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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.

Huntingdon Center To Relocate Through Collaboration

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is proud of its rich history in Huntingdon, dating back to the first set of classes being held in the county in August 2009. Our impact within the Huntingdon community has only grown since then, with more than 900 students being served in the county over the past 10 years.

In addition to providing accessible and affordable academic options in the form of degrees, certificates, and diplomas, Penn Highlands provides high school students in both the Mount Union and Southern Huntingdon County school districts with dual enrollment and associate degree in high school options through the College’s robust dual enrollment program.

This July, our connection with Huntingdon County will continue to strengthen as Penn Highlands Community College will partner with Juniata College on a new venture. The two institutions have already been working together for years to ensure that post-secondary educational opportunities are available to Huntingdon County residents. Now, their commitment to student and regional success connects even more as Penn Highlands Community College relocates its Huntingdon Center to the Sill Business Incubator at Juniata College.

“We are looking forward to this collaboration with Juniata College,” stated Dr. Steve Nunez, President of Penn Highlands Community College. “This partnership allows Penn Highlands to continue providing accessible and affordable quality education and service to residents of Huntingdon County.”

The Penn Highlands Huntingdon Center will begin operating in the Sill Business Incubator (419 14th Street, Huntingdon, PA 16652) in July 2022. In this new location, Penn Highlands will guide students to academic success through its robust online program offerings.

“We are excited to welcome Penn Highlands Community College Huntingdon to the Sill Business Incubator here at Juniata College,” stated Dr. Jason Moran, Vice President of Enrollment at Juniata College. “This move builds on an established partnership of collaboratively building curricular pathways and transfer options to better serve college students throughout our region who are in pursuit of a post-secondary education.”

Penn Highlands Community College has been serving the region since 1994 and is looking forward to serving the residents of Huntingdon County for many years to come. Fall classes begin this August.

Seven Students Named To 2022 All-PA Academic Team

The Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges recently honored the 28th Annual All-Pennsylvania Academic Team, a remarkable group of community college students who have achieved academic excellence and demonstrated a commitment to their colleges and communities.

Seven of those honored were from Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. The following students were honored and are members of the All-Pennsylvania Academic Transfer and Workforce Pathway Teams:

• Kirstin Emerick (Beaverdale, PA)
• Matthew Gaul (Irvona, PA)
• Brooke Marek (Cairnbrook, PA)
• Julie Mitchell (Berlin, PA)
• Kethan Satterfield (Altoona, PA)
• Sydney Sheredy (Northern Cambria, PA)
• Joseph Stringent (Johnstown, PA)

Overall, the 2022 awardees included 46 outstanding community college transfer scholars and eight exceptional workforce pathway scholars from across the Commonwealth. Transfer students must have completed at least 36 credits at a community college and must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher to be considered for these awards. Workforce students must have a minimum of 12 college-level credit hours at a community college and a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Pennsylvania’s community colleges partner with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) universities to provide scholarships to eligible All-Pennsylvania Transfer Team members at PASSHE institutions, providing two years of tuition at any PASSHE school.

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College congratulates these students on their academic achievements and looks forward to what each of their futures will hold.

About Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges
The Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges is a voluntary membership association for Pennsylvania’s community colleges. Its members include the college presidents, members of the colleges’ boards of trustees, and key college administrators. The Commission represents the interests of and advocates for the collective needs of the community colleges to federal and state policymakers. For more information, please visit www.pacommunitycolleges.org.

Commencement Set For Friday, May 13th (Twenty-Seventh Graduating Class)

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will be holding a Commencement Ceremony for the Twenty-Seventh Graduating Class on Friday, May 13th, in their Richland Campus Auditorium (101 Community College Way, Johnstown, PA). The ceremony will begin at 7 PM.

Student Senate President Sydney Sheredy, of Northern Cambria, will be giving this year’s Commencement Address. Ms. Sheredy will obtain an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences during the ceremony.

She has been very active during her time at Pennsylvania Highlands. She is the President of Phi Theta Kappa, the world’s largest and most prestigious honor society for two-year college students, as well as a member of the inaugural softball team and the Ebensburg Activities Club. As the Student Senate President, Sydney is the Student Trustee and serves on the Academic Affairs/Student Services Committee and is an active member of the Pennsylvania Highlands Board of Trustees.

Sydney Sheredy will share her message with the nearly 200 graduates who are planning to be in attendance. Also addressing the graduates will be Penn Highlands Community College President Dr. Steve Nunez, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees Greg Winger, Cambria County President Commissioner Thomas Chernisky, and Faculty Senate President Joe Slifko.

In addition to awarding associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates at the ceremony, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will also present the Distinguished Graduate Award. This award honors a student who has contributed his or her time and effort to Pennsylvania Highlands and the community while maintaining a high level of academic performance.

For those unable to attend, you may watch this year’s live stream of Commencement through one of two ways:

• College’s Website: www.pennhighlands.edu/commencement/
• College’s YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/pennhighlands/

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College looks forward to honoring the Twenty-Seventh Graduating Class.

Blair Center To Host Free Computer Basics Workshop

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, in partnership with PA CareerLink® and UPMC Altoona, will be holding a free Computer Basics Workshop on Tuesday, May 24th and Wednesday, May 25th, at their Blair Center (5580 Goods Lane, Altoona, PA; next to Macy’s in the Logan Valley Mall). The workshops will run from 9 AM – 12 PM.

This workshop is geared toward individuals who have trouble navigating computer basics such as logging in to a computer, sending and receiving email, applying for jobs online, and more. In addition, staff from PA CareerLink® and Penn Highlands will be available to answer questions about choosing a career, finding a job, attending college, and utilizing financial aid for college. Refreshments will be provided.

This workshop is free to the first 24 individuals who enroll. A $50 Sheetz gift card will also be provided to each student who attends both days and completes the 2-day workshop. The College will provide computers for use during this training.

For more information or to reserve a spot in the workshop, please contact the Penn Highlands Community College Blair Center at 814.201.2700 or PA CareerLink® at 814.940.6200.