affairs and Student Services Committee.

“The Board is pleased Dr. Spangler has made the commitment to our Pennsylvania Highlands Community College stakeholders,” stated Greg Winger, Board of Trustees Chairperson at Penn Highlands Community College. “Dr. Spangler brings years of educational expertise and community leadership. We look forward to her contributions and talents serving with our fellow Trustees.”

In addition to the announcement of Dr. Leah Spangler as a new Trustee, three existing trustees were approved for six-year term reappointments by the Cambria County Commissioners:

• Mr. Greg Winger
• Dr. Janet Grady
• Mr. Alan Cashaw

About Pennsylvania Highlands Community College (www.pennhighlands.edu)
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has served over 60,000 community members throughout western Pennsylvania, including the Laurel Highlands and Southern Alleghenies regions. Offering over 35 degree, certificate, and diploma programs in seven unique pathways, Penn Highlands has the highest graduation rate of all Pennsylvania community colleges.

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.